The Ref Stop

Boot recommendation

Q

QuaverRef

I used to be indecisive but now i'm not so sure
Level 4 Referee
Has anyone got any recommendations for comfortable boots? I’m not overly fussed with price as long as they are durable.

At the moment I have Nike Tiempo which have had for a year or so, but I tend to have problems with blisters with those on my heel and ball of my foot, usually when side stepping/crabbing during games.
 
The Ref Stop
I really like my Salomon Speedcross--it is a trail running shoe. I find it comfortable on grass and turf and either in the center or sidestepping on a line. (Trail running shoes have more traction and have more side support than standard running shoes.)
 
I second @socal lurker 's recommendation of Salomons. I have worn a waterproof pair with GoreTex that works great on muddy fields and in the rain.

My two shoes of choice at the present time are a Nike Pegasus trail running shoe for most centers and a New Balance 442 astro-turf shoe for lines. I do have a pair of Adidas Copa firm ground studs for the rare event I need to wear studs (normally running a line on either a wet field or a very, very well-maintained field).

I fully realize this is cultural, but for me a running-type of shoe is so much better for officiating. I'm not kicking a ball during the game, so I don't need to wear soccer shoes when I'm centering. AR duties have more "soccer-type" movements like quick turns and start-stop, so having more of a soccer shoe is appropriate on the line. I'm not sure I've ever been criticized for wearing running shoes instead of soccer shoes in the US, but I do understand other countries may not be as understanding about this.


 
Copa's are grand, but if you have flat arches like me you might consider some padding to raise your heel a touch. They are a very flat sole.

Supremely comfy otherwise
 
By far the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn were a pair of Pantofola D’Or. Soft leather, nice design and lightweight. Questionable build quality though and that’s why I’d be wary of getting another pair.
 
Yampy said:
By far the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn were a pair of Pantofola D’Or. Soft leather, nice design and lightweight. Questionable build quality though and that’s why I’d be wary of getting another pair.
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I had a pair last me nearly 2 seasons, they were super imo

Got umbro specialis now though, highly recommended
 
es1 said:
I had a pair last me nearly 2 seasons, they were super imo

Got umbro specialis now though, highly recommended
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Had a pair for firm ground but only lasted for 12 months before leather upper and sole plate divorced each other and went separate ways. Also had a soft ground pair but the sole plate split after a handful of games.
But so, so comfortable. They’re not called Golden Slippers for nothing.

Speciali 98 Pros are top of my list to replace my 8 (eight) year old Kaisers. Just need to find the right size for the right price.
 
RefIADad said:
I second @socal lurker 's recommendation of Salomons. I have worn a waterproof pair with GoreTex that works great on muddy fields and in the rain.

My two shoes of choice at the present time are a Nike Pegasus trail running shoe for most centers and a New Balance 442 astro-turf shoe for lines. I do have a pair of Adidas Copa firm ground studs for the rare event I need to wear studs (normally running a line on either a wet field or a very, very well-maintained field).

I fully realize this is cultural, but for me a running-type of shoe is so much better for officiating. I'm not kicking a ball during the game, so I don't need to wear soccer shoes when I'm centering. AR duties have more "soccer-type" movements like quick turns and start-stop, so having more of a soccer shoe is appropriate on the line. I'm not sure I've ever been criticized for wearing running shoes instead of soccer shoes in the US, but I do understand other countries may not be as understanding about this.


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And I’ll make three. Especially on the drier pitches at the moment.

In the wetter conditions/softer pitches I’ve a pair of ASICS Tigreor boots. I need the additional support underfoot and find Copas and Kaisers the wrong shape for my feet (too narrow at the toe end) and Tiempos left me with Achilles issues
 
this thread has been an interesting read . Im new to refereeing, made the switch from playing since my glass ankles are getting more and more delicate. i get a strange pain on the front/outside of my ankle. i been using nike tiempo's artificial grass studded, but they're ruining my feet with the hard ground as it is currently, and some of the "grass roots" pitches are not the most level surface. i had been in two minds as to whether to invest in some mundials, but over 80 pound is quite a lot.

i have a game in the morning and will be digging out my nike trail running shoes, i shall see how we get on.
 
If you can afford the upfront expense, you'll make it back through match fees and you won't be disabled halfway through the season. You do get what you pay for. Mind the flat soles, though
 
Puma Kings are always comfy for me, I have wide feet. I do wish I'd bought firm ground over soft though. The tongues are big and white so not massively subtle. I have some Puma "ones" that are all black and I might try the advice given above and wear my all black Asics trail shoes while pitches are dry
 
It sounds like you have wide feet pal and a flat foot go Adidas go with munidals world cup or Kaiser 5s but I would say get you a good insole for running with these
 
thanks all for the advice. few weeks on its working well with some nike pegasus trail shoes. also picked up some fairly cheap astro nike tiempos which are forgiving for wide feet, and i guess look a bit more "football-y". once I've got a couple more months in the bag i might invest further. but at my level, i tend to do 2 or 3 games on the trot saturday or sunday morning, i think running/trail shoes are a great option. especially given ill be wearing boots all of sunday afternoon whilst I'm still playing.
 
ben_white161 said:
Puma Kings are always comfy for me, I have wide feet. I do wish I'd bought firm ground over soft though. The tongues are big and white so not massively subtle. I have some Puma "ones" that are all black and I might try the advice given above and wear my all black Asics trail shoes while pitches are dry
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I bought some copa mundials, they are fantastically comfortable. Hated spending that much but if they help avoid injury and stop me wearing out it's worth it. A coach and a club AR complimented them today too
 
I have had a pair of copia mundial/world cup from around 15 years ago that I got reduced from a friend at a local PL Academy. They are moulded studs therefore I cant remember if they are copa mundials or world cups as one pair is moulded(as mine are) and one pair is screw in studs. Extremely comfortable boots.
 
Is it just me that would never wear any form of running shoes to referee, just seems unprofessional to me to wear trainers rather than boots
 
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