Home > FAQ > Do you need special shoes?
DO YOU NEED SPECIAL SHOES?
| Selection criteria Toe box Instep surface Weight |
Material Sole composition/durability Cost/availability Final word |
Selection criteria
The short answer is yes. The right shoe can make all the difference in skill development, particularly as a new player. This can be a turn-off to many as it is the biggest investment required in committing to improvement. There are many factors to consider in selecting the right footbag-friendly shoe, including: toe box, instep surface, weight, material, sole composition, durability, cost, and availability. The most popular shoes used for freestyle footbag, in approximate descending order, are: Adidas Rod Laver, Quantum, Reebok G-Unit, Adidas Climacool, and Nucleus (keeping in mind that this only refers to particular models of these shoes).
Back to top
Toe box
The toe box of a shoe will determine
the effectiveness of tricks caught on and set from a toe stall, which comprise approximately one third of an average player's repertoire. A large, flat, open, and supple surface, ideally made of a thin mesh material, is ideal.
Back to top
Instep surface
The instep surface of a shoe, or inside, will determine the ease with which the majority of tricks are caught (on clipper stall). A flat, even surface is vital, particularly at the seam where sole meets shoe. A thicker sole in the middle of the shoe will provide a larger stalling surface. A poor instep surface can make or break a player's game and is one of the most critical factors in choosing the right shoe.
Back to top
Weight
The weight of a shoe primarily
affects dexterity speed, but also stamina and muscle strain. The difference in weight between the Rod Laver and the Climacool can be upward of the time necessary to perform an extra dexterity! While the Laver is the most popular footbag shoe, it is unfortunately the heaviest. The transition in playing from a heavier shoe to one that is lighter can make a huge impact on physical ability (as well as help prevent injury).
Back to top
Material
The material of a shoe is absolutely critical. A leather shoe is virtually useless as the footbag will simply slip off of its surface.
A supple mesh or canvas material is ideal, as in the previously mentioned list of shoes. Thin and supple is key as the player must be able to feel the weight of the footbag through the shoe.
Back to top
Sole composition/durability
The composition of a shoe's sole will affect many other important factors, such as instep surface, weight, and durability. Finding a shoe with an ideal sole has perhaps never been achieved in footbag. While the Laver is the most reliable, it is dense and heavy; the Climacool sole is extremely lightweight, which severly reduces its durability; the Quantum, made specifically for freestyle footbag, is a nice balance of density, however the material itself is structurally weak and the sole tends to crack in half. While Lavers and G-Units may last a number of years, you are fortunate if any of the others last one.
Back to top
Cost/availability
Because footbag shoes can be priced rather high (from approximately $50-120, including shipping and taxes), factoring durability and long-term cost against playability might unfortunately be necessary for some players. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the majority of these shoes are now either discontinued or extremely difficult to obtain. Again, the Rod Laver is the most consistently easy to obtain, thanks in great part to World Footbag.
Back to top
Final word
The majority of experienced players recommend using the Adidas Rod Laver, hands-down as the definitive freestyle footbag shoe. It is simply the most overall effective shoe considering all above factors.
Casual untested shoes will generally only hinder a new player. The monetary cost is ultimately an investment in skill and time not wasted attempting to improve with subpar equipment. A number of models of the Adidas Rod Laver are consistently available at World Footbag, here.
Back to top