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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

What are your favorite pair of shoes when shooting

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dan freshman

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Are you on your feet all day carrying heavy stuff? Curious your go to shoes for work
 
I usually wear merrell jungle mocs. I did 20 hours of steadicam in two days a few weeks ago and my feet felt great. Some one posted the same question on a FB group for film folks and lots of people said allbirds so I bought a pair. I will never ever hire anyone wearing allbirds for the rest of my life. If you think those shoes are for working in you have obviously never done a day of actual work in your life. Worst shoes I have ever worn. They are great for sitting on the couch. I'll give them that.

Nick
 
I somehow went through the first 15-ish years of my career mostly wearing Vans on set. A catastrophic mistake really as I discovered after a week of filming and hiking on The Great Wall of China.

I've now switched over to Saucony sneakers, not far off from Merrell's, but I have no clue how Nick survives without laces! The Saucony's are a bit heavier than the common Nike shoes I see, but I need a little weight down there instead of the feather feet thing. The whole reason the Vans were attractive to me was I could feel the ground and had a solid feel to the sole, but they lose in comfort if you are doing production work.

I'll echo Dan on Wolverines, I'll wear their boots in the woods on shoots. Also a bit heavier than you want.


One thing, especially if you are working locally. Grab 2 or 3 pairs of what you like to wear and swap out to a fresh pair every new day. This gives the foam time to recover from your brutal hoofing around and makes for a comfier wear. Also, lace up low and tighten in base-front of that foot. Helps loads.
 
Phil Holland said:
One thing, especially if you are working locally. Grab 2 or 3 pairs of what you like to wear and swap out to a fresh pair every new day. This gives the foam time to recover from your brutal hoofing around and makes for a comfier wear. Also, lace up low and tighten in base-front of that foot. Helps loads.
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Dan Kanes said:
also gives time to air out the stank
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Phil and Dan are very wise.
 
Phil Holland said:
I somehow went through the first 15-ish years of my career mostly wearing Vans on set. A catastrophic mistake really as I discovered after a week of filming and hiking on The Great Wall of China.
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If you do like the Vans aesthetic, the new stuff coming out with UltraCush soles is not bad. I used to get pinched nerves standing 14 hours on Eras/Authentics. But I got a pair of UltraRanges and Sk8-Hi's with UC soles and it's a whole new world. For the lighter days on set I really like the UltraRanges -- though they are featherweight. The Sk8-Hi's are not bad either with the better soles, far better than the regular Sk8-Hi's I have. That said, I did get a pair of Authentics with the new soles and improvement was a little more mild over the regular versions. Standing on them is fine but for walking, a single layer of canvas can only go so far to support the rest of your foot.

Of course for some real trekking days, it's hard to beat some actual boots.

An important note for the OP, be sure you get the right size shoes! I can't stress how important proper fit is. A half size up or down might still "fit" but isn't doing the proper job with support.

Also, changing socks at lunch is a game changer. Not just for stank, but it helps you feel rejuvenated and ready for the back half of the day. I always have a fresh pair of socks in my bag.
 
Aaron Lochert said:
Also, changing socks at lunch is a game changer. Not just for stank, but it helps you feel rejuvenated and ready for the back half of the day. I always have a fresh pair of socks in my bag.
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Director - Sound, camera speed, and Act......

DP - (rustlin' through bag)

1nd AD - HOLD FOR SOCKS

DP - (strangely loud) Ahhhhh!

Director - Action!

Socks, the fresh maker :)
 
Salomon XA PRO, the most comfortable and versatile shoe I've ever owned. I'm probably on my 9th pair and have been buying these for 7 or 8 years. I prefer the GTX version because I work on location a lot and never know when I have to run some wet grass. I HATE having wet feet on set.

For when it's a little on the colder side and things might get wet.
https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/xa-pro-3d-gtxr.html#1191=9990

For when it's a little on the warmer side and it's less likely that one's feet will get wet.
https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/xa-pro-3d-wide.html#1191=9554
https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/xa-pro-3d.html#1191=17960

Also, yes to changing socks at lunchtime.

Good luck,

- Jan
 
I've been seeing people on sets wearing Hoka ONE shoes and raving about them. Could just be the latest fad.

images
 
I’m a tennis shoe(technically running shoe) guy, through and through. When I actually have to wear shoes. Asics with SofSole ‘Athlete’ inserts. Usually Nimbus or Kayano’s, but I’ve been wearing the MetaRun’s for the last few months.

For probably 15-20 years I’ve constantly heard so many people around me in the business talk about Merrell’s and see them wearing them, that it’s pretty much cliche. I decided to try them about two years ago and bought a similar pair to what one of my audio guys wears. Thank goodness I bought them on Amazon... They were some of the most uncomfortable shoes that I think I’ve ever worn.

If you’re on your feet a lot, especially if you do a lot of handheld, you might get six good months out of a pair before you should start considering replacing them. Also, swap the insoles out maybe every three. I’ve also travelled with two pair, before, so I could rotate them and have a “fresh” pair every day.
 
Allbirds tree runners. Insanely comfy.
 
For more sturdy and protective footwear, I've found there are modern work-boots that are comfortable enough to wear all day, not being too heavy and having soft runner-like insoles.

These are the best ones I know of - https://steelblue.com/au/

Adding (and occasionally replacing) inserts like these - https://www.bigw.com.au/product/footcare-odour-stop-extra-tough-insoles-black/p/67600/ and wearing thick work-socks helps with comfort, longevity and odour-reduction.

Some other tips -

Getting the correct size for your feet, down to half-sizes, is crucial. Different brands and different styles within the same brand can fit slightly differently even though the size numbers are the same, so actually trying them on for size is important, and erring towards marginally too big (between half-sizes) is better than going too small and hoping the boots will stretch.

Never try to tough it out and pit your skin against leather when the boots are new and need breaking in. It only takes a few minutes to give your feet blisters that can cause unavoidable agony for days. Even when you've got the right size and are wearing thick socks, wear the boots as loose as possible for the first few days to avoid friction. Only lace them up halfway and only tighten the laces enough so that the boots don't fall off. Over the first couple of weeks (of daily use), as the leather takes shape, gradually lace the boots all the way up and then tighten them to their final fit.

If the boots are made with leather that's hardened or reinforced to form a particular shape (like around the back of the heel), before wearing the boots at all, smash and knead the hardened leather until it's pliable using the end of a knife-handle or other tool or by pushing it against the corner of a bench.

Use regular shoe polish or leather-nourishing product to polish and protect the boots before you use them and whenever the leather starts to stiffen up again (usually within a day of not wearing them), to help the boots soften and take shape initially, then to avoid cracking of the leather where it creases as they're worn in.
 
Ron Howard recommended changing into a second pair after lunch.
 
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