Shoe selection when playing DDR?

[SulferDragon]

What type of shoes do you feel the most comfortable with, and get the best scores with while playing DDR, or ITG, or PIU? It's been eating me, I had to ask.

I find shoes to be second most important element to getting good scores next to a properly running pad. I notice my scores can drastictly change depending on what I'm wearing. I myself prefer to wear basketball shoes for the reason that they're very comfortable, and they make me very light on my feet. Also the fact that I tend to dance of my toes, and in basketball they teach you to run off your toes. So I guess basketball sort of influenced my DDR play.

When I play with my normal everyday sneakers, while I notice I can hold a combo just as well, I notice I average about 20 more Greats per song depending on the amount of steps. I always want to kick myself when I wear them. Plus I think they actually drain me faster then my basketball shoes on the harder stuff.

Then I have my mountain boots which I do surprisingly well in. Not as good as my basketball shoes, but close. I think it's because they have a raised toe, which helps the fact I step off of my toes. But they kill my feet so they're a no-no


What do you feel you do the best in?

[Meteo22ob]

I shop exclusively for DDR-friendly shoes. I strongly prefer good running sneakers,
especially if the word "Max" is printed on the shoe in some way (good for the DDR mojo).

[AdamL00001]

Depends. K-Swiss is incredibly light on the foot, which can be good or bad depending on what songs you're doing (Good for MAXes and Paranoias, bad for CSFIL SM where you have to jackhammer one foot).

My other preferred shoe is the Nike Shox. While overall more heavy, they take out a lot of the shock and wear and tear of playing for long periods or lots of steps.

[Akkaraju]

I have these Reebok shoes that honestly aren't all that great, but I'm thinking of getting a pair of Nike Free. Are those good for DDR?

[forlornabominat]

NO!!! Nike Free were the worst decision! They cause you to twist your ankle a LOT. Also, STAY AWAY FROM PUMAS. They have rolled heels, which can cause your ankle to twist even easier. Nike free has no ankle support, and pumaz generally have NEGATIVE support, cuz of there stupid rolled heal. I hear that converse arent that bad, my old room mate used to use converse. I use nike shox, and I have had the same ddr shoes for a good 4 years now. You see pictures ofme in tournaments long ago, and I still have the same shoes. I tried Nike free, and other things, and always went back to my shox.

[Dark~Hope]

I like to wear some running shoes, usually Nike's. But my mom freaked when I told her I wanted a pair just for DDR lol.

[naoki1998]

jajaja a simple pair of shoes X.... jajaja i even played DDR with my school shoes (so hard), jajajaj...

a confortable pair of converses are a good election

[Arkadian]

I prefer to use running shoes, ones that fit of course! And also, prior to playing, you should tie your shoes very tightly. But not too tight, so that your feet will have air to breathe. Inspeaking of shoes, you just reminded me to get a new pair!

[Victamone]

I've been using the same Vans for about.. 1.5 years now. They are Rowley XL2's(I used to skate). I guess I've just really comfortable in them so I've kept using them.

[June.H]

Screw Sketchers Sport. Those things tear apart like paper on your feet.

So far New Balance is OK, the ones I have though have pretty poor support (kills my knees too), the best pair I've had so far were...$30 Asics. AAA'ed many-a-songs with those. Lasted me a year and a half before the bottom fell apart (and started smelling kinda funky). I miss them.

The only shoes I use are cross-trainers, although I hear basketball shoes hold up better.

[天の龍]

Whatever feels comfortables. Generally, boots are out, but I'll wear almost anything. I've played many sessions in a pair of tatami sandals as well.

[SulferDragon]

Originally Posted by 青龍☆

I've played many sessions in a pair of tatami sandals as well.

I'm not neceesarily sure what tatami sandals are... but Never play with sandals.(PERIOD) I've seen several people fall, and get injured from playing in sandals! I played in filp flops once as a joke, I swear I was going to trip off the machine several times, it was one of the most akward things I've ever done. Play barefoot before you play with sandals!

[ukinozomu]

Originally Posted by Meteo22ob

especially if the word "Max" is printed on the shoe in some way

Nike AIR MAX! A lot of my friends like very flat soled shoes to play in - helps with heel/toe tapping too, I believe, but I play in fairly thick shoes - New Balance runners, nothing special. Friends also make a note to never use shoes that are less than half a year old, whereas I got new shoes specifically for DDR >>

[Doc Forrest]

Has anyone tried wearing steel-cap work boots when ddr'ing?

[Akadosan]

Hmmm. This is a hard one.

Shoe selection is based on several factors, including but not limited to:
-Is it comfortable for you to move?
-Is it heavy enough to register a Freeze Arrow on the dance pad?
-Does the shoes damage the dance pad when you are playing?

Anyway, the shoes that I am using right now, for DDR, would be a pair of Trail Air Vent.

Works okay.