"barefoot" style shoes on stage

[DaveParker39]

Okay, so I almost exclusively rehearse without shoes, standing.

I'm used to playing standing without shoes. One of the benefits is it makes it a lot easier to hit footswitches, but in general it just feels more natural.

99% of the places we play out, I have to wear shoes for my own safety if not also for the requirements of the establishment.

I've looked at a few "barefoot" style shoes with minimal sole. A little support would be fine but it would be nice especially to feel like I have less shoe under my toes.

Anyone try anything like this?

I asked a vendor at a strongman show I went to lately (barefoot shoes are big in weightlifting) and they simply hadn't tried my particular situation as a use case so their answer was essentially "it could certainly work but you would be the first to try it to our knowledge, let us know if you do"

 

[Geepers]

Vivobarefoot shoes are what I think you want. I’ve worn them exclusively for years. Can’t wear regular shoes any more as they just feel so awful by comparison.

 

[induction]

A couple of others are Lems and Xero. I wear shoes from both of them, and from Vivobarefoot, exclusively for about six years now.

I mostly play at home and always practice barefoot. Coincidentally, my only gig on bass was at a martial arts studio for a holiday party. We were set up in a corner on the mats and were required to take our shoes off - great for me! If I get other opportunities to gig that require shoes the Vivobarefoot, Xero, and one of my Lems pairs are all comfortable and precise enough to hit pedals.

 

[A Bass And Its Boy]

I play shows completely barefoot (as do my guitarist and drummer), which although seemingly taboo on TalkBass is not uncommon here in Hawai‘i. of course, I also played CBGB barefoot, too, back in the day.

+1 for Vivo Barefoot though. Great shoes. I Gotta check out Xero and Lems.

 

[DaveParker39]

I play shows completely barefoot (as do my guitarist and drummer), which although seemingly taboo on TalkBass is not uncommon here in Hawai‘i. of course, I also played CBGB barefoot, too, back in the day.

+1 for Vivo Barefoot though. Great shoes. I Gotta check out Xero and Lems.

I think there are a lot of places in the world it's not taboo, unfortunately the northeastern united states isn't one of them so I haven't had a chance to get good thick tissue on my feet.

 

[el murdoque]

I'm the exact opposite. I wear barefoot shoes most of the time, but when I play music, I prefer regular soles between me and the ground. Makes hitting pedals much easier for me.
However, If you're into barefoot feeling, I recommend Feelgrounds shoes.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Okay, so I almost exclusively rehearse without shoes, standing.

I'm used to playing standing without shoes. One of the benefits is it makes it a lot easier to hit footswitches, but in general it just feels more natural.

99% of the places we play out, I have to wear shoes for my own safety if not also for the requirements of the establishment.

I've looked at a few "barefoot" style shoes with minimal sole. A little support would be fine but it would be nice especially to feel like I have less shoe under my toes.

Anyone try anything like this?

I asked a vendor at a strongman show I went to lately (barefoot shoes are big in weightlifting) and they simply hadn't tried my particular situation as a use case so their answer was essentially "it could certainly work but you would be the first to try it to our knowledge, let us know if you do"

Flip flops

 

[sears]

I have performed in Softstar Sawyers and Be Lenka Icons for years. This site is wild -- Barefoot Shoe Finder | Anya's Barefoot Shoe Finder

 

[Greenman72]

You could be like Misa, the barefoot assassin. (AKA the bassist for Band-Maid.)

 

[henryjurstin13]

Been doing it for years!!!! No matter the season, no matter the stage.... sometimes I like to bring a tiny rug, which really makes it nicer. I like being able to turn knobs with my toes during the set if need be.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Just lift more weights, and shave your head. Problem solved...

...unless you are playing jazz standards---then I got nothin

 

[HotelX]

I like soft star shoes.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Es Accel skate shoes, they have great “board” feel!

 

[Ian774]

No joke, if I see a band playing barefoot, I walk away. Put some bloody shoes on

 

[davedamage]

No joke, if I see a band playing barefoot, I walk away. Put some bloody shoes on

Hippie jokes aside, what possible difference does it make what the person(s) playing are or aren't wearing? Is it genre dependent? Phish tribute is okay but you obviously can't play Die With Your Boots On barefoot?

 

[Kael]

Altra has zero drop shoes that mimic how the foot naturally rests. My wife is fond of them.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I've used barefoot-style shoes by Merrell and liked them well enough. Not sure Merrell are the best example, it's the only brand I've tried. Anyway, it can look like you're wearing thick socks rather than shoes, but I find them comfortable for casual walks.

Maybe it's me, but I would not wear barefoot shoes to work -- or to the gig, for the same reason I almost always wear long pants to the gig: protection from self-damage when moving gear (shin scrapes, toe-stubs). But IMHO barefoot shoes would be far more appropriate at the gig than bare feet or sandals! I'm old school that way, I guess.

 

[Ian774]

Hippie jokes aside, what possible difference does it make what the person(s) playing are or aren't wearing? Is it genre dependent? Phish tribute is okay but you obviously can't play Die With Your Boots On barefoot?

I was obviously joking. But I do have an aversion to feet in general. I hate open shoes outside settings like pool, beach…. And people walking around barefoot gives me the creeps. So yeah, each to their own, I just don’t get why anyone would want to walk barefoot on a dirty stage.

 

[H K]

What about anti-slip socks? Those you have to wear at trampoline parks etc. with the rubber dots underneath.
Another option; climbing shoes. Super thin and gives loads of feel.

Or you know, make it a protest; wear shoeboxes on your feet until they let you go barefoot.

 

[HardNHeavy]

I play shows completely barefoot (as do my guitarist and drummer), which although seemingly taboo on TalkBass is not uncommon here in Hawai‘i. of course, I also played CBGB barefoot, too, back in the day.

+1 for Vivo Barefoot though. Great shoes. I Gotta check out Xero and Lems.

played CB's shoeless?...wow you are a brave man!