"barefoot" style shoes on stage

[iriegnome]

Yup!

 

[iriegnome]

Kind of a thing for the last 45 years

 

[watt]

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"

 

[Rev_Slinky]

Another vote for Vivobarefoot. They seem to be the most well-made of any that I've tried. They have a variety of styles and sole constructions, including some that will protect you enough from rocks and whatnot, yet still give you flexibility and ground feel. I've been happy with some of the Merrell options as well.

 

[pyrat56host]

Some clubs (and people) are a wee tad too dangerous for barefoot...but these "watershoes" do the trick for me!!

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Just say no to foot crumbs. Some venue stages/floors are nasty.

Just wear the thinnest sandal or flop you can find.

Loading gear without shoes just seems terrifying in case of drops.

 

[MuseChaser]

When I'm home and it's above freezing, 95% of the time I'm barefoot, in or outside, rain or shine, and even in snow if it's only for a few minutes. In public, I wear shoes, sandals, sneakers, whatever not to protect my feet, but out of courtesy for those who don't want my bare feet on their premises.

I do wear mid-calf height boots, now, when I'm working my dogs on a 60' long training lead. Don't ask me how I learned that that's a good idea. Hint...it has nothing to do with stepping in dog poop.

 

[2saddleslab]

I never go barefoot but Chuck T's are awful close.

 

[jastraw]

I wear Luna barefoot Sandals ALL THE TIME. On stage is no different.

 

[erratick]

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.

You are a mad man. I played CBGB in the 90s. The meatpacking district was nasty on the ground, and CBGBs bathroom barefoot? oh hell no. The stage area wasn't much better, but it was definitely cleaner than the bathroom.

 

[silky smoove]

Tangent: I'm curious what you barefoot players would do if you were hired on a gig with a dress code. As an example; A good portion of my music work comes from GB groups doing what most people call "corporate gigs." On these, in almost all cases, black dress shoes are mandatory. Would you sacrifice your barefoot purity and just deal with the dress shoes for those gigs, or would you pass on the gig? There's no right or wrong answer, I'm just curious as to the level of commitment to that barefoot life you are as players.

 

[Killing Floor]

I wear shoes when I have to go into a business or a store or for work. I never wear shoes at home or to walk my dog for a mile in freezing or hot weather. Some stages are nasty though and some are pretty hazardous for feet. That’s why they make rock’n’roll boots. I’ve gigged barefoot a lot but I’ve also been slashed by metal flashing on stages so have a plan B.

But those “barefoot” shoes are fedoras for your feet. Just saying. That’s the apex of dorkdom and that’s not a point you can negotiate. Don’t do it. Barefoot is ok or cool shoes.

 

[MuseChaser]

But those “barefoot” shoes are fedoras for your feet. Just saying. That’s the apex of dorkdom and that’s not a point you can negotiate. Don’t do it. Barefoot is ok or cool shoes.

So you're kind of ambivalent in how you feel about them?

 

[Aledal]

You've got tons of great recs for other options here but re the OP most weightlifting shoes will have pretty firm soleplates and have no flexibility at all...and generally don't feel anything like being barefoot. Depending on how weird you think they look, might be worth looking at driving shoes, they're basically designed to give as much feedback from what you're stepping on as possible and will be flat and usually very comfortable. Going barefoot at CBGB might be the bravest thing I've ever heard of a bassist doing btw.

I used to wear worn-out vans for the same reason until I slipped on an overly condensated-on/sweaty stage/cable and fell backward into the drum riser and took the headstock off a Warwick FNA Jazzman that I was very fond of at the time.

 

[Aledal]

Tangent: I'm curious what you barefoot players would do if you were hired on a gig with a dress code. As an example; A good portion of my music work comes from GB groups doing what most people call "corporate gigs." On these, in almost all cases, black dress shoes are mandatory. Would you sacrifice your barefoot purity and just deal with the dress shoes for those gigs, or would you pass on the gig? There's no right or wrong answer, I'm just curious as to the level of commitment to that barefoot life you are as players.

Cowboy boots are the only option for these situations IMO.

 

[Steve Cullen]

I'm sorry... you need bare feet to press pedals? Reminds me of my dad. He would always take his trousers off when he came in from work, displaying his ancient, full of holes, Y-fronts - not even boxers!- despite whole family disapproval. I'd bring girls home and die of embarrassment but he'd persist anyway. His house: his rules. God I couldn't wait to leave home. Bare-foot musos - it's a hard pass from me sir, I'll check out something/somewhere else.

 

[AK Bass Guy]

Classic Chuck T’s for the win.
Use to use these as my rigging shoes, when I did a lot of stage rigging. Walking beams and climbing truss stuff. These are a good balance between protection and actually feeling what you are stepping on, which is kinda important when your walking a beam in the air.

 

[induction]

Tangent: I'm curious what you barefoot players would do if you were hired on a gig with a dress code. As an example; A good portion of my music work comes from GB groups doing what most people call "corporate gigs." On these, in almost all cases, black dress shoes are mandatory. Would you sacrifice your barefoot purity and just deal with the dress shoes for those gigs, or would you pass on the gig? There's no right or wrong answer, I'm just curious as to the level of commitment to that barefoot life you are as players.

These are maybe considered more business shoes than dress shoes, but I first ask if these are acceptable:

Nine2Five | Men's Minimalist Zero Drop Dress Shoe | Lems

Lems Men's Nine2Five dress shoe features a zero-drop, wide toe box and minimalist design which offers a lightweight and comfortable experience. Shop our barefoot men's dress shoes available in black and brown leather. Shop Now >

www.lemsshoes.com

If not I would ask about others from some of the brands mentioned in this thread.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Have you tried joining a jam band? Then you’d be expected to play barefoot.

But in all seriousness, have you given flip flops a try?

 

[Marley's Ghost]

If you are going for flip flops I recommend Oofos. They are the only ones I wear and provide great support when standing for a long time.