The quest for the perfect shoe

[Mark Karavite]

Hey all,

 

I found a Nike shoe that is VERY comfortable. The Azulikit (pronounced "as you like it"):

 

http://nikeid.nike.com/nikeid/index.jhtml

 

Like many, I have gone from Nike, to New Balance and currently a big Merrel fan. These shoes, at least for me, are lightweight & very comfortable. You can custom order your color preference at the NikeID site above. I tried them on at a store first, then ordered a couple pairs, without the gaudy pimp colors at the store. $110 per pair.

 

Mark Karavite

A Camera / Steadicam Operator

[Steve Fracol SOC]

Mark,

 

I will have to try them on next time I am at a store that carries them. Cool.

 

I have been riding in Vasque shoes for the past 3-4 years or so. I also had the custom made arch supports for a few years. The combo of Vasque low hikers (the beefy ones) and the arch supports...they cured any and all of my foot problems a few years ago. It is great. Long days are not a problem anymore. They are light weight and very rigid. They do make a bit of noise on tile, hardwood, etc. I also carry a "trail running" pair of Merrell's that make no noise at all when I am walking. They always stay in the kit just in case (to help our sound brothers out).

 

Here is a link to the site. I prefer the Breeze series low cut but I also have a high top pair for winter work outside.

 

http://www.vasque.com/mens-hiking.cfm

 

Best,

 

Fracol

[JensSchroder]

Mark, Steven,

 

Thanks for the good links. I will definitely try your recommendations.

Actually I found a good shoe too just by accident. My feet are pretty particular, high arch, pretty wide etc. so it's always difficult to find suitable steadicam shoes. And usually I don't like these typical hiking shoes because they are too rigid for my feet but now I found a pair very comfortable for the feet.

It's 'Lowa Kody GTX Low' , not that lightweight but wonderful soft sole (vibram) which can be replaced if used up, outside material is leather + GoreTex, they have nice grip and I can use them indoor and outdoor.

 

http://www.lowaboots.com

 

Cheers,

 

Jens

[Alfeo Dixon SOC]

wanted to bring this thread back to life and see if the happiness is still alive with your current choice of shoes. I just picked up my first New Balance (MT 479) pair yesterday and will give them a run at Disney World this week. I've been a fan of Merrel's for awhile and always love the stylings of Puma (not the best to work in..)

[Richard W. Davis]

<< I've been a fan of Merrel's for awhile and>>

 

 

For me nothing beats a pair of Ecco boots. Great ankle support , water proof, the most comfortable shoes to be in for long hours. My 02 cents

 

Rich Davis

LA

[Charles Papert]

Always love this topic as it proves how each of us is different and virtually no-one agrees on shoes.

 

On a (probably not Steadicam related note) I've been having fun with the Skechers Shape-Ups recently; these are their version of the rounded bottom shoes first introduced by MBT that are intended to recreate the sensation of walking barefoot on sand. Skechers market them as shoes that give you a workout while you are standing still, as it keeps your stabilizing muscles active. I tried them at the store as a lark and found them quite comfy and interesting so I bought a pair for walking around in. While they caution that they take getting used to and you have to work up to it, it may be that all these years of handheld and Steadicam have gotten me used to the balancing process as the adjustment curve was zero and they are quite pleasant. They encourage a rolling heel to toe motion which makes me think they may actually be useful for handheld. I tried them on a short shoot (no Steadi, a little handheld) and was too busy to think about them--my guess is they are probably not ideal for work, but I'll see how it goes. They are only intended for walking, not running incidentally. I'd be curious if anyone else has tried these or similar.

[Matteo Quagliano]

Indoor-outdoor and quite cheap (around 80 euros)

 

http://store.nike.com/index.jsp?cp=EUNS_KW...340/pgid-269015

[James Baldanza SOC]

I'm a big fan of Brooks.

http://www.brooksrunning.com

 

I'm currently wearing the Adrenaline GTS 9

http://www.brooksrunning.com/product/11005...aline%20GTS%209

 

For me I find this very important:

I always purchase two pairs of the same shoe.

I rotate them every day.

I have them labeled odds and evens for the day of the month.

 

This helps dry out the shoe.

Helps the shoe to reform during its day off.

Helps extend the overall lifespan of the shoe.

 

-James

[Aaron Medick SOC]

Hi Charles,

I have been loving my MBT. I bought my first pair a month ago. I have used them on Sesame St. doing Ped, and other regular cam op days. I got bold last friday and did a whole day in them, hand held and steadicam. The report is all good. I really like operating in them. I was not doing anything too complicated. I'll report back after few more month of full use. So far They are my favorite shoes I have ever owned. They do exactly what the manufacturer claims.

 

I did an interview standing next to the tripod and that was a little tiring.

 

If you try them, do as they recommend try walking in them correctly for 10 minutes. slowly, over a few weeks, work your time up to 30 minutes. After that try them all day, but always bring a normal pair of shoes as a back up.

[Charles Papert]

Hi Aaron:

 

I've been reading a bit more on these and some have felt that the MBT's are more aggressive than the Skechers, require more balancing (and thus extract more results). I'd be curious to try on the MBT's and see if I can detect the difference.

[Aaron Medick SOC]

Charles,

Like you, I didn't feel much of a learning curve. I could put them on an go, but I felt like taking it slow and feeling the adjustments to my posture would be most helpful. I walked a mile a day. As I did I tried to feel my shoulders roll back, my spine extend up, my hip come under me, and my gaze straight a head. For me It felt like perfect physical therapy. Let me know what you think.

I tried a normal pair or sketchers more than a few years ago and they felt like walking on boards. I tossed them after a few months of trying to get used to them.

The one thing I have learned about shoes is if they don't feel right walking around the store they aren't for you. Breaking in time for a shoe is a sales technique in my opinion.

[Aaron Medick SOC]

BMT UPDATE

 

I'm a convert. I will always have a pair. But not for steadicam. I had no issues wearing them and operating. But, one day at lunch I was feeling more tired then usual. I bent over to stretch my hammies and was face to face with the reason. I finished the day in my favorite running shoe. On days I will be doing a lot of walking they are great.

 

Charles,

What have you found with the sketchers?

[Charles Papert]

They are great for knocking around and for conventional operating. I tried one Steadicam shot with them, a fast back-pedal, and I felt like I'd just run up a mountain. Not worth the extra workload on your legs, Steadicam is plenty enough! I'm sure I'd feel the same about doing handheld with them, unless it was with a little camera.

[Sam Morgan Moore]

i shot a stills job the other day - an advertorial for a sports clothing shop

 

one thing they do at the shop is 'video gait analysis'

 

they video your feet on a running machine

 

what they are looking at is how the foot hits the deck

 

some runners basically land near the big toe others with flatter feet land more centrally on the foot

 

using this information the people in the shop then choose a shoe with the correct amount of side support and flex in the shoe to smoothen the running action

 

his core message was that different shoe will work for a different person

 

got me thinking...

 

S

[Charles Papert]

We walk significantly differently with a Steadicam on our bodies than otherwise, I'm pretty sure. Might be interesting to have them evaluate your step with and without the rig on!