Other than Lavers..

[jennyisahatt]

What shoes might be alright to hack with?
I don't really have access to Lavers, and so at the moment I'm using skate shoes. They're alright, aside from the puffy tongue, but, yeah.

Does anyone have ideas for shoes other than the Rod's?

Also, a friend of mine ordered a firefly footbag for me, for no apparent reason, and says it'll be here in a day or two. Are they of good quality, at all? I'm pretty sure It should be an upgrade from the crocheted footbag I've been hacking with, but still.

Any replies are totally appreciated.
Thanks!

[mc]

your skate shoes should be fine for kicking around until you save up the $30-$40 it costs to get a set of lavers in your size from ebay. if you can't get them, find a friend who can, give them the cash, and get the lavers.

**lavers.**

don't half-ass it and buy something that you think will be almost as good. lavers are cheap, you can get them. have fun with the skate shoes and the dragonfly as you're getting into the game and loosening up your joints. get the lavers as soon as you can. after that, you'll probably want to get a hand-stitched freestyle bag as a MAJOR upgrade from the dragonfly.

[MarQuezo]

What I'm gonna do is get a list of shoe stores in my area and make a bunch of calls to see if anyone has them. Maybe a good idea for you too. If someone has a pair or two I'm definitly expecting them for christmas. Hope you can get a pair.

[Motez]

if you are unable to get lavers you can try these shoes. Their DVS Regency shoes and i use them. they are a bit smaller than lavers area as they are a bit shorter but i find it allows for better ankle freedom. also they are pretty flat on both sides and are made of cloth which i find is good enough material to help stalls. Finally with so many lace holes it is easy to mod it and make a large toe box. Jus look em up on google and see if you like them lol. Later and have fun shredding.

[KBizzle]

Don't buy the DVS shoes previously mentioned. Stick to what people who know the most about the sport (like Matt Cross) say. Lavers all the way.

[ThisIsFate]

What I'm gonna do is get a list of shoe stores in my area and make a bunch of calls to see if anyone has them. Maybe a good idea for you too. If someone has a pair or two I'm definitly expecting them for christmas. Hope you can get a pair.

I remembered I tried that lol, and it was a pain in the ass. At that time I was so lucky, cuz I bought my laver in adidis store in vancouver. I remember it was the only adidais stores in the world that what it said on the web, and is located in vancouver. But last year i tried to buy a new one in there. They said no more laver for sale.

[Motez]

I realize that obvs lavers are the best option but i figured i would suggest another decent shoe for the sport considering the topic said other than lavers.... :S. sorry maybe my advice shouldnt be taken. anyways enjoy footbag with which ever shoe you please its fun no matter what.

[mc]

motez brings up a good point (by the way, could you put your real name in your signature so we don't have to call you motez? or maybe PM Colin, the admin, and ask him to change your username to your real name? that's my favorite, obviously).

There are definitely lots of ways to have fun with lots of different shoes. I play kickybag with my non-laver shoes and long pants all the time, and I have a great time keeping it up with my friends and doing jesters and a few light stalls.

So, if you want to have a great time kicking around with your friends on a sunny afternoon, then lots of different shoes will do the trick.

If you want to have a great time shredding it up and hitting phat tricks, I still stand behind lavers.

I would classify those DVS shoes as a kind of "crossover" shoe... it's not going to work as well as the laver (at the very least because of the inside surface, which is small and sloped, although the toe looks sweet) but it's going to work better than your average set of skate shoes. If you're comfortable busting out some light freestyle while enjoying yourself in the hack circle, those shoes would be great for that. Also, Macbeth's Manchester model shoe is very similar to the laver, and a good vegan option for kicking shoes.

If you work hard in these "crossover" shoes, you can definitely get really great at footbag and hit some awesome stuff (like Kevin Regamey did for years before getting lavers), but if you're looking to get the job done right the first time, get the lavers.

and please, please stop telling yourself that it's not possible for you to get them. That is just absurd. if you don't have a credit card / paypal, give the $40 to your friend with the credit card / paypal and have them order the shoes for you. I do it all the time to help people in other countries get lavers / stitching material.

That last paragraph is not directed at just one person, but rather, at everyone who thinks that they need to be satisfied with a lesser shoe because they don't have the appropriate online purchasing tools.

[Muffinman]

I have a great time keeping it up with my friends

How very enlightening.

[mc]

hahaha, I saw that when I wrote it, but I can't believe that it's Erik Chan pointing it out

[shredzilla]

I have a great time keeping it up with my friends

How very enlightening.

That's what she said.

[maverick-morley]

i know everyone is going to think im a dick for saying this, but enless you tryd it, please dont hold an opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

im sure like most people you have noticed lavers aint exactly cheap[, ESPECIALLY as you have to sabatarge them!!!! in the form of modding!!!!! but in reality you are destroying em. and the idea of this can be soul destroying. especially for a rookie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (such as myself)

but i am no fool, i looked at every aspect of the lavers, flat side, sole, eyelet style, nice toe!!!! bla bla bla

and for all those who dont/cant fork out that much £50 $80+ there is an alternative for bout £10 or just under $20!!!!

AND BEFORE ANYONE SAYS ANYTHING I HAVE TRYD THIS, AND IT WORKS!!!!!!!!

the all star converse boots/shoes can be modded in a similar way to the lavers.

before you say bullshit, trust me AND benifits to the converse, so please have faith!!!

1. you can buy the same style as a converse boot just without the "all star" brand for a 1/3 of the price. i went into matalan the other day and saw the shoe version going for £6 or bout $10!!!!! that pretty dam good!!!

2. the sole is thin so when you lift your toes up when you do a toe stall the shoe changes shape to make a cup, just as if you wernt wearing shoes.

3. they are made of canvas so there no issue with flatness, or grip!!!

4. the soul is perfectly flat, ace for soul stalls!(obv) and balance!!!

5. you prob wont find a lighter trainer around that will do the same job!!!! which is brilliant for speend and agility!!!! especialy with high add moves!!!


THE ONLY DOWNER IF THERE IS ONE IT THE HARD WHITE TOE, BUT WITH A BIT OF PRACTICE, YOU GET USED TO IT LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE!!!!! and in some respects its a good surface to do toe kicks. so all is not lost as they say!!!!

i truely think this is the best shoe VALUE WISE if that is your prob!!!! and your not exactly getting out of it what you paid for. this boot has ALOT to offer!!!!

THOUGH I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT IM NOT SAYING THEY ARE BETTER THAN LAVERS!!!!!

but possibly the way forward for beginners who dont wanna shell out just yet!!!!!

before you think im crackers try it, i did, and it trebbiled my toe stall count!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have a go, i think it a good and cheap way of making progress at the begining!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL THE BEST

[ThisIsFate]

Would you mind post a picture of this unbelieveable shoe that may surpass laver .

[Frank_Sinatra]

By the same token, since you haven't played in lavers, how do you know what you're missing?

Where are you seeing lavers for $80? Just curious, you might not have found some of the more affordable stores just yet, and the modified community can definitely help point you in the right direction.

IMO, this is a pretty inexpensive activity compared to a lot of others. There are so many sports that charge an activity fee on a one time, monthly, or even per-session basis. Skateparks that charge $10 every time you want to go in, for instance. With footbag its a pair of shoes, a bag, maybe a pair of shorts if you don't have a pair already & you're good to go from there. I'd hate for someone who is casual but interested to happen upon this post & get the impression that they can't afford it.

[Corey]

Maverick-Morley,

I 100% disagree with you. My lavers cost $65 but they were having a sale and Lavers dont sell well, so I got to for $80! Secondly, I have yet to modify them, I will do so but havent gotten around to it, and they still play better then any other shoe I have used. I did do the lacing in the Matt Cross video. The bottom of the Laver is flat too. People have been playing footbg for awhile I think they wouldve realized if it was a good shoe or not.

Pce

[maverick-morley]

the $80 was a estimate currancy change because in britan the go for around £50!!! and the exchange is around $1.5 to the £1! it was in my head my apolagies for the inacuracy!!!!

but to the point in hand SOME PEOPLE CANT AFFORD EM, GET EM WHATEVER!!!!! and it usally the beginners that want an alternative!!! this IS one that workS!!!! I MADE IT VERY VERY VERY CLEAY that i WAS NOT saying they were better than lavers. (which just for the record i have tryd out for a couple of days when my friend was down. granted they wernt mine, but i know what they play like!!!)

BUT A REMINDER TO AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL CONVERSES ARE AN ALTERNATIVE WHICH COVER ALOT OF ESENTIALS, AND THERE FOR IF, IF AND ONE MORE TIME IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFFFFFFF YOU NEEDED AN ALTERNATIVE FOR WHATEVER REASON, THIS IS A GOOD SHOE TO CONSIDER!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



no offense to laver lovers, personally i think they play ace, and look great, but a plan B is always good. if someone asks, i feel i shouldnt with hold info. wether you agree or not.

i have tryd it, and an opinion should be heard for the benfit of others.

[maverick-morley]

though i will stick some pictures up asap!!!!!!!!! the pictures on my camera always come up massive so i will need to chop em down abit. have patience with me i will get em up asap!!!!

till the google "all star converse boots"

they are actually very simular to the white ones in the left hand picture at the top of your screen. the piki keeps changing so it maybe a while for it to come up!!!!!!

speak soon!!!!!!!!!!

[Frank_Sinatra]

Hey, this might come off as snide, and it probably is, but please relax with the ALL CAPS AND EXCLAMATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!

I know for a fact you can get lavers cheaper than 50 pounds online, though I don't know what you might pay for shipping. I know there are a couple other UK kickers on here, you could try asking them, or maybe even other players in Europe would be able to assist. Get creative!

Anyway, when I google All Star Converse boots, here's what I get:



One obvious problem is these are going to restrict your ankle, unless you're cutting away the first two eyelets, and brockutting all the way down to the logo (this is just a rough estimate obviously).

Now, maybe there's just a miscommunication between proper English & American English, & you meant something like this:



Which is a lot closer to the mark. If you really are gonna play in these, insoles would be a good investment.

I don't want to tell you how to play or enjoy footbag. If these shoes work for where you are at and what you want to do, great.

That being said, you'll notice that most shoe discussions are about lavers vs. g-units vs. climacools vs. quantums - and of course there's the new nucleus shoe which I'm sure will be part of the discussion. I'm just trying to emphasize that a lot of experienced and very skilled players and modders have looked at a lot of shoes over the years, and currently only four of those shoes are seriously considered. I just can't emphasize enough to any new players: go out and get a pair of lavers if its at all possible.

[maverick-morley]

until i upload the pictures have a look at this site to get an idea of what it looks like!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.converse.com/#/products/shoes/chucktaylor

[maverick-morley]

frank,

the second ones are the one i ment, if you look i said boot/SHOES!!!!!! im not trying to tell everyone to suck eggs, but if there wasnt a need for me, and others to put in there suggestions this topic wouldnt keep coming up.

i have not intention of pushing it to a top 5 shoes, but if you look at the speck of this shoe they are covering alot of the areas, granted not all, but a fare few, and i would have said more than enough for the average beginner.




though for the record, i have every intention of getting lavers, price and what have you isnt stoping me, i just havnt had a chance yet.

i only just recently bought a new bag so i am waiting on that. doing one thing at a time and all that.


but i think the important thing in this topic is what everyone else is abler to do, me and you may have access to all the shoes you mentioned, but i can garuntee sum poor bugga wont so you need an alternative. would you not agree?

this is a good alternative as apose to skate shoes or your good old crocs!!! (joke) not offence is intended, i just think you need to think outside of the box occ to help everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!