Footbag Shoes

Discuss your gear and stitching and shoe modification in here.
User avatar
JusticeKnuckles
Hack Fiend
Posts: 22
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 17:50
Location: Shutter Island

Footbag Shoes

Post by JusticeKnuckles »

i was thinking about this topic, shoes and how expensive they are and buying them online and how much of a pain it can be sometimes. sure, i'm no pro or expert kicker but do shoes for footbag really impact the game that much? i can see lacing your shoes a special way helping but do the shoes really? i'm not arguing that footbag shoes are stupid or lame cuz i'd like a pair my self but do you think they are completely necessary to have? and if so which kinds really have that great of an impact.

,Liam
User avatar
Zac Miley
Post Master General
Posts: 5953
Joined: 04 Jun 2006 12:11
Location: Kansas City, MO
Contact:

Post by Zac Miley »

Yes, they matter.

Adidas Rod Lavers.
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
User avatar
JusticeKnuckles
Hack Fiend
Posts: 22
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 17:50
Location: Shutter Island

Post by JusticeKnuckles »

yes, i've heard of those a lot but explain more. what do they do for you? can you get them cheap? and where? I'm not trying to be ignorant i just want to know.
User avatar
akalazou
Atomsmashasaurus Dex
Posts: 935
Joined: 11 Sep 2005 16:58
Location: Montreal, Qc
Contact:

Post by akalazou »

may be stupid but, of course the shoe may improve your game, try to play with rollerskates ... even ifyou lace with the "footbag usefull style" you wont be able to do anything. i know its extreme comparaison but it the same as skateboard shoes or basketball shoes. they are all the same thing compared to lavers, gunits, quantum. Alot of shoes has been tried before and we still play with the same shoes for 15+ years (rod lavers) so it defenatly matters
Julien Cote

Proud to be sponsored by http://www.kolosport.com
g00d33
Egyptian Footgod
Posts: 1425
Joined: 07 Dec 2007 19:35
Location: Mahwah/Highlands, NJ

Post by g00d33 »

JusticeKnuckles wrote:yes, i've heard of those a lot but explain more. what do they do for you? can you get them cheap? and where? I'm not trying to be ignorant i just want to know.
The shape and curvature of the shoe is ideal for stalling on nearly all surfaces. The material is thin enough for you to be able to "feel" the bag as oppose to skate shoes where its all thick. I got a pair at an adidas outlet for $42 on black friday but generally you'll find them in stores for about $60. The stores that are carrying them are adidas outlets and now apparently footlockers.
John Goode
User avatar
professor
Post Master General
Posts: 2319
Joined: 09 Oct 2004 18:57
Location: Las Vegas

Post by professor »

Hey Liam,

Shoes are extremely important if you want to become a good player. I read somewhere once that playing footbag without proper shoes is like playing baseball with an oven mitt. It's the truth.

I know shoes can be a little expensive depending on your cash situation, but in relation to every other sport it's actually really cheap to get professional level equipment.

There are pretty much only 4 types of accepted footbag shoes right now.

They are:
1. Quantums: $80 - these are the "official" footbag shoe. They are made solely for the purpose of playing footbag. No modding required.
2. Adidas Rod Lavers: $40-$60 - these were (and maybe still are) the most popular footbag shoe for a long time. They are made for tennis, but when modded properly are great for footbag.
3. Reebok G-units: $40-$80 - these are an alternative to Lavers for reasons I'll get into after this. They are hard to find now though.
4. Climacools: $? - these are only used by a few people and require lots of modding, but they are the lightest of the bunch.

So, in general all these shoes are superior to your regular "skate shoes" or "running shoes" in that they have flat toe, inside, and outside surfaces to delay the bag on AND they are relatively light. Having good surfaces means the bag won't bounce or roll off. Each shoe has its pros and cons, so I'll go through those.

Pros/Cons of each shoe:
Quantums:
Pros: Made by footbaggers for footbaggers. Good inside surface. No modding necessary.
Cons: Material quality issues. Toe box not as good as Lavers. Expensive.
Lavers:
Pros: All surfaces are decent. Sturdy. Pretty cheap.
Cons: Needs modding. Slippery sole. Not much cushion/support.
G-Units:
Pros: Inside is good. Good cushion/support. Grippy sole.
Cons: Heavier. Toe not as good as Lavers. Bigger = clunkier. Needs modding.
Climas:
Pros: Light! Good support/cushion.
Cons: Surfaces not as good as others. Requires more modding than Lavers or G-Units.

If you need places to find these shoes, check out the Shoe Shop sticky at the top of the Bags & Equipment forum.

If you ever want to be better than tiltless, then I suggest getting one of these shoes. Without them, you won't go very far in footbag, just like you wouldn't go far in baseball with an oven mitt.

If you have any more questions about this you can shoot me a pm anytime. I'd be glad to help you out.
Last edited by professor on 23 Dec 2008 15:32, edited 1 time in total.
Ben Skaggs

Amateurs practice until they can get it right.
Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong.

No, I don't play soccer. Yes, there are competitions. 4 years. Lots of practice.
User avatar
Zac Miley
Post Master General
Posts: 5953
Joined: 04 Jun 2006 12:11
Location: Kansas City, MO
Contact:

Post by Zac Miley »

The cheapest way to get them is online, where you can also get cooler colors.

I have never had problems buying shoes online (from reputable sites at least). So, yeah, if you have an adidas outlet hit that up, but you could probably find them cheaper online. There is also a modified shoe shop thread in this subforum, check that out as well.
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
User avatar
JusticeKnuckles
Hack Fiend
Posts: 22
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 17:50
Location: Shutter Island

Post by JusticeKnuckles »

Thats cool man, i appreciate all the response! The funny thing is, the other day i was looking in a shoe store and saw the climacools and thought how nice those would be to get ha. what kinda modding do they require? i guess the only reason i'd pick those up above the others is because to me they looked the coolest (pun not intended) and i can get them without having to go online.
JusticeKnuckles

"All i can do is be me. who ever that is..." -Bob Dylan
moparman
Shredalicious
Posts: 93
Joined: 23 Apr 2006 09:39
Location: Cleveland, TN

Well...

Post by moparman »

I got some Twill (green) Lavers for Christmas, and everything I've heard is true. It really is like playing baseball with a log, then moving up to a bat. You can use the log, but are you going to be able to do half as good? No.

I can feel my bag anywhere it lands, even with Twill.

FYI, the only reason I got Twill was price, but I'm glad I did now. My only complaints:
Sole is slippery,
Green from the front sole got on the white part on my left shoe from me trying to do a Mirage and fumbling like a goof,
and Green getting on the floor from the same incident.

I bought 9's because it's what I had on at the time, and they fit perfect aside from me needing a slightly wider shoe.
Chris Patterson
spenny
Circle Kicker
Posts: 17
Joined: 16 Dec 2008 17:16
Location: Canada, Alberta, Okotoks (calgary)

Post by spenny »

i've been stuggling with this to. I've been wondering if its a waste of money. But I think next paycheck i'll be heading to footlocker. I'm using some circas right now and i think their really holding me back. This topic really helps me confirm this.
Spencer Greff
User avatar
JusticeKnuckles
Hack Fiend
Posts: 22
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 17:50
Location: Shutter Island

Post by JusticeKnuckles »

yea, i just hate buying shoes online... dont know if they fit right, paying for shipping usually... really want to find shoes somewhere local. so if theres anymore suggestions on shoes please let me know. thanks for all the responses guys.

,Liam
JusticeKnuckles

"All i can do is be me. who ever that is..." -Bob Dylan
spenny
Circle Kicker
Posts: 17
Joined: 16 Dec 2008 17:16
Location: Canada, Alberta, Okotoks (calgary)

Post by spenny »

JusticeKnuckles wrote:yea, i just hate buying shoes online... dont know if they fit right, paying for shipping usually... really want to find shoes somewhere local. so if theres anymore suggestions on shoes please let me know. thanks for all the responses guys.

,Liam
have you tried ordering in shoes? if you ask the guy at the desk they can usually order in stuff for you. And they can measure your feet and make sure to order proper stuff. I haven't done it with shoes, but i have with snowboards and movies.
Spencer Greff
User avatar
JusticeKnuckles
Hack Fiend
Posts: 22
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 17:50
Location: Shutter Island

Post by JusticeKnuckles »

thats probably a good idea. i dont know anywhere i could special order lavers or quantums tho. i'll definitely look around : )

,Liam
JusticeKnuckles

"All i can do is be me. who ever that is..." -Bob Dylan
User avatar
JusticeKnuckles
Hack Fiend
Posts: 22
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 17:50
Location: Shutter Island

Post by JusticeKnuckles »

http://www.finishline.com/store/catalog ... |1&N=0&x=0 just ordered these. hope these are what i'm looking for. please tell me if there not so i can cancel the order if needed
JusticeKnuckles

"All i can do is be me. who ever that is..." -Bob Dylan
User avatar
zeroman13
Post Master General
Posts: 2385
Joined: 17 Jan 2006 07:17
Location: Somewhere in the desert!!!!!
Contact:

Post by zeroman13 »

Those will work. You'll just have to do some modding on them to make them playable.
Wasabi wrote:Footbag is not materialistic; it's about challenging yourself and having fun at the same time.
Josh M.
My Website
Pm me for details about Munster Bags!
User avatar
JusticeKnuckles
Hack Fiend
Posts: 22
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 17:50
Location: Shutter Island

Post by JusticeKnuckles »

ok, good. i noticed after i ordered they weren't mesh so i was worried. anyhow. what do i do to mod them?
JusticeKnuckles

"All i can do is be me. who ever that is..." -Bob Dylan
zach4th
Fearless
Posts: 612
Joined: 17 Oct 2005 14:40

Post by zach4th »

search this website a little harder. I bet you will find what you are looking for.

or google/youtube footbag modification! We can't do everything for you.
Zach Forth
User avatar
zeroman13
Post Master General
Posts: 2385
Joined: 17 Jan 2006 07:17
Location: Somewhere in the desert!!!!!
Contact:

Post by zeroman13 »

Seeing as they're leather, you'll want to go through and do what Waylon Lew says in this tutorial;

http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.ph ... ight=gunit

If you want me to give you an explanation over a pm I will. I've had leather laver's before and I know what to do on them as well.
Wasabi wrote:Footbag is not materialistic; it's about challenging yourself and having fun at the same time.
Josh M.
My Website
Pm me for details about Munster Bags!
User avatar
Blue_turnip
Egyptian Footgod
Posts: 1239
Joined: 29 Nov 2004 03:55
Location: Melbourne

Post by Blue_turnip »

Since you're probably concerned about the aesthetics of your new leather lavers, I would suggest against modding them. My first pair of lavers was leather, and for someone new to footbag, it will serve you well. That said, if you don't mind tearing them up, go ahead.
Oliver Adams
User avatar
JusticeKnuckles
Hack Fiend
Posts: 22
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 17:50
Location: Shutter Island

Post by JusticeKnuckles »

being only $35 i wont mind doing some modding. i just dont want to screw it up then be out of luck ya know?
JusticeKnuckles

"All i can do is be me. who ever that is..." -Bob Dylan
Post Reply