Best shoes for pedal steel
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Probably running or walking shoes, or any that allow rotation of the angle. For example pressing the B pedal while covering (but not pressing) the A pedal.
I know there are some guys that play in cowboy boots but they were always a little too rigid for me.
I know there are some guys that play in cowboy boots but they were always a little too rigid for me.
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Great advice about shoes, from a guy named Foote!Earl Foote wrote: 14 Oct 2025 9:18 am Probably running or walking shoes, or any that allow rotation of the angle. For example pressing the B pedal while covering (but not pressing) the A pedal.
I know there are some guys that play in cowboy boots but they were always a little too rigid for me.

Lee, from South Texas - Down On The Rio Grande
There are only two options as I see it.
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Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat
There are only two options as I see it.
Either I'm right, or there is a sinister conspiracy to conceal the fact that I'm right.
Williams Keyless S-10, BMI S-10, Evans FET-500LV, Fender Steel King, 2 Roland Cube 80XL's,
Sarno FreeLoader, Goodrich Passive Volume Pedals, Vintage ACE Pack-A-Seat
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Call me any time for shoe advice Lee 

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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Wool socks
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Waiting for Erv...
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
I swap out my all-day boots for another pair of boots that fit looser around the ankle.Earl Foote wrote: 14 Oct 2025 9:18 am Probably running or walking shoes, or any that allow rotation of the angle. For example pressing the B pedal while covering (but not pressing) the A pedal.
I know there are some guys that play in cowboy boots but they were always a little too rigid for me.
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
It seems a lot depends on the make of guitar you are playing. If the guitar has return springs on the pedal cross shafts or on the pedal connector bar on the cross shafts. So the pedals have free play before moving the pulls. Or if the pedals have Zero travel before the string starts movement.
When I played a MSA Classic, (With cross shaft return springs) I could play with socks to police insulated boots.
When I started playing a GFI Ultra, (With no return springs.) House slippers work good.
When gigging I wear soft topped zippered side entry cowboy boots.
When I played a MSA Classic, (With cross shaft return springs) I could play with socks to police insulated boots.
When I started playing a GFI Ultra, (With no return springs.) House slippers work good.
When gigging I wear soft topped zippered side entry cowboy boots.
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
This topic was recently discussed somewhat thoroughly beginning in November of last year through February. If we're not careful it may attain the same status as the popular
"How Do You Keep Your Picks From Falling Off" topics! 


Best lyric in a country song: "...One more, Moon..."
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Or, how to keep your shoes from falling off. The best I found years ago was a pair of JC Penny calf skin zipper side, standard heel boots. I haven't found anything like them since. They were very flexible and comfortable with a fairly thin sole.
1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Ibanez Analog Mini Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8.
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Earle are you related to Horton?
Regards, Craig
I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.
Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days
I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.
Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
A very interesting topic indeed. I usually play in Vans sneakers. When we play Always...Patsy Cline at the local theater a few seasons ago, they wanted us in black cowboy boots. I couldn't get the ankle mobility I wanted, so I found a pair of slip-on dress shoes that looked just like boots with my pants covering the top. I've since gotten a good pair of boots that are actually my size, and I can play in them, but I still prefer Vans.
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Ian,
Minnetonka Moccasins
Minnetonka Moccasins

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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
I used to be a vans only guy. But lately I've been dealing with some plantar fasciitis in my left foot, which seems to be exacerbated by longer periods of practice time. My foot hurts less when I practice wearing any kind of boot with a heel. Which is to say that, at least for me, maintaining a more neutral ankle angle is becoming as important a consideration as is side-to-side flexibility.
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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
Not as far as I know. But if his estate wants to send me money then yes, we were very closeEarle are you related to Horton?

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Re: Best shoes for pedal steel
I like cowboy boots because of the extra heel. I like R toe shape with rubber soles. The leather soles slip too much for me
I also have some tennis shoes i like because they also have a little more heel than most tennis shoes.
Without that heel, my foot ends up floating. Which is not good.
I also have some tennis shoes i like because they also have a little more heel than most tennis shoes.
Without that heel, my foot ends up floating. Which is not good.