The 7 Best Drumming Shoes (2024) – Pedal with Comfort and Style
Your choice of drumming shoes may have never even crossed your mind, but it can actually have quite an impact on your performance.
You should look for a shoe that gets out of your way as much as possible and find the perfect fit. Minimal or low-profile shoes are usually a great option for this reason. The best characteristics to look for are low weight, good grip, and comfortable fit.
My top recommended drumming shoes are the Converse Chuck Taylor Low Top. An extremely popular choice among drummers that offer comfort and fast playing.
My second recommended drumming shoes are the Emerica Reynolds Low Vulc Skate Shoes. An affordable pair of shoes that are good and loose for drumming.
Contents
- The 7 Best Drumming Shoes (2024)
- 1. Converse Chuck Taylor Low Top
- 2. Emerica Reynolds Low Vulc Skate Shoe
- 3. PUMA Turin II Sneakers
- 4. Adidas Original Superstar
- 5. Adidas Performance Men’s Samba Classic
- 6. Vans Low-top Trainers Sneaker
- 7. Vivobarefoot RA II Classic Oxford
- What to look for in Drumming Shoes when buying?
- Conclusion
The 7 Best Drumming Shoes (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
When it comes to drumming capabilities, Converse shoes are the best ones that you can consider. We’ve all seen and worn Converse Chuck Taylor when we were kids, and even our parents wore them back in the day. That is the main reason why they maintained their popularity over the years.
When you go to a rock concert or show before, you will see people all around you wearing them. They are iconic for musicians for this particular genre and style, and that fact has not changed for years that came.
The best choice that you can make is to find the low-top model of this shoe because it is much more convenient to put it on. Some users state that they got blisters from wearing high-top models.
Of course, you can choose a wide array of color options, and they come with a flat sole, which is perfect for your pedals. For instance, the most famous drummers that wear Converse shoes are Tree Cool from Green Day and Ben Gillies from Silverchair.
Emerica Reynolds Low Vulc Skate shoes are perfect for drumming because they are comfortable and loose during the wearing. This is the Andrew Reynolds signature shoe, and it was always an great choice for skateboarders.
However, apart from playing sports, you will be able to play drums with them, and you will feel as comfortable as possible. The main reason for that is their flexible nature that will provide breathability for your legs during the performance and gig.
They are also lightweight, similar to any other skater shoes on the market, which will provide you exceptional comfort and convenience while playing.
You can find a wide array of colors, and you do not have to worry because it comes with an affordable price tag so that you can enjoy the entire way.
3. PUMA Turin II Sneakers
If you wish to find shoes that will provide you with the perfect combination of performance, style, and quality, you should consider PUMA Turin II Sneakers for drumming purposes. They come from synthetic leather and feature a solid rubber sole so that you can handle pedals with ease.
As soon as you start practicing with your band, you do not feel discomfort due to lousy shoes. That could cause severe issues from blisters to the back of the heel to other problems that could happen along the way.
Fortunately, you do not have to think twice, because, with these particular shoes, you can rest assured and enjoy them all the way.
Have in mind that Puma sizes tend to be smaller than conventional, which means that you should always go for one size up so that you can get the ones that fit perfectly.
4. Adidas Original Superstar
The Adidas Original Superstar sneakers are an old-school version of sneakers that was popularized by rockers, metalheads, and finally Run DMC. In all combinations, you will be able to enjoy their exceptional comfort due to the materials that they are using.
Both modern and iconic signature shoes boasted thousands of sales across the globe. It is also one of the most popular shoes on the market with an exceptional design that was around since the ’70s.
Even though it is similar to Chuck Taylors, the all-star classic, you will be able to enjoy additional comfort while wearing them on stage.
The main disadvantage is that you have to spare a small fortune to get them as they are expensive when compared with others on this particular list. However, if the budget is not your concern, you should choose them instead of others.
Adidas Performance Men’s Samba Classic are very comfortable shoes that will provide you slip-free experience when it comes to drumming. They contain non-marking outsoles that are made from durable gum rubber that will give you additional stability.
You do not have to worry because even though the upper shoes are leather, they are flexible. They contain an EVA insole, which is not that comfortable, but you will be able to wear it at gigs and rehearsals with ease.
Have in mind that you will be able to remove sock liners in a few seconds, and the suede overlay will provide them additional protection so that you can use them for years after purchase.
Similarly, like any other Adidas shoes, they are not the cheapest on the market, but the quality to price ratio is outstanding for professional drummers.
6. Vans Low-top Trainers Sneaker
The Vans Low-top Trainers Sneaker shoes are a favorite among many people across the globe, not just drummers. These stylish shoes feature a minimalistic yet very cool design, applicable to any style as well as great for drumming.
The low-top sneakers come in almost 30 styles/colors to choose from so anyone can choose a suitable pair. The material includes a small percentage of Suede and almost all Canvas, naturally, a rubber sole is a given.
The key element here is the double-stitching which offers greater durability than its competitors. Longevity is a standard here.
Overall, Vans are a household name for many and they are synonymous with style. Great shoes for a great price worth considering.
7. Vivobarefoot RA II Classic Oxford
The last entry on this list is coincidentally a high-end shoe model. The Vivobarefoot RA II Classic Oxford are high-quality shoes that look amazing and offer easy drumming with fast and unrestricted wear.
These shoes are 100% leather and come in black and dark brown choices. The lace-up feature, along with the rubber ultra-thin sole make for very effective shoes for drummers.
Flexibility is a given in this instance, also, the breathable material will provide that much-needed comfort, especially for longer sessions or gigs. Not to mention the fact that they look extremely appealing.
Overall, this is a high-end model but offers high-quality comfort and materials. If you have the budget, this is one to consider.
What to look for in Drumming Shoes when buying?
When looking for suitable drumming shoes, there are 3 key elements to consider in order to pick and choose the right model and pair. You should consider the weight, the pedal grip, and the materials.
Weight
The first consideration that you should make when it comes to buying the best drumming shoes on the market is their weight. According to professional drummers, the lighter shoes are, the more comfortable playing will be.
The idea is to find the one that will stop you from playing barefoot or just with socks, and for you to feel only a tiny portion of weight that will help you play the bass drum pedal. Since the force of gravity brings the importance of shoes down along with your foot, you will have a much more impactful kick with lighter choices.
Pedal Grip
Most drummers nowadays feature an extreme grip on bass pedals because that way they can play tighter and faster and gain the proper amount of friction as a result. When you decide to choose a pair of drum shoes, you should decide on how much is enough grip on the pedals.
For instance, some drummers such as Jogo Myer are wearing shoes with leather bottoms for additional slippage. However, when you have an extreme grip on your pedals that you are playing will be different, and you will not be able to deal with specific techniques without wearing a slippery sole.
Materials
Everyone enjoys wearing comfortable shoes, and you have to make sure that your shoes are extra comfortable while playing drums. When you are playing gigs with lousy shoes, you will pay for it afterward, and that is a fact in the form of blisters. Therefore, you should choose the shoes that feature flexible materials and the ones that you will be able to wear without an addition You can select canvas, suede, or thin leather for instance.
Conclusion
It is not that simple to find the best shoes for drumming on the market. It is important to remember that it is not that hygienic to play without shoes and avoid choosing the thick and robust ones because you will not be able to play, as you wanted in the first place.
My top drumming shoes pick are the Converse Chuck Taylor Low Top. These are very popular among drummers and offer fast playing while being comfortable.
My budget drumming shoes pick are the Emerica Reynolds Low Vulc Skate Shoes. These budget-friendly shoes are comfortable and suitable for drummers.
