5 Best Drumming Shoes
Drumming is super cool, and even more remarkable when you have a stylish and comfy shoe to match. Over the years, drummers have intrigued millions of fans through their choice of footwear. It could be drumming shoes, regular shoes, designers, socks, boots, high heels, etc. The list is endless! Having an excellent drumming shoe will accord you some additional power, without having to interrupt your foot’s natural motion. Now, look at the Best Kids Ukulele to choose.
If you’re one of these drummers that play the bass drum with shoes, then you need an excellent one that gets the job done. There are many techniques when it comes to playing the bass drum. Some of them are the bass drum, heel-toe, heel down, slide, and many others. The most popular is the heel-up, and best for playing fast double strokes. You can also check this out if you’re looking for Best Marching Band Drums.
Whether you’re still a beginner, intermediate, or professional drummer, your choice of drumming shoes will make a significant impact on your performance. Here are the top 8 drumming shoes that are not only stylish but very comfy. With these fabulous shoes, you make a great impression even before you start playing.
Take note that these shoes differ in brands, features, pros, and cons. By going through this review, you will be able to choose the one that fits.
Best Drumming Shoes
Reviewed and Compared
| Picture | Name | My Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Puma – Speed Cat | Affordable | Check Price |
|
Adidas – Samba OG | Design is very stylish | Check Price |
|
Converse - Chuck Taylor All Star | Flexible materials | Check Price |
|
Van – Authentic | Prevents blisters | Check Price |
|
The Urbann Boards Neil Peart Signature, Black-Gold | Very durable | Check Price |
|
Vans – Slip-ons Classic | Grippy | Check Price |
|
Nike Men's Fs Lite Trainer 4 | Very flexible | Check Price |
| DC Men's Net Lace-Up | Durable | Check Price |
1 - Puma – Speed Cat
- There is seriously a cult around this shoe
- Lightweight and comfy
- Very durable
- Affordable
- Stylish design
- There aren't enough color variations
- Won't last under intense usage
This list will probably be trash if this magnificent shoe fails to make the top list. Yes, I am talking about the mighty famous Speed Cat. Since its inception in 2000, it has won the hearts of all and sundry, especially in the drumming world. What makes this shoe exceptional is the incredible comfy materials, which made it lightweight and beautiful. They fit so tight that; you might even forget you’re wearing a shoe. It is a little elastic, which makes it fit perfectly.
With the Speed Cat, a reduced foot sensitivity is very much unlikely. You still pedal like you don’t care. The sole is super lightweight and doesn’t have any padding. If you’re wondering what makes the Puma Speed Cat a brilliant choice for a drummer, then you need to know this.
Puma entered a contract with a famous Italian auto accessory company, to produce the best shoe specifically for sports car driving. In other words, Speed Cat is born to pedal until you can’t pedal anymore.
Aside from its comfortable feel, they are super stylish and cute. The design is one of the selling edges it has over some drumming shoes in the market. The materials ensure that you can easily clean it when it is dirty, without having to soak them in water for long.
When it comes to durability, the shoe is up to the challenge. But even if it doesn’t last, it is not a big deal since its very affordable compared to similar products in the market.
2 - Adidas – Samba OG
- Has excellent respect among drummers
- It is super durable
- Very affordable and cheap
- Made from a high-quality leather material
- Design is very stylish
- There aren't enough color variations
- Won't be durable under heavy usage
Before placing this brand on the second spot, I battled with indecision. Should it be on the first spot or not? Samba and the Speed Cat have been adversaries for years and has sprung up numerous debates in the community. It is like Ronaldo and Messi, PC and Mac. Do you get what I am saying? Samba OG is a famous drummer’s shoe, with millions of fans all over the world.
This incredible product is of leather quality, with a flat rubber sole that is super lightweight. Unlike many shoes that slip while you walk, the case is different with the Sambas. It gives you an excellent grip, to the extent you might forget you’re wearing a shoe.
The shoe doesn’t reduce your food sensitivity. But if you want more, here is a pro tip. Remove the arch support from the insoles. Get a thinner sole, and you will see a fantastic difference.
Adidas released the classic model tongue. But it was a major flop in the drumming world due to its size. But this very model has a very short tongue, making it one of the best drumming shoes in the market. If you need something stylish and comfortable, the Samba is a good fit.
3 - Converse - Chuck Taylor All Star
- It provides an incredible airflow using the medial eyelets
- OrthoLite cushioning to prevent blisters
- High-quality materials
- Low top
- Flexible materials
- Stylish in design
- Often cause pedal friction to some drummers
- The laces look cheap
- Not very durable
- The white soles quickly get dirty
If you’re a fan of converse, then you’ll most probably love the Chuck. The fan base is massive, with famous musicians making it their best footwear. You’ll find Green Day’s Tre Cool and Silverchair’s Ben Gillies, and so many others.
If you want the best drumming shoes, I advise going for the low Chucks. They are comfy and provides excellent ankle mobility. This feature allows you to execute numerous ranges of techniques without issues.
When you go under, you will discover the sole is rubber. It helps provide a kind of traction many drummers prefer. The top layer keeps you comfortable. Some shoes in the market do more harm than good. Sometimes, you end up incurring blisters while you pedal the bass drum.
That is not the case with Chuck. The OrthoLite cushioning helps to avoid such an occurrence from happening. The eyelets, on the other hand, provide enough airflow. That ensures you don’t sweat on your shoes.
Below are some of the pros and cons. They made this drumming shoe an excellent choice for many drummers out there.
4 - Van – Authentic
- Features a breathable canvas upper
- Made from great materials
- Extra insole cushioning
- Offers great ankle mobility
- Prevents blisters
- The outsoles aren't very durable
- The laces look cheap
- Expensive compared to other similar products
The look and feel of this unique drumming shoe are enough proof of its ruggedness. It is flexible, simple, and eye-catchy at the same time. If you’re the type of drummer that often wears plain trouser and shirt, then this drumming shoe will be a perfect fit. According to numerous users, this shoe is very durable and can last for years if used well.
One of the most fabulous edges it has is its lightweight feel. You don’t need to drag your feet while walking, which is what has made Authentic an excellent choice for drummers. It will fit perfectly in your foot, giving the sensitivity to pedal away smoothly without hassles.
The exterior is a soft canvas, which provides maximum airflow and halts any kind of heat. The low-top arch design helps for a wide range of motion for your ankles. Although it isn’t very comfortable compared to Puma Speed Cat, it does a great job in preventing blisters. It is imperative, especially during long gigs. Apart from comfort and durability, the Converse Authentic features an incredible design that is simple and yet, stylish. For many drummers, it gets the job done without issues.
5 - The Urbann Boards Neil Peart Signature, Black-Gold
- One hundred percent leather
- Comes with a unique mechanism that ensures laces don't untie
- Very stylish in design
- Lightweight, with a sole that is both soft and firm
- Very durable
- Price
If most athletes have their own unique designed shoes, why can’t drummers? Fortunately, Urbann-boards stepped in to answer the question. They began to produce incredible and flexible shoes that would allow drummers to perform at their optimal capacity, without sacrificing comfort, glide, breathability, precision, and firm grip.
Unlike most brands that don’t come with enough color variation, Urbann Boards Neil Signature comes in gorgeous vibrant colors, high-quality materials, and styles. Seriously, this drumming shoe is not a joke. It depicts class and has been one of the sought-after shoes in the market.
Apart from Neil’s signature, drummers also have their signature from Urbann Boards like Neil Peart, Virgil, Donati, Aquiles Priester, and Dennis Chambers.
One of the downsides is probably the high price. So, this shoe might not be your first choice, but it is worth staying on your Wishlist. Whenever you’re ready to get this bad boy, rest assured that quality is never compromised. It provides everything you would ever need when it comes to drumming shoes. If you have the bucks and you want something sleek, neat, and durable, Urbann Board Neil Peart is the way to go.
6 - Vans – Slip-ons Classic
- Comfortable
- Many color variations
- Grippy
- Effortless design
- Affordable
- N/A
If you’re looking for something very sleek and straightforward, you might want to consider this drummer shoe. It is loved by many since it offers so much as a mid-ranged choice. When compared to many other shoes in the market, you will discover that this shoe isn’t on top, neither on the bottom. It stands in the middle in terms of quality, thickness, and lightweight. It didn’t come with a shoelace, which is something many loves about the shoe.
When you put this shoe on, you will notice how firmly it grips your foot. It is one of these shoes you can easily clean, and it will be sparkling like a new product. It isn’t very durable compared to other shoes in this list, and they can last pretty long if you handle it well. It stands out among other drumming shoes in terms of simplicity and comfort.
7 - Nike Men's Fs Lite Trainer 4
- Very flexible
- High-quality materials
- Solid rubber outsole with a beautiful diamond lug
- Extra thick midsole
- You can use it for other purposes, aside from drumming
- Comes with a sleek and exceptional design
- Some users don't like tight shoes
- Not very durable
- Not cheap compared to other products in the market
- Not enough color variation
Although this shoe isn’t leather or canvas, it sure comes with a selling point that makes it a nice drumming shoe – the rubber outsole. This feature ensures that there is a good amount of friction on the pedal, thereby minimizing slippage from ever happening.
The Fs Lite Trainer 4’s is a bit loose, which is the preference of many drummers out there. Although some prefer theirs tight and restrictive, whatever your choice is, feel free to go for them.
One great feature is the thick midsoles, which gives an additional level of comfort. It offers your foot more sensitivity and control during a performance.
When you come to the design, then you will surely fall in love. It is very rugged, with a black quality shoelace that makes it stand out. The Nike logo on the side makes it even more stylish.
If you’re looking for a shoe that will tight well, and give you the comfort and impression you deserve, then this shoe is up for grab. Not only will it help you get the job done, but it will also buff up your confidence as you walk.
8 - DC Men's Net Lace-Up
- Made from high-quality leather
- Vent holes for airflow
- Durable and reliable
- Super comfortable
- The shoe shapes and sizes don't match
- You must be incredibly careful when choosing a shoe size.
Humans are all different. That means we have diverse tastes, preference, shoe size, etc. Which brings up to the DC Men’s Net Lace-Up. They are often called skateboard shoes. That is because they come with a flat sole, with no high heels or anything similar.
Some users love it, while some don’t. It all depends on personal preference and what works for you. Some users have reported the shoe not being great for peddling. While some have acknowledged that it is a great shoe, perhaps you can give it a try and find out it is worth it. Find a great collection with the Best Cheap Electric Guitar.
The sizes are huge and robust and will offer you all the comfort you need without hurting you.