What shoes are best for playing drums? Find answers to frequently asked questions

Barefoot or in shoes?

Drummers are divided - while some prefer playing barefoot, others cannot imagine playing without shoes on their feet. Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages.

When you drum barefoot, you have a better feel for the pedals and can therefore control them more effectively. What's more, you get tired much slower because you are not accompanied by additional weight in the form of shoes. However, if you're not careful enough, your feet can be at risk of injury, and the friction between them and the pedals can lead to painful blisters.

To prevent this, many drummers choose to play with shoes on. Moreover, wearing shoes while playing drums will give you better hitting power and improve your comfort, provided you choose them properly.

Are you wondering what you should pay attention to to feel as comfortable as possible? You've come to the right place! In our guide, we have collected all the most important aspects of drumming shoes, thanks to which you can make the right choice. Let's get started!

What should you pay attention to when choosing drums shoes?

There are several factors to consider if you don't want your footwear to restrict you during training, rehearsals or performances. 

First, make sure your drumming shoes are light enough. This way, even an exhausting, long training session will not be a heavy burden on your feet, and you will be able to play precisely until the last piece.

Secondly, choose shoes that are made of light and breathable materials. Thanks to this, your feet will not sweat intensely and you will not feel any discomfort.

Third, look for shoes that will contact the pedal the way a bare foot would. Any heels or heights are not welcome. Choose a flat sole that best suits this activity.

What sole should drum shoes have?

Drumming shoes should primarily have a flexible sole. To check this, you can try bending the shoe in half while holding it in your hand. Thanks to this, you will be able to perform various movements without having to put much effort into them. 

The grip of your shoes affects the power of your pedal strokes. It is worth remembering that this aspect largely depends on the sole, especially the tread and its specificity. However, be careful not to overdo it. Excessive traction can make it difficult to move your foot across the pedal surface.

If you want to hit the pedal quickly, choose a relatively slippery sole. If you prefer your hits to be slower but stronger, choose shoes with a grippy sole, which will provide additional cushioning for your feet, muscles and joints, and at the same time will be more resistant to abrasion.

What material should drummer's shoes be made of?

Although it seems that the material is just an insignificant addition, in the case of drumming nothing could be further from the truth! Imagine if you had to spend the entire rehearsal wearing a tight-fitting shirt that limited your range of movement. Nothing pleasant, including shoes! 

Any stiff, inflexible material will definitely be a bad choice for drum players. Instead, choose thin, light materials that will easily adapt to the shape of your foot. Textile shoe material, thin natural leather or suede will work perfectly.

Do drum shoes have to be comfortable?

Some beginning drummers wonder whether drumming shoes need to be comfortable. Indeed! After all, a lack of comfort could distract the musician and make drumming significantly more difficult.

Remember that the comfort of footwear depends on many factors. Weight and breathability are very important, but a perfect fit is equally important. Under no circumstances should you decide to wear shoes that are too tight and hope that they will loosen up. Also, be careful with models that are too large and the heel may slip out of them while playing.

Choose footwear whose presence on your feet will be virtually unnoticeable.

What shoes to choose for playing drums?

Now that you know what factors to consider when buying drums shoes, you're probably wondering which models will work best. 

Choose classic sneakers or shoes slip-on. Shoes designed for playing basketball or tennis, which are characterized by high flexibility, low weight and a flat sole with good grip, will also be a hit.

As you can see, choosing shoes for a drummer is not particularly complicated. We are convinced that with our tips and tricks this task will be child's play for you. Good luck!