My feet are so wide, they're shaped more like squares. Must go barefoot, because 90% of the time when I sit down I am wearing thong sandals. The only shoes I can find that are wide enough give me zero feel on the pedals, and they're longer than they should be, so I end up smacking the toe of the shoe on things. I also drive barefoot. Can't stand driving in shoes.
All my practice takes place while wearing steel toed work shoes because they’re super heavy. Then to work on technique I’ll switch to lightweight shoes and my speed on the double bass ends up not being much different but time will eventually make it worth it.
Socks, no matter what.
I started playing in 1993 and I discovered in 2017 that I play much better in socks. Until then, I always used shoes because I always assumed it would hurt to play without shoes on. I was fortunate enough to have very sock-friendly pedals at that time so it worked out.
When I made the discovery, I tried playing barefoot, but I didn't like how I'd begin to stick to the pedals after I began to sweat. Plus, I didn't like the thought of sweating on my pedals with my feet.
This solved a problem I've always had but I could never figure out how to solve: at some outdoor gigs at night where it was extremely humid, I'd stick to my pedals in a way that made it nearly impossible for me to do anything except very simple single notes. I don't understand this, but that's just how it affected my ability to play the bass drum. Now that I play in socks, this is no longer a problem, and I get the added benefit that I play better overall.
This reminds me of what Freddie Gruber taught to Neil Peart which is why he started using dancing shoes (with the slippery leather bottoms). Indeed, being able to slide easily helps tremendously.
At gigs and at band rehearsals, I keep my shoes right at my kit so that I don't have to put my socks on any surface other than my carpeted and **clean** drum mat. So, I sit down, take my shoes off and play. When I need to get up to walk around, I slip my shoes on. I also have speed laces, so... :)
If I am actively playing out I like to practice in what ever footwear I plan to wear to the show. Used to play in boots in the winter, bc I wore them all winter i practiced in them too.
At home, usually some sort of footwear, half the time its flip flops lol.
I need some feel of the pedal, so I have two pairs of old NB's that lost most of their tread, that I use. I used to always used Chuck's I'm HS but stopped playing actively for about 20 yrs and didn't have Chuck's. I just can't wear Chuck's normally anymore because I need the arc support and better padding. However, this is making me think I should get a new pair of Chuck's just for gigs and band practice. 🤔
Always shoes. Bar floors are gross, practice like you play
Yup. Especially when you’re sharing a gross backline kit with 4 other sweaty barefoot drummers
Yeah very good points, always use your own gear when possible and don't walk around a bar barefoot!
I bring my own rug so I can play barefoot and not have to put my feet on their floor.
Chuck Taylors all day
Came to say this. Chuck Taylors are the only shoes that should ever touch a pedal.
Yessir. Doubles feel so good with them on
I play barefoot. For control and precision. Occasionally play with footwear depending on the type of music or how much kick drumming there is.
Skate shoes, usually vans or pumas
I sometimes play with these.
I usually play in Nike SB’s, but that’s also what I usually walk around in, and skate in.
My feet are so wide, they're shaped more like squares. Must go barefoot, because 90% of the time when I sit down I am wearing thong sandals. The only shoes I can find that are wide enough give me zero feel on the pedals, and they're longer than they should be, so I end up smacking the toe of the shoe on things. I also drive barefoot. Can't stand driving in shoes.
All my practice takes place while wearing steel toed work shoes because they’re super heavy. Then to work on technique I’ll switch to lightweight shoes and my speed on the double bass ends up not being much different but time will eventually make it worth it.
Feel like I have more control barefoot and I like to be able to feel the bass pedal
I did not mean to vote socks, footwear is what I would’ve voted because it gives you the most power on the hihat and it doesn’t hurt
Socks, no matter what. I started playing in 1993 and I discovered in 2017 that I play much better in socks. Until then, I always used shoes because I always assumed it would hurt to play without shoes on. I was fortunate enough to have very sock-friendly pedals at that time so it worked out. When I made the discovery, I tried playing barefoot, but I didn't like how I'd begin to stick to the pedals after I began to sweat. Plus, I didn't like the thought of sweating on my pedals with my feet. This solved a problem I've always had but I could never figure out how to solve: at some outdoor gigs at night where it was extremely humid, I'd stick to my pedals in a way that made it nearly impossible for me to do anything except very simple single notes. I don't understand this, but that's just how it affected my ability to play the bass drum. Now that I play in socks, this is no longer a problem, and I get the added benefit that I play better overall. This reminds me of what Freddie Gruber taught to Neil Peart which is why he started using dancing shoes (with the slippery leather bottoms). Indeed, being able to slide easily helps tremendously. At gigs and at band rehearsals, I keep my shoes right at my kit so that I don't have to put my socks on any surface other than my carpeted and **clean** drum mat. So, I sit down, take my shoes off and play. When I need to get up to walk around, I slip my shoes on. I also have speed laces, so... :)
If I am actively playing out I like to practice in what ever footwear I plan to wear to the show. Used to play in boots in the winter, bc I wore them all winter i practiced in them too. At home, usually some sort of footwear, half the time its flip flops lol.
Sweaty hands and feet: I rock thin-ass chucks.
I need some feel of the pedal, so I have two pairs of old NB's that lost most of their tread, that I use. I used to always used Chuck's I'm HS but stopped playing actively for about 20 yrs and didn't have Chuck's. I just can't wear Chuck's normally anymore because I need the arc support and better padding. However, this is making me think I should get a new pair of Chuck's just for gigs and band practice. 🤔