On the topic of feet...

[Inkstar]

I assume there's been threads like this before, but I can't seem to see any recent ones, so I guess it's time for another.

When practicing drums, what do put on your feet? Are you a bare-foot player? Or maybe you use socks? What about the fully-enclosed wear?

Personally, I always play with shoes on. I just like the feel of my feet being wrapped tight in something and I guess it makes me play better. However, I have noticed some drummers on here just wear socks.

What do you prefer? Have you tried all methods, and what works best?

[ofDooM]

i play with whatever i have on my feet. where my foot goes, is heel up for heavy stuff, and heel down for the not-so-heavy music.

[moogoogaipan]

I play with whatever. Socks, barefoot, sandals, tennis-shoes, track shoes... you name it, I play just as well with either.
I was wearing dress shoes when i made that 7 Steps to Heaven recording

[RedDot]

I play with socks.

[steeldrummer11]

I prefer thin soled shoes, but some of my school jazz gigs call for dress shoes, and my dress shoes have incredible thick soles. But I have yet to find it drastically affect my playing ability.

[Ellx]

dress shoes, wtf? Or do you mean casual.

[Tillmon]

I have no preference. Usually shoes though because that's usually just what I'm wearing when I play the drums, but if for some reason I'm not wearing shoes, I won't put some on just to play.

[wongacaster]

it doesnt really matter to me.
but i think i can play faster with shoes.
but yeah any.

[isp_of_doom]

I use barefeet mostly, sometimes socks. Shoes don't really work for me. I guess I could go to dance shoes (like steve smith or peart). But at the moment I can't afford them.

As for how I play. Bit of heel up, bit of heel down, bit of heel-toe, sorta developing slide.

[Josiah]

When I play, I like to use the search function.

[Crazy Drummer]

^ No you dont

I play with whatever, I prefer shoes but if I dont have any one then I dont put any on specially.

[Vannaroth]

socks

[[UEAK]Clowd]

I like to wear my regular shoes.. they are like generic skate shoe sneakers... I don't understand why you would want to play barefoot.

[Sharkey Boy]

Trainers done up real tight, for me it feels like I have extra support and control in my ankle that way lol

And I mostly play heel up when I'm playing really loud or fast, but im really working on my heel down lately, just to get that control a bit better, and also get some heel toe going lol

K-swiss luxery mens edition classic tennis shoes....mmmmm

[weed_makes_me_faster]

GLOBE shoes. anyway - skateshoes ftw.

[Nexus]

I like thin sole shoes like Converse and Green Flash. Both are cool because they are nice and thin, lightweight and comfy.

[Kratos]

It takes more energy from me to play barefoot/with socks/with a shoe with an extremely thin sole, so I always wear shoes like Vans or sneakers. I play almost exclusively heel up, too. I have no idea why it's more difficult to play without shoes than with, but it is.

[JoeSchmo]

I use barefeet mostly, sometimes socks. Shoes don't really work for me. I guess I could go to dance shoes (like steve smith or peart). But at the moment I can't afford them.

As for how I play. Bit of heel up, bit of heel down, bit of heel-toe, sorta developing slide.
same here except i'll mostly play socks, sometimes barefeet

[Tommy-r]

always in skateshoes, even if i have to wear a suit. Since I''m behind the set, nobody notices.

[Loser]

I prefer barefoot, but I can play with socks or shoes.

[FullMoon]

i play barefoot and i play heel-toe most of the time but if its slower softer music i play heel down

[Byron]

I only play in socks

[Jody LeCompte]

I don't drum often, but the genral way I do anythign that involves steady footing is wear shoes that are somewhat tight. If you wear socks they will slip, and your feet will get sweaty. But a shoe a half size too small will stay fit, just get a light pair.

[Ra']

i usually play either barefooted or with shoes....i dont like socks cause they slip a little bit and make my bass drum beats less accurate and precise

[Loyton]

Ultra-beat up nike free's, or barefoot.

[EchoMuse]

yeah i usually play in something like a skater shoes, with lots of grip I suppose. but I used to play barefoot, so I still go both ways.

[raz0r]

Socks.

The only way to go imo.
I occasionaly play in shoes, but it doesn't give me the same amount of control that playing in socks give me.
Play barefoot for me = much sweaty pedals too. After 20 minutes, I may aswell be coating my pedals with astroglide.

[TTTSNB]

Usually just socks, because thats what I'm always wearing, haha. If I have to wear shoes, anything light and close fitting.

[Murd_666]

I play with socks/ bare foot when I'm practising in my own house, socks in anyone elses and shoe's live. I like to wear Converse One stars, or All stars because they can be tightened or lossened.
I tighten them up when I playing a song with quick bass patterns and consitant hi-hat chicks. Losened if I'm just trying to groove to a song or just improvising.
As for foot positions I play heel down for softer patterns and light accents, and I play heel up for driving bass patterns and more power into my kicks, and if I'm doing doubles I use heel up, I don't do doubles often in a song. I'm working with sliding for some quick bass here and there.
On the Hi-hat I usually play heel down for a fatter sound out of my hi-hats and heel up for a nice tight crisp sound.

[The Feeding]

i play barefoot or with socks on, depends on if i'm wearing shorts or not.