Ok ive been using the Chameleon Merrell shoes for about 5 yrs. I love these leather boot shoes with great grip. They have been durable for my driving technique. However I am very hard on shoes and especially my hiking / disc golf shoes. My Merrells although awesome only give me about 1 year of good tournament play before they blow out in the tread and or the seems.
Has any one found a stronger / longer lasting shoe for how we drive on concrete tee pads. Our motion is very tough on soles and boots? I want a shoe company to design an exact shoe for our driving motion and twisting motion that can last for longer than a year?
any ideas???

i have seen Keen and others come out with Good shoes, but alot of players like the sandal type shoe. I go with a thicker leather boot, i like a stiff boot that doesnt allow my foot to wiggle or shift while driving...
and I really dont understand how some guys play in a sandal, (my best friend loves sandals) but i feel like Im going to slip out or break the shoe every time i try a sandal..

Ok and / Or lets See what everybody uses for disc golf Shoes? Like the whats in your bag thread?
Whats on Your Feet Thread??
Best shoe to wear?
Merrell? Salomon? Nike Tennis? Skate Shoe?

I'm using Merrell Chameleons as well. Been using them for over two years, and they are in like new condition. I've never had a more durable shoe.

After blowing out several pairs of new balance, I switched to Merrels cause everyone talked about how durable they were. Got the chameleons, they didn't last that long either. So I got some Bites, they lasted over 2 years and were very comfortable to me, and cool playing the West Texas heat. They lasted very well, still wearable, but were starting to get a little worn. So since Keen came out with their "disc golf shoes" I got some for Christmas. While I do like the feel and the grip, if you've read the "keen milo" thread you know they have some bleeding issues. I've maybe worn them for 8 rounds or less...went to put them on yesterday and one of the eyelets broke. So I will be sending them back for another try. All of this to tell you that shoes that are not in production any more were the ones that lasted the best for me....Bites!

I use Merrills and have had the same pairs in rotation for three seasons. I'm a bit of a fanatic, but have 6 pairs that I rotate. Each tournament I attend, I bring three pairs.. one for practice, one for first rd. and one for second. I played a boat load last year, and have had no issue with wear.

Normal life for a $100 shoe is going to be about a year, but with rotation, they'll last much longer. I have an old pair of Chameleons that are 5 years old that "could" be worn.

That's the key for me.

*Note* The new Merrills don't look very durable. It seems they changed the mix and some don't use the vibram soles anymore. Lucky for me, I've got three pairs that are NIB.

I have tried alot of different shoes over the years, and found a shoe company out of England a few years ago call "INOV-8" This is the best disc golf shoe i have ever worn.
I have 2 styles, the "roclite 295" for warm dry weather, and the "roclite 318 GTX" for wet cold weather.

These shoe grip like no other shoe, the soles are made with a dual compound, of regular running shoe and rock climbing rubber, you never have to worry about those wet teepads! and a nice agressive sole that is great in the dirt. Check them out.

oh yea, and they last too.

TK

Oh, and I get them off ebay... I contact the seller directly and get a discount for buying multiple pairs.

-- Erick

wow good idea, I kinda want to try out the Roclites sound very cool
I like wearing a warm breathinbg summer shoe and then a warmer dryer fir for winter. I will like to try these out. But
I also like having about 3 chamellions to rotate. great idea. I only keep 1 until they wear out. I would like to try getting 2 pair and switching good idea.
I thought the Merrells are the most durable I have seen so far, but I do wear them out in right at a year.

My newest pair (last seasons) of Chameleons are not the same shoes as 2 years ago! They are lighter, but don't have the support. They don't feel the same. I don't like them. Now Merrell has a Chameleon 3. I am going to try it. I would really like the first ones back!! Those had a steel (or some kind) shank in the middle of them so that your foot would turn less! Great shoe!

I use Merrills and have had the same pairs in rotation for three seasons. I'm a bit of a fanatic, but have 6 pairs that I rotate. Each tournament I attend, I bring three pairs.. one for practice, one for first rd. and one for second. I played a boat load last year, and have had no issue with wear.

Normal life for a $100 shoe is going to be about a year, but with rotation, they'll last much longer. I have an old pair of Chameleons that are 5 years old that "could" be worn.

That's the key for me.

*Note* The new Merrills don't look very durable. It seems they changed the mix and some don't use the vibram soles anymore. Lucky for me, I've got three pairs that are NIB.

We have Bites AND they're on sale ;P

http://gottagogottathrow.com/discgolf/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=shoe


[QUOTE=warlocks00;1412051]B] All of this to tell you that shoes that are not in production any more were the ones that lasted the best for me....Bites![/[/B]QUOTE]

When I tried Vasque I found what I needed. I play in them and work in them on and off the course. I got 1.5 years out of my first pair and they are still functional, just water resistant now. Non of the other brands held up nearly as well for me. They are not quite as comfortable as some of the others, but very durable.

Rotating between 3-4 pair of shoes for disc golf is a surefire way to go the distance. I rotate between; Merrell Chameleon, Columbia hiking shoes, Keen's Milo, and nike cross country shoes. One thing I did with my Columbia and Merrell's to make them last longer was put on "shoe goo" in thin layers between sole and the outerlayer of the shoe to help waterproofing and hold shoe together longer, when they were new!

We have Bites AND they're on sale ;P

http://gottagogottathrow.com/discgolf/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=shoe


[QUOTE=warlocks00;1412051]B] All of this to tell you that shoes that are not in production any more were the ones that lasted the best for me....Bites![/[/B]QUOTE]

Thanks for the heads up!! :D

27$ BUCKS, ARE THEY DURABLE BITE SHOES???
Do they last a year of disc golf

27$ BUCKS, ARE THEY DURABLE BITE SHOES???
Do they last a year of disc golf

I bought a pair of the boots because the price was too good to pass on. Should be nice to slosh around in the snow and slop in Illinois.

I've Been wearing a pair of Bites for two years now and they are great shoes.

I am wearing Keens obsidians. The body of the shoe feels like kevlar(it's not). The toe cap wraps around nicely and the soles even though two pieces it is construtced better than other older Keens I have seen. I have been wearing them to play up here in Maine for the past 2 months. They are holding up great (had em for 6months) we shall see what happens come summer time. Bit prices as they are $125. I have narrow feet and the cheap shoes don't cut it for me.

Bites are no longer in production...What?
I recommend these shoes to everyone who asks me about them. I've had 3 pairs now. 1 is still NIB. Both the low and the hightop version have lasted over a year for me. I'm 200+lbs. I'll be getting another pair or 2 before I can't get them anymore. Thanks GGGT!

Thanks for the link Char. I just purchased my fourth pair of Bite shoes. These shoes hold up for the entire season and then some. Most important is they are great if you have wide feet. Also, the sale price at Gotta Go is awesome.

do the Bites fit normally? should I size up or down?

I'm using the Keen Obsidian WP. They're comfortable right out of the box and keep your feet nice and dry. The toe box is pretty solid as well. I have the Black/Gargoyle pair and the only con I have is that they have a sythetic smell that won't go away. It's been about a month or so and if I leave them in the car.. the car will smell like those shoes.

It's not a foot thing.. it's the material on the shoe. lol

But other than that.. A GREAT shoe so far. Definitely an option for someone who doesn't want to invest in the MILO. Give it a try.

I'm using the Keen Obsidian WP. They're comfortable right out of the box and keep your feet nice and dry. The toe box is pretty solid as well. I have the Black/Gargoyle pair and the only con I have is that they have a sythetic smell that won't go away. It's been about a month or so and if I leave them in the car.. the car will smell like those shoes.

It's not a foot thing.. it's the material on the shoe. lol

But other than that.. A GREAT shoe so far. Definitely an option for someone who doesn't want to invest in the MILO. Give it a try.
I know what ya mean about the shoe smell. Let me know if you find somehitng that gets rid of it

Steven - word in the shop is that if you are teetering between 2 sizes - go up one -

The Torques are pretty true to size
The Highs run slightly long and do not stretch
The Trekkers run about a half size long and are pretty standard on the width

The Torques and Trekkers will stretch some because of the natural material - the Highs will not stretch at all.

Feel free to call the shop (877-347-2465) if you want the guys here have all been wearing them!


do the Bites fit normally? should I size up or down?

I know what ya mean about the shoe smell. Let me know if you find somehitng that gets rid of it

LOL.. yeah.. I've searched the interwebs but to no avail. I just tell myself.. "I can buy this shoe for 80 bucks!!

(from some other sites besides Keen (http://www.altrec.com/keen/mens-obsidian-wp-hiking-shoe?cm_sp=Baynote-_-Search-_-TopSearchResultsA_Rec)) Altrec is where I ordered mine. I just learned to only wear them for disc golf and don't keep them in small enclosed areas.

I throw forehand and backhand, so because of the forehand throws, I was wearing out toes of shoes left and right. Last summer, I destroyed a pair of Nikes and a pair of Vibrams.

I saw the ad on PDGA.com for the Keen Milo shoes. I asked for a gift certificate to Nokomis Shoe in Minneapolis for Christmas. I used the gift certificate to buy the Milos. They look and fit great. They have the rubber over the toe just like I will need, and they are waterproof. Now I just need to wait for the snow to melt so I can use them. But they are made for disc golfers, so I figure, they must be good. I'll post more when when spring arrives.

When I play in the snow this winter, I wear Timberland boots.

http://workingperson.com/products/22_360_26/1/1855/Timberland_Pro_Shoes:__Steel_Toe_EH_Shoes_61009.ht ml

These things are nasty.
Plus when you play glow rounds at night after you've worn down the massive toe rubber the steel toe sparks.
Nice high arch as well.
I just waterproof mine with an old home made compound.

I bought some Merrell Ventilators, great support and stiff leather boot for great durability and stiff fit. I likt the leather boot for a stiff fit so not much motion while tee'ing off and Ill get soem Chamillion 3's this summer to start rotating so as to wear more slowly

New Merrell's Ventilator s are kickin. I love them. I got the all leather ones for added durability and these things fit like a glove right out of box. Im interested to see how they hold up over the year of tournys....will let you know

I've had a pair of Salomon XA PRO 3D Ultras with Goretex for a little over a year now. I've probably only got about 20-30 rounds in them. I only wear them for tourneys but I hand wash them after every tournament. I take good care of them. For $100 I figured I had to. I love them. Real comfortable do well under weather conditions and have good grip. I've heard like everyone else those Merrells are sweet. Once I wear these Salomons out I think I'm gonna give Merrell a try. They have WIDE sizes for my Sasquatch like feet!

I just bought a backup pair of Salomon XT Wings on Steep and Cheap for $62. I currently own the 2nd pair I've had. Don't wear them in the snow; the mesh freezes then tears.

I wear Bite shoes. Just picked up a new pair and a pair for my son since they are on sale.

I've had a pair of Salomon XA PRO 3D Ultras with Goretex for a little over a year now. !

I snagged a pair of these (not the goretex model) from Avery Jenkins on eBay. He was selling a bunch of Solomons a month or so ago. I got them for a pretty good price. I use them for running, not disc golf.

I also just grabbed a couple pair of Bites from Gotta Go Gotta Throw. Just seems that $28/pair is too good a deal to pass by.

I want a shoe company to design an exact shoe for our driving motion and twisting motion that can last for longer than a year?
any ideas???


Not many shoes designed for any sport last longer than a year. I think disc golfers want too much from their shoes.

well its cause I have a vision of a Disc Golf shoe. We need to think outside the box here. all of our shoes we wear are designed for lateral walking. not twisting off of dirt / concrete tee boxes, and then planting and throwing and more twisting....we need a shoe tread designed for our foot action for our unique sport. Give me time I just graduated from College. I have some good ideas...but all good ideas take time. I think if we re-design a tread for our sport it will and can last longer for what we do. we are using a generic tread patter of walking and hiking for our sport. What would happen if u used BF All-terrains for Asian Street Drifting???
It would work? we need a rubber tread for our tee boxes and feet twisting! great tread, durable and a strong boot / shoe made specifically for what we do....

shot put and discus shoes are smooth soled witch is great for concrete but those combatants dont chase ther own projectiles through the grass and trees and throw them again

well its cause I have a vision of a Disc Golf shoe. We need to think outside the box here. all of our shoes we wear are designed for lateral walking. not twisting off of dirt / concrete tee boxes, and then planting and throwing and more twisting....we need a shoe tread designed for our foot action for our unique sport. Give me time I just graduated from College. I have some good ideas...but all good ideas take time. I think if we re-design a tread for our sport it will and can last longer for what we do. we are using a generic tread patter of walking and hiking for our sport. What would happen if u used BF All-terrains for Asian Street Drifting???
It would work? we need a rubber tread for our tee boxes and feet twisting! great tread, durable and a strong boot / shoe made specifically for what we do....

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/gotcherj/Tanel360.jpg (http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc184/gotcherj/?action=view&current=Tanel360.jpg)

wow see thats what im talking about, now lets make that tread in a vibram sole and put a nice merrell or keene boot / shoe on it and well we have a great disc golf shoe??? right??

shot put and discus shoes are smooth soled witch is great for concrete but those combatants dont chase ther own projectiles through the grass and trees and throw them again

agreed, im just saying we need a shoe that is designed for what we do excactly, think out side the box and stop just wearing hiking shoes, we need a disc golf tread....it will happen sooner or later.

I have tried a few different shoes over the years. One of the best I ever found was a pair of Nike Tengu III Mid GTX. They were on clearance for $50. They were comfortable, waterproof(Gore-Tex) and cheap. These lasted me for 3 seasons. I finally had to retire them because the tread was completely worn off of them. I have also done the Merrell's Chameleon Stretch GTX. The Merrell's lasted me two seasons before needing to be retired. I am now entering my 3rd season in a Salomon Mid GTX that I got off of SAC for dirt cheap. So far these things are great. They are a bit on the heavy side, but they have such a rock solid feel to them that I have no worries about footing while wearing them. I also picked up a pair of Addidas Response Trail 16's for tournies this year where I don't have to worry about keeping the feet dry. So far, these shoes have probably the best tread pattern I have seen on a trail shoe. These things are super comfortable. The only draw back that I see is that I couldn't get them in a mid.

What I would like to see is a shoe that can take the punishment of a 6'2", 240+ lbs person playing dg in them.

I've always had great luck with adidas trail shoes as well. My last pair were goretex and lasted 2 seasons...the tread and cushioning is still fine, but they started to blow out on the sides next to my pinky toes...holes in waterproof shoes kinda defeats the purpose. I think I got them clearanced online somewhere for around 70 bucks. I just replaced them with a pair of north face trail shoes...not goretex, but go them on sale for 40 bucks. I'm gonna see if it's gonna be better long term to invest in some seal skins and just buy standard trail shoes. In the wintertime I've got a pair of timberland mid top boots that are goretex and have a vibram sole. I'm about to finish my second winter season in those, and they've held up well. Realistically speaking, I don't expect to get more than 3 seasons of golf out of a pair of shoes. I'm curious to see what people think tends to last longer and remains waterproof longer, goretex shoes with regular socks or goretex socks and regular shoes. I know goretex socks and shoes is ideal, but about the cheapest I can find some decent goretex shoes for is $70+.

Here's the Addidas Trail shoes I bought for $50(Non Gore-Tex, but I have seal skinz).
http://tsa.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p5921563dt.jpg

Update on my Keen Obsidians I got not even 2 months ago.:
The tread on the inner heal side of my right shoe came unglued. I googled it and it seems like it's been happening to a lot of pairs of Keen shoes. This bites. I'll try some shoe goo in hopes that will work. Still comfortable.. but .. tread quality not so much.

Update on my Keen Obsidians I got not even 2 months ago.:
The tread on the inner heal side of my right shoe came unglued. I googled it and it seems like it's been happening to a lot of pairs of Keen shoes. This bites. I'll try some shoe goo in hopes that will work. Still comfortable.. but .. tread quality not so much.

That is why, unless the shoe has Vibram soles, I won't use them.

I have some Vasque shoes that are great. I've had them for about 9 months and am pleased. I played roughly 4-5 rounds a week.

just wanted to say that I picked up a pair of the Bite trekkers from GGGT for a great price. size 12 and they are really comfortable. after wearing them for a few rounds now I can say that I will miss them when they are gone and I cant get anymore.
I still like my big ole' hiking boots that I get from other places, but these are really light weight and just feel good.

yeh that sucks, I bought a pair of merrells and my good bud bought a of Keen's, He played 2 tournys and the seems came un-glued. but My merrels after 4 rounds the treads look like erasers badly wearing. I had to bring them back and up-grade to the Chamellions with a tougher sole. so I dont want to knock Keen cuase I love that they are sponsoring DG but I have heard bad stories of un-gluing soles. Merrells seem the toughest I have seen as long as you spend the money on the top ones.
I like the addidas and the grip looks great. but the way I throw and the type of shoe I like to wear, i have never been able to wear a sneaker with the mesh sides, there is so much give that when I do my x-step i can feel my foot move and twist and I cant stand it. i need a stiff boot that allows little to no movement.

i guess its an Ankle thing, I have weak angles from years of sport injurys and sprains. so I like my ankles not being allowed to move.

Update on my Keen Obsidians I got not even 2 months ago.:
The tread on the inner heal side of my right shoe came unglued. I googled it and it seems like it's been happening to a lot of pairs of Keen shoes. This bites. I'll try some shoe goo in hopes that will work. Still comfortable.. but .. tread quality not so much.

I hear they have really good customer service at least. I know a guy and they are sending him a new pair.

My Milos ripped after about 2 1/2 months. I sent in the info and pics last week for a warranty replacement. We'll see what happens

If I bought them from Altrec and not from Keen directly.. would they still honor it? .. . Wouldn't hurt to give them a call.

Thanks guys,

Mike.

KV...I have the same issue with my ankles...I have had torn cartilage removed from them to keep them from locking but now they need extra support. I was wearing mids but they are too bulky. Look for trail runners that have good lateral support and a good heel wrap. I have found several different lows that work...The old Danner trail shoe was great but discontinued. I currently use different Columbia lows and just bought a pair of Montrails that are super sick and aggressive.
Merrills are nice but have never lasted for me. The Adidas shoe that Joe talked about is really light but you give up some lateral suppost, but I do have a pair of them.