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[Redkard]

It's is not the shoes on the player, it is the player in the shoes.

My son and I have a shoe fettish.  I'm currently using eight pair of shoes for my refereeing assignments.  I wear cleats in the middle (except after the third game of the day at a tournament).  I wear turf as the AR (unless the field is wet and muddy, then I'll wear cleats).  Field condition and weather will some time play a role in what shoe to wear.  The harder the surface the more likely I'll wear turf shoes.

The older shoes are worn on grass.  The newer shoes are wore on turf.  I hardly wear the same pair of shoes in consecutive games, except in back to back games during tournaments when time doesn'l all me to change.  I've been known to change shoes during half time of championship games. 

The things that all my shoes have in common are that none are the top model of their brand and most have been bought while on sale.  I always search the outlet mall when I'm near one or check out the sale binds whenever I'm a sports store or soccer specific store.  I'd much rather spread my $200 over 3 or 4 pair of shoes instead of spending it all on one pair.

As far as my younster goes.  While 19 now we could buy the Kid priced shoes up until he turned 17.  It was much easier buying shoes up until then.  Once he reached the adult size and the expensive shoes where his desire, he had to split the cost.

I say spend you money on the mid-range shoes.  Buy multiple pairs and rotate them based on weather and field conditions.  Have that special pair for those rainey miserable days that pop up every now and then.  One other thing, buy one of those forced air shoe dryers; they work wonders in prolonging the life of shoes.

If you see an all black (for referee use) that is on sale drop me an email.  I'm looking for my 9th pair of shoes.

Redkard.........

[Son of Spam]

For us the shoe equation has always been, the higher the price, the less break in time required before the shoe is ready for game speed. A poor fitting shoe for a player that is spending 7-10 hours a week in their shoes can equal blisters or lost toe nails (too small) and missed playing time and reduced performance. I guess I figure if we can get 6 months from a shoe at $125 (or so) and we go through 2 pair in a year, it is still less money than ski boots or god forbid custom ice skates (started down that path long ago...yuk). Sometimes younger DD is the beneficiary and gets some pretty swanky cleats passed her way from the older girls team, probably one of the benefits of being the little sister to an older team, she also has last years team sweats in just about every number. Did I mention younger player wanted to be like older sis and chose the same number and since they play within the same club…the unis are the same…Eww!! Both play on Saturday talk about a laundry scramble and a MMA throw down for socks….I feel a dull headache coming on

[soccerdiva]

Thanks you everyone for your responses.  We bought him some Nike Mercurial Vapor yesterday.  I found them online for $120 and everywhere else they seemed to be $175+.  All I know is that he better like them or else!

[gotta want it]

I feel that good quality shoes are my dd's  "tools of the trade" per say -   Since she plays indoor, outdoor, futsal year around.   I want her in a good quality shoe.   But.... fit is important tooo.    For outdoor,   she has more than 1 shoe.   I dont think it is good for the foot to wear the same shoe every day for every game.   So,  she does have another pair to throw in the mix.     

[metz123]

oh yeah, once I crossed the threshold of Mom & dad buy my shoes to I buy them, my tastes radically changed from "the highest priced, coolest shoe I could convince my parents to buy" to "the cheapest shoe that fit and met the minimum requirements".

It's amazing how tastes change when the player has to foot some of the bill. 

[gr8cgar]

So if the DK must buy them.....not much $$ are being spend.

If the CP is buying them then a hole lot more $$ is being spend.

And if those DK make goals then we spend even more 

[Ballguy]

If my DS and I go its under $100, If my wife comes along its under $200.  :'(

Its hard for me to justify spending that much money on a pair if boots when we have to replace them every year

[On-the-road-again]

Once, more than we normally would have because dd is smarter than the average bear (okay, her dad).  I have got to tell you this story.

DD fell in love the boots in July of last year and Pops said "You must be out your doggone mind (I cleaned that up ) if you think I'm going to spend that much money on a pair of cleats you're just going to wear out in 6 months!!"  DD was sad but I could see the wheels turning.

DD was a perfect   for the next several months, cleaning her room on a regular basis (thats how I knew she was up to something), getting much props at school (student of the qtr) blah, blah, blah.

DD's birthday comes around in October and Pops asks "Daddy's Girl" what she wants for her birthday.  What did he do THAT for?!  SUCKER!!!    I saw it coming...here we go!!

DD (I affectionately call her "Spoiled Brat") says "All I want is "MY" cleats...and I'll pay half!!"    I silently say to myself "Yep, she's up to something..."

Pops says, "Okay!!  Let's go!!"  DD goes and grabs her money.  We get to the store, get the cleats and go to the register.  Spoiled Brat whips out her money and Pops says, get this...

"Put your money away, I got it."

DD turns to me.... ...I just shook my head.  Oh, yeah...she's good!!  Poor guy didn't even see it comin'...

$150.00...and they lasted longer than expected!!  He found the exact same cleats on sale this spring and replaced the other pair!!!

[yote19]

FBLA for sure    Future Business Leaders of America.