Competing in hiking boots

[GoodGirlGonePlaid]

So, my first time ever throwing in a games is this weekend and I'm not too keen on wearing my running shoes. I don't have turf shoes or cletes. I'm thinking of wearing my beloved hiking boots. I've practiced a bit in the boots, and I feel much sturdier. I usually only see pics of athletes in sneaker type shoes, so I was wondering if competing in boots is common. Our practice group seems to always be in running shoes/ hammer boots (during hammer time).

Whoa, this is like my 3rd shoe post on this forum.

My inner "Carrie Bradshaw" is so proud.

[Joshua]

Hiking boots were always too heavy for me, in the games and strongman. I have an inexpensive pair of addidas cleats for the games, and wear classic Vans Off The Walls high tops for most pavement activities.

[Mickey]

Last week I saw a couple of guys at our local games wearing boots, so it isn't unheard of. As long as you have the traction, I can't see where they would be bad, especially if you like the ankle support.

[o1d_dude]

I never much cared for throwing in heavy boots as it felt like they slowed me down.

If this doesn't bother you, it should be okay.

BTW, the Ventura Games are thrown on sand so cleats are probably not going to help much.

Have fun and throw far. In that order, too.

[Newfoundlander]

Did you make a decision after?

Admittedly, I've never thrown at highland games, but I have thrown Shotput and Javlin in decathlon, and the shoes you use there are "smooth but grippy." Granted, the surfaces are very different, but the idea of just a grippy sole on a shoe should still hold true. Physics is physics. The problem would occur when the ground gets chewed up and loose, I would imagine that cleats or spikes would work best there... Now this is all just me hypothesizing , I have no experience in this kind of throwing.

I'd be very keen to learn what works best here though, so if you find out from a fellow thrower, or learn yourself by trial and error, please post up your findings

[Joshua]

Have fun and throw far. In that order, too.

Thanks for the new tagline...

[GoodGirlGonePlaid]

Boots worked out well, I didn't fall and it gave me a couple of extra inches of height for sheaf and WOB.

I can only do 1 spin on the WFD, and slowly at that, so I can't tell if the boots weighed me down or not. I think the weight did that on it's own.

Now if only I'd removed them for my 2 hour drive home...
Ouch, my ankle.

[Alan H]

First of all, y'all looked cute in boots...

boots are great when you don't want your feet to move...like in hammer.

Cleats are great if you're throwing on soft grass, especially muddy grass. Howqever, they kinda suck if you're throwing on dirt or super hard grass.

Turf shoes....I have a pair of Adidas turf hogs and I love them for grass. They're available in mid and low ankle height.

http://www.shopping.com/Adidas-Adida...ball-Mens/info

At Ventura, because I knew we'd be throwing stones and weights off of the astroturf, I skipped on the turf hogs and wore my old high-top Nike ARTIFICIAL turf shoes.

Look here...you can buy 'em anywhere, but here's a page with a bumptillion turf shoes all in one place.

http://www.soccerpro.com/Turf-Soccer-Shoes-c39/

Super great on grass, UNLESS you are a rotational stone thrower. If you are, then change out one shoe for something not nearly as grippy or it'll be bye-bye knees. Anyway, down there you will be throwing off of those plywood/astroturf platforms kind of often. Cleat will suck on that, huh? So get normal-looking high-top basketball shoes.

You like Higher-tops for the support? Me, too. Lookie here. New Balance MF996M ...look at the sole. Knobby, but not ridiculous. Available in a mid-top, with some ankle support...and in white if you happen to like white better than black. Nice. just a bit pricey.

http://www.shoebuy.com/new-balance-mf996m/317929/680595

With a sole like that, you ONLY wear it to throw in. NOT around town, and not even to/from the car. It'll wear out quick if you wear it on pavement.

[Alan H]

I actually have three pairs of throwing shoes.

1. old fashioned football cleats. I wore these for two years and I was amazed at how tired my feet were at the end of the day. However, if the grass is deep, or if it's raining, cleats are the thing.

2. My nike high-top artificial turf shoes. Love these for throwing in dirt or off of astroturf/plywood. I wore them at Pleasanton, on the track. I wore them at Ventura. I got 'em for $15 off of Ebay and if the stupid soles would just quite coming unglued, I would keep them forever. That's what Shoe Goo is for, right?

3. Adidas Turf Hogs. These are the best grass throwing shoes I've ever worn and I love them. However, I am not a rotational stone thrower. No spin, here or even South African. I think I can use them to glide, though, if I ever get that far. They're great for a standing throw, and would probably be great for a modified shuffle.

[GoodGirlGonePlaid]

Ahhh shoes! Looks like mama's goin' shoppin'!
Thanks, Allen, now I have a good place to start. Google wasn't too helpful.

I do spin on the stones, but who knows if that'll stick

And yes, Shoe Goo IS magic and multifunctional. It's the "Windex" of the adhesive world.