What Are The Best Shoes For Shuffling?

Today I'm diving in to the #1 question I get asked! Spoiler alert... you're probably not going to like the answer LOL

Drum roll please.... d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d

Whatever is comfortable!

(womp-womp! 😜)

I know y'all looking for the holy grail for your shuffle tool kit! But truly when it comes to human preference, there is no one-size-fits-all. Every BODY is different so what works for one is not guaranteed to work for another.

That being said, I will share my preferences and other shufflers' opinions I've collected over time. Just be aware the only way to truly find the best shoes FOR YOU is to try a bunch.

My preferences

These are my go-tos.

Nike Air Max 97s

Good for shapes. Bouncy & cushioned. Send weight into my toes.

Nike Air Correlate

Less bouncy, more grounded than Air Max 97s so I use these for Melbourne / shuffle.

Adidas Hi Tops

I've had these since the 00s?! They're starting to disintegrate! Nice flat sole. My favourite for Melbourne / shuffle

Other people's favourites

I haven't tried these personally but are popular among shufflers.

Fuego Low Tops

Flat sole and pivot point feature. Many people do not recommend the high tops though due to flimsiness / lack of support.

Nike Air Force 1

Super popular among shufflers. I tried them in store and liked them and would consider these when my correlates die. Flat and supportive.

Vans Sk8 High Top

Another popular one among shufflers. I tried these in store and found they do not have enough arch support for me, personally.

Converse Chuck Taylor

Platform version (here) apparently good for toe stalls. I often see regular sole hi tops as well as low tops. Same as the Vans, these are popular but lacked arch support for me.

On my "must try" list

Aware that I will need a replacement for my Adidas High Tops soon I asked a sneaker-head friend of mine for recommendations. My criteria were flat sole, mid- or hi- tops, decent support & inner cushioning but not bouncy like Nike Air Max style. These were some of his picks - let me know if you've tried!

Adidas Forum Mid

Adidas Pro Model

Jordan 6 Retro

Air Jordan Mid SE

Qualities / criteria for selecting a shoe

I always say pick something with a flat sole, not too much grip. How much arch support you require will depend on your feet so be mindful of the support you need inside the shoe as well.

Honestly, sometimes even a pair of your favourite old worn out sneakers will do just fine.

Anything with a lot of grip like a "proper running" shoe runs the risk of creating more friction which can make pivots, glides and micro-dragging harder which is particularly problematic in Melbourne shuffle.

Hi Top vs Low Top is personal preference. Some people feel high tops give them more ankle support. Others say they feel high tops are restrictive or increase the risk of ankle injury. I believe individual ankle stability and previous injury play a bigger role. To me its a question of comfort.

So how do you know? You gotta test them out in store! LOL
PRO TIP: I often go to outlet stores where all the shoe boxes are on display self serve style. I will try a couple of running mans, t-steps and glides and I typically know right away what feels "right". It's a little tricker when you have a store clerk retrieving shoes for you and watching you try them on but! it can be done!

So there you have it! Picking the right shoes is an art, not a science. You might need to kiss a few frogs before you find your Prince. Try a bunch and go with what feels good for you, not what's trending or what everyone else is wearing.

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