In need of a new pair of umpire shoes for the upcoming season? You’ve got a lot on the line as the game’s umpire. The shoes you select should be able to support the weight on your shoulders.
In addition to being an essential component of the outfit, umpire shoes serve as the first line of defense.
In this article, we’ve worked hard to make sure you have access to the best umpire base shoes at the best prices.
8 Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Umpire Shoes
In order to keep up with the demands of the extremely exciting profession of an umpire, it is important to wear the right footwear.
Discovering shoes that you can wear both during game play and fitness training is a big benefit. When buying baseball referee shoes, there are a few things you should keep an eye out for.
Let’s examine the top 8 factors you should consider before selecting a new pair of baseball umpire shoes:
- Support: While selecting the ideal umpire base shoe, it’s crucial to take arch support and sole support into account. You will be able to spend a lot of time standing comfortably because of this.
- Fit: Finding the ideal fit is essential for comfort. To better simulate the conditions of standing during a game, try on shoes at the end of the day when your feet are at their fullest.
- Protection: You need footwear that will shield your toes from wayward baseballs, bats, and runners, as well as from high-velocity balls.
- Traction: To prevent slipping while running on a concrete or hardwood floor, choose shoes with excellent grip. A rubber outsole that is heavily grooved and indented is robust and offers excellent traction.
- Cut: You have the option of choosing between a low-cut and a mid-cut, just like with other athletic shoes. Low-cuts will increase your agility, while mid-cuts will provide you with additional ankle support similar to baseball shoes.
- Cushioning: Without adequate cushioning, your feet would suffer from all the running around that is typical of sporting events. Seek out footwear with a midsole that absorbs shock.
- Lightweight: It’s crucial to strike a balance between traction and portability. Moving about will be more comfortable with a shoe that is lightweight.
- Umpire cleats: Baseball umpires must wear black or black and white sneakers or umpire turf shoes, and their footwear may have rubber soles or rubberized cleats. The plate umpire can choose rubberized cleats and steel-toed plate shoes, which are often black or black and white in color.
Best Umpire Base Shoes
We can now look at the best umpire base shoes that you can buy, keeping the above factors in mind.
3N2 Men’s Baseball Umpire Officiating Shoe Reaction Pro Plate Lo
The 3N2 Reaction Pro Plate Lo is the perfect choice for officials looking for comfort and protection because it is made of 100% genuine leather.
It might be the lightest baseball umpire shoe in the game, weighing only 15.7 ounces per shoe.
They come in widths D and EE and are made to reduce dirt accumulation for simple cleaning.
Its midsole was specifically created to lessen the stress on the knees and joints caused by game-after-game activity.
Nike Men’s Air Monarch IV shoes
Your feet receive complete support from the Nike Men’s Air Monarch IV sneakers without sacrificing comfort. Every step is cushioned with a full-length encapsulated Air-Sole unit in a lightweight foam midsole.
These men’s umpire shoes have a sturdy, traction-enhancing, solid rubber outsole. These sensitive, lightweight men’s umpire shoes come in white or black. They have a long-lasting rubber outsole with a herringbone design for excellent traction.
The Nike umpire shoes’ only drawback is that they could make a distracting squeaking noise.
New Balance MU460 Umpire Plate Shoes All Black
These black umpire shoes provide outstanding shock absorption through their midfoot cushioning.
They are easy to polish and clean. Your foot is shielded by dispersion-enhancing “floating” instep protection in these New Balance umpire shoes.
This creates adequate ventilation for those sweltering summer days and provides impact absorption.
These baseball umpire shoes are very easy to slip on and off and tie, making them ideal for working numerous games in a day back there.
3N2 Men’s Baseball Umpire Officiating Shoe Reaction Pro Plate Lo
One of the best umpire base shoes to make you feel and look fantastic. This 100% patent leather 3N2 umpire shoe will keep you looking your best because it is simple to polish to a brilliant shine.
This shoe helps avoid discomfort by being lightweight and having a compression-molded EVA midsole to lessen stress on the knees and joints. Rubber soles with a flat bottom and non-marking properties are made specifically for indoor courts.
The patent genuine leather upper is featured on the baseball umpire shoes. These shoes were made with wide-width baseball umpires in mind.
These shoes have a rubber sole that won’t leave any marks, making them perfect for baseball fields.
What shoes do baseball referees or umpires wear?
The umpire should dress comfortably, either in umpire turf shoes with rubberized cleats or “low top” shoes with rubber bottoms (solid black or black and white). It is recommended that the plate umpire buy “plate shoes” with steel toes and rubberized cleats (solid black or black and white). It’s up to the umpire or referee to choose “low top” or “high top” plate shoes.
What are the best baseball umpire shoes available now?
In addition to the aforementioned umpire boots, the other best baseball referee shoes are:
- New Balance Men’s 520 V7
- Smitty Professional Baseball Umpire Mid-Cut Plate Shoes
- Mizuno Prowave Umpire Plate Shoe
- Under Armour Charged Rogue Men’s running shoe
The Final Choice
Your baseball umpire shoes shouldn’t only be comfortable; they also need to be sturdy and provide a full range of motion for throwing calls. The shoes that will keep you happy and healthy are the most comfortable umpire base shoes for you. You can move in your natural, preferred movement pattern while getting the support you need thanks to the shoes’ comfort.
You can choose the best baseball umpire shoe that offers you the best combination of protection, comfort, and performance by weighing our suggestions and tips in this blog.
