What do you think are the best shoes for DDR? I usually play in Etnies. I tend to get pretty good PA with them, and they have good grip, but they make a lot of noise and are kinda heavy. I've also played in DC's, which are also pretty good for DDR, but like my Etnies, they make a lot of noise and are heavy, and they also are really squeaky.

I use Osiris shoes, which are probably similar to your Etnies.  They've got good grip, and make a solid noise so it is easy to stay on beat.  Plus they keep my feet comfortable.  I think skate shoes in general are pretty good for DDR.

I used to have Vans and they were horrrrrrible for DDR playing, at least for me. It depends on your play style and the way you move. Skate shoes are flat, like perfectly flat, so if your style is flat footed or something that can benefit from shoes shaped that way, then you're good.

Though I still think skate shoes are best for, well, skating.

I myself avoid playing flat footed (except on 10s, they're always the exception haha) and can't hit arrows for crap in skate shoes (except on 10s lolol). I wear New Balance something or others, but I'm sure any running shoe would be great if you don't play flat foot.

As far as sound goes, I try not to pay attention to my feet hitting the panels. If you're off and you're listening to yourself, you'll just get more off, y'know? The music/screen is how I know when to hit the arrows.

Right now, I use a crappy pair of New Balance shoes. :P I'm actually getting Nike Free 3.0s this weekend. I've used them once (my friends). My FA (yes, I did it for ITG) improved A LOT! I got my first 90 on an 11 (on Xuxa, then 93'd Charlene). They are REALLY LIGHT, they're also flexible so hitting hands is non issue, even on the local upgrade cab. (still waiting on my dedi)

I hear that Nike Frees are the best pair to use, but I use a pair of New Balances that are awesome. I bought them at the Carlsbad 5000 for $80, and they definately are worth the money in running and DDR.

I've played in Nike Frees and I can't stand how it feels like there is nothing there at all

I actually play in skate shoes but on my toes as well, hahaha

I used to play in skate shoes while playing on my toes as well, but it really started to hurt my feet after a while. I still play in skate shoes, but I play flatfoot. I'm still trying to get used to flatfooting though.

I haven't played in anything other than sandals for about a year. So light on the feet.

Sandals seem like they would be hard to play with.  What kind do you use? 

I used lizard brand for a very long time (until they wore out and started hurting my feet) and now I use merrell.

Something kinda like this:

It gives you full shoe type support and grip but is less than half the weight of any shoe I've seen.

Aren't the skater shoes heavy? Wouldn't it be hard to move your feet fast enough to accurately do songs like Pink Fuzzy Bunnies or Fascination ~eternal love mix~?

I don't play very difficult songs.  For the most part I stick to the songs I like to listen to.  I imagine if I did very fast songs all the time then I might want to get better shoes, but for what I play they do well and help me stay accurate.

"Aren't the skater shoes heavy? Wouldn't it be hard to move your feet fast enough to accurately do songs like Pink Fuzzy Bunnies or Fascination ~eternal love mix~?"

You're right; they are heavier. It takes a little more effort, but that's really all. I don't play ITG very much so 12+ songs don't really concern me, and I have like, 8 greats on felm?

felm oni IS a 12 :P

I'm pretty sure he was referring to FELM on Heavy, not Oni.

Yeah, I was

Also last time I checked, DDR only went up to 10 for ratings, Moose ;)

Hmm... Anyone have recommendations for shoes I could use for tiptoeing?  I can't play flatfoot for some reason... it hurts my feet :X

I use skateboard shoes... and no they are not heavy if you buy the right kind. Like other shoes there are different styles you can buy... some heavier some lighter.

My shoes are : Gotcha - Ghost Style 

Nike Frees again. Also, K-Swiss Ariakes do some justice.

I use Converse Chuck Taylors Hi Tops for playing/freestyling. It's all about comfort for me.//

I wear Men's UK Gear GT-02's, because I was totally all like "man, what's the most epic shoe I can find online".  I dunno, it seems like they're breaking already (after 4 months or so), even though they're military cross-trainers.  I've done some stuff in 'em though.  Like passed Summer for the first time on a poorly maintained upgrade cabinet, AA'd The Legend of Max, and gotten half decent at Pump. 

 I sorta wonder if shoes even make a difference.  I mean, if a disproportionate amount of the top 50 players in the world all wear the same thing, then I'll probably go out and buy it.  But it doesn't seem that way.

It's always fun to throw five pound weights on your feets and play for a while too... everyone should give that a try ^^

Here's a picture of my usual DDR shoes:

Size 12 Etnies FTW! 

One pair of Sketchers I had didn't work well due to high heat retention.  2 DDR sets (or 1 ITG set) & I'm forced to take a break for my feet to cool down.

I'm not a flat-footer as I usually shift my weight to the balls of my feet (lifting my heels a little bit) so I can move my feet better.  The downside is I tend to generate a fair amount of heat inside my shoes, so good ventalation is key to avoid the dreaded & painful "hotfoot".

I also play DDR with the ConverseChuckyTaylor.

 funny most ppl at our arcades take off their shoes to play :D  i try it sometimes and it's lighter and cold lol.what's more funny is that around 1999 when DDR first arrived at our arcade,the staffs actually asked the players to take their shoes off before playing :D