Comfortable Sports Shoes for Mourning in Shiva
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Question
Can a mourner wear comfortable fabric shoes like sports shoes that they usually wear all year round?
Answer
A mourner should not wear sports shoes, as it does not show that they are in mourning and does not cause any discomfort. However, those who are lenient are not reprimanded.
Source
The early authorities are divided on the prohibition of wearing shoes on Yom Kippur, regarding which type of shoe is forbidden.
According to the Rif and the Rosh, the prohibition applies only to leather shoes, while shoes made of other materials are permitted. This is the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch.
According to the Baal HaMaor, any shoe that protects the foot is forbidden on Yom Kippur.
According to the Rambam, any shoe not made of leather, in which one feels they are walking on the ground, is permitted.
In the laws of Yom Kippur, the Mishnah Berurah in Siman 614, Seif Katan 5, mentions that one should be concerned for the opinions that prohibit shoes in which one does not feel the ground and does not feel as if they are barefoot. However, those who are lenient are not reprimanded.
In the case of Crocs, although they are comfortable, since they are not typically worn as shoes and are not used for extensive walking, they are not considered shoes, and some are lenient in this regard. But sports shoes, which are considered shoes and are worn by many people daily, should certainly not be worn on Yom Kippur. However, those who are lenient are not reprimanded, as they can rely on the opinion of the Rif and the Rosh. The Ramban has already written that the law of mourning is the same as Yom Kippur regarding wearing shoes.