Help needed! Shoes

Hi everyone

Ok i am looking for a pair of dance shoes, but i am looking for something very specific.

I love the shoes i have and still will use them for social dance, however both of my current classes have carpeted stages. What this means is that every time i spin i brush my suede up and cause them to "stick" more to the carpet resulting in pain in my knees and ankles from repeated spining. I have only noticed this since my old shoes which the suede was completely shiney, fell apart and i needed to get a new pair and as much i try i cants get them smoothed out.

As a rule i generally do not like dancing in leather soles as i find them harder on my feet and less flexible. BUT i think the leather will be slightly slippier and less friction on the soles resulting in less friction in my ankles.

So what i am looking for is any type of dance shoe (with about 2-2 1/2 inch) heel with a thin flexible leather sole.

Can anyone help me?

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Originally Posted by drathzel

Can anyone help me?

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Get some wooden temporary/portable stage to cover the carpet? :whistle:

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Originally Posted by drathzel

Hi everyone

So what i am looking for is any type of dance shoe (with about 2-2 1/2 inch) heel with a thin flexible leather sole.

Can anyone help me?

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Most of the shoes marketed specifically for Argentine Tango (not the Werner Kern ones - they have suede soles) would fit the bill, except that the heels are usually higher and they can be hard to find. Brands include Tara and Darcos - I have a pair of each. The soles are slippery and very flexible. When my Tara ones came they were so slippery I could practically ice-skate on carpet. They also do some lower heel heights. Watch out with Darcos' sizing - you really have to try them on, I wouldn't order those online. Any of the shoes sold by Diva Boutique (includes Tara) would probably work.

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Originally Posted by Tiggerbabe

Get some wooden temporary/portable stage to cover the carpet? :whistle:

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unfortunately one of the stages is an already temporary one and can be altered.

The second one i am looking into this option.

Although i think i would prefer to buy new shoes:devil:

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Originally Posted by mshedgehog

Most of the shoes marketed specifically for Argentine Tango (not the Werner Kern ones - they have suede soles) would fit the bill, except that the heels are usually higher and they can be hard to find. Brands include Tara and Darcos - I have a pair of each. The soles are slippery and very flexible. When my Tara ones came they were so slippery I could practically ice-skate on carpet. They also do some lower heel heights. Watch out with Darcos' sizing - you really have to try them on, I wouldn't order those online. Any of the shoes sold by Diva Boutique (includes Tara) would probably work.

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i dont mind up to about a 3 inch as i intend to only use them when teaching and freestyle in my regular dance shoes which are a 2.5 (ish) inch heel

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Originally Posted by drathzel

i dont mind up to about a 3 inch as i intend to only use them when teaching and freestyle in my regular dance shoes which are a 2.5 (ish) inch heel

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I'd suggest trying on some Darcos then, because the other brands can be terribly expensive, but it doesn't look as though they have a distributor in Ireland :sad:. And you don't want to be ordering online or waiting weeks if you are injuring your knees.

It might be worth seeing if there is any Argentine Tango going on in your area - teachers and organisers often sell shoes 'cause the shoes are such a big thing. Smooth, thin, extra-bendy leather soles are just what a lot of them have.

Ah!!! But i am in London this weekend! And i see they have a supplier here! Might have to drag jake down to see them

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Originally Posted by drathzel

Ah!!! But i am in London this weekend! And i see they have a supplier here! Might have to drag jake down to see them

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Oh that's Bianca at rojoynegro. I bought mine from her. You can probably look at some at the Union Tavern on Sunday, or email her from the website.

Mine are super-cute ones with detachable ribbons (I change them to match my outfit). Well-balanced and a lot more comfortable than they look. But the sizing is all over the place - be prepared to try on every pair she's got. Expect to pay £80-£90, though - and those are cheap tango shoes!

You don't have to buy AT shoes (and I think you'd prefer lower heels). I'm guessing what you'd like would be something like your Roma's, only leather soled? (My Romas are worn smooth, and I'm leaving them like that, as a faster pair.)

There are lots of other options for shoes with leather soles surely? Eg I have a pair of Katz b&w lace ups with leather soles (note to self, dig these out to wear sometimes!) - though I think they are discontinued.

I also bought a pair of lace up leather soled shoes online once - supposedly Gandolfi - but they were too small. Size aside they would have been a nice 'teaching shoe' type (btw if you know anyone at any of the local venues with really tiny feet who need shoes let me know, I'd happily sell them on really cheap, never worn.)

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Originally Posted by Lynn

You don't have to buy AT shoes (and I think you'd prefer lower heels). I'm guessing what you'd like would be something like your Roma's, only leather soled? (My Romas are worn smooth, and I'm leaving them like that, as a faster pair.)

There are lots of other options for shoes with leather soles surely? Eg I have a pair of Katz b&w lace ups with leather soles (note to self, dig these out to wear sometimes!) - though I think they are discontinued.

I also bought a pair of lace up leather soled shoes online once - supposedly Gandolfi - but they were too small. Size aside they would have been a nice 'teaching shoe' type (btw if you know anyone at any of the local venues with really tiny feet who need shoes let me know, I'd happily sell them on really cheap, never worn.)

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My old romas fell apart hence why the need for a new smooth soled pair. I dont mind i higher heel, i cant feel my feet any more anyway! and sometimes find a lower heel puts a strain om my calf cuz i am used to wearing 3 inch heels.

I am heading out to drury lane and covent garden today to hopefully pick up a pair of nice shoes, if not i may consider the place Ms H was talking about although i am meant to be going to the comedy store on sunday night.

I will keep an eye out...what size would be tiny?(speaking as a person with size 7 1/2 feet)

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Originally Posted by drathzel

My old romas fell apart hence why the need for a new smooth soled pair. I dont mind i higher heel, i cant feel my feet any more anyway! and sometimes find a lower heel puts a strain om my calf cuz i am used to wearing 3 inch heels.

I am heading out to drury lane and covent garden today to hopefully pick up a pair of nice shoes, if not i may consider the place Ms H was talking about although i am meant to be going to the comedy store on sunday night.

I will keep an eye out...what size would be tiny?(speaking as a person with size 7 1/2 feet)

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You can also get some Freed shoes with a resin (I think) sole? They have a pair called 'Tango' that comes with this option. This is all based on a vague recollection of visiting their London shop so I could be getting confused...

I just feel funny doing MJ in AT shoes, but prob cos my MJ is getting a bit more WCS so I want my weight further back and in my AT shoes its further forward. But if you are used to heels then no probs.

well i went shoe shopping and got a very comfortable shoe by so danca which was a cross between a ballroom court shoe and a character shoe. They are black and comfy.

I also got a pair of shoes from bloch which are a cross between a greek sandal and a character shoe. They are a little less "nice" but they have a nice sole and i am happy with my purchase.