Yesterday I went to look at the Stealths as recommended by Whitebeard and Andy McGregor.
Bloch was shut for one day only, due to refurbishment.
So I took my blue Blochs to a cobbler in Holborn nearby.
The first cobbler said it wouldn't work.
Another cobbler emerged and said it would. Did I want blue suede to match the shoes?
He warned me that they would be very slippy.
So even in the same shop, they don't agree.
Was taken aback at the price though - £24.95
but decided to do it. How much have others paid?
Collected them today (and paid,ouch) and they look okay.
Going to Golders Green tonight to try them out, although that is the one floor that is a great slippy floor where I wouldn't need them. Sods law.
- so got my red ones too in case it will be too slippy.
The floor at Golder Green was varnished 10 weeks ago, so it is top notch.
I'm confused because I had a lovely slidey time in my red Blochs.
The last half hour I wore the doctored Blochs and the floor seemed slower. But still great.
This doesn't make any sense to me.
I expected it to be the other way around.
Ive barely worn my Blochs, I find them so frustrating, it feels like Ive got the brakes on!
The best shoes I have are my split sole jazz shoes, so ugly, but comfortable and I can spin in them (although I look incredibly short in them!) The suede has worn off them, the same with most of my dance shoes, but I never find this a problem, it doesnt affect things much for me at all.
Im going to try the gaffa tape idea out with my Blochs. Let us know how you get on with the suede Astro.
Zara xxx
When suede is new, it has more grip - you can let it flatten out with wear and it will get very fast, or you can maintain it for faster floors to give you some grip. Over time you will find it flattens and will be faster. I have an old pair I keep fast for dancing on carpet, or outdoor tiles etc.
So just give it some time.
Just leave it be and let it go smooth. If you dance somewhere where the floor is really mucky and you've picked up 'stuff' from the floor give it a very light brushing just to get rid of the offending bits.
It will eventually get quite shiny and smooth and resemble glass thats when the fun really begins.
If you find it too slippy then a little water (or coke) applied to your soles will slow you down - however once it's dried it will be just as fast.
Astro - got to say you paid more than I do £15 is what I've always paid. BUT i think it will be a worthwhile expense.
To get ultra slippy suede soles, don't do anything except dance - they will pick up all sorts of dirt and develop a shiny texture all on their own. I'd recommend carring a wire brush (ballroom variety) as you will encounter floors where you can barely stand up in them though (fear not though as the shinyness will reappear very quickly)
BTW The American Lindy Hop website that i learned about suede soles on trainers from advocates breaking in new shoes by deliberately getting the soles a bit muddy and then dancing as this seems to create an ultra slippy sole - I've never had the courage to do that though
In terms of how long they last / maintenance - my first pair that I did up are well over a year old and the soles are still fantasic - i'd guess the uppers will break down long before the soles (I brush the sole every month or so when I come across a really fast floor)
Well, I was invited by a little girlie whirly gang to join them for a New Year's Eve bash. Black tie optional: smart dress and some other sort of tie essential: mine will be a bolo. So, Stealths aren't really going to cut the event entry mustard, and will have to be secreted within the bag. So what, it was a compliment indeed, not to be sniffed at, fell for it willingly, and they got me a ticket.
As a consequence drove into town, parked expensively, and toddled off in a hobbly wobbly sort of manner in the direction of Marks and Sparks (not diverted by any other shoe shop extolling its dancewear focus; of which there were none) where I perused a somewhat reduced shoe section. There must be bigger profits elsewhere. Only the Collezione's sported full leather soles; though rather pointy wointy for my squared off feet. But, surprisingly, 9.5s fitted and I hobbled out with a pair of supremely shiny Italian styled shoes in very glossy patent leather. They will have to be tested and worn in a little: next week is going to be interesting slide and falldownwise.
I used to buy my sons school shoes there and they lasted quite a while, but one pair only lasted one week (adults section). What a going on -where I perused a somewhat reduced shoe section. There must be bigger profits elsewhere.
1. customer services refused to take them back.
2.I then wrote to head office to complain.
3.They wrote back and told me to send them to Leciester - or take them to my nearest branch ,so they could send them to their factory in Leciester to be tested.
4. they posted the shoes back to me saying it was the way he had worn them.
5. Customer stops patronizing M&S.
Do they have a full leather sole?Only the Collezione's sported full leather soles; though rather pointy wointy for my squared off feet. But, surprisingly, 9.5s fitted and I hobbled out with a pair of supremely shiny Italian styled shoes in very glossy patent leather. They will have to be tested and worn in a little: next week is going to be interesting slide and falldownwise.
Have you worn them for taxi ing yet?
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