Which dance trainers?

[vic_s]

I know dance trainers/ sneakers have been discussed before but not for a while and as there are loads of different brands/types/ styles I was wondering which sort people prefer?
I hurt my ankle recently so was thinking of trying some but there is so much choice Ive no idea where to start.

Vicky

[David Bailey]

Blochs are the ones most people go for.

I'm not sure whether they provide extra ankle support or not, however, I'd check with a professional before buying...

[philsmove]

I have a pair of Blocks
and a couple of pairs of Vida Dance Shoes by David Venney
both are very comfortable. and support the foot well. The latter look a bit more stylish
Tip, if you off for a weekend ,do not take new shoes
both of the above needed wearing in

[Tiggerbabe]

Aris Allen have a wide selection, friends who have them, really like them, so worth a look.
Porselli also have a wide selection of trainers, and sell different brands, so you might find something there.

I agree with David, not sure they provide any extra ankle support, so I would advise checking, too.

[Gus]

Personally I would avoid Blochs and similar split sole shoes unless you have a dance background. In the early 2000's EVERYONE got a pair because the instructors had adopted them. The problem was they aren't that stable, especially in spins, and lots of people I know (me included) have damaged their ankles as a result. Then again ... I am a rather unbalanced dancer

[Rocky]

Blochs ruined my feet and I know of a number of other people who have had the same problem. Because they have no supported arch the increased pressure on the ball of the foot (depending on how you move) can crush two small bones that lie under there where a nerve runs through - this feels like someone stabbing a knife into your foot.

I had to go to see a specialist and now have to wear orthotics in all my shoes, dancing or otherwise, to correct the problem.

Since then I have bought trainers/shoes that are stylish (IMO!) and comfortable to wear and simply had suede dance soles stuck to the bottom of them. Most good cobblers can do this for you (although they normally have to order the suede in) and it costs around £10 - £15 per pair.

Apart from that, wearing any shoe that doesn't have a supported arch looks like you have your feet on the wrong way around and can lead to the sartorial disaster of women wearing them with ankle socks and dresses.. or men wearing them with black socks and shorts...

[clevedonboy]

Another vote for "avoid them" - the lack of support doesn't lend itself to MJ. I agree with Rocky on this one get a pair of comfortable trainers (or shoes come to that) & get them adapted.
tiggerbabe mentioned Aris Allen - also concur since my wife loves her sneakers

[Prian]

As a matter of interest does no-one wear "dance shoes" any more?

I bought my black and white, leather soled, wooden healed ones in 1998. I have replaced the soles once, never had an injury in them and can't see myself trading them for anything else.

What are the advantages if any of these trainers?

[straycat]

Aris Allen have a wide selection, friends who have them, really like them, so worth a look.

I used to recommend Aris Allens wholeheartedly, but they seem to have quality issues nowadays, and while the trainer-style versions are extremely comfortable, and great to dance in, I know quite a few people who've had the things fall apart on them not that long after purchase. No longer a fan.

Fully agree with Rocky about split soled trainers. Avoid.

Getting your own suedes done as Rocky suggests is a very good way to go. Or, for a truly lo-tech solution, simply stick gaffer tape on the soles of your favourite trainers, and you're away - you'll probably need to replenish the tape every time you go dancing, but it works well. I've used this approach before, and I know quite a few others who do the same, either as a stop-gap, or even for their main pair of "dancing" shoes.

[straycat]

and a couple of pairs of Vida Dance Shoes by David Venney

These are wonderful. My all-time favourite dance shoes.

[Tiggerbabe]

These are wonderful. My all-time favourite dance shoes.

Yeah, but they don't seem to do any for the girls, the smallest is a size 7

[meghann]

Hmm, I'm surprised/worried by the comments about the lack of support from Blochs. I've always danced in Bloch dansneakers (or however they try to spell it) and found them to be supportive of the arch of my foot. I rarely have aching feet at the end of a night, but are there other problems developing that I'm not noticing yet?

I'm put off of most dance shoes because of the heel. I absolutely cannot balance on high or pointed heels. I definitely need a platform style shoe, but I've never seen any that aren't sneakers. I also don't like showing my feet, but you'd look silly wearing most women's dance shoes without socks and I don't like strappy shoes either.

Yeah, I'm picky...

[marcusj]

Since then I have bought trainers/shoes that are stylish (IMO!) and comfortable to wear and simply had suede dance soles stuck to the bottom of them. Most good cobblers can do this for you (although they normally have to order the suede in) and it costs around £10 - £15 per pair.

Yeah that.

Got 2 wicked pairs of Puma trainers, a white pair I had done by a cobbler, and a Pele Brasil green/yellow pair where I bought and glued the suede soles myself, although the ones I did myself need re-gluing from time to time especially if I leave them in the boot of my car when it's very cold.

When I first started dancing I bought a pair of Bloch Stealth and they were rubbish for spinning.

[Minnie M]

I'm anti Blochs too

We all have different shaped feet, so our choices will differ - I'm an Aris Allen fan but used to wear Freemans split soles (I have wide feet and a high instep)

BUT it is really really important to choose wsely or the dreaded Planter Fasciitis might catch you out - as many of us know

[Lost Leader]

It's definitely worth investing in more than one pair of dance shoes; yes, even if you are a guy.

Reasons;

1. Every shoe is different and therefore by rotating your shoes you can to some extent reduce the risk of any discomfort or injury caused by the repeated wearing of the same shoe for vigorous exercise, such as blisters etc. This of course only works if the shoes are suitable for the purpose, of the correct size and well worn in (as noted above, never wear brand new shoes continuously for 3 hours of freestyle or an entire week-ender)

2. It can sometimes be useful to have shoes suitable for different floors - e.g. well worn suede for slow floors and perhaps trainers with some grip for fast floors.

3. Shoes benefit from "resting" now and again so that they can dry out naturally.

4. Having at least 2 pairs allows you to gently break in a new pair by initially just wearing them for say half a class night when you need to and then swapping to your other well worn in pair.

If necessary, when buying that second or third pair of dance shoes, any or all of the above reasons can be used to justify a bit of retail indulgence without having to admit that you just liked the look of them.

[ant]

Originally Posted by Rocky
Blochs ruined my feet and I know of a number of other people who have had the same problem. Because they have no supported arch the increased pressure on the ball of the foot (depending on how you move) can crush two small bones that lie under there where a nerve runs through - this feels like someone stabbing a knife into your foot.

Originally Posted by clevedonboy
Another vote for "avoid them" - the lack of support doesn't lend itself to MJ

Originally Posted by Straycat
Fully agree with Rocky about split soled trainers. Avoid.

Thanks for the warning and your confirmations of that warning.

I was speaking to a teacher yesterday and although she wears Blochs during her daytime dancing for foot protection she felt that they were not particularly suitable for dancing generally as they do not glide over the floor very well. I don't she is aware and I certainly was not aware that they could cause long term injury.

The reason I wore them was because they they had a thick heel and so protected the part of my foot that I felt was most vunerable for me.

Based upon the posts here it appears that I should buy a pair of trainers and for me those designed for running to get the heel protection and have dance soles put on. Does anybody see a problem with this?

[philsmove]

Based upon the posts here it appears that I should buy a pair of trainers and for me those designed for running to get the heel protection and have dance soles put on. Does anybody see a problem with this?

I would buy shoes based on what "feels right" rather than a few isolated opinions

better still, take Lost Leaders advice, buy lots of shoes , lot and lots of them

[Rocky]

... those designed for running to get the heel protection and have dance soles put on. Does anybody see a problem with this?

We'll know if there's a problem if at the next Utopia you start tangoing a lovely lady around the room and mid dance start sprinting out of the nearest fire exit dragging her behind you..

[philsmove]

It's definitely worth investing in more than one pair of dance shoes; yes, even if you are a guy.

Reasons;

.

5 -Shoes are like puddings, It is impossible to have too many

[Rocky]

Or, for a truly lo-tech solution, simply stick gaffer tape on the soles of your favourite trainers, and you're away - you'll probably need to replenish the tape every time you go dancing, but it works well. I've used this approach before, and I know quite a few others who do the same, either as a stop-gap, or even for their main pair of "dancing" shoes.

What better recommendation is there that this is also in fact Lucky Skillen's preferred method of creating a slippery sole on his shoes!