Which dance trainers?

[Minnie M]

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

now I know why I am so fat

[philsmove]

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

Just had a message from David

... I also want to try to get them to make a female prototype so it was interesting to see some comments from ladies on the thread.

[Tiggerbabe]

That's interesting, as I'm not usually a high-heeled shoe girl (not that I don't have a few pairs, as they are very pretty) but I prefer WCS style sandals or cuban heeled line-dancing type shoes for the most part.
I will admit to having more shoes than your average bear, though

[FirstMove]

My completely un-scientific personal opinion:

I can't dance for a whole day in 'proper' dance shoes. There's no where near enough padding under the foot. Dance trainers are great for doing daytime workshops; leaving my feet ready for a hard night of stomping.

Dance trainers have a large following: Nina usually wears them when teaching, as do many of the female Strictly teachers.

My first 3 pairs of dance shoes were all Blochs. The first pair split after about 2 years of intensive use. The padding in the second pair collapsed after about a year. The third pair lasted about 6 months before the laces wore through the eyelets; this pair was worn much less as I'd bought some tango style shoes and was trying to adapt to those. I'd say that the quality of Blochs has been reducing over time. Also, my feet stay the same size but the Bloch size of each pair has been very different.

I tend to spin on the "spin spot" in Blochs but usually do heel turns in proper shoes. The number of un-assisted turns I can do is the same in each.

I currently have some Skazz dance trainers. I use these mainly for classes as they're very comfortable. The only difference between these and the Blochs I've noticed is that I could stall (go en pointe) in the Blochs, but I can't in the Skazz trainers (the debate about whether this is actually a good idea belongs elsewhere!). Two reasons: the Skazz sole is more rigid and the toe is more rounded.

MartinHarper used to swear by bowling shoes, as the sole is soft leather and the shoe is well padded. I've never owned a pair to check.

FM.

[vic_s]

Thanks everyone. I have my strappy dance shoes with suede soles that I love but find they move a bit on my feet towards the end of the night when my feet get hot.
Has anyone tried the Sasha trainers?

[Lou]

Has anyone tried the Sasha trainers?

Yes. Me. (assuming you mean Sansha)

I have a pair of Salsettes which are the only dance trainers I wear now. They aren't split sole, and they have a gorgeous suede sole and rubber heel.

[Lou]

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'm glad you posted that. For years I've had dreadful cramps in my feet whilst wearing the Blochs. I assumed it's down to my very high arches, but I'm now wondering if it's far more common.

[Rocky]

now I know why I am so fat

But getting thinner everyday!

[Andy Razzle]

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

Was talking to eden at Bliss (luckys partner) and she used parcel tape when the floor in tango room was really sticky even for suede soles and this worked for her (guess it would protect suede shoes on bad floors too.
I use suede stuck on trainers myself, but its best to wear them in a bit first to get them fully flexible before applying suede to soles. If I didnt use this I would opt for the Ballo dance trainers, they look stylish are low profile and Im told they are as comfotable as slippers

[SparklySarah]

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...

Hi Meghann

I like to have a break from heels too especially on weekenders! I found that greek sandals were the perfect solution (sorry I can't include a URL as I have posted enough yet but easily searched on google). Seriously comfortable (like dancing in slippers!) whilst still remaining feminine and wearable with a dress....especially as I found some glittery ones yay

[marcusj]

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

My gf got that tip off Lucky's dance partner in the lavs at Camber, carry the stuff and a pair of scissors around in my dance bag now

[djtrev]

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.

:

Thank you Rocky.I have had this problem for ages and didnt know what was the cause and too damn idle to get it sorted,but it has now got to the stage where I think I need the problem addressing.

[HelenB]

I've got a pair of Aris Allen sneakers which are really light and pretty comfortable but the best shoes I have for weekender daytime dancing (and when my feet ache) are cuban heeled practice shoes a bit like this (but mine are plain leather not perforated) http://www.dsi-london.com/site/?action= ... &sub_id=43

I've also got a pair of these - they are girl's shoes but go up to a size 8 - bonus is that they're cheaper and have a lower heel so are really comfy. I just cut off the t-bar strap
http://www.dsi-london.com/site/?action= ... =38&sub_id=

[Lynn]

I've got a pair of Aris Allen sneakers which are really light and pretty comfortable but the best shoes I have for weekender daytime dancing (and when my feet ache) are cuban heeled practice shoes a bit like this (but mine are plain leather not perforated) http://www.dsi-london.com/site/?action= ... &sub_id=43

Yep, something similar - I have these http://www.seksidancewear.com/wcs/tango ... od_13.html and I have added a comfort insole in them as well. I was wearing my WCS practice sandals at SP last weekend which are normally very comfy but even in those my feet were getting sore - changed into these practice shoes and was able to dance on for hours.

[Rocky]

Thank you Rocky.I have had this problem for ages and didnt know what was the cause and too damn idle to get it sorted,but it has now got to the stage where I think I need the problem addressing.

Don't let it get too bad - mine got to the point where I couldn't actually put pressure on my left foot at all and the resulting professionally made orthotics cost me £250 to alleviate the problem..

[whitetiger1518]

Hi Meghann

I like to have a break from heels too especially on weekenders! I found that greek sandals were the perfect solution (sorry I can't include a URL as I have posted enough yet but easily searched on google). Seriously comfortable (like dancing in slippers!) whilst still remaining feminine and wearable with a dress....especially as I found some glittery ones yay

This should work Search for Greek Sandals these guys have at least 4 different designs / colours

Cheers WT

[meghann]

This should work Search for Greek Sandals these guys have at least 4 different designs / colours

Cheers WT

Thank you! Have you bought from this company? If so, do you know whether what they say is a size 8 is actually a size 8? (I forgot to mention, I also have big feet :banghead

Edit: I just saw on the page that they say they are similar to street shoe sizes. Silly girl, Meghann :P

Another edit: I just noticed that this company also sells stick-on suede soles

[vic_s]

does anyone wear 'Jazz' shoes with suede soles or do they just offer no support?

[whitetiger1518]

Thank you! Have you bought from this company? If so, do you know whether what they say is a size 8 is actually a size 8? (I forgot to mention, I also have big feet :banghead

Edit: I just saw on the page that they say they are similar to street shoe sizes. Silly girl, Meghann :P

Another edit: I just noticed that this company also sells stick-on suede soles

Sorry, I haven't.

I just did a basic search for the shoes you mentioned, and picked a site with a decent collection of sizes, styles and colours. I should have asked that question when I posted the original link..

Ah well getting senile.. Will happily give my patronage to a company that makes them that people can recommend rather than an unknown company. Awkward feet are par for the course .. I know from experience... grr feet

[jojiver]

does anyone wear 'Jazz' shoes with suede soles or do they just offer no support?

I do! I have been dancing Ceroc for over 15 years now and I have tried them all. Originally started with a pair of £1 childrens trainers with suede soles stuck on and wore them until they fell apart (which took about 5 years!). Then I progressed to Capezio split soled dance trainers which were disastrous - they hurt the arch of my foot. Total waste of far too much money. I spent several years customising my trainers with suede soles but still found them too clumpy. A couple of years ago in desperation I bought a pair of jazz shoes to use at a weekender if my feet got tired. I didn't take them off all weekend! Although they don't offer any support I use gel inserts and find that I dance much lighter on my feet and have never had any pain in either my feet or knees as a result. Wardrobe tip - I would never wear them with a skirt (!) and I always make sure that my trousers skim the floor so that you can't really see them!