Thread: Supportive Dance Shoes?

I have plantar's fascitis that comes and goes, so I need shoes with good arch support. I have a pair of shoes for class but they are not appropriate for performing (they look like sneakers).

I'm a student, still very much a beginner (been studying for almost a year now) and I perform with a student troupe. The sneaker shoes are fine for class but I would feel odd dancing on stage in them. My other troupe mates wear black ballet or jazz looking shoes so I'd want something that looks similar from a distance.

I've trolled the Dancewear Plus website but it's just really unclear to me which shoes do or don't have arch support.

Help!

Hello. Fellow PF sufferer here!

The bad news is, I've found almost no flat dance shoes with any arch support at all. Heels usually do, but of course wearing heels does not help with the PF!

So far my only success has been to buy jazz shoes a little big and put fairly-flexible insoles in them. In one pair I just put heel cushions, and sometimes that's enough for me.

I will be watching this thread closely to see if there are better solutions.

I'd recommend checking out your local dance supply store just to get recommendations and try things on. Then you can price compare after you know the best size/brand for you.

A dancer I know wears Hermes sandals and puts orthotics in them. (I've never looked at them off her feet, but I presume the orthotics are on the sole. They don't show.

Capezio makes a jazz/modern shoe called the "pedini", which isn't all pretty and dainty like a character shoe or ballroom shoe but comes in black, caramel, and light pink.
"Capezio®'s "Pedini Femme" is made out of a combination of Second Skin PowerPointe leather and Neoflex, allowing this shoe to mold to the foot and accommodate any foot shape. Other features include an easy slip on design, elasticized binding, DRYZ™ lining to provide absorption and aid in odor control. This shoe features the original elasticized gore arch insert that provides great arch exposure. The heel is made of expanded PVC making it lightweight, non-marking, supportive and improves shock absorption and grip."

Discount Dance Supply

I have PF and always wear arch supports. The ones I use are Spenco and I get them at a local dance supply shop.

Also take a look at this website for great shoes: TicTacToes for Ballroom Dancing Shoes, Organ Shoes, Square Dance Shoes and more

Originally Posted by nayastrance

Capezio makes a jazz/modern shoe called the "pedini", which isn't all pretty and dainty like a character shoe or ballroom shoe but comes in black, caramel, and light pink.
"Capezio®'s "Pedini Femme" is made out of a combination of Second Skin PowerPointe leather and Neoflex, allowing this shoe to mold to the foot and accommodate any foot shape. Other features include an easy slip on design, elasticized binding, DRYZ™ lining to provide absorption and aid in odor control. This shoe features the original elasticized gore arch insert that provides great arch exposure. The heel is made of expanded PVC making it lightweight, non-marking, supportive and improves shock absorption and grip."

Discount Dance Supply

I own those. They have no arch support whatsoever. The "elasticized" bit is just a strap holding the front of the shoe to the back.

Originally Posted by Souzan

I have PF and always wear arch supports. The ones I use are Spenco and I get them at a local dance supply shop.

What dance shoes do they fit well in?

Originally Posted by tigerb

What dance shoes do they fit well in?

I put them in jazz shoes, character shoes, ballet slippers, dance sneakers.