Thread: Shoe Shopping

I am probley going to need to buy shoes in the near future for a class and I am not really sure what type, style or brand to get. Any suggestions? They don't need to be really fancy they would just be for class. I usually dance barefoot if that helps. Thanks!

I recently purchased a pair of dance shoes that are like running shoes. I've worn them for various classes and especially like them at day-long workshops.

I just posted a forum asking some questions like this! I'm kindof stuck on this myself, because I always dance barefoot too. I was told dance shoes are recommended (but not required). I usually go with what the instructor says though!

I was a barefoot dancer for years, but when I started teaching more classes, my feet took the brunt of it. I found some great split soled dance shoes. They're like a sneaker but allow for more flexability due to no sole under the arch. Most hip hiop dancers wear them. There are many brands and types out there so you can find one that suits you.

I started with a canvas capezio one. I figured it's be more "breathable" than a leather one and they are exteremely comfortable to wear. I foound myself wearing them all the time so I ended up getting another pair to have just for dance.

They take a little bit of adjustment to dance in but now I don't remember they're even on. My feet aren't so sore which is they best part.

Ahmiradancer, those are exactly the type of shoes I mentioned in my earlier post but you described them so much better. My dance instructor now has a pair and wears them a lot of them time when she is teaching - depends on the floor. I know when I wore mine for workshops, it was so much more comfortable and easier on my feet!

Simplest thing is to wear ballet slippers. A good leather pair will last for years. They protect your foot, give you traction and keep your feet from sticking on spins or from getting spin burns on the balls of your feet. I dance barefoot at home but that is the only place I dance barefoot.

For the barefoot look in performance try the new full sole Foot Undeez. Has both ball of the foot and heel protection but lightweight and nude colored and your toes are free.

Souzan

These are great suggestions! Do you know of any good websites that I can buy from? I don't mind paying a bit more for quality but my wallet is looking a little skinny these days.

Originally Posted by Linnyg

These are great suggestions! Do you know of any good websites that I can buy from? I don't mind paying a bit more for quality but my wallet is looking a little skinny these days.

Laura just posted a website for me in my forum. Good stuff and affordable. She uses it for her shoes, so I trust it:

Dancewear, Dance Shoes, Dance Clothing, Sneakers, Gymnastics, Capezio, Leotards and more.

Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

Laura just posted a website for me in my forum. Good stuff and affordable. She uses it for her shoes, so I trust it:

Dancewear, Dance Shoes, Dance Clothing, Sneakers, Gymnastics, Capezio, Leotards and more.

Hope that helps!

Thanks! I am going to go look at your thread right now. Sometimes I post without looking to see if there is another thread when I am at work and have to be quick about it!

Some that I like:

~Lyric sandals-(only about $15 for nude or black) they leave your heel and toes free...mainly for protection of the ball of the foot for turns, etc.

~Hermes sandals-full sandal for protection of the bottom of the foot

~Split sole dance shoes-(like mentioned above) that jazz or hip hop dancers wear. They provide whole foot protection, and more support for the arch-really good if you find being on your feet all day uncomfortable more because of the lack of support.

~split sole ballet slippers-ballet slippers are also good for full foot protection, but split sole will allow more freedom of movement. They do not provide any arch support, however.

What you choose will obviously depend on what your needs are.

When I use a shoe I typically use a pendini/jazz sandal--it's a shoe that has a sole and covering at the toe and at the heel and just a piece of elastic under the arch. It's often used in jazz dance. I've also used a lyric sandal (covers just the ball of the foot--hooks around the back of the heel, but leaves the heel and toes free for contact with the floor. A soft, well-fitting split soled ghillie also worked well for me at times too. They lace up across the foot so you can get a pretty snug yet flexible fit. (Though I personally preferred shoes that were more "open" like the pendini or lyric sandal).

Personally, I don't like ballet slippers. I find them unsupportive, slippy, and I don't like the clump of folded material under the toe. Even with a bunch of back engineering (sewing on elastic straps, etc) I've never been able to make a pair fit me such that I've been happy with them for belly dance or M.E. folkloric dance. But...I know other people who swear by them, so maybe it's just my freaky feet.

If you can do this, my recommendation would be--even if you're going to buy online (you can sometimes find much better deals online)--see if you can find a really really good dance supply store and go in to try on some different styles of shoes and see what might feel best to you. It's different for different people.

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

Personally, I don't like ballet slippers. I find them unsupportive, slippy, and I don't like the clump of folded material under the toe. Even with a bunch of back engineering (sewing on elastic straps, etc) I've never been able to make a pair fit me such that I've been happy with them for belly dance or M.E. folkloric dance. But...I know other people who swear by them, so maybe it's just my freaky feet.

OT here but, how the heck do you fix the clumping sole??? Drives me nuts. For me, it really depends on the floor for type of shoe to wear. For performing, I cannot dance with shoes. Go ahead, call me a California hippy but I NEED to feel that connection to the floor. Even little undeez or paws freak me out.

I bought yet another pair of shoes. Because of the bone in my left foot portrudes, I needed another pair. Somewhat like street shoes, but are made for dancing by the design. They are comfortable, and cover my entire foot. The bottom is rubber (I know, I know!), but it is the smoothed kind to help you slide. I may use these only for group classes. I'm thinking of smoothing it even more with oil, and NOT wearing them anywhere but for class, to prevent scuffing at the bottom.

Any luck, Linnyg?

Oh, Bellydance Fanatic, PLEASE don't use oil on the soles of your shoes!!! This will mess up the floor mightily, and cause terrible problems for the studio owner!!! Especially if the studio is used for other types of dance (ballet, tap, pointe). PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!

That said, you can smooth them with fine grit sandpaper and buff with a terrycloth towel.

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

I bought yet another pair of shoes. Because of the bone in my left foot portrudes, I needed another pair. Somewhat like street shoes, but are made for dancing by the design. They are comfortable, and cover my entire foot. The bottom is rubber (I know, I know!), but it is the smoothed kind to help you slide. I may use these only for group classes. I'm thinking of smoothing it even more with oil, and NOT wearing them anywhere but for class, to prevent scuffing at the bottom.

Any luck, Linnyg?

I ended up getting split sole ballet shoes. The ladies in the shop were really helpful getting me fitted even though I walked in 10 minutes before they closed. I guess I shold check hours before going to new places. They got a really big kick out the fact that I wanted them for bellydancing and I may have converted one when she found out that I have lost 30 pounds since starting. I got leather ones because I figure that they will last longer than the canvas ones and the leather wasn't so scratchy on my feet. I have psoriosis (I always spell that wrong) so I have to be careful because stiff fabrics can cause my feet to bleed. I also cut off the annoying elastic straps. I have been dancing in them the last two weeks to try and get use to them before class starts. It was a little difficult at first cause it was harder to feel the floor and I couldn't use my toes as much for balance but I am getting better at it. Thank you all for your advise!