Which shoes do you prefer to dance with?

amity166 · 07-26-2007, 05:00 PM

I am currently using split sole ballet slippers, but somehow I am having a terrible time with balance when I wear those. Practicing at home bare foot is so entirely better! But I will not dance barefoot most places, so I realize I need to practice with the type of shoes I will wear. Which do you all favor? Looks versus comfort versus balance?

shahravar · 07-26-2007, 05:27 PM

I really like Bear claws/ A half sole dancers shoe. This protects the ball of the foot and leaves he toes free to help with balance.
When must wear a full sole for outdoor or club/bar events I go with the Hermez style lyric sandal. They are a soft leather sole so I take them in and put on a half sole in soft rubber...ie;cats paw. to go up the meant
I also change out the stiff laces (with elastic) that are meant to go up the ankle.
Some dancers really like the Ghillies also.
Happy shimmies,Shah

tahiradancer · 07-26-2007, 05:31 PM

For practice, I wear ballet slippers, hermes sandals or turning soles. I would love to get a pair of lyric teaching sandals as well.

For performing, I wear the hermes or a pair of ballroom shoes. Or barefoot.

What I have noticed is that I really do need to wear shoes during class. Especially as there are so many different kinds of floors and you can't always be sure what you are going to walk into.

Oh, and a lot of my friends swear by the Bloch Jazz sneaker.

{{{HUGS}}}

sabrinabellydancer · 07-26-2007, 06:15 PM

i'm surprised your split sole ballets give you balance trouble.
i swear by them and won't wear anything else.
perhaps the brand or style you have has too thick a sole/heel pad in comparison to the rest of the bottom, making the surface uneven.

these are the ones i have worn for many years [ model pro #1c ]
http://www.sansha.com/footwear-soft-canvas.html#

i like them much better than an open shoe b/c stuff [glass, restaurant yuck, little pebbles, broken beads from our own costumes ] can get in the open shoes very easily and that is what we are trying to prevent.

good luck and happy dancing!

bethsoren · 07-26-2007, 08:49 PM

I have a pair of Hermez style lyric sandals form Aruba's Oasis that I just can't live without!
http://www.arubasoasis.com/index.html
Mine are leather soles and uppers with metallic silver! They are a little pricey but so worth the money.

laura 2 · 07-26-2007, 09:01 PM

I wear Capezio Foot Undeeze. It's as close to barefoot as you can get, which still offering protection and reduced friction on the ball of your foot.

Lauren_ · 07-26-2007, 09:40 PM

I love teaching sandals -- I have both Grecian and Pedini, love them both! But I teach a LOT, so having that little extra heel cushion is mighty important to me.

I also love split-sole leather ballet slippers though, so my answer might not suit you!

ozma · 07-26-2007, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethsoren

I have a pair of Hermez style lyric sandals form Aruba's Oasis that I just can't live without!
http://www.arubasoasis.com/index.html
Mine are leather soles and uppers with metallic silver! They are a little pricey but so worth the money.

I just got a pair due to strong recommendations (and a gig that involved a wet underground parking lot and some hobbity ravers)...I'm very excited but I'll have to wait till I'm back int the states because I had then sent to my friend there to save on shipping.

Safiyah · 07-27-2007, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethsoren

I have a pair of Hermez style lyric sandals form Aruba's Oasis that I just can't live without!
http://www.arubasoasis.com/index.html
Mine are leather soles and uppers with metallic silver! They are a little pricey but so worth the money.

Those look really nice! I've been dancing with hermes sandals but don't like the look of them - not as glam as my costumes! I'm trying to get used to ballroom shoes but just don't like the way my weight distribution changes...I will probably order a pair of these.

Anuka · 07-27-2007, 03:55 PM

Capezio Foot Undeez if I have to wear anything. You can sew on a couple of rows of irridescent sequins to dress them up a bit, but they're still subtle.

amity166 · 07-27-2007, 04:55 PM

Been thinking of trying Undeez for balance and ballroom shoes since I am so short. But I am thinking if I have trouble with the little bump in ballet slippers, ballroom shoes might not work! I have hermes sandals and I didnt like them much at all, so they are rotting in my closet. I certainly appreciate all of your inputs! I'll keep thinking :P

ANISAHDANCER · 07-27-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Safiyah

Those look really nice! I've been dancing with hermes sandals but don't like the look of them - not as glam as my costumes! I'm trying to get used to ballroom shoes but just don't like the way my weight distribution changes...I will probably order a pair of these.

I just got a pair a couple weeks ago and I LOVE them!! They were comfortable right away, and they look great---I have the silver too on a leather sole--
they are worth the price, I recommend them to anyone I get the chance to!!!

Vasilisa · 07-28-2007, 12:19 AM

Shoes for bellydance: http://www.beledi.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2794

Asmahan

Nency

Nour

reyhan · 07-28-2007, 02:42 AM

Normally for teaching I wear sandals "Greek" those proved to be the best since after a fracture I should wear supporters (is that what it is called?).
But what are Pedini sandals? Link? Picture?
On stage I wear "bear claws" - do not now the correct name but think thats what you call them. Of course they are not able to support my feet much but, especially with tight skirts sandals or ballett slippers look ugly to my understanding. Unfortunatelly I am not able any more to wear ballroom shoes. (as for Turkish and also Lebanese audiances high heels are a must).

kahaz · 07-28-2007, 06:53 AM

The Capezio Pedini link:

http://www.discountdance.com/frame_s...FQccHgodkQxV5w

These are what I wear for teaching/performance. I have them in flesh, but my next pair will be in black so I can perform in them. They actually are better than barefoot: very sight heel, some support, great for turns

Kitty

amity166 · 07-28-2007, 08:53 AM

Hmm I love these gold shoes! and I think I want to try the Pedini ones. If I am going to have a hard time with balance, might as well add a heel to make it worth my while! I love the almost bare foot idea and I wanted to try these too, but most of the places i'll be likely to dance right now, it wouldnt be the best.

reyhan · 07-29-2007, 02:37 AM

Thanks Kahaz,
I think I'll try them.

Bbudur · 10-23-2007, 06:17 PM

I ussually dance in these

But when I`m relactant to go on heel, or if it`s not first performance for the night I dance in these

Well, if the floor is nice and clean I dance barefoot))
And by the way, this is a great website-> onstagedancewear.com
I always order from them;)

Nepenthe · 10-25-2007, 02:40 PM

I have a pair of beautiful ballroom shoes but I cannot get used to dancing in them. I really need to start because I bought a costume that's a hair too long for me.

Souzan · 10-27-2007, 10:25 AM

Although I have comfortable character shoes and flamenco shoes that I have danced in, I feel more secure with lower heels. So I wear Pedinis to perform in. I have both tan and flesh color. The toe box in them is fairly wide, so your forefoot has room to stretch out and grip the floor. The sole is suede, so you can feel the floor under you. the heel is 3/4" so it gives some lift and arch support.

For class I wear split sole Capezio Juliettes or lace-up Capezio jazz shoes. When I go to workshops I take a variety of shoes along in my bag so I can switch out during the day or change them depending on the floor surface and how much turning we are doing.

And Foot Undeez too! Oh, and also sometimes wear dance sneakers.

Souzan

SamiraShuruk · 10-28-2007, 02:41 AM

I prefer barefoot, but that is not always possible...or sometimes it's just icky.
In the past I wore pedinis. I wasn't thrilled with how they looked on me though.
I now wear Bloch elasto-split- shoes...ack. In looking for the link I see they've changed the elastic configuration. They used to be an X, which was more flattering. But here' s the new version:
Style#: S0252 - Elastosplit PI Leather Ballet Shoe - Dancewear Solutions

miriamgamal · 10-28-2007, 03:52 PM

I usually dance with lyrical sandals, but when it is not a good idea to dance practically barefoot, I have some super comfortable ballroom shoes, and that's worked pretty well. The leather ballet flats that Samira posted look like a fabulous option for performances where you want a flat foot but don't want to be barefoot.