Dance Sneakers

danidance · 04-12-2007, 10:01 AM

I just ordered something from Discount Dance Supply - might I add that they are always amazingly fast!

I think I'm going to order Dance Sneakers - only, I'm wondering if I actually want them as street shoes as well. The arch support is really appealing and my feet don't like normal sneakers - they (shoes) are too flat.

Who out there wears these for dance or daily wear & what are your thoughts?

Melinda77 · 04-12-2007, 10:48 AM

Hi! I've ordered from Discount Dance before and they are very fast, but unfortunately, I don't know anything about those dance sneakers....sorry. They do look like they would be comfortable though.

*Shira* · 04-12-2007, 11:14 AM

I have a pair of the Capezio dance sneakers. They're REALLY comfortable to wear. I've never thought of wearing them outside, so can't give you feedback on that.

They really do cushion the feet, so they help a lot if you have any sort of impact-related injury problems with your feet. (In my case, due to a bunion I'd have agonizing foot pain after teaching my classes, and the sneakers eliminated it.) They would also help avoid shin splints, for people who have that concern.

However....

I don't wear them so much any more, because they pose a different sort of problem - the soles are rather "grippy" on the floor, and that makes the knees torque whenever doing any sorts of spins or pivot-oriented moves (such as Arabesques). I wore them for a three-hour Mahmoud Reda workshop, and while my foot came through 100% pain-free, my knees hurt for 4 days afterward.

So a lot depends on what types of moves you do when you dance. The sneakers would be great for high-impact moves such as debke or Saidi, not so great for Reda-style footwork with Arabesques and turns.

tigerb · 04-12-2007, 01:48 PM

I like my dance sneakers for workshops because of the padding, but my particular sneakers don't have ANY arch support. So I tend not to wear them "around and about". And I agree with Shira... don't wear them for a lot of turns, and WATCH OUT if you dance in a carpeted room! You will stick to the floor.

I'm hoping to go to the Reda workshop in Iowa in July, and I'm seriously considering the "ballet shoes a size too large with gel insoles" option.

basina · 04-12-2007, 03:04 PM

I used to wear mine with everything, and loved them. They stabilised the arch while dancing, but didnt really give me arch support when walking or standing.

But that was many years ago and I now need really high, strong arch support and I dont think the sneakers I used to have would work anymore.

If you get them and decide you love them for dance, try them once or twice and see how they work for you :-)

perizaad · 04-12-2007, 04:30 PM

I can wear dance sneakers all day! I've always found them more comfortable than regular sneakers. And they come in so many cute colors and styles these days.

I'm thinking about getting these for summer!

danidance · 04-12-2007, 09:56 PM

Shira, thanks for the tip. My issue is my KNEE not my feet, really.
I think I'll get them for every day and then check them out for dance

phillyraqs · 04-13-2007, 10:20 AM

I definitely agree with dance sneakers hurting your knees...some advertise a "sweet spot" to make turns easier.

I have the Freedom Dansleeker from Capezio (I got them from Discount Dance too - love them!) - http://www.discountdance.com/dancewe...e_FREE1.html?&

They are kind of between a dance sneaker and a dance shoe, they are very cute and light, and great for throwing on when I'm running errands. And the price is decent. I keep them in my dance bag, so I can throw them on if my feet start to hurt midway through practice.

Nisima · 04-13-2007, 10:53 AM

This is so funny; I bought a pair of dance sneakers with split sole and couldn't even stand up in them! They have this really hard rubber sole that hits the balls of both my feet uncomfortably; they are the correct size. They were Capezios and I'm so surprised but lesson learned, best to try footwear on first. I wound up giving them to a friend because sadly, the e-Bay seller would only take them back as an exchange and didn't have jazz booties.

Am I the only dancer on the planet that can't wear dance sneakers?

Sniffle,

Nisima

severina · 04-13-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perizaad

I can wear dance sneakers all day! I've always found them more comfortable than regular sneakers. And they come in so many cute colors and styles these days.

I'm thinking about getting these for summer!

Those are extremely cute...and not available in my size!

<off to hunt for them somewhere else>

ETA: Found it! And in other colors, too!

Taj · 04-13-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyraqs

I have the Freedom Dansleeker from Capezio (I got them from Discount Dance too - love them!) - http://www.discountdance.com/dancewe...e_FREE1.html?&

They are kind of between a dance sneaker and a dance shoe, they are very cute and light, and great for throwing on when I'm running errands. And the price is decent. I keep them in my dance bag, so I can throw them on if my feet start to hurt midway through practice.

I'm in the market (quickly!) for a pair of dance shoes I can do turns in that also don't look too ugly (like ballet slippers). Are these good for turns? They sure are cute!

Gia al Qamar · 04-13-2007, 01:28 PM

I LOVE the Dansurf model...anyone who owns this...how's the fit? Street size or do you recommend larger? How's the padding? I have a swollen right foot (the ball of my foot) and could really use a padded shoe...my pedinis aren't doing the trick!
Gia

perizaad · 04-13-2007, 01:34 PM

Sanshas do run small. Eg, I wear a 6.5 street shoe, so I wear a 7 Sansha. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I have in the past stopped in my local dance supply store to try on shoes for sizing, then gone home to order them off the internet...

But most small dance stores can't carry a wide selection, and if they special order, its at list price, so-- oh well.

Edited to add: Sanshas don't come in half sizes either! So you might want to try them on first...

phillyraqs · 04-13-2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taj

I'm in the market (quickly!) for a pair of dance shoes I can do turns in that also don't look too ugly (like ballet slippers). Are these good for turns? They sure are cute!

I wouldn't say that they are the best for turns - they don't seem to have a sweet spot on the ball of the foot - but they certainly aren't the worst. I would describe them as lightly sticky.

To give you a frame of reference, I have been practising a Tunisian dance for two hours every week, with the constant twisting back and forth while on my toes. They have been life savers for my feet and haven't interfered with my constant directional changes while on the balls of my feet.

Gia al Qamar · 04-13-2007, 03:28 PM

Thanks Perizaad!
I think that a 9 should fit an average 8.5 shoe size then?
I really need the cushion fit now...
I took a side trip this afternoon to my local Capezio outlet...their OUTLET price on regular jazz sneakers are over $50. I'm buying online!
Gia

ChristinaRizkallah · 04-13-2007, 06:33 PM

I have a pair of areobic sneakers from Bebe that may be similar to dance sneakers, I wear them all the time and they are very comfortable.

*Shira* · 04-13-2007, 11:10 PM

I find that Hermes sandals, Scottish ghillies, and lyrical shoes all have good soles for turns. I would expect ballet shoes would be fine too, I just haven't tried those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taj

I'm in the market (quickly!) for a pair of dance shoes I can do turns in that also don't look too ugly (like ballet slippers). Are these good for turns? They sure are cute!

nimah · 04-14-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyraqs

I definitely agree with dance sneakers hurting your knees...some advertise a "sweet spot" to make turns easier.

Aris Allen swing dance sneakers have a "spin spot" on them that allows for turns and sliding. I haven't tried them personally, but I've always wanted a pair because they look really posh.

http://www.dancestore.com/1aajazz.html

Supposedly, Bleyer dance sneakers, also for swing dance, have a special sole that has the right combo of grip and give, to allow for a good grip on the dance floor, minus the knee-injuring potential.

HotDogYogini · 04-17-2007, 03:38 PM

I really like Bloch dance sneakers. Good arch support. I wouldn't wear mine outdoors though. They would wear out so quickly. You could buy two pairs, one for outdoors & one for indoors. A studio with a good floor is not going to want to have you wearing shoes on their floor which have been worn outdoors. I always wear New Balance men's 992s outdoors with a New Balance (soft style) orthotic. That's the best arch support I've found, in a shoe which also accomodates my bunion & provides impact resistance. (I cannot wear the hard orthotics which are more rigid.)

HotDogYogini · 04-17-2007, 03:51 PM

I had another idea on this awhile back but never followed through. I wanted to try Irish soft shoes. They are cute. I found a type which seemed to be ideal - Hullachan Pro. Only, you have to get someone to fit you (ideally). If you read the testimonials they seem great. Not too many dealers around tho. I may eventually just try to order them directly.

http://www.hullachanpro.com/NADelaers.htm#usa