How much do you pay for dance shoes?

[pygmalion]

LOL I can't resist. How much do you pay for dance shoes? Any bargains out there, or do you truly get what you pay for?

[SDsalsaguy]

How much do you pay for dance shoes?
Too much! :lol:

[pygmalion]

:tongue: Ha! Just wait til BBG logs on. Then this thread will get rolling. :lol: :lol:

Actually, I only asked because someone mentioned the price of shoes in another thread. Why the heck do the things cost so much!?! :evil:

[DanceMentor]

One reason is the most popular brands worn by the top professionals are imported from Europe...and exchange rates are not very favorable right now.

[peachexploration]

Looks like anywhere between $100-$200 for a good pair depending your dance and/or competition. Especially, if there are hand made and not on sale :shock: . Even a dance sneaker could run up to $115. I've tried purchasing cheaps, with my high insteps, doesn't work. :evil: Have to go for the higher priced hand-mades. Oh the woes of a dancer.... :D

[pygmalion]

Needless to say, there's a lot I could contribute to this thread, and probably will LOL! But I'll let some other folks talk first. I can't dominate the shoe conversation all the time. :oops: :lol:

[ballroomboilergirl]

Did someone say "shoes"? :D

Jen, you know me too well :lol:

I am probably (ok, I AM) guilty of overspending on shoes. I think I have seriously convinced myself that I need a large number of shoes in order to be a good dancer. "I need a pair of Latin, a pair for smooth, a pair for social dancing, two different pairs to practice in, and while I'm at it, I may as well get a pair for Argentine Tango, swing, and that neato pair of gold lame Latin sandals that would be PERFECT to go along with my Hustle outfit. Aw what the heck, I'll buy a backup pair of Tinas in case something happens to the other pair...and I'm gonna need a pair of Supadance Latin shoes as well for when I want more flexibility. I wonder if those Freed Romas are on sale...?" This is typically what runs through my head EVERY DAY as I browse through countless shoe websites and catalogs. I won't even get into my obsession with shoe accesories, dance clothes, videos, music, etc. :shock:

In my humble opinion, dance shoes cost a lot because they have a lot more specifications than regular shoes. Regular shoe manufacturers basically just have to make sure their shoes are suitable for walking and standing; dance shoe manufacturers have to worry about whether or not people can spin, turn, jump, hop, chasse, kick, flick, slide, etc. in their shoes. And its not like you can just throw a pair of dance shoes together from whatever you have laying around the factory; they have "special" soles, and are made of "special" material, and women's heels have to have a "special" shank in them...everything that dance shoes are made of is out-of-the-ordinary, and we all know that uniqueness = expensiveness. In addition, dance shoes are constructed in such a way that they support the foot for DANCING. This requires a lot more precision, calculation, and craftsmanship than regular shoes. Heels must be placed differently, insteps must be taken into account, toe and ankle straps must be strengthened. And all of these things make it IMPOSSIBLE to make dance shoes "assembly-line" fashion, or by machine. A surprising amount of work must be done BY HAND. This requires additional time, capital, and labor (sorry, my econ is kicking in) which added up = a higher price for the producer to make the shoes, which in turn = a higher price for the consumer.

Anyway, I admit to spending A LOT on shoes. I have been known to thrown down up to $160 on a pair of shoes without batting an eye. But I don't do so carelessly; I spend months shopping around and researching before I settle on a pair. I started investigating my Tina's back in October...I asked other people on my team who had them, I checked various websites to compare prices, I tried on a pair at a competition and talked to the Freed vendor about them, I asked my coaches if they were suitable for the type of dancing I wanted to do...it was basically like I was an employer running a background check on a prospective employee. You want to make sure you're getting your money's worth and won't get any unpleasant surprises down the road. I think its definitely important to look around for the best prices...I ended up saving quite a bit (think in the neighborhood of $20) on my Tina's. One website was charging $130 for them; another was charging $117; I got mine for $107, plus I got free shoe bag. It's all about doing your homework :wink:

Its also important to TAKE CARE OF YOUR SHOES!!!! You spend a pretty penny on them; why not make them last a long as possible? Invest in heel protectors, insoles, shoe cream, replacement soles and heel tips, elastic straps...whatever extends the life of your shoes a bit longer. Dance in them only when you have to, but also keep in mind the reason you bought them in the first place: DANCING. Everything is a balance.

As for bargains, I'm willing to name-names as to who is good and who is not-so-good. I find freedusa's prices to be a lot lower than showtime's, but they don't have as large a selection of sizes, colors, etc. Supadance is about the same price everywhere, maybe a mite cheaper than usual at backbaydancewear. ckdanceshoes is also a bit cheaper than the norm. danceshopper is a bit more expensive.

[pygmalion]

I couldn't have said it better myself.

My cheapest pair of dance shoes, a pair of International court shoes, cost $29 on clearance at Showtime. My most expensive pair -- $180 Argentine tango shoes. How's that for a price range?

My view is don't pay too much, and as you said, do your homework. I never buy shoes... NEVER... without researching the web (several sites), any catalogs I have, asking friends, calling my local shoe retalier. You bet.

Also, when I pick a style I like, I google on that specific style name to see if I can find a cheaper price. Supadance -- usually not much cheaper anywhere. With other shoe makers, I have found many a deal. You just have to shop for it.

[NeoDevin]

Don't forget about ebay. If you can find a reputable dealer on there, you can often get stuff for half price or less. The selection isn't always as good as at a store, but the price is usually a lot better.

[peachexploration]

.......My cheapest pair of dance shoes, a pair of International court shoes, cost $29 on clearance at Showtime.....

$29? How lucky is that! :D I've been watching that site for the last year and couldn't get any luckier than $89. I guess size 7 is the most popular shoe size.

[pygmalion]

You do know that a 7 american is a 4.5 or 5 English, right? But yes, the $29 shoes were a real find. Also, people with wide or narrow feet can find the really good deals more easily.

[MadamSamba]

29 bucks, excellent buy, Jenn and fabo advice BBG! Who can resist a pair of nice shoes, tell me? :)

The cheapest I've gotten shoes for are $150, for a pair of Supadance latin shoes. That's pretty much the average down here though at one supplier the other day, I saw a bunch of latin and modern shoes going on sale for about $100.

Mind you that's ($150) the starting figure for latin. Ballroom shoes start at about $170, but again that varies markedly depending on whether it's Supadance, Freed, Flamingo, International Dance Shoes etc. and whether you buy it from one of the smaller distributors or a huge, over-priced chain like Bloch where the same shoe can sell for about 60 bucks more.

You guys should come down here and buy up on shoes. $150 is $150 to me, but to the Americans and Brits it's only $US 113 and $64 GBP. Cheap as chips! :)

[SDsalsaguy]

Any leads out there for cheap BLOCH dance sneakers? I've had jazz sneakers from 3-4 brands by this point and I just don't understand why anyone (aside, perhaps, from fitting issues) would go with anything but BLOCHs.

[peachexploration]

You do know that a 7 american is a 4.5 or 5 English, right? But yes, the $29 shoes were a real find. Also, people with wide or narrow feet can find the really good deals more easily.

Yes, but they never have what I'm looking for. :D :cry:

[pygmalion]

I'll keep my eyes open for you. :D

[dancersdreamland]

Jazz shoes - $25
Tap shoes - $30
Irish Ghillies (soft shoes) - $35
Irish hard shoe - $115
Belly dance barefoot - priceless :D

[Sagitta]

jazz oxford bleyers -- black/white -- about 50? I think
shiny black ballroom shoes --- about 100?

Both have suede soles.

[pygmalion]

One more note before I log off for the night -- cheap price and cheap quality are two different things, when it comes to shoes. Comments anyone?

[tasche]

Yes they are too different things. I'll use my beloved capezio latinas as an example. Most of capezios dancesport shoes are not of the same quality as the latina but this is their newest model and is comparable to the supdance supaflex shoes. The quality is as good as my supadances. Lined in suede but the price is less $72 but the list price from capezio and what it sells for in their theatre stores is $92. My supadance sandals cost me $149 but I still love the cheaper pair.

Capezio is a MUCh bigger company that supadance so can afford to offer their shoes at a better price due to their size

[SwinginBoo]

How much do you pay for dance shoes?
Too much! :lol:

LOL SD! These are the exact words that popped into my head when I read the topic. :D

[Swing Kitten]

Who can resist a pair of nice shoes, tell me? :)

:roll: ... me...

I don't always resist... but I often do

[SDsalsaguy]

How much do you pay for dance shoes?
Too much! :lol:

LOL SD! These are the exact words that popped into my head when I read the topic. :D
Not surprised Boo . . . some of us non-shoeaholics have to be the sensible ones! :wink:

-----

P.S. So no one has any BLOCH leads for me? Even our resident show mavens? :cry:

[tasche]

Which bloch sneakers are you looking for _____________ (you can pm me if you want the website of this company) alway has great prices and stock a good range of bloch sneakers.

(edited by DanceMentor: we can't link to commercial sites)

[danceguy]

Oh darn it I can't resist here! :)

I'm most certainly not a shoe person, but the one pair of Capezios I have (I talked about this a bit in another thread) cost me about $110 with tax.

But there's a great story behind this. So sit down, grab some coffee (or just coffee beans) since will take a while:

When I first started dancing I didn't have any dance shoes and was quite shocked when I saw the prices. I tried using some of my dress shoes at home, but they didn't work well at all. Finally, someone in class said "you need leather soled shoes," so I starting doing research at work one day when a friend noticed what I was doing.

Then he said, "hey, don't waste your money on that stuff. I have a pair of Ostrich skin dress shoes that'll really make you look cool and for sure will attract the ladies. And I'll sell them to you for 40 dollars."

So, while one part of me thought "poor ostrich!", the other part was greatly intrigued. Although the shoes were quite spiffy looking, they were also a size 12 (I wear a 10.5) and it looked like I was wearing a pair of pontoons on my feet. :oops:

(Oddly enough, I did some reaseach and found that these weird shoes (forgot the brand name) retailed for about $800!)

Then I tried them out in class...man did I feel like an idiot! Only one person commented on them (a guy)...and I didn't get a single date! Frusterated, I returned them to my friend and then realized I'd have to bite the bullet and pay for a real pair of dance shoes.

I started calling every dance store in my area...jazz only, wrong type or wrong size, I was striking out everywhere. I finally called my dance teacher who recommended a site online...but it would take a few days to get them.

Refusing to wait since a dance was happening the next day (and I'd never been to a dance at this point), I finally found a store about 20 miles away that said they "might have a pair in my size."

Hope! :)

I rushed over there after work, and met a very charming ballet dancer who was kind enough to help me find a pair. They even let me borrow some dress socks to try them on, wow! Finally after many tries...the Capezios were the only ones that fit...and had the soft sole I was looking for.

Knowing I had seen the same pair online for about 20 dollars less, I had had quite enough of waiting so I bought the shoes and left the store quite the happy little camper. 8)

Getting to the dance that night, I got many compliments on my shoes, mostly from my dance teacher. She took one look and said, "Very nice - you're certainly going to break those in tonight."

And I did too. :)

[pygmalion]

SG guess what? I started this thread for you! :D

[danceguy]

You did? Thank you! :P

[pygmalion]

I did, because I have done my homework on the shoes inside and out, and I immediately knew you had paid list price or slightly higher for your shoes -- something I would never do for Capezios, which are available on the web and in some stores 25% off list every day.

But I didn't know how to tell you. As it turns out, you already knew. Whew! What relief.

[pygmalion]

Speaking of things, folks, please don't post commercial links here. We don't want DF to turn into one big shoe commercial LOL! If in doubt, please PM each other. Or, take a look at the advertising guidelines in the upper right corner of your screen.

Warning: commercial links will be edited. Sorry. Them's the rules. 8) :lol:

[pygmalion]

Oh yeah, and about Capezios ....

I know about fifty guys who wear the Capezio ballroom oxford, and they're all very happy with the value -- a reasonable quality shoe at a reasonable price (try the web, guys! :lol: ) Edit: these guys are all social dancers. Competitive dancers tend to use other brands.

The only women I know who are happy with their Capezios are one woman here in DF and another woman I know personally. Both have the T-bar Latina pump.

Just for the record.

[pygmalion]

Come on folks. Anybody else have general tips on how to find good buys on dance shoes, how to economize, or how to care for shoes so they last longer? Or, for that matter, a recommendation of shoes that are so good, they're worth the price? (Needless to say, Romaa are on my expensive but worth it list. LOL :D )

[tasche]

well I use two different kinds of shoe brush one gentle and one rough so I can use the one thats more appropriate for the task. I didn't buy them with this is mine but I bought a coast one first and then got a diamante bursh and found the coast to be gentler on the soles and really just lifts the nap but the diamante one to really lift tough dirt off


Sorry about the links :oops:

[pygmalion]

Thanks, tasche. That's a good tip -- I never would have thought of using two different shoe brushes. 8) :)

[DancingMommy]

My view is don't pay too much, and as you said, do your homework. I never buy shoes... NEVER... without researching the web (several sites), any catalogs I have, asking friends, calling my local shoe retalier. You bet.

I buy mine direct from the UK online. :) And I never pay more than +/- $80 USD including shipping. :) The down side is I have to wait a little to get them, but I have to do that anyways since most shoes aren't kept in stock around here in my size......

[pygmalion]

Thanks for that tip, DancingMommy. I have an order for a couple pairs od Dance Naturals already submitted. $69 a pair plus shipping, thanks to your tip. :wink: :D

[d nice]

My new secret shoe... The Aris Allen White Cap-Toe with the hard leather sole/heel combo... A finer Lindy Hop shoe was never made. Available only from DanceStore.com, only $69.95.

I can slip, slide, spin, without giving up the needed traction to dance in excess of 200 bpm. My trademark double heel slide is in full effect. You better recognize! :twisted:

Personally I believe you get what you pay for... but there is a difference between paying for quality and paying for a brand name. Unless the shoe is hand crafted leather assembled out of the finest leather and is designed specifically for your foot there is no reason at all to pay more than $150. Seriousely. If you are paying more or around this I'd recommend looking for a shoemaker... they are still around and for just a bit more you could find yourself with a shoe that fits like a glove that meets all of your needs.

Of you could be like the Lindy Hoppers and approach a vendor about making a shoe that fits your need... ala the Aris Allen line.

[IsaacAltman]

I used to be in the dance shoe business until other ventures took my time. We were a knockoff company and even Supadance could not tell. Actually our shoes lasted longer. They were hand made in Colombia. We sold them for $75 a pair and bought them for $19 a pair. If you want to get in the business I can hook you up! :wink:

[pygmalion]

My new secret shoe... The Aris Allen White Cap-Toe with the hard leather sole/heel combo... A finer Lindy Hop shoe was never made. Available only from DanceStore.com, only $69.95.

I can slip, slide, spin, without giving up the needed traction to dance in excess of 200 bpm. My trademark double heel slide is in full effect. You better recognize! :twisted:

Of you could be like the Lindy Hoppers and approach a vendor about making a shoe that fits your need... ala the Aris Allen line.

You are a jewel. I'll look into these shoes. Thanks! :D

[pygmalion]

Speaking of shoes --- Are these the shoes that dancestore.com was taking input on for a long time? You know, desired features, color combinations, etc. If so, this has gotta be a great shoe -- a whole lot of swing dancers had their say in the making of this shoe. Cool. 8)

[pygmalion]

And oh, one more thing. Sorry. You know how I am about shoes. :oops: :lol:

dancestore.com claims that Bleyers are good for beginning to inetrmediate dancers, because you have control of yourself on the floor, while the Aris Allen shoes are good for intermediate to advanced dancers, because you can slide.

Any truth in that? Or are Aris Allen better across the board, even for newbies like me?

[pygmalion]

Okay. So we all knew that wasn't going to be my last question. :oops: :lol: I'm quite sad, really. :lol:

Anyway, the ad for the Aris Allen shoes says something about having suede attached by a cobbler. Huh? Don't you just dance on the factory installed plastic soles? Doesn't suede defeat the purpose? Please advise.

[DancingMommy]

And oh, one more thing. Sorry. You know how I am about shoes. :oops: :lol:

dancestore.com claims that Bleyers are good for beginning to inetrmediate dancers, because you have control of yourself on the floor, while the Aris Allen shoes are good for intermediate to advanced dancers, because you can slide.

Any truth in that? Or are Aris Allen better across the board, even for newbies like me?

Bleyers never did work well for me. In fact, the fell apart the very first time I wore them. I went back to Lindy Hopping in my ballroom shoes (3" heels), LOL!

[Sagitta]

Bleyers never did work well for me. In fact, the fell apart the very first time I wore them. I went back to Lindy Hopping in my ballroom shoes (3" heels), LOL!

A brave soul you are!! You must have been a sight to see in high heels!! :)

[LindyKeya]

P.S. So no one has any BLOCH leads for me? Even our resident show mavens? :cry:

try backbaydancewear for Bloch dance sneakers. I'm not sure what they are charging for them now, but when I bought mine (a couple of years ago), they were about $20-$40 cheaper through them.

Edited to remove commercial link - Sagitta

[LindyKeya]

Anyway, the ad for the Aris Allen shoes says something about having suede attached by a cobbler. Huh? Don't you just dance on the factory installed plastic soles? Doesn't suede defeat the purpose? Please advise.

Mmm... suede soles... Suede is amazing to dance on! Plastic is horrible! (unless you want to stick to the floor)

[Vince A]

Ditto on the suede . . . I have one pair of dance sneakers and one pair of men's flat lace shoes with leather heels and soles . . . everything else - tango/Latin, ballroom, and C&W boots have suede . . . suede takes all the doubts away regarding too slippery of a floor or slipping as you "step way out there!"

[pygmalion]

Hmm. Then I wonder why they don't just put suede soles on in the factory. Confusing. But then, a lot of things about dance are confusing. LOL.

[pygmalion]

Actually, I think it's the dancestore.com writeup that's confusing. In one spot, it mentions hard leather soles. In another, it mentions plastic soles, and in another suede.

Time to consult someone who actually has the shoes, or to call the ladies at dancestore.com. They're so nice, I wouldn't mind a friendly chat with them. :D

[DancingMommy]

Hmm. Then I wonder why they don't just put suede soles on in the factory. Confusing. But then, a lot of things about dance are confusing. LOL.

Probably because some swing dancers like to wear their vintage duds *all* the time, lol!

I love the new wedgie shoes. And I noticed that Bleyers CHANGED those stupid cork wedges for the more practical "special" sole style. The cork came out of my shoes the first time I wore them.... At least Dancestore.com gave me a refund... :)

[pygmalion]

P.S. So no one has any BLOCH leads for me? Even our resident show mavens? :cry:

try backbaydancewear for Bloch dance sneakers. I'm not sure what they are charging for them now, but when I bought mine (a couple of years ago), they were about $20-$40 cheaper through them.

backbaydancewear is a great resource. They have the widest selection of brands of shoes that I've seen anywhere. And their prices are equal to, but usually lower than, anywhere else. Check it out. :wink: :D

Edit: backbaydancewear is lowest everyday price in the US. You can find often better buys via shoes on clearance, if you shop around on the net.


Edited to remove commercial link - Sagitta

[pygmalion]

News flash! The price of dance sneakers at tangoinmiami has gone up $10. So for unfortunate souls like me who didn't get them for Christmas, you're going to have to fork over a bit more cash. Phooey! :evil: :cry:

(Thanks for the PM. You know who you are.)

[pygmalion]

Holy cow! Has anybody had experience with dance-shop.com? I just found Roma's there for $76 plus shipping, versus about $120 state side. Anybody?