Shoes question for the guys

[Stiletto One]

So I'm finding that my current shoes (International Dance Shoes, "Tango" model) are kinda slick. My instructor's shoes are even more slippery than mine, which tells me that it's still really my fault that I'm slipping all over the place in my Latin dances, but I'd still like to have something with a bit more grip.

So I'm wondering now, do you guys have separate shoes for Standard/Smooth and Latin/Rhythm, or do you just use the same ones?

[Breathe]

I have latin heels and standard heels for each of the respective styles, both suede soled. I also have two different styles of swing shoes and a set of jazz sneakers.

I mean if you're going to skimp on anything in dance, it should be the clothes not the shoes...You're almost guaranteed to wear the shoes all night :)

just for the record it took me two years to buy latin heels for latin competition. I'll never go back :)

[chachachacat]

So I'm finding that my current shoes (International Dance Shoes, "Tango" model) are kinda slick. My instructor's shoes are even more slippery than mine, which tells me that it's still really my fault that I'm slipping all over the place in my Latin dances, but I'd still like to have something with a bit more grip.

So I'm wondering now, do you guys have separate shoes for Standard/Smooth and Latin/Rhythm, or do you just use the same ones?

Hello Stiletto One! I have been teaching Ballroom, etc. for many years. Sounds like you need a shoe brush! Everyone, after you invest $100, or $50 if you're lucky, invest $9 more and get the professional shoebrush. It's the next best investment to your shoes! NPI*! :lol:
And, brush after every use! If the soles are slippery, you've lost the purpose of the suede, which is to grip the floor and help you to stop, and also to spin. You couldn't spend a better ten!
I have watched so many students say, "I'll just get a suede brush at X, that's plenty stiff." No, it isn't! The angled wire brushes sold by dance shoe distributors are the only ones that do the trick, an essential trick. Sliding can be dangerous! I can tell when my students haven't brushed their shoes in a while! :twisted: I caught you, my pretty! Hee hee
Rant over! :D

*No Pun Intended :roll: :D

[Stiletto One]

Yeah, I HAVE a shoe brush, but I think I did something weird to the shoes early after I got them. I was looking at one of my teammates' shoes, and they have a lot more of that suede fuzz on the front section. My heels are fine, but the main sole is a bit too slippery for comfort for faster Latin dances.

[smoozer]

Not all suede is created equal. Brush the dickens out of them to try and bring the knap back.

[randomMysh]

Or try tightening your inner thighs and making sure your weight is forward for balance. I found myself brushing my shoes much less often once I started doing that.

[chachachacat]

Not all suede is created equal. Brush the dickens out of them to try and bring the knap back.
Yes, then you become super picky, like me, looking for the "lushest" suede. Anybody else?

[Joe]

Invest in some time practicing being grounded, i.e. keeping your weight over your standing leg.

[Sagitta]

I have a cheap pair frm Payless Shoesource - about 20 dollars - that I use for everything. All my ballroom/swing shoes (3 pairs) are gathering dust.

[cornutt]

Hmm, I'm obvously getting out of control...

1. Old pair of Dance Naturals on which the suede is completely gone. They're like ice. Great for waltz, foxtrot, bolero. Last time I tried to samba in them, I almost turned into a human bowling ball.

2. Capezios with good suede. My favorite pair right now.

3. Pair of patent-leather Internationals. Reserved for comps.

4. Ray Rose Latin shoes with good Cuban heels. Great for rumba, cha-cha, samba, and I've been known to do silver waltz in them. (Makes the heel turns <i>really</i> zip...) I'd wear them more, but most of my dancing right now is social dancing, and it's awkward to keep changing shoes for every song. I wear them for a lesson when I know I'm going to do rhythm.

5. Capezio dance sneakers.

6. Pair of Bostonian loafers with bits of foam glued to the interior in various places so that they stay on. These aren't meant for dance shoes, but they have a fairly thin and trim sole compared to most men's dress shoes, and I've got them broken in enough so that they are fairly flexible. I wear them to social events in places where the floor isn't so good.

[cornutt]

Invest in some time practicing being grounded, i.e. keeping your weight over your standing leg.

This is an area I need to work on. An example is the forward step in cha-cha. I have a tendency to put my toe down and then immediately push back off of it; it's a semi-tap and I never really get my weight on my foot.

One of the instructors at our club is trying to get us to do the Latin dances with a somewhat more face-forward posture to help this. I haven't really got the hang of that yet. I always feel like I'm going to crash into my partner's nose.

[HF]

Yeah, I HAVE a shoe brush, but I think I did something weird to the shoes early after I got them.

Try using the brush at the bottom side of the shoes?

hiding behind a table leg ... :D