Ladies - favorite Latin shoe?

Hey Pygmalion and ballroomboilergirl,

1. I highly recommend changing heel heights occasionally because it is better for you calf muscles. I also stretch my calf muscles because too much of one height causes a lot of problems in the long run. (If you want my exercise info e-mail me. ) This height heel change was recommended to me by medical professionals and dance professionals.

2. The first person who suggested dance sneakers or practice shoes was an Argentine Tango instructor who is also has a degree in the physical or sports arena (its been a while)-- Some of you are familar with his work--Daniel Trenner.

3. When I asked Daniel then how do those lovely Argentine Ladies dance in those heels he said they learn in flats first and then practice and dance in the 4 inch jobs. They are not in 4" all the time.

One of the challenges of changing heels is the change of your center of gravity but its good for you. ':o'
 
Yup, golddancer. I practice in bare feet and in practice shoes every day -- I guess that counts as two different heels heights. ? :? And I add in the higher heels from time to time. And lots of stetches for the legs and ankles. Works for me.
 
A practice shoe with a 2" cuban heel might be a better option than the regular chunky heeled ones ( these are the ones that I like) as its not too different than a 3" flared.

Incidently to using the ballet comparision again there is not realy sucha thing a practice pointe shoe. sure there are half pointe shoes for strengthening your feet in preparation for pointe but thats different.
 
I've had quite a few pairs of latin shoes and fell in love with International. They fit better, last longer and are made with better care. I wear high-heeled dancing shoes for practice until they don't support my feet enough any longer, and after that they become my salsa shoes. I'm lucky to have narrow feet, so I can treat myself to new shoes more often - they're always on sale! Heel protectors with suede work great; I got them from Showtime, and they fit great (slim heels).
 
tasche said:
A practice shoe with a 2" cuban heel might be a better option than the regular chunky heeled ones ( these are the ones that I like) as its not too different than a 3" flared.
Click to expand...

No, I don't work for Freed of London, but that's why I like Romas. They don't have the squat, thick 1.5 inch heel. It's a slimmer slightly higher heel -- a lot closer to my performance shoes. So, even though I can still feel a difference, the shift in balance is not as great as it would be with the chunkier heels.
 
golddancer said:
Hey Pygmalion and ballroomboilergirl,

1. I highly recommend changing heel heights occasionally because it is better for you calf muscles. I also stretch my calf muscles because too much of one height causes a lot of problems in the long run. (If you want my exercise info e-mail me. ) This height heel change was recommended to me by medical professionals and dance professionals.

2. The first person who suggested dance sneakers or practice shoes was an Argentine Tango instructor who is also has a degree in the physical or sports arena (its been a while)-- Some of you are familar with his work--Daniel Trenner.

3. When I asked Daniel then how do those lovely Argentine Ladies dance in those heels he said they learn in flats first and then practice and dance in the 4 inch jobs. They are not in 4" all the time.

One of the challenges of changing heels is the change of your center of gravity but its good for you. ':o'
Click to expand...

Yah I think I'm definitely seeing a pair of Supadance sneakers in my future...yay for more new shoes! :D Bah, so what if I'm a poor college student...who needs a couple weeks worth of food, anyway... :lol:

Golddancer, have you ever used any of Daniel's tapes from dancevision? I've been thinking about buying some of them and I wondered if they were worth it...anyone have any experience with them?

So now that we've sorta segued into practice shoes, what type of practice shoes do you all use (we already know Jen is a strong advocate of the Freed Roma :wink: )? Does anyone use the half-shank practice sandals? How should practice shoes fit...should they fit like regular shoes, or should the fit be similar to your dance shoes? Speaking of fit, how do you like your Latin and smooth shoes to fit as well? I prefer 1/4" of toe hanging over the edge of my latin shoes, and I am trying to figure out how smooth shoes should fit before I buy a pair...
 
I don't suppose there's any point in mentioning what practice shoes I wear, since the whole world already knows. :oops: :lol: But I buy them to fit just like my regular dance shoes. I still need the snug fit so I can control my movement.
 
Oh yeah, and I have a pair of sandals/open toe shoes style #1028 -- Supadance, I think. They come in a 2 inch heel and at least used to come in 2.5 inch as well. They're pretty comfortable, though I usually don't wear them for practice shoes, so I don't know how they'd hold up under all that wear and tear.

The problem with the low-heeled supadance practice sandals is that squat, chunky heel, I would imagine. I've never tried them for that reason. The balance is too different from my regular shoes.
 
ballroomboilergirl said:
Yah I think I'm definitely seeing a pair of Supadance sneakers in my future...yay for more new shoes! :D Bah, so what if I'm a poor college student...who needs a couple weeks worth of food, anyway... :lol:
Click to expand...
You do know about ballroom sneakers with the higher heel and suede soles, don't you? Google tangoinmiami. $70. They look good, but that was the one pair I didn't get for xmas. I'm getting them soon, though. When I do, I'll come back and post.
 
pygmalion said:
You do know about ballroom sneakers with the higher heel and suede soles, don't you? Google tangoinmiami. $70. They look good, but that was the one pair I didn't get for xmas. I'm getting them soon, though. When I do, I'll come back and post.
Click to expand...

Yah, I considered them...the only thing is, I feel like the Supadance ones would be a bit more practical as I can also use them as social dancing shoes, and I can wear them out to clubs when I go dancing and I don't have to hassel with hauling around an extra pair of shoes :P Plus, since they don't have suede soles, they're a lot more durable...but again, as time wears on, I'm sure I'll have more of a need for practice shoes with heels and suede soles :D I can always use more shoes.... :lol:
 
Hmm. Nice looking shoe -- needless to say, I googled it. :lol:

How high is the heel? Looks like about 2.5 inches. Yes?
 
pygmalion said:
ballroomboilergirl said:
Yah I think I'm definitely seeing a pair of Supadance sneakers in my future...yay for more new shoes! :D Bah, so what if I'm a poor college student...who needs a couple weeks worth of food, anyway... :lol:
Click to expand...
You do know about ballroom sneakers with the higher heel and suede soles, don't you? Google tangoinmiami. $70. They look good, but that was the one pair I didn't get for xmas. I'm getting them soon, though. When I do, I'll come back and post.
Click to expand...

I looked at those dance sneakers.... wild! I bookmarked that site and will check with an Arg Tango friend, I think she has a pair of his shoes.
 
Golddancer, have you ever used any of Daniel's tapes from dancevision? I've been thinking about buying some of them and I wondered if they were worth it...anyone have any experience with them?

So now that we've sorta segued into practice shoes, what type of practice shoes do you all use (we already know Jen is a strong advocate of the Freed Roma :wink: )? Does anyone use the half-shank practice sandals? How should practice shoes fit...should they fit like regular shoes, or should the fit be similar to your dance shoes? Speaking of fit, how do you like your Latin and smooth shoes to fit as well? I prefer 1/4" of toe hanging over the edge of my latin shoes, and I am trying to figure out how smooth shoes should fit before I buy a pair...
Click to expand...

Smooth shoes should be snug and make sure that there is room for your toes. I find that the sizing runs about 1/2 to 1 whole size larger than my Latin shoes depends mostly on the manufacturer. I haven't really purchased a pair of smooth shoes since my first pair. I just use my Latins all the time.

I was fortunate to attend workshop with Daniel and to answer your other question I have used Daniel's tapes--Arg Tango only... The first tapes I used were from Dance Vision. l have expanded to Daniel's catalog Bridge to the Tango. Google the website because they carry his other tapes. He is no longer involved (he retired) but it is an excellent source for music and instruction by the premier Arg Tango dancers; both old and modern styles of the dance. 8)
 
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