Caring For Male Latin Shoes

I

I-WONT-TELL-U

New Member
Howdy Howdy guys,

I am a new member to this forum but I have been lurking for a while and find this site pretty good for info!

I just have a question that a quick search of the forum couldn't find. Basically my latin shoes have become pretty slippery as of late no matter how much I brush all the black friction marks off it. I was just wondering if there was a way to fix them or if there is a reason why they might be getting slippery? I have been using these shoes since the beginning of the year (as far as I remember) if that helps.

Thanks in advance!
 
Castor oil... use sparingly, then brush. Stepping on a damp paper towel before dancing may also help. If those don't work, they may just be dead... options are re-soleing if the rest of the shoe is still in good shape, or replacing the shoes.

Depending on usage and the condition of the floor you dance on, it's entirely possible that your shoes are dead after 9 months. I only get 4-6 months out of mine.

Edited to add: if you go the castor oil route, please be sure to step on a clean rag or paper towel until there is no visible residue before going on the floor, or standard dancers will hate you forever for leaving sticky spots on the floor!
 
FancyFeet said:
Castor oil... use sparingly, then brush. Stepping on a damp paper towel before dancing may also help. If those don't work, they may just be dead... options are re-soleing if the rest of the shoe is still in good shape, or replacing the shoes.

Depending on usage and the condition of the floor you dance on, it's entirely possible that your shoes are dead after 9 months. I only get 4-6 months out of mine.

Edited to add: if you go the castor oil route, please be sure to step on a clean rag or paper towel until there is no visible residue before going on the floor, or standard dancers will hate you forever for leaving sticky spots on the floor!
Click to expand...

This seems to do the trick for me. I get about 9-12 months out of my practice shoes though only because I have three pairs of them.
 
Second the advice by Ballamosdance.

I wet the sole with a sopping cloth or sponge - trying not to get the upper parts wet at all. I then squirt a little diswashing liquid on and scrub with a fingernail brush and rinse under cool/warm water thoroughly but quickly. Then I wash the heel the same way. Blot dry with lots of old newspaper and paper towel and allow to air dry with the shoe on its side before brushing with a steel suede brush.

The trick is to work quickly and not to get the any part of the shoe except the sole or heel wet enough that the glues and stiffeners start to soften. This process was recommended by my first teacher years ago.
 
Well I will give those things a go cause they all seem like good ideas!! I mean it is entirely possible that they are dead, I use these shoes for both practice and competition and they are being used at least three times a week! But before that diagnosis I will give these suggestions a go! Cheers guys!! :)
 
Do you care for female Latin shoes the same way? Do you take care to keep your male shoes and female shoes apart--who knows what could happen when they get together?
 
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