How do you know when you're ready to graduate to 3 inch Latin heels?

B

ballroomconvert

New Member
Hi guys!
I had a question. I've done ballroom for approximately a year now (wow! This month actually marks my one year anniversary now haha) and I've always stuck to the typical 2.5" flared heels that are recommended for first time starters. I've danced for about 5 years (but as I've said, I've only done ballroom for a year; before that I concentrated on ballet, jazz, and contemporary mostly).

My first pair of shoes were Supadance 1401's I think, and then I switched to Ray Rose Monsoons. I'm planning on sticking with Ray Rose (they're the holy grail of Latin shoes, I swear!) and I'm planning on buying the Kalahari model next, as the Monsoon's round toe really did not work with my feet. Problem is, I don't know whether I want to stick with 2.5 flared heels or graduate up to 3 inch? The only time I ever run into weight distribution problems is when I'm lazy and I don't spot my turns, or during samba promenade runs (it's kind of a ballet hindrance; I have to remember to keep my chest forward during them). Other than that, I'm balanced. But I'm still a little unsure. How huge of a difference are RR 2.5" flared heels to the 3" ones? Was it hard adjusting, especially in relation to turns, alemanas, etc.? I'm a US street shoe size 7 (and I wear RR size 4.5), and I've heard some things about long feet needing higher heels. I consider my shoe size to be pretty average, so I don't know how that would play out in my case. I've also heard that the way RR shoes are balanced, the heels don't feel as high? I don't know. If push comes to shove, I'd rather stick with 2.5s rather than sacrifice technique, but being only 5"1, I'd love anything that makes me just a wee bit taller. :) Thoughts? Sorry for my ranting!
 
Welcome to DF! My personal experience won't help you, since I don't dance much latin anymore and with very small feet, I've never gone above 2.5 for dance. But I thought I'd point you to a few other relevant threads: http://www.dance-forums.com/threads/question-on-heel-high-for-latin-shoes.43018/, http://www.dance-forums.com/threads/safe-heel-height.39735/. The consensus seems to be that the higher heels increase forward poise and pretty leg line (and overall height, of course!) at a potential cost to balance and hip movement. Individuals seem to vary significantly on the issue, so ultimately, you're probably going to have to get some and see how they work for you.
 
I am a size 9....for me, it's no big deal....felt weird for about a week.....then I was fine....if you know where you balance is, you know where your balance is...the only real drawbacks for me have been that it is more wieght into the ball of the foot so the foot gets sore sooner and it is harder to keep the heel of the shoe off of the ground when that is important
 
My feet are about a half size larger than yours...I made the switch from 2.5" to 3" a few years back. Like Fasc said, it felt weird for about a week - if that. Now I don't really notice the difference. I was also in RR shoes at the time, and still am. Anticipate that you might have a few balance issues at first, but you'll adjust quickly.
 
I just switched from Supadance 1060 to Aida's Karina and I find the 2.5" heels on both to actually not be the same height. Also I find the heel position to be more "under" me in the Aidas. My feel are tiny and I have toe joint issues, so 2.5 is the highest I can go. So long story short, I think it really depends on the shoe.
 
The balance is different and it takes a bit to get used to it but it's not bad. And yes, for me RR shoes feel lower then other non-centered 3" heels.

Since I've worn both 2.5" and 3", for me it came down to this; if you've got any foot injuries, are older, wish to wear heels for dancing for long hours in a day or for many years in your dancing career, and/or are willing to sacrifice half an inch to perhaps have better body/hip action - consider wearing a 2.5" (slim if you want a better look to the foot, just beware those have much less real estate to balance on in the heel).

Otherwise a 3" RR is a good shoe.
 
And for what it's worth, regarding the question of when you know you're ready for 3" - I would say it's when, after a suitable readjustment period in 3", you are stable and can produce good movement when dancing (i.e.. you're not falling off your feet or off balance, etc.)
 
latingal said:
And for what it's worth, regarding the question of when you know you're ready for 3" - I would say it's when, after a suitable readjustment period in 3", you are stable and can produce good movement when dancing (i.e.. you're not falling off your feet or off balance, etc.)
Click to expand...

I made the change when I realized everything I was doing felt too easy.
 
I'm in a 3" now, and am seriously pondering going to a 3.5" for latin. I'm not loving the look of my size 9 feet in the 3" heel, still sometimes have trouble dropping my heel in certain spots in cha as I feel that I'm going through the floor, have a really high eleve, and had absolutely zero adjustment period going from a 2.5" to a 3" a year ago (my balance actually improved immediately)... well, I'm thinking. The model of shoe that I'm currently wearing does come in a 3.5"... my other option is changing to a shoe with a different heel type and placement to see if I like that better. Hmmm...

Must decide soon, as my current pair is starting to wear and I'm growing concerned that they'll die just before comp this fall with no back-ups (otherwise known as my comp nightmare).
 
latingal said:
Since I've worn both 2.5" and 3", for me it came down to this; if you've got any foot injuries, are older, wish to wear heels for dancing for long hours in a day or for many years in your dancing career, and/or are willing to sacrifice half an inch to perhaps have better body/hip action - consider wearing a 2.5" (slim if you want a better look to the foot, just beware those have much less real estate to balance on in the heel).
Click to expand...

This is definitely some words of wisdom - I just basically had this conversation two days ago with a retired very high-level amateur. She's still pretty young (hahah well, i consider mid 20's pretty young) too. But she discussed that going to sky-scraper heels definitely had it's challenges. I'm not saying don't do it, i'm just saying that it may be something you only want to do for a limited time, or to watch your body.... the idea I assume would be to dance as long as possible. It sounds like from your previous dance experience, you probably have really well developed foot/ankle strength and probably a strong demi-pointe as well, which probably is essential.

Also - is your partner tall enough? ;-P
 
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I will confess that I am absolutely wearing the wrong heel height for my body. I'm 5'4", 120, 7.5 shoe...and I wear 3 1/2" slim Karinas. I used to dance in 3.5" flare Capezios (that's before Tony got ahold of their shoes and remodeled them) and it definitely took some getting used to. I never had, really, trouble in the Capezios, but I think it's because I was dancing wrong. I know REAL technique way better now.

And I'll admit, the shoe/heel I picked was a vanity or personality thing (I always LIVE in the highest heels for no reason) and even though I had some issues in the beginning when I started using the slim Karinas, it's really helped me in regard to figuring out what I was doing wrong before, like I didn't know how to use my core, didn't know how to ground myself, and I had no idea until the Karinas that I had weak ankles. But it's all good because the shoes helped me figure it out and I'm a much stronger dancer now that I know these things. YAAAAAYYYYY!
 
I switched to 2.5 heels this spring after wearing 1.5's for my first two years of ballroom. I was holding off on those high high heels (in daily life I wear flats all the time), and then my other shoes didn't wear out. .. But now I love them. The right shoe makes such a difference.

(I'll add that I haven't done any big comps, or I'm sure I would have switched before now.)
 
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