How much do you pay for dance shoes?

[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

 

[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 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!

 

[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. :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. :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. :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 [google]backbaydancewear[/google] 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!"