How to deal with slick shoes

[Loki]

Some dance sneakers / practice shoes have black soles, but I don't think I've ever seen jet black soles on ladies' ballroom shoes. My first thought about Classy's post was maybe they're putting black shoe polish on them, but I can't imagine what that would do to the suede. Some kind of dye to make them "prettier"?

 

[FancyFeet]

The black is usually castor oil + accumulated dirt. (And as a standard dancer... please don't use castor oil, or at least apply sparingly the night before, then blot with a paper towel, then brush. When applied right before dancing, it leaves random sticky spots behind... and when you hit one on a generally slick floor when you're going into, say, a slide, it HURTS. Like, sprained knee hurts.)

A remedy that won't make me want to murder you: brush your shoes well, then step on a damp paper towel. Repeat paper towel stepping as needed. (Bonus points if you place the towel in a container so it doesn't leave a wet spot on the floor. Then, I might actually like you.)

Even better: refine your weight transfer so you are better able to cope with slick floors, because they might happen at comp too.

 

[Tangos_with_Tim]

Anti Slip Powder is pretty good! You have to be sparing with it though - apply too much and you won't be able to turn! You can get it from Supadance, I imagine other suppliers will sell something similar.

 

[FancyFeet]

Don't, please! Or at least be careful! A ballet dancer did a performance at a Christmas party at a local studio a few years ago, and used rosin without asking if it was okay.... and the studio had to refinish the floor a few weeks later to get rid of the unusable spot after several falls and an injury during a group class. Not only did someone get hurt, they had to close for a day to let the floors dry. (I acknowledge that she likely used too much, but still... not good.)

Please remember that it's not just about your shoes, but about the floor. I strongly advocate for something that leaves no residue behind, unless you are the only one that ever uses that floor.

 

[classydancer]

The black is usually castor oil + accumulated dirt. (And as a standard dancer... please don't use castor oil, or at least apply sparingly the night before, then blot with a paper towel, then brush. When applied right before dancing, it leaves random sticky spots behind... and when you hit one on a generally slick floor when you're going into, say, a slide, it HURTS. Like, sprained knee hurts.)

A remedy that won't make me want to murder you: brush your shoes well, then step on a damp paper towel. Repeat paper towel stepping as needed. (Bonus points if you place the towel in a container so it doesn't leave a wet spot on the floor. Then, I might actually like you.)

Even better: refine your weight transfer so you are better able to cope with slick floors, because they might happen at comp too.

Thank you! So the purpose is to stick the floor and not slide around so much?

 

[Loki]

Thank you! So the purpose is to stick the floor and not slide around so much?

Not literally. You want the “porridge that’s just right”. I prefer faster floors but too fast and you can wind up slipping and falling. Too sticky and you can twist a knee or ankle.

 

[Tangos_with_Tim]

Don't, please! Or at least be careful! A ballet dancer did a performance at a Christmas party at a local studio a few years ago, and used rosin without asking if it was okay.... and the studio had to refinish the floor a few weeks later to get rid of the unusable spot after several falls and an injury during a group class. Not only did someone get hurt, they had to close for a day to let the floors dry. (I acknowledge that she likely used too much, but still... not good.)

Please remember that it's not just about your shoes, but about the floor. I strongly advocate for something that leaves no residue behind, unless you are the only one that ever uses that floor.

Did not know that! I don't know if your ballet dancer used the same stuff, but if she did she must have used tons! I only use a tiny bit (and not very often, because I prefer fast conditions) and have never noticed a visible residue left on the floor or sticky patches. Obviously it rubs off gradually over time.

 

[MaggieMoves]

Not literally. You want the “porridge that’s just right”. I prefer faster floors but too fast and you can wind up slipping and falling. Too sticky and you can twist a knee or ankle.

Yep... I can't even count the number of times I've woken up with my feet hurting because I danced in sneakers. Even in dances where you want stickier shoes - it's just not worth the injuries.

@10tmf - it depends on what kind of dancing you do. My latin shoes wear out fast. My practice shoes I'm replacing on average about once a month while practicing on a relatively clean floor. If I'm lucky they last 2 months... and I clean & brush them regularly.

If you want tricks, just use a minimal amount of water. It will only work for a minute or two though... basically just one song. Castor oil is another trick that some dancers use, but I just find that it lasts slightly longer and ruins the bottom of your shoes anyway.

Just clean your shoes regularly. When they wear out you'll feel it. Then it's time to get a new pair.

 

[10tmf]

Thanks for the tips! I’m dancing mostly Latin and not always on the cleanest floors so that’s probably part of it (I feel like the don’t respond to brushing as well as they used to). That being said I could probably clean them more regularly than I do...time to get on that.