IDS vs. Ray Rose vs. Aida Latin Shoes

[j_alexandra]

That would be great! Is the shipping ok from Italy? I was gonna order from Danceshopper since they also have a sale going this weekend.

Shipping has been extremely good, and reasonably priced for fast international shipping. I order from the Paoul website all the time -- their shoes are less expensive from Italy than here in NY, and I don't have to special order the heel I want -- from from Worldtone, special orders are non-refundable, iirc.

 

[rels77]

While we're on the topic of flexing the shoe, I love my Aida Karinas but I wish they had more flexibility for pointing. A coach suggesting breaking the shank but has anyone gotten them made with a half shank? Do they even do that?

I used to wear t-straps because I love the look but everyone said I could point better with the straps around the foot. I find that if I really point I could pull my feet out of the shoe- maybe it's time to try t-straps again?

 

[Tangos_with_Tim]

As I wait with baited breath for my new Flavias to arrive...

Sania, did your Flavia's arrive?

I tried the Mia's but they rub my big and 4th toes so badly they break the skin, every time I wear them. I think I will go back to strappy front designs so the pressure is spread across the straps. So I'm thinking of asking for the Flavia's for Christmas from my hubby...

 

[Miss Silly]

I'm not sure I'd break the shank. I've worn crappy latin shoes that had a really flimsy shank, and it was aweful. The heel wants to splay out backwards from the toe area. It just felt completely unstable. I don't find there's an issue with the shank in the Aida shoe, but I do know what you mean about that stiff feeling. I have a really old pair and they're so soft, no problem with the point. They're a black crepe pair, so they took a LOT longer to break in than tan satin, but the straps are lasting. And now that they're well broken in, they're really nice and soft where I need it to be, but the shank is still firmly intact.

Maybe it depends on your foot shape (for the t-strap situation). I can see how a T strap can help the shoe stay ON during a point, if the top of your shoe is coming off. Something else to consider is going down half a size. It's also easier to point in a shorter shoe (and it makes your arch look nicer). I've gone down half a size, and I still say though, while i like the length being shorter, the shoe also got *slightly* more narrow which i dislike.

 

[FancyFeet]

I've just been trying this style of Aida, since my bunions are giving me grief:

Gah. Soooo pretty... I just shoe-drooled.

(Functionally, I dislike the t-straps for latin as they limit my point, but dang... that is a good looking shoe.)

 

[Miss Silly]

RIGHT??? hahahha. I love the look too, especially on a really small foot (with a nice arch). But yeah, so far NOT loving the feel of the T-strap. #pointproblems

 

[scullystwin42]

YO. did you guys see that Aida is having a Black friday sale? $170 for a pair. code blackaida

 

[scullystwin42]

Also - I went back to my RR kalaharis for a group class, and i found that i didn't like them as much after using the aida's for one lesson...which was completely unexpected. especially with the strap issue. so hmmmm. I have a high arch, and good toe point, and need a wide toe box...maybe i'll look into that other style. But i really really like to wrap my strap around my ankles. SHEESH. could i be more picky?

 

[SwingingAlong]

I just got a pair of Aida Astas in gold leather. Haven't done much dancing in them yet, but zero break in time, no trouble with the straps fraying, got the square toe for a wider fit and the fit is perfect. Love the cross over strap!!

 

[Sania]

Sania, did your Flavia's arrive?

I tried the Mia's but they rub my big and 4th toes so badly they break the skin, every time I wear them. I think I will go back to strappy front designs so the pressure is spread across the straps. So I'm thinking of asking for the Flavia's for Christmas from my hubby...

They did - and I am very happy with them!

They are what the Kalahari would be if the shank were sturdier and the heel were set farther forward (where it belongs, IMO

Sizing: I find that I wear a 6.5 latin in Ray Rose, Aida, Supadance, and now IDS (street shoe is 9.5 ish)

I got the double wide, which seem wider than the Kalahari, and were almost too comfortable at first. I am considering also getting a pair of the wide and comparing. Right now the double wide seem perfect if my feet are a little swollen and a little loose if they are not. I've been wearing them for 2-3 weeks.

Things I particularly like:

1) like the Kalahari, and in opposition to the Aida Karina, the toe straps extend farther back on my foot so they do not slip over the joint and my feet stay in the shoe when pointing.

2) The 2.5" flared heel (IDS heel) is very stable and is positioned far enough forward for good balance (like the Aida)

Sidebar straps - all latin shoes had T straps when I first started dancing, and I greeted the first shoes with criss cross straps wrapping the arch with loud cries of joy - I find them so much more secure, and the criss cross does not cut the leg line like a T strap does. My $.02.

ETA: I saved a bunch of money by ordering from IDS in England. They automatically take the VAT off your order if you are in the US. Customer service was good.

Sania

 

[rels77]

I just got a pair of Aida Astas in gold leather. Haven't done much dancing in them yet, but zero break in time, no trouble with the straps fraying, got the square toe for a wider fit and the fit is perfect. Love the cross over strap!!
View attachment 3315

These are the ones I got to wear for practice and lessons so I don't have the dreaded Aida satin wear out issue. They've lasted about 9 months so far- which considering how quickly I go through my comp shoes, is pretty darn good

 

[Tangos_with_Tim]

They did - and I am very happy with them!

They are what the Kalahari would be if the shank were sturdier and the heel were set farther forward (where it belongs, IMO

...I greeted the first shoes with criss cross straps wrapping the arch with loud cries of joy - I find them so much more secure, and the criss cross does not cut the leg line like a T strap does. My $.02.

ETA: I saved a bunch of money by ordering from IDS in England. They automatically take the VAT off your order if you are in the US. Customer service was good.

Sania

Thanks Sania - sounds perfect - essentially Kalaharis like they used to be!

I also love the criss-cross straps for securing under the arch.

I think you've got very lucky there with the VAT - they sure don't take it off for me in the UK!

 

[Sania]

Thanks Sania - sounds perfect - essentially Kalaharis like they used to be!

I also love the criss-cross straps for securing under the arch.

I think you've got very lucky there with the VAT - they sure don't take it off for me in the UK!

Yes – Kalaharis like they used to be!!!

I wish RR would clue in on this!

 

[Tangos_with_Tim]

I wish RR would clue in on this!

I've showed them comments on this forum before, but they don't care. I was pretty much dismissed because I'm not a competitor. I'm not prepared to feel less stable in my shoes, and I want to get 6 months use out of each pair which is now impossible with the introduction of Ultraflex and reduced sole padding, but was told their competitive couples don't share my concerns.

They're obviously still getting enough custom, regardless of the reduction in the qualities I value!

 

[Sania]

I've showed them comments on this forum before, but they don't care. I was pretty much dismissed because I'm not a competitor. I'm not prepared to feel less stable in my shoes, and I want to get 6 months use out of each pair which is now impossible with the introduction of Ultraflex and reduced sole padding, but was told their competitive couples don't share my concerns.

They're obviously still getting enough custom, regardless of the reduction in the qualities I value!

It doesn't seem like it would be a big deal to have two options for the Kalaharis, especially since those options exist in some of their other shoes

And there aren't that many competitors… and many of them are sponsored by Aida or Supadance etc. etc. Imagine if every pro am female Latin dancer wore Ray Rose instead of the other brands - or every newcomer and bronze female Latin dancer in the amateur and collegiate side…

Oh well