IDS vs. Ray Rose vs. Aida Latin Shoes

[SwingingAlong]

It's a shame no-one has written some sort of computer thing, where you type in your foot measurements and out pops a list of your favourite shoes along with the sizes that would be a perfect fit! The more I read this thread, the more I realise how lucky I was to get my Aida Latin shoes right on the first try. I have feet just a little bit wide, so a regular fit with the square toe worked perfectly..... I do remember seeing a spreadsheet in my wanderings, with the relative widths of a number of different shoes, but I haven't managed to find it again

 

[MaggieMoves]

It's a shame no-one has written some sort of computer thing, where you type in your foot measurements and out pops a list of your favourite shoes along with the sizes that would be a perfect fit! The more I read this thread, the more I realise how lucky I was to get my Aida Latin shoes right on the first try. I have feet just a little bit wide, so a regular fit with the square toe worked perfectly..... I do remember seeing a spreadsheet in my wanderings, with the relative widths of a number of different shoes, but I haven't managed to find it again

They do have this for ice skates... I'm sure someone does it for shoes.

 

[datitmarsh]

So my shoes arrived today from IDS. As I said, after questioning back and forth and sending actual measurements of my foot width and length, I ordered the UK size 4 as recommended. Surprisingly, they are a good fit (tiny bit snug around the straps perhaps). Length is perfect. In Canada I wear an 8.5 street shoe and back home in UK I wore 6. I got the Flavia with the 3" elite heel.

 

[scullystwin42]

Nice - I'll have to email to see what they think.

 

[Sania]

Nice - I'll have to email to see what they think.

You should be able to return to them if you ordered from England

 

[scullystwin42]

Yes, i returned them - I need to measure my feet and contact them about what size to buy. sigh.

 

[SwingingAlong]

I found the chart I was talking about. Not sure if it will be helpful or not. It would be neat if we could have our own on here that we could add to!

http://www.dancesport.uk.com/shoes/fits.htm

 

[datitmarsh]

I was reading on one of the dance shoe sites that method of stretching shoes by putting a Ziploc bag of water in the shoes then putting them in the freezer so the water would freeze and expand....
As my new ones are a bit snug around the front I was going to try this. Has anyone done this? If so, did it work?

 

[SwingingAlong]

Haven't tried that. I wear new shoes with really thin socks, dampened with water. Just around the house for a while.

 

[datitmarsh]

Haven't tried that. I wear new shoes with really thin socks, dampened with water. Just around the house for a while.

Oh thanks, I will try that.

 

[AHCook]

Hi, Everyone!
I am new here and to ballroom dancing but have COMPLETLY fallen in love with ballroom! I currently dance 2-4 hours a week, and I am in the process of finding the right shoes. I am looking to buy both a Latin pair and a Standard pair, but I am starting with Latin.
I don't have a lot of options near me for quality shoes, but I was able to try on two different styles from Ray Rose.

The Gobi 840 Sport

The Raindrop 885.


I found them both to be narrow in the middle of my foot and quite unstable. The Gobi was very tight in the toes and my fifth toe would slip out with all of the room between the straps.

After reading this entire thread, I am now leaning towards Aida. Thank you, Miss Silly!
Here is the pair I am thinking about trying.
Rose (066E)


My questions are:
Does anyone have experience with this particular shoe?
Any ideas on how the mesh will hold up considering what others have said about the Aida straps wearing out quickly?

Even if you can't answer my questions above, please feel free to share any advice with this newbie! TIA!

 

[Miss Silly]

I was reading on one of the dance shoe sites that method of stretching shoes by putting a Ziploc bag of water in the shoes then putting them in the freezer so the water would freeze and expand....
As my new ones are a bit snug around the front I was going to try this. Has anyone done this? If so, did it work?

It didn't work well for me. What i do is put on thick socks and then put on my shoes and blowdry them while they're on my feet, as I work them in.

 

[Miss Silly]

hahah @AHCook I swear I don't get kickbacks from Aida. I just like the shoe. Mostly LOL (the satin wear still gets me though!).

I haven't tried the mesh... i have big bunions and i've heard that the mesh doesn't stretch out much, which would be uncomfortable for me since I need that area of the shoe to stetch to the shape of my bunion. But it is possible that what is not ideal for me, would be great for someone else... especially if they didn't want that part to stretch.

I'm suspicious that it would be harder to point in a shoe like that, since the more the straps over the toes are, well, strappy, the more flexible that area is. HOWEVER this is something that at your stage in dancing, I don't think is a priority. Something a bit more stable and comfortable for your foot is priority. As you dance more, you'll start to discover what you'll want out of your shoe.

 

[Spookisgirl]

@AHCook I wear the model 66 and love them. I have wider feet and the mesh is more comfortable than straps and keeps my toes from falling out. I haven't noticed any issues with pointing as the end of the shoes are quite flexible and the mesh brings the straps back a little bit off the toes. You also can't see the mesh from the audience because of the colour so it looks like most other strap shoes.

 

[AHCook]

hahah @AHCook I swear I don't get kickbacks from Aida. I just like the shoe. Mostly LOL (the satin wear still gets me though!).

I haven't tried the mesh... i have big bunions and i've heard that the mesh doesn't stretch out much, which would be uncomfortable for me since I need that area of the shoe to stetch to the shape of my bunion. But it is possible that what is not ideal for me, would be great for someone else... especially if they didn't want that part to stretch.

I'm suspicious that it would be harder to point in a shoe like that, since the more the straps over the toes are, well, strappy, the more flexible that area is. HOWEVER this is something that at your stage in dancing, I don't think is a priority. Something a bit more stable and comfortable for your foot is priority. As you dance more, you'll start to discover what you'll want out of your shoe.

@Miss Silly, Thank you so much for all your input! Thankfully I don't have to worry about bunions, but know people who do and it can be such a struggle to find comfortable shoes.

I will keep the flexibility in mind when making a decision. After 7 years of ballet training, comfort and fun are my current goals in ballroom. And learning the dances