IDS vs. Ray Rose vs. Aida Latin Shoes

[FancyFeet]

I wonder if I should take them to the shoe maker...maybe there's a way to make the heel cup feel more secure? Has anyone done this? And has anyone ever had the satin straps for the ankle reinforced, to help with the fraying?

No, but I reliably wear through the satin on the tip of my standard shoes in about 3 seconds... so when the shoes are new, I paint a strip of matching nail polish on the spot that wears. I do eventually go through it, but it lasts much longer.

And a shoemaker should be able to glue a suede piece to the inside of the heel cup to snug it up a bit - you could also DIY. Stick-on moleskin also works in a pinch, though it's less secure.

 

[Miss Silly]

I do that too.... where i paint the satin with glue or nailpolish just to reinforce it a bit more. Like Fancyfeet says, it helps them last longer (although I do wish Aida would get on this and remedy the issue).

 

[SwingingAlong]

could you get a cobbler to swap the buckle for the quick release system that some other shoes use, or is that no good for Latin? That way you could set the buckle and not have to change it.

 

[GinaN]

Thanks @FancyFeet @Miss Silly and @SwingingAlong for your feedback and suggestions.

I definitely should take them to a cobbler (I love the idea of swapping the buckle so I could do a blingy one! I had thought about that before but I didn't think it could be done.)

Do you guys take your dance shoes only to cobblers that deal with dance shoes or does it not matter for these changes. I don't have any cobblers around here that I know of that deal with dance shoes.

On another - and totally unrelated - note. Last night I removed stones from a costume. It was my first time ever taking stones off and I had no idea what I was in for. :/ even though it was a small area (just sleeves) it took me a long time it felt like I was never going to be done. :/ Well this morning I woke up with really sore thumbnails, more on my left hand than on my right. Both have a weird feeling...like the nail is lifted or something and there is pressure. If I press on top of the nail, especially the left one, the nail bed hurts. The right one too but is much more mild. What's weird is that I thought I had used the right hand a lot more to lift the stones. Do you think I could have caused trauma to the nail bed or nail? Has anything like this ever happened to you guys? I can't see the nail beds because I have polish over them (I got a gel manicure about a week ago, which I never get. So part of me thinks maybe this is more a result of something having gone wrong with the gel manicure. I don't know. But it's too much coincidence that this is only on the thumbs which I used as tools to remove the stones. :/)

 

[SwingingAlong]

Thanks @FancyFeet @Miss Silly and @SwingingAlong for your feedback and suggestions. Do you guys take your dance shoes only to cobblers that deal with dance shoes or does it not matter for these changes.

I have added the quick release type things from an old pair of shoes by cutting them off the old pair, unpicking the stitching and resewing it with strong thread, onto the new pair. Even is the stitching isn't the best it doesn't show as the strap end covers it. So I expect any cobbler could do it.

 

[AHCook]

Heads Up, if anyone needs new shoes from Aida, they are having a Black Friday Sale for US customers. I think the sale starts Thursday.

Here are the codes from Aida's Instagram page.
10% off Gift Cards Code: blackgift
15% off Shoes Code: blackaida
20% off accessories: blackmeup

 

[Tangos_with_Tim]

Has anyone tried any of the new Ray Rose Latin X range? I used to love RR, but changed allegiances when they introduced the Ultra-flex soles which were too unstable for me.

The blurb for the Latin X suggests they may have tried to address the instability problem: 'As well as the latest triathlon grade heel support, all sandals in this range have an ergonomically designed, extra supportive, arch with a flexible front. The synergy is created by inclusion of an exclusively designed orthotic, including an integral metatarsal support.' The Supportive Arch is 'suitable for medium and high arches', offering 'optimum flexibility with stability and control'.

I changed to IDS, but have never felt the fit of the heel cup was as good as RR, so would be interested to try them again if anyone else recommends...

 

[AHCook]

Ahh, so I finally got my pair of Aidas! I worked with an Aida rep and ended up getting the 066 style in 23.5 and double wide. My foot is not particularly wide, but since I wear a size 9 street shoe, we had to increase the width quite a bit.

So, the length is perfect, but I am wondering if I should reorder in triple wide. My feet fit, but the shoes are so tight along my toe box. My question is, What is your experience? How tight is too tight?

@Spookisgirl, Maybe you can help me with this? What's your experience with the 066s?

 

[FancyFeet]

I'd say that if they don't hurt and you're wearing whatever tights you intend to wear with them, they're probably right. They'll stretch out as they break in.

I like my latin shoes to be a little uncomfortable out of the box, because then when they break in my foot is secure. I found when they fit right out of the box, I'd be slipping around in them 3 weeks later. I'd rather be uncomfortable for the first few times than have to heavily pad my foot/shoe for the next year.

That said, I don't know that particular model. The rep you were dealing with may be able to speak to the "give".

 

[Miss Silly]

If you get shooting pains the moment you stand up, it's probably too tight.

If your feet hurt after a few minuts of walking around in them, then they're probably good LOL. They do stretch out when you break them in and you want to start with them uncomfortably tight. To save my feet, i use shoe stretchers to start the process.

The o66's have that section with the mesh and i'm unfamiliar to how much this can stretch or shape to your foot?

 

[AHCook]

Thank you @FancyFeet! I decided to exchange them for another size. Just seemed too tight. I don't mind them being uncomfortable for the first couple of wears, but I was worried they wouldn't stretch out enough, nor did I want to risk $220 and have shoes so uncomfortable I never want to wear them.

 

[AHCook]

@Miss Silly, yeah I think they were too tight. I decided to return them. The 066s do have the mesh and after seeing it in person, I am pretty sure that mesh isn't going anywhere. Very stiff and sturdy, but not in a bad way if you have a proper fitting shoe. Plus, it held my pinky toe in, so I really liked that =)

I will be working with the rep to see what size we want to try next.

 

[Spookisgirl]

My experience with the 066 is that they don't tend to stretch much. I love the hold of the mesh. They should be tight out of the box, but still able to tolerate wearing for 30 mins at least the first time, if not a full hour. It's getting through the first time wearing that takes the patience. If you put them on and immediately find them too tight from standing up, then I would say too tight.

 

[GinaN]

So guys, the heel cap feel off my Aida's.

Is this a sign of bad technique on my part? Or is this something that shouldn't happen? (it's never happened to me before with any of my shoes).

BUT - these are 3" heels which I've only started wearing about a year ago or so. Previous to that, heel was 2.5". Just saying could it be that perhaps I'm not keeping my heel off the floor as much.

And does it look like it should be able to get it popped back on? (by a shoemaker I guess. Before making the trip figured I'd ask here.)

BTW - the triple wides ended up being too wide. They were nice and oh so comfy. So not good for dance shoes. LOL So I'm back to the double wide.

 

[rels77]

So guys, the heel cap feel off my Aida's.

Is this a sign of bad technique on my part? Or is this something that shouldn't happen? (it's never happened to me before with any of my shoes).

How often do you wear your shoes? How often are you replacing the heel? I've never had that happen to me, but I've also never worn a pair of shoes longer than a year. Most of my dance shoes get about 6 months wear before they're done for. My Aida's with the suede heel cups lasted the longest. I also have to replace the heels on my latin shoes about every 2-3 months.