IDS vs. Ray Rose vs. Aida Latin Shoes

So I've heard a lot about Supadance and IDS, but only had experience dancing in Ray Rose for standard. For Latin, I love RR (Kalaharis) much better than Supadance (1403). For standard, although I really like my RR Rockslides, I much prefer the look of Supadance contour heels to RR flare heels, but was concerned about comfort. Round toed probably is a safer choice, but I really hate the look of the strap in Supadance 1012. Finally last week I decided to get Supadance 1004 (the pointy toe with diagonal strap) in the same size as my Ray Rose Rockslides 3.5 UK, and they feel amazing! The pointy toe looks concerning, but side by side 1004 is longer than the rockslides, so the pointy toe actually doesn't squeeze my toes much if at all. And definitely the heel placement or whatever it is makes me feel better. I still love the rockslides, but now I have more options. I also tried on IDS Superstars, same size, and they were too narrow.

Anyway, just sharing my experience as I've found everyone's thoughts and opinions here on dance-forum extremely helpful to me. I guess it's best if we can try them on in person and judge for ourselves as our feet all have slightly different sizes and shapes. It also comes to personal preferences. But not all of us can go to comps with vendors; sometimes we just have to order online and hope for the best...

PS: I also share the same problem with a lot of shoes in my dance bag :(
 
lilies said:
So I've heard a lot about Supadance and IDS, but only had experience dancing in Ray Rose for standard. For Latin, I love RR (Kalaharis) much better than Supadance (1403). For standard, although I really like my RR Rockslides, I much prefer the look of Supadance contour heels to RR flare heels, but was concerned about comfort. Round toed probably is a safer choice, but I really hate the look of the strap in Supadance 1012. Finally last week I decided to get Supadance 1004 (the pointy toe with diagonal strap) in the same size as my Ray Rose Rockslides 3.5 UK, and they feel amazing! The pointy toe looks concerning, but side by side 1004 is longer than the rockslides, so the pointy toe actually doesn't squeeze my toes much if at all. And definitely the heel placement or whatever it is makes me feel better. I still love the rockslides, but now I have more options. I also tried on IDS Superstars, same size, and they were too narrow.

Anyway, just sharing my experience as I've found everyone's thoughts and opinions here on dance-forum extremely helpful to me. I guess it's best if we can try them on in person and judge for ourselves as our feet all have slightly different sizes and shapes. It also comes to personal preferences. But not all of us can go to comps with vendors; sometimes we just have to order online and hope for the best...

PS: I also share the same problem with a lot of shoes in my dance bag :(
Click to expand...

I currently wear the Rockslide and find the fit to be good but that there is too much cushioning in the sole so that my feet have to work harder to stay balanced. I will have to try on the 1004 - I don't like the cross wise strap in the 1012 either!

Edit: I just checked their website and you can't get the 1004 in a 2.5" flare heel. Boo.
 
Somewhat on topic - does anyone on here have Ray Rose kalaharis in wide? I love my kalaharis, but i think i need an even wider toe because yo those straps are cutting in. Although I really like a flare heel, and the wide is only available with a straight heel. wondering if you've tried the RR regular and could provide thoughts on the wide v regular?
 
I've had Kalarharis in wide but i can't compare to 'regular' since i've never tried regular.

I will say on a sort of side-note that I have discovered that even going down a *half* size while maintaining the "wide" option feels significantly different in the width as well. I didn't think the width would feel so different between half-sizes but it did (at least for Kalaharis and the Aida Karinas).
 
Thanks for the response... I'll have to see if the shoe vendors at Wisconsin state have a RR wide to try...VEDance won't be there (bummer), but I think Showtime will be...
 
Just wanted to provide a quick update here. I just bought my first pair of Paoul shoes and I am in LOVE. I love the heel placement, support, single strap style and, oddly enough, the very hard plastic heel protectors. Recommend them highly. This from someone who has only worn Aidas for years (and wore RR before that). In the shopping process I also tried on a few other shoes that I didn't like: Supadance (found that the heel is still placed too far back to be comfortable) and Ray Rose (they've changed their padding on the soles -- it's now so soft that I could barely walk in them, not supportive enough).
 
IDS question...

I currently have the IDS Mia with a 3" elite heel.

image.jpeg
I'm finding the heel placement way too far forward for balance. Like...it's crazy how unstable I feel in them. It's like the heel point is a good 1-2cm further forward than my weight.

Has anyone had experience with any other IDS heel types? I really love the arch support that they have so I don't really want to switch brands, but I'm wobbling like a giraffe right now!
 
The Elite heel is basically the same as the normal Aida heel. (IDS is just too narrow for me feet, however). I think that their flare heel is not as forward. I haven't tried their flare heel but from what I can see in the pics, it does look like it is closer to the back rather than the front. My comparison in Aida standard shoes flare vs 'slim' there is a definite difference (when all other aspect of the shoe are identical) where the flare heel is father back, and the slim being more towards the front of the foot.
 
Lioness said:
IDS question...
I'm finding the heel placement way too far forward for balance. Like...it's crazy how unstable I feel in them. It's like the heel point is a good 1-2cm further forward than my weight.

Has anyone had experience with any other IDS heel types? I really love the arch support that they have so I don't really want to switch brands, but I'm wobbling like a giraffe right now!
Click to expand...

Yes, I tried the Elenas with the Elite heel (2.5 inch) and felt the same as you, it felt dangerous to dance latin in them. I can't imagine how they chose to go with that alignment!

I now have the IDS heel, it is much better, but it isn't too far back like Supadance flares.

PS I'm tempted to get some Mias next, what do you think of that style aside from your heel issues? I would go for the wraparound strap like in your picture. I'm worried about toe rubbing - is it a 3 or 4 'toes out front' style?
 
azntwice said:
Just wanted to provide a quick update here. I just bought my first pair of Paoul shoes and I am in LOVE. I love the heel placement, support, single strap style and, oddly enough, the very hard plastic heel protectors. Recommend them highly. This from someone who has only worn Aidas for years (and wore RR before that). In the shopping process I also tried on a few other shoes that I didn't like: Supadance (found that the heel is still placed too far back to be comfortable) and Ray Rose (they've changed their padding on the soles -- it's now so soft that I could barely walk in them, not supportive enough).
Click to expand...

This.
 
azntwice said:
Just wanted to provide a quick update here. I just bought my first pair of Paoul shoes and I am in LOVE. I love the heel placement, support, single strap style and, oddly enough, the very hard plastic heel protectors. Recommend them highly. This from someone who has only worn Aidas for years
Click to expand...

You just hit on why I have gone back to Paoul, after a quick visit to Aida. (I loved the Aida last, but the satin wore out in two weeks, the straps wore out in another two, and the heel protectors? One week. Sorry, but I just don't want to have a $200/month dance shoe habit.) I didn't realize how hard the Paoul protectors are, until you pointed it out, just now. I can use a pair for months, even with the suede.

And on another note: I have my "good" Paouls, and my stretched-out, worn-through-the-satin-where-I-brush Paouls. I washed the worn ones, ala Samina's instructions. And threw them in the dryer. They came out immaculate, and shrank back to where I can now use them again for lessons, and keep the "good" pair for competitions. Way to go, Paoul. I hope you never change the satin you're using.

OK, back to Aida. Sorry for hijack.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top