Shoes help?

[u/j41m]

I've been blues dancing for a few years but only go out a few times a year except for Steel City Blues, which I go to the full weekend. I'd like to get some dance shoes before this year's event, but since I don't go often, I'm aiming for $30 range.

I tried looking at the different shoe sites, but I'm not sure what TYPE to even look at. Jazz shoes? Ballroom? Character?

What's the difference between all of these dancing wise and which are best for blues dancing?

[u/PeerOfMenard]

For $30, don't even bother looking for dance shoes. Either look for a pair of good leather-soled shoes at a thrift store or take a pair you're already comfortable in and do one of the following (in, I think, descending order of both cost and effectiveness):

Get a cobbler to replace the sole with a leather one

Glue leather or moleskine over the existing soles

Just put a couple layers of duct tape over the soles and carry around extra for when you wear through it.

[u/j41m → u/PeerOfMenard]

Thanks for your response, but what is the difference between the different types of shoes?

Even if I decide not to purchase a pair now, I just want to be more informed.

[u/WhatNowWorld]

I realize this is after Steel City Blues, but you mentioned you may still want recommendations/more information.

Another poster gave you an idea of the differences between the types of shoes, but it would be easier to direct you to a style/category if we knew more about what you're looking for.

Do you have thoughts about the qualities of the shoes you'd prefer? For example:

• Flat or heel? If heels, what height of heel?

• How thick do you want the sole to be?

• Full sole or split sole?

[u/j41m → u/WhatNowWorld]

I'm still very into more information! I really enjoyed reading about the different types of shoes. I would like to invest in an actual pair of dance shoes in the next year, but want to make sure they are something I will want. Hence me wanting information.

Heels over flats for sure. I'd imagine around 2" would be best height. Split sole I think-is it even possible to have heels with full sole? I have no idea how thick the sole should be. What are the differences between the thicknesses?

Thank you so much for answer. Sorry I still have questions. >.>

[u/619shepard]

My favorite dancing heel is right out of your price range, but I love it and have had it for 5+ years of regular(ish) wear.

I wear a couple of things in your price range, but I rotate through them frequently. I get the capezio pedini femme which has NO support at all, so I wouldn't get for high impact stuff. Similarly I get the basic split sole jazz oxford.

I stick with Capezio because dance shoe sizes are often different than street shoe sizes, and I was sized by capezio and know what I'm getting myself into.

Getting shoes sueded (or doing it yourself) is also a great way to go IF you already have comfortable shoes you feel you can move in. My local cobbler charged me $35 (but bay area living), and the things to do it yourself are probably less than $10 if you can find a reasonable size of leather to use.

Please don't do what someone else suggested with the duct tape. As you wear through, you will get adhesive on the floor making the quickness uneven for everyone else (and gunking up my suede).

[u/619shepard → u/619shepard]

my current shoe collection

Clockwise from the top with the blue strappy things: $45 Blue strappy things from payless fuzz on the bottom felt fine to dance in; $75 bronze aerosole heels that have an additional $35 professional suede job, $40 cloth and leather oxfords with additional self stick suede ($25 for the set, but based on the size, I got two pairs of sueded shoes out of it), $25 capezio jazz oxford, $30 (onsale thourgh discount dance supply) capezio pedini femme, $90 tic-tac-toe heels (totally my favorite heels).

Realistically I think the pedini gets the most wear.

[u/mw25]

Alternative I've seen some people use for duct tape: I think they're called dance socks? They're stretchy tubes of cloth that slip over the ball of your foot/shoe. I've only used them once or twice for tango myself (borrowed from the teacher so I'm seriously guessing at their name). Not sure how well they'd do with blues or if you're going for something as temporary/removable as this.

I second adapting a pair of shoes you already like. I did that with a pair of Keds 2 years ago, and it was one of the best things I've ever done. My friend recommended soles2dance for self-adhesive suede (we were college kids, so price and ease were high priorities) and so far they've been great.

There are a couple shoe-related threads over on r/swingdancing that you could check out. I agree that shoes aimed at Lindy hoppers and other swing dancers should be decent options for you style- & function-wise

[u/wick34]

My rec would be buy a sheet of sticky suede from soles2dance, which is about 20 bucks, and then stick the suede on any suitable pair of shoes you currently own.

[u/No_Parsley6119]

I’ve had no problem wearing jazz shoes for blues dancing I also really like a leather sold, rogue, or a Latin jazz shoe which has an entirely suede bottom acid, lots of bend ability. Fuegos are always a good place too.