shoes for practise

[Medira]

these are the shoes I wear for practise - made by Freed of england (though I know nothing about this vendor):
http://www.showtimedanceshoes.com/product_info.php/products_id/469

I strongly recommend them if you have wide feet and can't find anything that doesn't crunch your pre-toe bones.  Note that the tops lace up all the way so you can adjust for any foot.  Also, although its a broad heel its quite high so the adjustment to pumps is not bad (I use a low heel though).

fred is a very good company. i have and standard and latin shoes from freed. the only thing is that they stretch to fast. 

I also found that they didn't last as long as some others.  However, they were comfortable and quite stable.

[QPO]

We are at a comp on Sunday in Melbourne so will look there and get some practice ones and hopefully new dance shoes.

[standarddancer]

I also love supa 1026, very comfy, yes they are almost indestructible, last very long time. Just partner complains that he doesn't like the look, won't look too great with skirts, looks quite nice with black pants; a lot of lady teachers use them for teaching.

[elisedance]

I just looked them up - only think I don't like is the low heel, its too different from comp shoes.

however, have you trieed the 1025?  that has a 2" and narrower heel

[Rugby]

<on soapbox>
Being that I'm still in physical therapy for my back, I feel obligated to remind the females that high heels are very bad for your back.
</on soapbox>

I practice in dance sneakers.

And, it breaks down you calf muscles too.

[catsmeow]

why are low heels bad for heel turns?

[Rugby]

why are low heels bad for heel turns?

I do them in socks.

[catsmeow]

socks?  hmmm... not to be outdone, I do them going downhill

[elisedance]

spoken like a true canadian....
...I'm assuming you are talking snow here

[QPO]

at the moment I go between low and high heels...have not had a problem yet....will try the heel turn in the low shoe see how I go.

[elisedance]

at the moment I go between low and high heels...have not had a problem yet....

its easy to go from high to low - but if you do the latter for a long time its a bit odd stepping up (if you excuse teh pun)

[ttd]

I really recommend these:

http://www.dancesport.uk.com/shoes/inter/cheather.jpg

They're made by Internationals, and they come with 2" or 2 1/2" heel. Since I use these http://www.dancesport.uk.com/shoes/inter/ics-vogue.jpg by International for competition, I buy their practice shoes with 2 1/2" heel as well and it works perfect for me.

[elisedance]

Thanks ttd - I was not aware of those.
And also look at the preceding page for all the options:
http://www.dancesport.uk.com/shoes/inter/

which is why I love internationa shoes too - even though the heel has broken inside in three pairs

[dancing1]

One thing that I think should be taken into consideration when choosing practice shoes is that the heel height not only affects you, it affects your partner.  His hold is affected as well as the partnerships center of balance.  I always practice in the same height heels as I compete in - keeping in mind that I dance standard and my partner is 6'4" tall. 

Happy dancing!

[elisedance]

hi there dancing1 - we may just call you D1 for short  

I take it that you are also on the tall side then?  I'm 5' 10.5" w/o heels... and my pro partner is 6'5" and AM 6'3" (so they average out the same )
ee