Salsa City Forum » News and Chat » Dance sneakers

I am thinking about buying some dance sneakers. I normally take a shoe size (UK man's) between 8 1/2 & 9. I have tried on a pair of Bloch trainers size 9 and they were a very tight fit, and did not feel comfortable. I have read on the net differing views as to what size shoes to buy. Some dance sites recommend going up 1/2 a size, others to give UK shoe size and they would adjust accordingly. Still others suggest going for a tight fit and letting the shoe stretch with a bit of wear.

I am looking for advice on the matter so thanks in anticipation.

I wouldn't buy my first pair mail-order, I would definitely want to try on any dance-sneakers I was thinking of buying. I think they should be snug but not constrictive. If you are within striking distance of Bristol, Danceworld have some nice looking shoes.

Hugh,

I note your point which is an option I may have to take - however I would like to spend my money this side of the bridge.
The sneakers I mentioned in my first posting were tried on at a local dancewear shop. They did not have a larger size available for me to try on. They can order the next size up, which will take a week or two to arrive. The question is do I need the next size up? The sales person suggested I do not. However bearing in mind the job of the sales person is to sell you items they have in stock then I feel that I need some help from someone with "feet" on experience.
Thanks

Well, it's always possible to get your feet into shoes that it would be impossible to actually walk or dance in. So if it was me, and if those were the shoes I wanted, I would definitely ask them to get a bigger pair in (without obligation) for me to try on. What is the name of the shop? You could tell them that if they got in some stock, they might make some sales.

Sorry I can't be more definite, but they're your feet, and you've got to look after them.

Heath, I'm taking it for granted that you are from Cardiff. My shoe size is exactly the same 8 1/2 to 9, I bought my dance trainers from a shop in the arcade near the Hayes and I had to go up a size or two for a nice fit. Sorry I can't remember the name of the shop. If it helps, I find it alot easier to dance in shoes you can buy anywhere.

Heath,

I've worn Bloch trainers for years, my normal Uk size is a UK9 but that for me translates to a Bloch UK10.5

I would strongly suggest you only buy a pair that fit perfectly, anything less can really start to cause problems. Try giving Bloch's Covent Garden store a ring 0207 836 4777 they will probably be able to advise you better (you'll also get a better price).

Just a word of warning, many people think that dance shoes will make you dance better, this is not the case! Dance shoes are designed to give your foot more flexibility and contact with the floor than normal shoes but they are not designed to give your foot support like normal shoes/trainers. It takes many people a good month or so to get used to them.

Best of Luck

I found that they helped me straight away. They made spinning easier at the same time as giving grip when I needed it (but my old shoes were really crap!)

I definitely wouldn't buy mail order. If you ever go up to London it's worth calling in to the Bloch shop as they have all the styles in all the sizes (though I got mine in Bristol and found the shop very helpful).

Thanks to you all for replying and for the advice given.
I have contacted several of the local dance shops since my first posting however none seem to have dance trainers in sizes greater than UK 9. It would also appear that they do not wish to obtain stock just for me to try on without a firm commitment to buy.
I intend to give the Bloch shop a call tomorrow however Bristol does seem to be the most practical option.

Thanks for relating your experiences, Heath, very interesting. I expect most of the local dance shops generally cater to children and young teenagers and they're not used to adult men coming in for dance shoes, so they don't think there's a market there. For future reference, I'll try to find out the name of the shop Jeff ov Ponty referred to above.

Try Newport - the Burly or Burlie Acadamy. They sell bloch