To Clean or Not To Clean

[BJW]

Okay, kind of cheesy of a title.:D

Here is my query; dance shoes, do you clean/ brush them or let them collect as much slippery substance as possible? When I first started dancing I always cleaned them. Then through laziness, I quit. Now I can't imagine dancing with a shoe that grips like one with a new sole. I like incorporating slides into the dance from time to time and could never pull off a very good slide until I quit cleaning my shoe.

So here is the topic; do you clean your dance shoes, why or why not? What is your favorite brand of shoe and why.

I favor International and Werner Kern brands. International lycra latin shoes have great insoles and are the most comfortable I have found. Werner Kern uses high quality leather, and fit well enough that it prevents from letting my toe jam into the bottom of the shoe all night.

Obviously not a deep subject, but I have always wondered if I am weird by not cleaning my shoes.

[SoundInMotionDJ]

So here is the topic; do you clean your dance shoes, why or why not?

I do not. I did when I started...someone told me it was better. before too long, I had an old(er) pair that I would wear out to clubs. That pair for glazed over pretty quickly, and I found that I like them a whole lot better. So, I stopped brushing my shoes.

What is your favorite brand of shoe and why.

I like Supadance. The heel cap shape is better for my foot. Also, because they are made in Europe, they are made wider than US shoes...and I have a really wide foot.

--Stan Graves

[WestieTash]

I dance on several floors throughout the week, so I have several pairs of shoes.

When I'm at the blues bar, where the floor can be quite sticky and all the baby power in the world doesn't help, I wear my old shoes that are slick as silk.

When I'm on the "good" floors, I use my newer shoes. And the decision to brush is made on the spot. If I feel like I need the control, then I'll brush my shoes.

I'm now in LOVE with Karizmah shoes. I also have a WIDE foot and have often had to order extra wide, but in Karizmahs I can wear their stock shoe. Oh happy day!

[Dima]

I never brush my shoes. I like the slickiness.
The only time I brushed them was when they stopped being slippery from too much dirt (it was a rainy night and I was at a blues bar).

I have a pair of shoes for going out and dancing, and a pair for competition.
The brand I use is Dance Naturals. Their latin heels are sort of squarish (it's not the usual half round), which makes them easier to learn heel slides.

I'm considering switching brands. Those things are made in Italy and with the current exchange, the price has been steadily climbing.

[whipkitten]

I also prefer my shoes to be on the slick side. However, some floors are little *too* slick and then I will brush my shoes. I also brush my shoes right before a routine when I really need to be spot on. for social dancing and all other comps, it's not as big a deal.

I currently wear Very Fine dance shoes for the cost, but I also find them very comfortable for my feet. Others don't like them so much, but I am happy to found shoes that i like and are cost effective!

[Kelly]

I do not brush my shoes either, I like slippery but depending on the floor I may brush them if its too slick.

I love the practice sandal (which about 90% of woman wear). I've bought quite a few different brands. First I bought the supadance one's (the originals) but i didn't like the shape of toe, too pointy. Then I switched to Stephanie Ballroom brand, totally love them. They have a bit of a rounder toe and the straps around your foot a little bit wider making them much more comfortable and there is more cushion on the sole. Then I also tried Comfort Brand shoes with the mesh straps. Those were very comfy but they stretched out a little too much and now are a little to big. I like a snug shoe. So now I'm back to Stephanie shoes again. BTW.....they sell them at the shoe vendors at pretty much every event, BUT, you can get them online for half the price! Brilliant!!!:tonguesmilie:

Now....if we can just get them not to stink....it would be a perfect world.

[swinginstyle]

I never brush my shoes. I like the slickiness.
The only time I brushed them was when they stopped being slippery from too much dirt (it was a rainy night and I was at a blues bar).

I have a pair of shoes for going out and dancing, and a pair for competition.
The brand I use is Dance Naturals. Their latin heels are sort of squarish (it's not the usual half round), which makes them easier to learn heel slides.

I'm considering switching brands. Those things are made in Italy and with the current exchange, the price has been steadily climbing.

So Dance Naturals for heel slides? Are they pretty supportive? Less chance of ankle rolling? Also, what material is the heel comprised of? I'm in desperate need of really good new shoes.

[Dima]

So Dance Naturals for heel slides? Are they pretty supportive? Less chance of ankle rolling? Also, what material is the heel comprised of? I'm in desperate need of really good new shoes.
Yes, they are supportive. Heel is made of hard plastic. The plastic will gradually wear off if you do a lot of slides. Be careful on crappy floors, the heel will catch seams. On good floors, like master floor, it will just glide over.

[christina]

Leather soles. No brushing required!

With my sueded shoes - I never brush - I like the slickness. I do keep a knife around for when they get gunky.

I use to be a advocate of re-sueding or buying streets to be sueded - not anymore. I find the suede doesn't stick to street shoes well (I spend a lot of time repairing as it curls off) and on re-sueded it tends to be too thick - I like to feel the floor through the sole.

But leather soles - nice and slick - you need to really work on body control if the floor is slick.

[dancin_weezie]

I can't remember the last time I brushed my shoes.... The faster the better for me!!

Laura

[KelKel]

I dance on several floors throughout the week, so I have several pairs of shoes.

When I'm at the blues bar, where the floor can be quite sticky and all the baby power in the world doesn't help, I wear my old shoes that are slick as silk.

When I'm on the "good" floors, I use my newer shoes. And the decision to brush is made on the spot. If I feel like I need the control, then I'll brush my shoes.

I'm now in LOVE with Karizmah shoes. I also have a WIDE foot and have often had to order extra wide, but in Karizmahs I can wear their stock shoe. Oh happy day!

Oh this makes sense. I have a pair of older shoes that I love but lately I've had issues. My studio is extremly slick and I slip and slide all over. I planned to re-suede my shoes but haven't had the opportunity.

I went to a convention last weekend and bought new shoes. I was excited so I danced a few songs in them and it was terrible. The floor had just been put down and was sticky and I struggled. The minute I put on my old shoes it was all good again. I think it's good to have both types of soles so you are prepared for any situation. :o

[Arjay]

I use 3 different shoes for different things.

I have a pair of teaching shoes which are sneaker looking but a suede sole. Dance Naturals I think...comfortable and can teach long hours in them.

I have a pair for social dancing and for jack and jill and strictly dancing which are my "International" Latins.

I use another pair of "International" Latins for routines only. Ones that I don't wear down socially from heal slides or wearing outside.

I brush my shoes for routines typically. Allows me to really be on point and grounded. Most of our routines are currently lifts and I never want to slip in a lift.

When I brush my shoes I use a technique called "picking" the shoe. Shoes should always be picked not brushed. You can tell because the curvature of each bristle is at such an angle that the face of the brush should be placed on the shoe and rolled down and away from the sole thus "picking" the suede up. Doing this from different angles and using proper technique can accomplish the same texture as brushing and you won't ruin your shoe. Brushing the shoe merely tears away at the suede and it becomes more and more difficult to create more texture on the sole.

Some shoe brushes are better than others. I don't like the big flat faced brushes as much as the small rounded face brushes. The round brushes are better to "roll" as you "pick" the suede.

I'm looking to feature a small video of this technique on my next set of instructional videos as a little bonus clip.