I've been searching for shoes myself, and I've heard Capezio's are really good. I have a pair of Very Fines and I don't recommend it, it was good to get started though.
Check out www.allaboutdance.com and www.dancewearelite.com they sell Capezio's much cheaper than anywhere else I've seen (Very Fine prices!)...
Angelica

I know what VeryFine charges teacher/wholesalers but what is the general price they ask for the on-line shopper?

(I don't feel like registering on their website)

OB

Angelica,

Good finds!

Excellent prices on Capezio.

Still for our beginning students I'm looking at:

$75 x 1.17 (exchange rate) x 1.14 (taxes) x 1.18 (import duty) + $10 Canadian shipping = $130 Canadian

Capezios generally sell for around $170 here so $130 offers a good savings.

It still comes no where near our $75 for admittedly less quality.

OB

For a court shoe (smooth) I am sold on Freeds. I buy my shoes online at Backbaydance. They are hardly ever out of stock. But I buy this same shoe over and over agian so I am certain as to the size.

I WONT buy Capezios. Often the heel is not centered right and there is nothing worse than a 2.5 heel that is not right. Balance is enough of an issue without a shoe working against you.

I completely agree with Janet. I had a couple of Capezio shoes because they were cheap and was what I could afford at the time, but the heel felt unstable, the soles began to come off after only a couple of competitions in them (I didn't even practice in them because they were so bad). I even knew guys with Capezio shoes that were ripped at the seams etc. So I'd spend my money elsewhere, even if it is going to cost you a little more.
A quality shoe is going to make all the difference in your dancing. I personally stick with Elegance, and Supadance. It's worth the investment.

I don't know about women's Capezio shoes, never having tried any on, but my men's practice shoes seem to be a very nice pair of shoes. I bought them back around the first week of November and have danced about ten hours a week in them on average and they are still in great shape. I take good care of them and have even had people at the studio comment about that. I went out and bought a pair of cedar shoe trees and use them religiously. I know that doesn't help with women's shoes, but it works for me.

The only problem I've had with these shoes is the front corner of the suede on the heels began to lift, but I'm pretty sure that was my own fault. I was probably catching those corners with the brush and that was what pulled them up. A quick trip to the shoe repair place took care of that.

So, as I said before, I can't vouch for the women's shoes from Capezio, but the pair of men's shoes that I've used now for over six months have given me no reason to complain.

Hi OB.

I paid $90 (US) for a pair of VF Signatures. They are a closed-toe, strappy number with 2.5 heels. This was not on-line, but at a local studio.

I am curious, how cheap are the dealers getting them for? After seeing the quality, I would assume around $30-$40 per pair (US).

Any experience with Salsa 9pm, Soul Dancer, or Moon Light?

Thanks!

Rollee,

You're in the ballpark.

Do you have a link to the picture at VF as they rename the model number from the manufacturer?

OB

Hi OB.

Actually, I don't. When I was trying to pick them out, my instructor told me to go to www.veryfineshoes.com and look at the styles. You can only look at their "intro" line of shoes, the VF, not the VF Signatures on their site.

I had to pick out my style from his catalogue...I can't remember the style number...I know it started with an "S."

Do you know anything about those other brands I mentioned?

Thanks!

appledanceshoes.com