Cowhide splits are another option. They don't last as long a suede, but are much cheaper. I got enough cowhide split for $15 to do over 30 pairs of shoes. The show repair we use to go to, used cowhide splits. They doubled the price, so I decided to do it myself.

I have danced on many different floors, but fortunately the main place I dance has an excellent floor.

I have found that if you are well gounded and have your weight properly over your foot, slippery floors will be less of a problem. I recently danced on a glass floor!

Again, if anyone wants to take serendipity's advice, please be sure that the owner of the floor is OK with your putting motor oil on their floor!

The oil goes on and into the sole of the shoe not the floor. Motor oil was an emergency. The most used here is Castor Oil.

But it doesn't all stay on the sole. If the sole is oily, the floor will be too. I don't know where your "here" is, but in the US, it would be considered very bad form to put any substance on someone else's floor via your shoe soles.

I've seen oil used from coast to coast, by Americans and Europeans. Swing dancers powder the floor and ballroom dancers compensate by oiling their shoes. It's not super-common but it's part of life.

I have seen those those shoe mentioned by Ellen. They are often worn by my dance instructor who has to spend many hours on her feet so I bet they are very comfortable.

Ellen: I started wearing soft-soled shoes as an absolute beginner (in Latin), assuming that my feet would get stronger faster than with thicker soles (and that I would be able to "feel the floor" better). Isn't that right? I have only been dancing for a year (competitively for 8 months) but I love to be able to point my feet, esp. when dancing rumba!

One thing I wanted to mention is that I used to wear 2 1/2" heels and never found them quite right for me (I never felt "on top" of my legs). I recently switched to 3" and my stability has improved greatly. My turns are much much more controled and I feel that my weight is now properly distributed. This happened as soon as I switched heights so it wasn't because my technique got instantly better. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

I have four pairs of shoes, and my partner has no fewer than 10. I have one pair of Supadance for parties and shows, one well-worn pair of VeryFines for floors I'm unsure of, one pair of suede split-soled dance sneakers for lessons and overall practice (because they're comfy as heck!), and one pair of generics for backup.

As far as taking care of the suede, I've found the wire "shop brushes" you can pick up from Wal-Mart or any hardware store work wonderfully well for keeping the soles clean and well-napped. I have the actual Supadance heavy wire brush that you can get most anywhere for $10, but I find it makes them too nappy, and sometimes too slippery. I also have a nylon brush for removing dirt and keeping the shoes clean.

Watch out for floor wax/waltz flakes. Many floors we dance on around here are used by the "country" dancers, and they have the little "cat boxes" in the corner with wax. On more than one occasion either one or both of us have hit spots that almost caused a fall. We actually watched another couple hit a patch that caused us problems and actually fall. Clean your shoes after dancing at one of these places!

When we first started, I made the mistake of wetting the sole of my shoe to "scrub the dirt out" and do what I thought would restore the sole. Big mistake! The suede sole stretched and buckled when it dried, and it took a lot of glue and work to get them back normal again.

At studio parties we always have to watch for people who drip drinks across the floor. Nothing worse than getting a sticky spot on the sole of your shoe.

If you can't tell, I'm very particular when it comes to my shoes!

J

Has anyone tried Freed practice shoes? I've noticed them on the internet, because they look so nice, but I haven't noticed anyone wearing them or heard anyone refer to Freed's when shoes are discussed. Anyone know if they wear well, run narrow, or wide?

BTW this is a terrific thread! so many interesting ideas and suggestions. Sometimes I feel reluctant to post, since I'm so inexperienced. I wonder if someone will embarras me for asking a "stupid" question. That happened to me on a dance thread on another site. I have to say, it's the opposite here! People here couldn't be more supportive and helpful to a new dancer. Thank you all!

When we first started dancing a little over 2 years ago we experienced the same thing at another dance site. Many people are extremely helpful when it comes to new people, but there will always be those select few who ruin it.

Don't be embarrassed and don't get discouraged. Help is out there!

J

Freed is a well-known and respected dance shoe maker. I've tried them on, but never bought any. It's really trial-and-error to find the shoe manufacturer whose shoes fit you best. If you can't try them on locally, try to make sure that you can return any shoes you buy over the internet (many internet dance shoe retailers will accept returns if you try the shoes on carpet only and return the shoes with the soles unmarked).