Dance footwear advice

Subject: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 02:36 PM

I've done far too much dancing (ceilidhs and morris) over the last few months (too much on concrete), and therefore have painful shin splints. While I am resting, and to stop me doing it again, does anyone have good advice on footwear ... which trainers, or other footwear, is good for high impact movement (same, I guess, as for high impact sport)? ... which insoles are best for putting in clogs?

If it makes a difference to anyone's advice re: products, I live in England.

Thanks in advance.

Ian c.

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 02:57 PM

I find the Converse All Stars* boots very good. Excellent grip on dance floors and comfy to. The boot like ones (8 hole?) rather than the plimsol type.

*Designed for basketball

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: Mo the caller
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 03:04 PM

Good question. My husband says that one of the most common topics for women at dances is shoes and comfortable feet. At least men's shoes are usually foot-shaped

It sounds as if your dancing is the bouncing up and down variety.
I've noticed that the sort of shoes that are comfortable for one sort don't suit another.
You wouldn't wear my "nun's shoes" - lace-ups with a small heel, even if you were doing Irish set dancing, but I find it easier to do the continuous, low stepping in them.
I have some completely flat "jazz shoes" which are fine for Playford and Scottish, but the fast walk of American squares and contras need something less flat.

Does your style of dance need 'slide' or 'bounce'?

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,Wyrd Sister
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 03:14 PM

Sorbothane insoles

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 03:29 PM

Good question, Mo. I do more bouncing than sliding, as I dance English ceilidhs, and both border and Cotswold morris. I'm therefore looking for shoes (ceilidhs, Cotswold) and insoles (as before and for border clogs) that are good to absorb impact, to prevent further shin splints and aching knees.

Ian c.

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: Megan L
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 03:35 PM

Probably not of use for your dancing but these are good MBT

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: Peace
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 04:15 PM

If you're wearing high heels, don't.

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: Peace
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 04:21 PM

Ian, kidding aside, have you been checked by a foot doctor (I forget the real term (pediatrician?). Perhaps your feet are weak a bit in the arches and that's causing difficulties for you when you dance. Does it feel bad also when you walk or run?

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: Dead Horse
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 04:38 PM

Concrete is THE worst surface to dance on and is best avoided.
Was that stating the bleedin obvious :-)

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: artbrooks
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 04:42 PM

Dance sneakers?...they look funny but they're damn comfortable.

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 06:24 PM

Peace, I have fallen arches and have known about it for a few years, after some knee and back problems. All that's solved by wearing Orthaheel insoles, but I think I'll switch to their sport or shock absorber insole now.

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 12:44 AM

I tried the dance sneakers, because lots of people were raving about them (there are a few makers -- Bloch, Capezio, etc.), but they didn't work for me. I find that any more I want lots of arch support, and I feel as though I'm falling between the toe and heel portion of that kink of shoe.

~ Becky in Tucson
(mostly contra dancing)

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,Peace
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 01:05 AM

Ian, there are also socks out that provide good support to aid the shoe.

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: open mike
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 01:50 AM

i think peace means podiatrist...
you are probably past the age that pediatricians will see you...

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: astro
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 02:51 AM

I find dance sneakers very supportive and comfortable. I don't have a problem with the support they provide. There are different styles and designs, some will probably be better than others for you. Go to a dance equipment store and try several on. You might find the right one for you (note I am male, and there are a lot of pink stuff at those stores, but my sneakers are black)....

Astro in Los Angeles and Tucson...

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 10:56 AM

Peace, what socks are they? Do you have a name or a web address, please?

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 01:30 PM

(pediatrician?).

Well, Bruce, your child's doctor (pediatrician) could check your feet, but you'd be much better off at the podiatrist.

I used to do a lot of folk dancing on a wooden gym floor and asked one of the dancers who led the group about her selection--she wore a very comfortable flat soled boot that didn't quite reach mid-calf. She had them custom made for dancing. The dancing we did were a lot of Scandinavian and Eastern European dances (a lot of running and fancy footwork on the move). Sneakers/running/athletic shoes would tend to "catch" on the floor when you want to travel or slide your feet. I'd find something flexible with some cushion but not a heavy or thick sole. And probably have to switch out shoes every few months because they won't last as long as sneakers.

SRS

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 05:22 PM

I doubt that there is a shoe in the world that would protect an adult male from harm if he is jumping on concrete.

Consider college/pro basketball players. They are young, in fine health and have the best of shoes, but nobody ever asks them to play on concrete.

Aren't there special floors called Marley floors which can be put in place temporarily to provide a dance surface? If so, I think you and your fellow dancers should either get one or move to a different place to dance.

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: JohnB
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 09:03 PM

Warm-up and STRETCH the calf muscles. Lean against a wall with arms outstretched, one foot forward leg bent and the other back with heel on the ground, hold the position for 10-15seconds "don't bounce". Do it after as well as before. Supposed to be good to avoid shinsplints.
JohnB.

Subject: RE: Dance footwear advice
From: GUEST,Ian cookieless
Date: 20 Sep 08 - 07:03 AM

Thanks, JohnB, I know that what you say is commonly held. At Shrewsbury this year there was a workshop on avoiding dance injuries run by 2 morris dancing physiotherapists. They said the latest research shows that stretching before exercise/dancing has no beneficial effect and may do some harm, but doing it afterwards is good for cooling down muscles and preventing injury. Beforehand, they said, it is best to do a lighter version of what you're going to do, e.g. some single or double stepping on the spot.