I know the topic of shoes / sandals for outdoor performances has been covered time and time again. I've seen great recommendations for the dance store kind, Medieval Moccasins, Pedralta's sandals, and china flats [Chinese maryjanes]. However, I was wondering what with the plethora of gladiators flooding the market this season, has anyone had any luck finding a fantastic pair great for outdoor dancing? Something where the sole isn't completely flat and stiff [especially the latter] and the laces / straps / buckles don't cut into your feet leaving you a blistery mess? I've seen a ton of really gorgeous ones ranging from versatile and simple to embellished and stunning, but I haven't actually tried any on yet. Recommendations? Warnings on pairs to avoid?
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New York
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 10:29 AMI have a pair of Hermes sandals from Discount Dance Supply. The sole was sort of stiff at first. I ditched the plastic strings for comfy cotton twil tape, and added a pair of gel soles to the bottoms. -
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 11:02 AMOh yes, those are the dance store sandals I referred to in my post - they're in a lot of past tribe posts which mostly say the straps are a problem and to go with the Pedralta version instead. But changing out the straps is a great idea!
I'm actually looking to see if anyone has a recommended pair of mainstream shoe store gladiator sandals, since they're everywhere right now. Like if there's a great pair at a shoe store or department store that happen to be perfect for outdoor dancing. -
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 11:10 AMI don't know about mainstream stores and dance shoes (I go barefoot, and have a backup pair that I haven't used in eight years), but this place gets good reviews from a lot of people: www.medievalmoccasins.com/
They have a lot of styles and colors, which is always a nice option to have. I haven't bought from them myself, however. But when I was looking around for new shoes for Ren Faire, that company's name and high recommendations were found in several places.
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 11:25 AMThe problem with fashion sandals- in other words, those designed for fashion and not specifically for dance- is that the soles are almost always made of stiff leather, which makes them less than ideal for dancing. And the straps are usually too flimsy. And most of them either don't have a thong (keeps the foot from sliding forward in the shoe) or a heel band (so the sandal sloshes around a lot in the shoe).
If it's the gladiator look you want, I just bought a pair of the Nativearth single tab sandals from Mesmera.com, and they are a bit pricey but very, very much worth it (I've been through many different kinds of less-expensive alternatives that were nowhere as attractive or comfortable, and I'd have saved more than $100 if I'd just bitten the bullet and plunked down the money for these in the first place). They are not technically a dance sandal, since I think they are much more of a RenFaire thing, but the sole is soft and flexible, and they look like Jesus shoes. -
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 11:46 AMThank you! That's the kind of recommendation I'm looking for. These look like they might just do the trick. Do they run true to size? I see it says they're about 1/2 size smaller than true to size, but did you find this to be the case? And also do the straps rubs your feet a lot and give you blisters or cuts?
PS - is your avatar a photo from the Musee Mechanique in SF? If so, I took a very similar photo there two years ago. -
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 3:48 PMI have very sensitive feet and skin, and a new pair of shoes ALWAYS gives me oozing blisters the first few times out, and I was shocked that these didn't bother me a bit. The leather is some kind of thick but soft buffalo, and the straps are also soft. My feet are true 11s, and they suggested that if I ever wear a 10 1/2, I should go down a size because the heel cup tends to stretch with wear a little when the leather softens, but they don't do half sizes, so I opted to just go with the 11s, and they seem to be the proper size. I'd say if you wear a half size or have very narrow feet, go down.
Yep, that is the Musee Mechanique. It's probably my favorite place on earth.
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 11:55 AMWhile I have never owned sandals from Nativearth, I do own a pair of their plain shoes that I bought for dancing at the SoCal Ren Faire (I'm with Danse Macabre). And to be perfectly honest, I rather dislike them. Maybe it's the style I purchased, I don't know, but they have given me nothing but blisters and scabs on my heels, my toes, and where the shoe rubs against my arch. As far as sandals go, they're pretty hard to get wrong, as everyone uses pretty much the same pattern, but the plain old black shoes I picked up from them have given me nothing but trouble, and cost way too much for what I'm used to.
If you can somehow get your hands on them, Native Sole made wonderful shoes in which I can dance for days. Native Sole shoes were well made, reasonably priced, and after four years, have never given me the woes I've dealt with with these new ones. Unfortunately, the owner of Native Sole died recently, and if there's any of his stock left, it's very limited.
If Mesmera endorses these sandals, I'm sure they are wonderful. Maybe it's just that the style I chose was wrong for my shape of foot.
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 8:08 PMI've been using black ghillies. They're Irish Step dancing shoes. They're inexpensive, and you can get them at most dance supply stores. It's kind of a cross between a ballet slipper and a sandal. The sole is like a ballet slipper, though. I thought they looked pretty good - and unlike sandals, they don't trap dirt between your foot and the shoe. I think you can see them on some of the photos on my profile. -
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Tue, May 13, 2008 - 9:19 PMAh yes I'd almost forgotten about ghillies. They do look both cute and comfy
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Wed, May 14, 2008 - 4:49 AMWhen i need to use shoes for dancing I use kussa shoes. They are indian slippers that are beaded and come in all sorts of colors. The shoe will mold to your feet after a week of use. After that it feels like you are barefoot! Thay are comfortable and you can always used them with jeans or skirts. Here is the link: www.shopbeachcombers.com -
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Wed, May 14, 2008 - 8:14 AMI have a lovely pair that I never ever wear because they don't feel very comfy. I haven't really tried breaking them in though. Maybe that's all they need? I'm also afraid they'll slip off my feet but maybe not. I will give them another shot. Thanks! :) -
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Fri, May 16, 2008 - 4:28 AMI it takes very little time to break them in... and they are totally comfortable. And so far non of my fellow dancers has had any issue with flying kussas.! ;-) Make sure that you put a moistened cotton ball with tape in the areas that are the tightest when your are breaking them. That will ensure a nice breaking without blisters...!
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Re: Gladiator sandals
Wed, May 14, 2008 - 8:35 AMgood grief... so that link is totally going in my favorites.......
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