My Disclaimer and other information.

I have created this blog as a tool for dancers and parents to learn about different dance shoes. If I had a dollar for every time a teacher told me to get a shoe or I had to cluelessly pick from a dozen models, I could retire happily in Bermuda.  I am not a career professional dancer, but I have danced my entire life. I have studied and continued to study several forms of dance. That being said, I have gone through a lot of shoes! I hope to one day teach before I destroy my body any more! I also apprenticed and worked in a custom leather shop in college, so I feel confident in sharing my opinions about leather quality, construction quality, etc.  I am a frequent Ebayer and professional costumer. While this blog is primarily focused on dance shoes, I will also provide reviews on figure skating boots.  Why have I been through and have so many shoes? Bad feet. My feet are almost completely flat, I've broken my arch, and also most of my toes through the course of my dancing. I have had nerve problems resulting in several cortisone shots in my feet.

And, I love shoes in general! What girl doesn't, right?

All that being said, here's my disclaimer:
This blog is the expression of my opinions and experiences.  It in no way endorses a specific product or condemns it.  It is one person's opinion. (I'm aiming for constructive, useful opinions). While I welcome comments and experiences, please refrain from any inflammatory remarks or language directed at anyone, period. That's not what we're here for.  And please, no comments with Viagra or other drug or "enhancement" products. 

I will list the following for each shoe posted:
*Brand/Model
* Price range (price based on current pricing from vendors I have used)
*Fit
*Quality
*Where to Buy/Service experiences with vendors used
*The features I liked/did not like about each

Another disclaimer:
You would think this is obvious, but to some people, it is not.  FEET ARE NOT STANDARD. Everyone has a different size/shape of foot.  And it matters, it really does.  Any time you can possibly get fit in person, please do so.  Sizing charts are a polite suggestion, but by no means a guarantee of fit for ANY shoe or skating boot.  I wear a size 9-9.5 ladies street shoe, US sizing.  I have a narrow heel and a wide, fan shaped foot with fairly square toes.  When I say wide, I am not kidding. I have hobbit feet.  I once had a skating boot retailer ask for three different traces, convinced that my foot could not be that wide across the metatarsal, and that I was messing up the trace. Things went a lot better when he realized that yes, that really was my foot.

I will list pricing as follows:
$ Inexpensive  $0-40
$$ Moderately Expensive $40-80
$$$ Expensive $80-150
$$$$ Very Expensive $150+

I have listed most of the pointe shoe makes and brands I tried over the years. Several I did not list as they are no longer being made or I was unable to find them online.  I will not list fit for these as initial fit is something that should really be done locally by a professional. I had most of my shoes fit in person, but tried a few online with mixed results. 

All in all, I hope you find this helpful and happy dancing!