Canvas ballet slippers = bad?

[Guest rhythmicgymnast]

Hi

 

Recently I read that for growing girls (up to age 18), it is recommended that leather ballet slippers are used, not canvas, as canvas doesn't stretch at all, allowing the foot any growth and can deform feet. To any extent is this true? I recently bought leather split soles, but I've seen some pics of canvas and they seem to conform to the foot better. I was just wondering if you have ever heard anything like this?

[Mel Johnson]

From someone who has greater-than-average experience with both canvas- and leather-working, I can tell you that there is no basis for this advice. Both canvas and leather stretch, but in different ways. If the contrary were true, our generation would be deep in malformed feet, from all the canvas shoes developed since 1850, when the first rubber summer shoe (sneaker) was invented. Also, consider this: pointe shoes are satin on the outside, but the underfacings and substructures are canvas and such coarser fabric. I would classify this one as "urban legend" by somebody with a lot of leather shoes to sell!;)

[Juliet]

Rubbish.

 

(No one ever accuses me of not calling it as I see it.)

 

Although, Mel is vastly more eloquent!

[Guest Broken Shimmer]

Both do strech and form to your foot but leather does a little bit more so. If you're really hard on your shoes and taking a lot of classes I'd reccomend leather though, my canvas shoes didn't last as long as my leather ones because the canvas rips easier and gets dirtier faster.

[Guest JewelTutu]

Hey,

 

Did you know that you can just pop your canvas shoes in the washer? They come out brand new!!! I was so happy:) I find, and my teacher finds, that they conform to your foot much better than leather. However, she only allows the more advanced students to wear them. The younger students all wear leather. Any reason for only allowing more advanced students to wear them?

 

[Mel Johnson]

It's really a matter of personal preference. There is so little difference, except possibly in durability, that the matter is unarguable.

[Guest Twinkletoes98]

I love canvas ballet shoes, they are so comfortable. But mine never seem to last long. The lining comes out after a few months. I wonder if this is due to my intensity of dancing, or simply the brand of shoe I use. (Sansha's.) Hmm...:confused:

[Mel Johnson]

It is indeed possible that the brand of technique shoe makes a difference in its longevity. Why not shop around some other brands for a bit, and see if there's a more congenial partner for your particular feet than Sansha. Many people say that almost all soft shoes are alike, but that's an oversimplification. Sometimes they can make a great deal of difference!

[missy12784]

I personally love canvas shoes because they are easier to point in and make your foot look better. Although they do wear out a lot faster. But on the plus side, after wearing them along time and there is a lot of sweat in them, they won't harden on the inside like leather ones.