Hardshoe: Where to buy 'em, when you'll learn

We will start very introductory "drop-in" hardshoe classes on Tuesday February 9, from 5:30-6:30. We will take a one-week break (I'll be in Ireland February 16), and I hope we'll resume Tuesday February 23. More details on my absence and trip to Ireland to come.

Official traditional hardshoe classes will begin Tuesday March 23, from 5:30-6:30pm. The more students, the less the cost per person (base rate is $10 per class, per person). We'll do this class in a 6 week session, lasting from March 23 through the last Tuesday of April.

If you want to learn hardshoe, you will want to start looking at prices/brands/ordering information. Below you'll find a list of information about different shoemakers. Please ask me if you have further questions!


Some websites I would check out are:
http://www.corrsirishshoes.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=8

The Corrs website has an "Eco-Hardshoe" which costs less than shoes that many competitive Irish dancers wear. I'm picky about my shoes and need them to be able to do certain things for competitive dancing, but if you are looking for something that makes good sound, and you're not worried about specs like "super-flexi" or "flexi" and "champion toes" (oh, the silliness of it all!), then I would go with the Eco-hardshoe.

http://www.fayshoes.com/products_shoes.htm
Fay's Shoes has four hardshoes to choose from. The cheapest shoe is $120.

http://www.antoniopacelli.com/irish_dance/shoes/
Antonio Pacelli carries a number of shoes (some made by other designers), and also a "budget" shoe. I used to wear Pacelli's. I like them.

http://www.rutherfordshoes.com/productSectionOverview.asp?station=1&section=7
I swear by Rutherfords! Rutherford Shoes carries three types of hardshoes (or jig shoes, as they're sometimes called). The Inishfree Beginner hardshoe is affordable, although I would advise against it since it offers no support, and uncomfortable, inflexible sole, and low-quality tips and heels. My Rutherford shoes sound like a Starbucks order: super black suede sole flexi, extra wide, with standard straps, sandblast tips and heels, and squared-off toes. Hold the whip!

Good luck finding shoes! Another way to go is to use the sizing charts on the websites above to find your size, then checking eBay, Amazon, or other Irish dance sites for used shoes.