Before buying your first pair of Pleaser Shoes, your instructor will usually narrow the choice down to three things: “Get doubles, closed toe, patent!” It sounds simple, but each of those recommendations has a reason behind it, and all three are about safety rather than looks.
Meanwhile, the catalogue has dozens of styles, heel heights ranging from 17 to 25 centimetres, clear PVC, glitter, burgundy and metallic blue. There are so many options that by the second minute you have forgotten your instructor’s advice and the prettiest pair is already in your basket.
Then that same pair spends the next month sitting in the cupboard because you simply cannot train comfortably in them.
So it is worth understanding why your instructor recommended those three particular features.
Doubles – Why This Heel Height?
“Doubles” are not a size or a model number. It is simply a category based on heel height. The platform is 7 centimetres high and the heel is 17.8 centimetres. The Adore range is a good example.
The logic comes down to the difference between those two measurements. The actual heel elevation is the heel height minus the platform height: 17.8 minus 7 gives you 10.8 centimetres. That is the elevation your foot actually experiences.
For comparison, take the “triples” in the Flamingo range. The heel is 20 centimetres and the platform is 8, giving an elevation of 12 centimetres. With the Infinity range, the heel is 23 centimetres and the platform is 9, so the elevation reaches 14 centimetres.
A three-centimetre difference may not sound like much, but in practice it creates a noticeably different foot angle and changes the load placed on your knees. That is why beginners are generally better off starting with doubles rather than choosing whichever height looks more impressive in the mirror.
Closed Toe – Why Does It Matter?
The reason is simple, and not particularly pleasant. If you fall or miss a grip on the pole, your toes are often among the first things to get hurt.
An open-toe shoe leaves them exposed. Catch the pole slightly awkwardly with your foot and you could end up with a bruise or a damaged toenail. This is particularly common when you are just starting out because you have not yet developed full control over your movements.
There is another reason, too. In a closed-toe shoe, the foot sits further back and is less likely to slide forwards when you lean or change position. In an open-toe style, the foot can press against the strap, gradually pushing the toes towards and eventually over the edge of the platform.
That is why closed-toe boots are usually recommended for beginners. Once your technique improves, you can move on to open-toe styles if you want to. Plenty of dancers, however, stick with closed-toe boots anyway.
Patent – What Does the Material Have to Do With It?
This one is all about grip on the pole. Metal can be slippery, so your shoes need to grip it properly. Patent material tends to provide the best grip, which makes basic moves involving contact with the legs much easier to execute.
Other materials generally perform differently:
- Clear PVC also provides good grip, making it another practical option.
- Matte leather offers less grip, but it is less likely to stick to the pole.
- Vegan leather is soft and comfortable, but tends to be more slippery.
- Glitter, rhinestones and chrome finishes provide very little grip because the surface is uneven.
That is why the usual advice is to choose patent or clear shoes for your first pair, and leave the more decorative styles for photoshoots and performances.
What You Can Safely Ignore
Now for the features that may look important in a product description but do not make much difference during your first few classes. For example:
- Colour has no effect on your technique. Black, burgundy, nude or metallic – your feet will not notice the difference.
- The range is essentially a height category. If you have decided on doubles, the range is largely determined for you.
- One strap, two straps or cross-over straps are not really an issue with boots because they already have lacing. And when you are starting out, open-toe styles are not the priority anyway.
- Glitter and rhinestones on the side of the platform can interfere with grip. They look great for photoshoots, but they are not ideal for training.
- Lights, prints and clear panels are mainly about appearance. They do not fundamentally change how the shoes perform.
There is also the most common reason for a first purchase: “That’s the pair I saw on Instagram.” It is probably one of the least useful ways to choose your first pair.
The dancer in the video may have a completely different skill level, foot shape and reason for wearing those shoes.
Your first pair is there to help you train, not to complete a look. So start with doubles, a closed toe and patent finish. The statement pair can come later – once your feet are used to dancing in heels.
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