I prefer hooping barefoot, but have tender feet so I usually have to wear some kind of shoes. I used to just hoop in my Tevas, but but had to buckle em down pretty tight.
Then I found these on the net:
www.vibramfivefingers.com/produ...ex.cfm
And I am never going back!
They let you feel the surface (giving a more "connected" feeling) that you are hooping on while providing traction and just enough protection. If you like being barefoot I would recommend these.
Justin
Then I found these on the net:
www.vibramfivefingers.com/produ...ex.cfm
And I am never going back!
They let you feel the surface (giving a more "connected" feeling) that you are hooping on while providing traction and just enough protection. If you like being barefoot I would recommend these.
Justin
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Re: shoes to hoop in...
Mon, July 21, 2008 - 11:49 AMTHANKS JUSTIN!!!
Those look like they fit wonderfully not just for hooping, but ANY event or activity where you want the freedom of bare feet with GREAT protection to boot. I *cringe* at the idea of bare foot hooping in a public park or club...never know what could be lurking on the floor.
I actually sprained my ankle PRETTY BADLY hooping in my Teva sandals years ago..... It was an outdoor event and one of the golf carts had left a tire track in the field and the shoe actually prevented the normal flex in my foot which would have given more flex for the ankle.
GREAT POST!!!
I tend to hoop in platform boots pretty well somehow.....I'm amazed at myself EVERYTIME. <3<3<3
Happy Hooping!!!
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Mon, July 21, 2008 - 3:41 PMWhat amazing shoes! I've never seen anything like them before.
They look comfy though. -
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Mon, July 21, 2008 - 8:09 PMI saw a couple of pairs of these at the hoop path retreat and spoke to folks wearing them - all gave them rave reviews. Got to say tho' they have kinda a strange look to them... -
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Mon, July 21, 2008 - 8:47 PMthose are some weird lookin buggers. toes can still breathe hah? And the bottoms protect the feet?
i want me some -
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Tue, July 22, 2008 - 10:43 PMThey DO look weird, and feel a little funny right at first, but ya get used to em fast.
You can walk on hot pavement, sharp rocks, even broken glass (probly wouldnt wanna step on a nail tho) without hurting your feet. Toes can still breath thru the spandex-like sides and top, and water drains out too.
I highly recommend these to anyone who like barefoot (or hooping)....
Justin -
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Wed, July 23, 2008 - 10:03 PMMy hooping husband LOVES these! (we both love the barefoot hooping) The only issue is after hooping for 2 hours on hot street pavement, the heat really does conduct well through the black rubber soles. We hooped in Santa Barbara's Solstice parade this June. It was pretty hot and the asphalt got really warm. After about 2 hours or so, he had to take little breaks every other block, go sit in the shade and take 'em off. Other than that, they're fabulous! The first day he got them, he was hooping up and down the street in the rain, jumping up and down, positively giddy over the grip and freedom they offer. And as to looking a little weird, the do sort of, but I have to say, the man looked smokin' hot in his sarong and his vibram five fingers!!! -
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Wed, July 23, 2008 - 10:51 PMyeah these shoes look super cool...do you find you can spin and turn in them well...not too much gripping? -
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Wed, July 23, 2008 - 11:21 PMI'm with you Justin:
On asphalt I want my phunky shoes
www.zcoils.com/
If I'm not hooping barefoot in grass or sand
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Thu, July 24, 2008 - 4:53 AMHi Justin,
Thanks for the post. They're now on my wish list, and things on my wish list do tend to materialize in my life if they are important enough for me.
I LOVE weird looking things.
Thanks again,
Ingrid
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Thu, July 24, 2008 - 4:56 AMyay just ordered a red pair !!
But pretty expensive in UK !! But what the heck, you only live once -
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Thu, July 24, 2008 - 9:39 AMhow much do they charge for shipping in the US? Would it be more cost effective to buy them at a store? -
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Thu, July 24, 2008 - 11:33 AMMy friend Jessica swears by the 5-finger shoes. She's a hooper too - Mari, probably one of the people you spoke to about these shoes at the HP retreat, in fact. I'm sure they are great shoes and very functional/ comfortable. I just don't see myself in them... they're a little freaky looking! I tried Jessica's on, though, and they were quite comfy - just not my style.
When we did the HoopGirl teacher training about a month ago, Christabel recommended Blochs. They are dance shoes, and I'm pretty sure she wears them to teach classes and sometimes for performance - you can spin really well in them. Here's a link:
www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/1898607/c/3.html
Unfortunately, the pair I purchased are too small. I was going to put them up on ebay, but then I saw this post and thought maybe someone from here would be interested. I bought mine for $65 and will sell them for $50 (plus the cost to ship them). So, if anyone's interested, just let me know.
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Thu, July 24, 2008 - 11:35 AMBTW - mine are black, size 8.5 (although they feel more like a 7.5/ 8)
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Sat, July 26, 2008 - 2:19 AMI have these Bloch dance sneakers (in pink! :~0). But they are very small sized. The web site I bought them off in the UK told you to put in your normal shoe size and then they sent a bigger size to make up for this. However, the first pair were still too small. Can you not send them back and swap them for bigger Hoola Monster? I did and they sent the next size. Still a little tight on the ends, but that was as big as they go. I have big feet. They are comfy, and spin well. But I do get cramp in them sometimes if I pull them a little too tight. -
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Sun, July 27, 2008 - 1:25 AMI am a bartender and spend 9 hours on my feet constantly moving. I just colored these up with a magic marker so they would be black (therefore OK for work), and went thru a busy shift.
NO pain in feet, knees, lower back, or anywhere else.... -
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Mon, July 28, 2008 - 1:45 PMSue, yes - they run really small. That was my problem too. I might see if they'll take them back. I did wear them one time, though, thinking I might be able to break them in. It didn't happen. So, I will see if they'll swap them out for a larger size. -
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Tue, July 29, 2008 - 4:50 AMI wear these for both hooping and for my dance classes, and they are super comfy: www.dancedirect.com/uk/Produ...er-free1/
Almost like dancing in bare feet, but with a little added protection -
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Tue, July 29, 2008 - 11:00 AMThose look nice, Kitty. Do you think they are available in the US? I'd rather try some on before buying. -
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Re: shoes to hoop in...
Tue, July 29, 2008 - 11:39 AMYea, Kitty - those are cool. If anyone finds out if they are available in the US, let us know :) -
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Tue, July 29, 2008 - 1:38 PMi just found them on tons of sites....just google "Capezio Freedom Dansleeker"
I have some ones similar to these and they rock -
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Tue, July 29, 2008 - 1:45 PMby the way, these seem to be the cheapest and i have ordered through this company many times, they are awesome
www.discountdance.com/spframe_set.php3
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Mon, August 4, 2008 - 2:23 PMInteresting to see that they don't have specific sizes. Does that mean there's no need to try them on in a shop?
And what would European size 38 work out as? A small?
Thanks,
Ingrid -
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Re: shoes to hoop in...
Mon, August 4, 2008 - 2:25 PMKitty, that previous message was a response to yours. Not sure if that was clear. Sorry. -
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Wed, August 6, 2008 - 10:54 AMSorry I never got back to you guys on this - I've been away Hooping!
I think someone has already found them in the US. Capezio are a world wide brand of dance shoe so I'm fairly sure you'll get them.
As for sizes, I wear a UK 5.5 in dance shoes (euro size 38 or 39 I think) and mine are a medium. They have more stretch in them than a regular shoe, but I did try mine on before I bought them.
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Fri, August 1, 2008 - 1:34 AMOh, that is too funny...I had never seen these before until I went to Oz and my lil hippie had some...he loves his...wears them to festivals and events, all the time...he's usually always barefoot...hates shoes, so these are wonderful for him.
Oh, he does double staff spinning as well as contact and hooping.
