Capezio Jr. Footlight 550X Character Shoe (Little Kid/Big Kid) Review
The Capezio Jr. Footlight 550X Character Shoe is an ideal choice for any young performer engaging in theatrical or character dances. This shoe is designed with versatility in mind; not only is it suitable for various performances, but you can also attach taps to its sturdy stitched leather sole, further amplifying its functionality.
Crafted from soft PU leather, it offers a snug yet comfortable fit, enhanced by a traditional buckle closure that allows for custom adjustments as your child's feet grow. The shoe features a thoughtfully designed heel at 1.5 inches, providing just the right elevation for budding dancers while ensuring stability during movement.
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Features
- Begin 2 - 2 1/2 sizes up from street shoe size
- Soft PU leather upper
- Scored leather sole for excellent grip
- Foam padded footbed for added comfort
- Compatible with Tele Tone toe and Duo Tone heel taps (not attached)
- Moisture absorbent microfiber lining
- Achilles notch for improved comfort
- Smooth folded edge topline
- Lightly padded collar
- Closed toe and sides for a polished look
- 1.5" plastic heel with scored leather top lift
Pros
- High-quality craftsmanship and materials
- Customizable fit with buckle closure
- Comfortable padding for extended wear
- Versatile for multiple dance styles
- Sturdy construction suitable for active use
Cons
- Initial sizing may be tricky; best to order larger
- No taps included, must be purchased separately
- Limited color options may not suit all preferences
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Capezio Jr. Footlight 550X | Bloch Bunnyhop | Sansha Pro-1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | PU Leather | Canvas | Leather |
| Padded Footbed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Heel Height | 1.5" | 1" | 1" |
| Closure Type | Buckle | Elastic | Lace |
Detailed Review
The Capezio Jr. Footlight 550X Character Shoe excels in both design and functionality, making it a standout choice among similar products. Its soft PU leather build provides a comfortable fit that caters to the needs of young dancers, while the perforated leather sole ensures traction and flexibility during performance.
One notable aspect is the shoe's height; the 1.5-inch heel strikes a perfect balance, offering enough lift without compromising on stability. Furthermore, the moisture-absorbent microfiber lining aids in keeping feet dry and comfortable throughout practice or performances.
In terms of customization, the traditional buckle closure is user-friendly and ensures a secure fit, which is crucial for performing arts. However, it's worth noting that while the shoe is compatible with toe and heel taps, they are sold separately—which could add to the overall investment for parents.
Overall, the Capezio Jr. Footlight 550X offers impressive quality, lasting comfort, and versatile functionality, making it a fantastic choice for aspiring dancers.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 4.5/5 | Well-padded, fits snugly with room to grow |
| Durability | 4.7/5 | High-quality materials withstand rigorous use |
| Style | 4.2/5 | Classic character shoe design, limited colors |
| Value for Money | 4.3/5 | Good investment for quality and performance |
User Reviews
Just a heads up for parents, my daughter uses a 2 youth in regular street shoes, I had to buy a 3.5 youth for my daughter. Her feet are a bit wide, we tried the 3 youth and it was very tight and it could've been due to that. The shoes are a bit narrow compared to other brands, which is good for kids with narrow feet.For these types of shoes (character shoes) the youth sizes don't go beyond size 3 or 3.5, but be aware that going to a 4 in women's size will be different because women's sizes run differently than youth's. If they had a size 4 Youth and size 4 Women's, the size 4 Youth style shoe would be bigger. For this reason, when purchasing for a child in a woman's size, I had to go to a 4.5 women's for my daughter (vs a 3.5 in youth).Another thing to keep in mind is that each brand runs differently, we tried a women's 4 in a different brand and it was big for her. My advise to you is that if you buy one size in a particular brand, and it doesn't fit, order up or down from the same brand to find consistency. Otherwise it will be very hard to find a match for your child.
This is the third pair of these I have bought for my daughter. She is very petite so the shoes are perfect for her. They’re quite durable and the only reason I’ve bought new ones is because she outgrew them. The sizes are way off though. She wears a size 13 (US little kids) and the shoes I bought her were a size 2 (US kids).
My 7 yo wears size 2 shoes, this shoes was at least 2 sizes too small.
These shoes were just what I was looking for. My daughter needed a pair of "pump" shoes for a costume/dance contest. I danced for years and usually bought Leo brand shoes but when the Leo's didn't come in white, I decided to go with Capezio. The shoes are comfortable and the heel is not too high. My daughter, who is 8 and does not take lessons, was easily able to dance in these heels. The extra padding in the shoes was a nice surprise since the shoes I remember from when I danced were never padded.I do agree with what some others said about going a size up. My daughter wears between a 12 1/2 and a 1. I measured her foot (and the company does provide a size chart) and decided to go with the 2. They fit like a dream.Great product!
Capezio makes great dance shoes. All my daughter's tap shoes have been Capezio. However, this one for a dance recital was NOT a hit. First, she wears a 12.5 US - she would have needed a 1 or 1.5. It measured like her old 10s. No kidding. The shoe was very narrow and tight across the vamp as well. However, the reason I returned rather than exchanged was that one of the nails on one of the heels was raised rather than flush with the shoe. It was not what I'm used to from Capezio. Otherwise, beautiful shoe - leather.Edit: I wanted to add 2 things: 1) I bought a full size bigger than she normally wears based on another reviewer - so my review is based on based on buying a full size bigger (still too small), and 2) I was charged for the return despite problems with quality and sizing I noted on the return. Therefore, based on the sizing issue and the cost of returns, I would NOT recommend purchasing this shoe from Amazon.
My daughter measured into a size 2. I ordered a 2.5, and it was too small.
After reading lots of reviews we decided to err on the side of caution and just order a size and a half bigger than her street shoe. This was a Mistake! We should’ve order just a size bigger. She has very narrow feet but, she also knows how to describe what her foot feels like in a shoe that is to tight width or length wise...the husband and myself have worked with her on this because we want her to be able to describe what’s going on...not just with a shoe. I don’t normally write reviews with shoes but, after all those that I read and decided to adhere to, I wish I hadn’t. Although, I do appreciate the reviews. I just had to put mine in for someone else to refer to when considering ordering this shoe.We now have to return and she has to deal with a tight shoe for flamenco tomorrow.
I was so pleased to find an offer for the Capezio shoe at a substantial savings - and it was the "right" size for my granddaughter. The shoe was advertised as slightly used, but when it came, it looked brand new. To my great disappointment, however, it was too small for my granddaughter. I saw some reviews that said the shoe runs small, but some others said that it was comparable to street size - so I took a chance. I have had to return the original shoes and order (at a higher price) the next size up. Other than that, the shoe is just what we were looking for.