Bloch Women's Performa Dance Shoe, Sand, 6.5 Review
The Bloch Women's Performa Dance Shoe is a staple among dancers, celebrated for its exceptional comfort and lightweight design. Crafted from super soft stretch canvas, this ballet flat fits snugly against your foot, enhancing your performance on stage.
Founded in Sydney in 1932 by Jacob Bloch, the brand has been at the forefront of technical dance footwear, producing handmade pointe shoes that have graced the feet of many esteemed ballet dancers worldwide. Recently, Bloch has embraced a wave of innovation, melding functionality with modern fashion trends, resulting in street-ready designs that do not compromise on performance.
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Features
- Adheres beautifully to the arch
- Shock-absorbing heel cushioning
- Pre-sewn crossed elastics
- Generous front and rear leather sole pads
- Recommended sizing: Start 2 sizes down from street shoe
Pros
- Incredible comfort for extended wear
- Lightweight and flexible for ease of movement
- Designed for optimal balance and stability
- High-quality materials ensure durability
Cons
- May require sizing adjustments for the best fit
- Not suitable for outdoor use due to leather sole
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Product | Description | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Bloch Women's Performa Dance Shoe | Lightweight stretch canvas with shock-absorbing cushioning | Start 2 sizes down |
| Capezio Daisy Dance Shoe | Leather upper with full sole for support | True to size |
| Sansha Pro 1 Dance Shoe | Soft leather with dual elastic straps | True to size |
Detailed Review
Comfort: The first thing you’ll notice about the Bloch Women's Performa Dance Shoe is how incredibly comfortable it feels from the moment you put it on. The stretchy canvas conforms to your foot shape without being restrictive, making it ideal for rehearsals or classes where you need to be on your feet for long periods.
Performance: These shoes are engineered specifically for ballet dancers. The split sole design allows for greater flexibility and extension, while the shock-absorbing heel cushioning provides support during jumps and landings, minimizing impact.
Durability: Made from 100% fabric with leather sole pads, these shoes are built to last through rigorous training sessions and performances. However, it's essential to keep in mind that the leather sole is not meant for outdoor use, which could affect longevity if worn outside.
Fit and Sizing: One aspect that requires attention is sizing; most users recommend starting two sizes down from your regular street shoe size. This may take some trial and error but ensures the best snug fit for optimal performance.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Exceptional comfort even during long practices. |
| Performance | 8/10 | Great flexibility and support for various movements. |
| Durability | 7/10 | Good quality materials, but careful usage is advised. |
| Fit | 6/10 | Sizing can vary significantly; requires adjustment. |
User Reviews
I am a competitive dancer taking 3 ballet classes every week and these are my favorite ballet shoes ever!!It is very soft and very comfortable and makes your feet look amazing. It is perfect for dance floors and even on carpet!! The fit is very nice and I love the stretchy elastics around the arch instead of the ones with strings that you have to tie.One thing about this product, these shoes run larger than expected. I got them a size smaller than my street shoe size so make sure to order many sizes and try them out!!But these shoes will not slip off your feet and improved my turns a LOT! It has cushioning on the bottom and supports your feet very nicely.I was wearing these shoes while writing this review but it felt so comfortable, they're almost like supportive socks!!! So if you want good ballet shoes, get these NOW!!!
Just get your correct size. My daughter wears an 8.5 In these it was a 7. They are comfortable and easy to wear.
These are my favorite ballet slippers. They're super comfortable, especially the heel and toe pads.They're nicely padded but don't interfere with turning. I don't even feel them under feet.I wear a size 6B street shoe, slightly wide foot, and the 4B fits perfectly. My only complaint is that the elastics are way too tight. I have to remove them and sew on new ones. That's worth it to me because these are the best shoes for me. Just know that if you have a high arch, the elastics may be too tight for you. I wish they didn't come pre-sewn!
I like this shoe a lot. No round elastic channel makes them a bit more comfortable but they feel more traditional than shoes with very elastic panels etc. They look polished and nice. I’m not a huge fan of the fact that the ankle elastic is pre-sewn BUT it hasn’t caused me any pain and I don’t feel a need to rip out the sturdy machine seam to move the elastic only slightly.Okay so fit. I wear a 7 women’s shoe. Since gaining some weight, by high arch foot has been uncomfortable in many shoes and I often size up to an 8 or even an 8.5 just to have less pressure over the top of my foot even if the 8 is too long.I have always found ballet shoes in the equivalent of a 7 a little bit restrictive for spreading my toes. I have tapered greek toes (Morton’s toe), and the ball of my foot is the widest part of my foot. So, wide greek feet. I often feel like I’m either on my big toe only or on my other toes only on relève. I sized up to a 6 instead of a 5 in these because my toes need a lot of room to work!The sizing up may have also saved me from having issues with the pre-sewn elastic given my fat feet. The elastic is just very slightly tighter than I would have sewn it myself.The “canvas” stretches most perpendicular to the lines in the fabric, so diagonally across the top of the foot. I attached a picture showing the fabric for clarity. This material stretches just a little bit in all directions but is not at all some totally stretchy spandex or something. It still feels mostly rigid, but is softer and thinner than many canvas shoes I have had, so I expect they will be a little less durable. The diagonal stretch of the fabric is perfect for giving my toes room to spread.The pleats are not bothersome at all with this thinner fabric. The leather pad on the ball of the foot feels a little farther back than in my Sanshas and Capezios, but this could be because I sized up. In any case, it is in a perfectly fine place.I really like these shoes and find them a nice change from really rigid canvas without feeling or looking like a hybrid shoe. The elastic around the top is more comfortable than raw string elastic as less obviously different than other types. If you want a more modern shoe without a modern look (or if your teacher abhors a hybrid shoe look!) these might be a good buy for you. I find them mostly flattering, although the pre-sewn elastic is a drawback to look and feel. Would be 5 stars if the elastic was not pre-sewn, or even if it had an inch of extra so it could be let out and sewn longer.
I ordered 4 diff ballet slippers to try on (2 Stella's and another Bloch), and this one fit the best: material was soft but sturdy, canvas wasn't too thick, when foot points, the material doesn't bunch out, it bends with the foot. The slit padding did have a slightly slidy traction, but still grippy enough not slide around.I have a slight bunion on one foot so I wanted to find a slipper that didn't feel like it was making it worse. This had good shape with some space for my toes, but wasn't too much excess fabric.SIZE: I went according to the size chart picture they had above the product description. I measured about 9.4" long, so about 38-39 EU size, then according to that EU size on their size chart picture, I went with EU 39, which was a 6 for Bloch. 6wide is good for me (bc bunion).I'll keep this one and return the others.
I’m a street-size 6 (6.5 in boots & athletic shoes), my left foot is about a quarter size larger than my right foot. My feet are on the narrower side, and my toes are “Greek”. I bought multiple sizes to compare in preparation for an adult beginner ballet class.4C: Comfortable width, but too tight in toes4.5B (pictured): Slightly snug in toes of left foot, but otherwise comfortable. Elastic is noticeably snug without being uncomfortable. I’m keeping these because I don’t have time to order another size before my first class, but I will probably end up trying a 5.Also tried Pro Elastic 4C & 4.5B. Both were too tight in the toes with no stretch, but I prefer the smooth elastic used for the straps over the ribbed elastic used in the Performas.
I love these they are very comfy and beautiful. I will get another pair in the ballet pink color. Read the size chart and reviews before you buy and you should be good :)
I LOVE THESE SO MUCH! The quality is great, I would say don’t size up too much though because mine are a bit big on me. The color is beautiful and my arch is pronounced in these. I am able to plie and turn with quickness, have a lot of stability in the shoes, and they don’t hurt my feet at all. It feels like I’m not even really wearing anything on my feet which really helps since ballet is so tiresome on the feet. These are great for beginners such as myself and for dancers who are seasoned and need something simple for practice. 10/10 would buy again!