Bloch Women's Prolite II Hybrid S0203L, Pink, 4 Medium Review
The Bloch Women's Prolite II Hybrid S0203L is a remarkable ballet shoe designed specifically for dancers who demand both style and functionality. With its striking pink hue and exceptional craftsmanship, this shoe sets a new standard for performance footwear.
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Features
- Exclusive AAA grade leather for superior abrasion resistance
- Pre-sewn cross elastic straps for immediate use and secure snug fit
- Thin cotton drawstring to adjust the upper to your foot perfectly
- Leather split sole with soft canvas arch insert for optimal foot hug when pointing
- Cotton lining and suede insock for added comfort
Pros
- Durable AAA grade leather ensures long-lasting wear
- Pre-sewn straps save time and provide stability
- Adjustable drawstring offers a customized fit
- Soft canvas arch insert enhances flexibility and minimizes wrinkling
Cons
- Sizing can be tricky; recommended to go down 2-2.5 sizes from your street shoe
- Initial break-in period may be required for maximum comfort
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Bloch Prolite II Hybrid | Capezio Daisy Ballet Shoe | Sansha Pro 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | AAA Grade Leather | Canvas | Leather/Suede |
| Elastic Straps | Pre-sewn | Adjustable | Pre-sewn |
| Arch Support | Canvas Insert | No | Yes |
| Sizing Adjustment | Drawstring | None | Elastic |
Detailed Review
When you slip into the Bloch Women's Prolite II Hybrid S0203L, you immediately notice the quality of materials used. The AAA grade leather not only provides excellent durability against wear and tear but also ensures that the shoes maintain their shape over time. This is crucial for dancers who spend hours practicing and performing.
The pre-sewn elastic straps are a game-changer, allowing you to put them on quickly without fussing with loose cords. You can get right to practice without worrying about adjustments mid-session. The thin cotton drawstring offers another layer of customization, enabling you to secure the shoe snugly around your foot's arch, which is vital for both comfort and performance.
The split leather sole, complemented by a soft canvas arch insert, allows for an impressive range of motion while also providing support during pointed positions. It hugs the foot closely, reducing excess wrinkling and ensuring that you look polished as you perform.
Comfort is guaranteed with a plush cotton lining and suede insock, which work together to minimize any discomfort caused by prolonged wear. However, it's important to note that some users recommend starting with a size down from your usual street shoe size—around 2 to 2.5 sizes less—to achieve the best fit possible. Give yourself some time to break these shoes in, as they may feel stiff initially.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | 9/10 | Outstanding resilience due to high-quality materials |
| Comfort | 8/10 | Great once broken in, adjustable fit enhances comfort |
| Fit | 7/10 | Requires careful sizing selection for best results |
| Style | 9/10 | Chic design in a vibrant pink color |
| Value for Money | 8/10 | A worthwhile investment for serious dancers |
User Reviews
I'm new to ballet, and this is my first real pair of slippers. I did a lot of research and asked several people their opinions on which shoes I should choose as a beginner. This brand and model got the most votes (I found that many seasoned dancers even prefer these for their own practice), and I was pleasantly surprised to find them on Amazon for such a reasonable price. The fit is perfect. I'm usually a 9.5 in street shoes, and the 7.5 size suits me very well. I ordered the pink option and the color is gorgeous. It's almost identical to my skin tone, so it looks like I'm dancing barefoot. I'm glad I chose a split-sole model because they feel quite natural, and I really appreciate the pre-attached crossover elastics. I read that many slippers come with straps you sew on yourself to allow for a customized fit, but I'm not yet experienced enough to know what really works or doesn't work for me. I highly recommend these.
Perfect for ballet
I bought these because Ive started with the ballet beautiful program and I needed attire that would fit me after the baby. Besides, I always wanted a pair of black ballet shoes!The Bad:- it's kinda hard to tell which shoe is which. The right and the left look exactly the same. At least to me.- The front of the shoe seems just a little high. Not really a big deal, but I guess it's a question of aesthetics.- The elastic band comes pre attached. Not me, but Im sure the pros would like to measure and sew it in themselves given their difference in arch and other feet criteria.The GOOD!:- I love them! I love the feel and look of the leather without being too shiny.- They look very lean and they mold quite nicely to my feet. There's no weird gap when I go on releve or eleve.- the adjustable elastic is quite long so picking a comfort zone is fairly easy and it doesn't cut into my skin or bother me in any way.- The heel of the shoe is perfect for my feet. (I have a rather large heel which makes it hard to shop for certain shoes.)- The shoe stays on comfortably whether Im wearing tights or not.- The shipping was free with Prime and I got them within 3 days. The packaging was the original and in mint condition.- The canvas insert in the soles is barely noticeable and it's more comfortable for pointing.- Also, it grips the floor just fine when standing and slides easily when needed.Ok, so I'm no ballerina but I've had ballet classes before so I know enough to invest in the right brands and products but not enough to be considered an expert. Ive always been a big fan of Capezio and I have a lot their stuff including jazz shoes, which are almost 9 years old! Since leather it's so easy to keep clean I figured I should give Bloch a chance. The capezios also split soles with a bit of a heel and a Neoprene stretch arch insert that's constantly "pulling" which makes it harder to sustain a second position. Besides, I bought them for a ballet/social dance class which made sense at the time. Also, the top part of the shoe kind of hits me where my foots bends. The Bloch Women's Prolite II Hybrid Ballet Slipper is a much comfortable shoe for ballet and its a much better fit
The leather is very soft and the shoe looks good, hugging the arch nicely. However, I can't keep these because the front of the insole in both shoes is not attached completely and when I point and then flex the insole catches on my toes and ends up folded under my toes in the front of the shoe. I can't dance with the insole like that! Otherwise I really like the shoe so I am going to try a different pair and see if this problem is just in the pair I have.
Make sure you order at least two sizes down from your street shoes. Possibly, even two and a half if your feet are the X-wide- or D width. (Width used to be A, B, C, or D.)Best soft ballet slippers available.
I'm an inexperienced dancer taking an adult beginning ballet course, so my opinion may not be that valuable. However, I ordered based on everyone's reviews, and my slippers are definitely too small. I am usually an 8.5 or 9 street shoe, and I ordered a 6.5. They are very tight on my toe (not just snug). A size 7 or 7.5 may have been a better choice for me, but I don't know. Also, the heel pad is way in towards the arch of my foot. I don't know if this is normal in ballet slippers, but it feels wrong when I'm dancing.However, overall, the quality of the shoes is wonderful (even though I messed up the sizing). They are a wonderful shade of pink, the elastic straps fit just right, and I love the canvas/leather mix- it creates a nice hug of the arch of my foot. The pink on the toe has scuffed after use, but that is understandable.
Big fan of Bloch quality, esp the durable and supple leather, but tough to fit via online purchase if you don't know your size. They recommend you buy 3 sizes smaller than street, which is fine for a dancer who's not growing. We ended up trying 4 different pairs to get the right size for my 13 yo dancer, who wears 7.5/8 street shoe and tends toward narrow. In the end we went with 7A for her, which gives a little room to grow. Remember Bloch is great quality (much better than Sansha,etc IMO, worth the little bit extra for the longer wear) so they don't skimp on materials. The B width was too wide, which is not the case for her in other, cheaper shoe brands. Since Amazon is offering these excellent shoes at such a reasonable price with free returns, I would recommend ordering 3 pairs via guesstimate (why waste the pro shoe shops' time?) and return the two rejects. No hassles.
Love LOVE these!! I’m a size 6 across the board. Sometimes I can do 5.5, but 6.5 is almost always too big. I ordered these in 3.5 regular & they are seriously wonderful. I’m a boudoir photographer & shoot up to 9 hrs in a day. Since I jump on furniture & beds all day, these are PERFECT, as yoga socks were killing my feet. It’s incredible how much more comfortable a ballet shoe can be?! The only not perfect (but understandable) thing is the sole doesn’t stay all the way attached inside after a week, as seen in my 3rd photo. I still love & wear them but sometimes it flaps up and it feels annoying until you adjust it. Other than that, they are holding up really well. I took these photos after wearing them through 50+ photo shoots.