Capezio Women’s Junior Footlight Character Dance Shoes Review
The Capezio Women’s Junior Footlight Character Dance Shoes are a versatile choice for any dancer looking to enhance their performance. Designed with the serious performer in mind, these shoes cater to various dance styles including theatrical and character performances. With an option to add taps, these shoes promise to deliver both function and flair on stage.
Crafted from a soft PU upper, the shoe’s leather sole is not only durable but also provides excellent traction, making it suitable for different surfaces. The traditional buckle closure allows for a customizable fit, ensuring that your foot stays secure while you dance. The mid-cut heel strikes a perfect balance between elegance and comfort, allowing dancers to perform for extended periods without fatigue.
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Features
- Soft PU upper for comfort
- Scored leather sole for durability
- Lightly padded collar for additional support
- Compatible with Tele Tone toe and Duo Tone heel taps (not attached)
- Moisture absorbent microfiber lining
- Foam padded footbed for cushioning
- Closed toe and sides for a polished look
- Achilles notch enhances comfort
- Smooth folded edge topline for style
- 1.5" plastic heel with scored leather top lift
Pros
- Comfortable and supportive for all-day wear
- Customizable fit with buckle closure
- Durable materials suitable for various dance styles
- Lightweight design reduces foot fatigue
- Stylish appearance suitable for performances
Cons
- Sizes tend to run small; consider ordering half a size up
- No taps included; must be purchased separately
- Initial break-in period may be required
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Capezio Jr. Footlight | Bloch Dance Shoes | Sansha Dance Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Material | Soft PU | Leather | Canvas |
| Sole Type | Leather | Split Sole | Rubber |
| Heel Height | 1.5 inches | 2 inches | 1 inch |
| Buckle Closure | Yes | Yes | No |
| Moisture Wicking | Yes | No | Yes |
Detailed Review
When evaluating the Capezio Women’s Junior Footlight Character Dance Shoes, several factors come into play:
Comfort: One of the standout features of these shoes is the comfort they provide. The lightly padded collar and foam footbed work together to cushion your feet, making long practices or performances less taxing. The moisture-absorbent lining helps keep your feet dry, which is essential during intense sessions.
Fit and Sizing: It’s important to note that these shoes tend to run small, so it's advisable to order half a size up from your regular street shoe size. This adjustment ensures the best fit and prevents discomfort during use.
Durability: Made with high-quality materials, these shoes are built to withstand the rigors of performance and practice. The scored leather sole adds to the shoe's longevity, providing excellent grip and flexibility.
Performance: Whether you're performing in a theater production or a dance recital, these shoes do not disappoint. They enable smooth transitions and contribute to an overall polished appearance. The option to attach taps gives added versatility for those interested in tap dancing, further enhancing their usability.
Overall, the Capezio Women’s Junior Footlight Character Dance Shoes are a solid investment for any dancer seeking comfort, style, and performance in their footwear.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 4.5/5 | Highly comfortable with good cushioning. |
| Fit | 4/5 | Runs small; sizing adjustments recommended. |
| Durability | 4.5/5 | High-quality materials ensure long-lasting use. |
| Performance | 4.5/5 | Excellent for various dance forms, including tap. |
| Value for Money | 4/5 | Good quality for the price, though taps not included. |
User Reviews
After trying and returning three other off-brands of dance/character shoes in an attempt to save a few dollars, I decided I might as well give up and spring for a name brand -- and then I found this style, which was around the same price point as the knockoffs, and is MUCH better quality!I have wide feet and also wear orthotic inserts for absurdly high arches, so I ordered a half size up from what I'd normally wear. The toe box in the Wide width is perfect for my feet, with no squeezing or pressure. For reference, the 10W measures about 3.75" across the widest point of the ball of the foot (3.5" sole, but the leather has some give to it). The flat notch at the back of the heel avoids putting undue pressure on the Achilles tendon. Although the footbed is contoured and would probably be fine for someone with flat feet, there isn't a lot of internal arch support for those of us with higher arches. Fortunately, the sides of the shoes are high enough to accommodate inserts (my orthotics are elevated about 1.2" at the arch and they fit fine in these without showing above the leather upper, as you can see in the photos). The leather soles are scored but still very slick, so if you aren't using these for dance where you need low friction movement, you'll probably want to add some adhesive traction pads.Bonus: They double as attractive business casual/dress shoes, and the low heel makes them comfortable enough for all-day wear. The first time I wore them, someone complimented my cute footwear!
These shoes were comfortable enough to wear for eight hours at work. They are a bit slippery on carpet. As others have said, the leather stretches nicely. If you worry about bunions, these shoes might be good for you because of that stretchiness.I didn't need to break them in. They look Fab. Can wear them in an office setting or out on the town. But are they really leather? Well, they do scuff easily. Must baby these shoes.
Comfortable with a nice heel height could spin easily but without feeling like you were walking on ice the whole night. There was a bit of pressure on the top of the big toe. Chart says that the brand size 10 was equivalent to US size 11 (assuming that is street shoe size 11) my normal street shoe US size is a 10. I ordered a 10.5 brand size which by the chart is equivalent to an 11.5 US size. So the sizing runs very small.
A bit expensive but it fits great. My daughter used it during her performance and it worked out great.
My neck and back are in so much pain after these the inside is made of a really heavy metal which I needed to take out. Insoles won’t help. Cheaply made. Don’t get especially if you are doing cocktails or something for long hours these will only make your body hurt worst my toes and bleeding from these shoes blisters everywhere
If only the length were correct, I'd be thrilled with these shoes. I ordered half a size larger than my usual size. I normally wear 9.5 Narrow and ordered 10 Narrow. The width was perfect in front and back, but on both shoes the top of the toe pressed down on my large toe toenail so that even though I was sitting with no pressure on the shoes, they were uncomfortable and gradually started to hurt. I'm calling that too short. Unfortunately, they don't offer a 10.5 Narrow. Even if they did, the width was perfect in the 10 Narrow, and so I'd assume it would be a little wide in the 10.5 Narrow. I'd be willing to risk it and order it if they had it, but they don't. So...I'm searching for a sandal I can use year round, perhaps having to order a shorter shoe to get the narrow width. Also considering a custom made shoe. The other downside to this shoe is that it is faux leather and not leather. Well, it's inexpensive for a shoe that comes in narrow, so I can't make that a complaint, but as an adult and not a child who will grow out of the shoe, I'd much rather have a leather shoe. If I did, I'd explore stretching the toe box to make enough room to keep them. I really love the fit except for at the toes, and I'm thrilled they come in narrows, but not thrilled that while I consistenly wear 9.5 Narrows in other shoes, even the 10 Narrow is too short and there is no 10.5 Narrow. I'd say get the sizing down. I called the company headquarters about the sizing, but the person on duty after hours really had no idea and tried to read me a script without really answering the question. They need a fit expert on duty or at least to call back on the next business day and also the ability to point the customer to stores near them and stores that carry narrows or other specific product features needed. The person on duty claimed she couldn't search except by single zip codes and referred me to San Francisco though I live in Los Angeles. She told me to go to the nearest store to try on shoes for size, but she couldn't tell me which stores carried narrows. Really, I think the shoes are probably very good dance shoes, but they are inaccessible to me due to sizing issues.
My first pair are the tan ones and words cannot express how much I LOVE THEM! So of course I had to also get the black pair. The level of comfort (wide) is great, the quality is also good. I didn't have to "break them in", I could go dancing all night without issues.I just wish they had easier clasps because sometimes it takes me more time so I just tuck it in. Never had an issue with the shoe flying off my feet. Just a thought.
The shoes came on time. They were bought as "resold" but look like brand new. They were advertised that they run small so I bought a half size larger and they fit great and are comfortable.