Yes, off course this is a verz important question. First of all we would like to tell about the dilemma between shoe size and costs:
Due to the rapid foot growth of children, the purchase of Irish dance shoes within just short time periods is pretty difficult. But simply because of healthy and sanitary reasons we would like to caution against buying your child bigger shoes because you think that the feet will grow fast. This is also valid for beginners who simply don't like to wear narrow shoes in the beginning. Please keep in mind that too big shoes don't offer the necessary and appropriate tightness and stability!
Due to this your child's not-so well trained or still not existing muscles, ligaments, tendons or joints will be stressed enormously. The growth of the feet can also be influenced immensely as well as can be a higher risk of injuries. Possible consequences are irreparable injuries and late damages of the whole carcass. This refers particularly to children.
A neat performance and the right acquisition of dancing steps is hampered enormously through improper and especially not well-fitted shoe material – apart from a fortified abrasion. The whole leg and foot area will try automatically to adjust the bigger size what will result into a bad quality of dancing. Children and beginners might also lose the fun of Irish Dancing then.
That is why Irish dance shoes with a thicker leather sole under the shoe are appropriate at first.
It is essential: As long as the feet still grow you should prefer really tight and narrow shoes with a thick leather sole. For children, previous knowledge of other extreme dancing techniques is not so essential. This is more important for adults.
We have stated our advise for sizes with each relevant shoe model on these pages. You can also find them in the corresponding article descriptions.
Please note that this is not to be seen as a medical advise, as this is not allowed, but just our experience and the one of our manufacturers. Please also ask your children doctor or orthopaedic about this, thank you.
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