HIGH HEELS FAQ
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RECOMMENDED BEGINNER SHOE
PLEASER SHOES – Flamingo 1020 – Shiny pleather closed toed boot
This shoe adds ankle stability, covers the entire foot and allows for ease in climbs making it perfect for those new to heels.
SHOE STYLES & MATERIALS
HEEL HEIGHT:
Pleasers Aspire 1020
6 inch – Recommended for those who have issues with their feet, back, knees or hips.
Pleasers Aspire 1020FS
7 inch – Common for beginners – most who start with below 7” end up with 7” anyways, moderate incline.
Pleasers Aspire 1020FSMG
8 inch – Most common for any level (beginners included) – similar to 7” but the incline of the foot is actually less steep.
Pleasers flamingo 1050FSA
9 inch – Popular for advanced – much like stilts, recommended only for advanced students or for those with a background in pointe/ballet, incline is slightly less steep than 8”.
SHOE MATERIAL:
Pleasers flamingo 1020
Shiny Pleather – Easy to climb in, and does not show much wear & tear.
Pleasers Aspire 1020
Matte Pleather – More difficult to climb in, shows moderate wear & tear.
Pleasers xtreme 808
Plastic – Easy to climb in, shows the least wear & tear.
Pleasers flamingo 1050FSA
Suede – Very difficult to climb in. Wear & tear easier as well.
STILETTO vs BOOT:
Pleasers xtreme 808 and Flamingo 1050
Stiletto
Pros – allows freedom of movement in the ankle, keep feet cooler, and are easy to climb in (dependent on material).
Cons – No added ankle stability, toes are not covered.
Boot
Pros – Added ankle stability.
Cons – Can cause issues with climbing (dependent on material), feet tend to sweat.
PEEP TOE vs CLOSED TOE:
Pleasers Adore 1021FS and Flamingo 1050
Open Toe Shoes
Peep toe allows a bit more room but you will need to be sure to tuck your toes under for clacks, drags and drops. The open toe and heel allows the foot to move around more inside the shoe which can make it more difficult for beginners.
Closed Toe Shoes
Closed toe shoes protects your toes and give you more stability.
BOOT HEIGHT:
Flamingo 1023
Ankle – Okay for climbs, but boot tend to cut into ankle a bit.
Flamingo 1050
Low calf – Recommended for beginners. Good for climbing dependent on material and give a little ankle stability.
Flamingo 1050fsa
High/Mid calf – Okay for climbs dependent on material and supports ankle stability.
Flamingo 3063
Over the knee – Okay for climbs but makes bending at the knee difficult and sliding floorwork very difficult. Also makes wearing knee pads difficult if you use them.
NO STRAP vs STRAP
Flamingo 801T and Flamingo 802
No Strap – Easy to get on and take off. No recommended for inversions, rapid tricks or transitions as they are more likely to fly off your feet.
Strap – Keeps the shoes in place and add some support.
PLASTIC vs LEATHER STRAP:
Flamingo 808 and Flamingo 808n
Plastic straps – Will stretch out less easily than pleather straps.
Pleather straps – Can be slightly more comfortable but at the expense of stretching out.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Other materials:
Fringe or ties – Will often get in the way and are not recommended for beginners.
Glitter – Can come off with continued use.
Rhinestones – Can scratch your body or the floor and fall off.
Avoid metal studs, spikes, excess buckles or anything that can scratch the pole.
- A single buckle used to tie the shoes or one thing, but excess buckles or other metal bits can scratch your body, the floor, and the pole.
Protecting your shoes:
You can buy shoe covers to protect your heels from wear and tear, but just be aware that sometimes they are hard to slide with. You can also buy black socks and cut the toe off to create a DIY heel cover.
RECOMMENDED BRANDS
Pleaser Shoes – Go to brand.
Pleasers do not come in ½ sizes. It is better to size up than down. You can always wear socks or add shoe inserts to accommodate the extra space.
Hella Heels – More expensive but are a great quality. They have a soft interior lining which keeps the feet very warm.
CosmoPole Shop – More expensive, looser fit, and different variety of styles.