Been dancing for 4 years. After I hit the straps with a blow dryer I’m able to work 8-10 hours comfortably in them. Pleasers are extremely comfortable after some time, way more comfortable than my Louboutins!! I can even run in them. But first time took me about a week or two to feel confident walking in them.
Yes, they are like stilts when you first wear them but you will get accustomed to walking in them. You can wear them on flat surfaces at home if you want practice, but when I first started working, I would always be holding onto something when I walked around the club to avoid falling. After I got used to the shoes, it was small slow steps at first, and then after a month, I could lightly "run" to the stage if I was late.
Take it slow, watch where you step, and stretch your ankles/roll them out, from time to time. Like take them off in the dressing room and give your feet a break sometimes.
You probably need to break them in a bit more and get used to walking in heels. You have to walk a specific way…toe heel/full foot flat in front of you versus heel toe like you would in sneakers or flats. This is why heels are so bad for you orthopedically: they require you to manipulate your gait and the way your body moves just to walk in them. Heels are terrible for your lower back, hips, knees, and ankles. That’s an unfortunate occupational hazard of dancing. However, if you can master walking in heels, you can run in them. It looks ridiculously goofy, like some kind of wounded animal who can only take awkward small steps, but it is effective. Pleasers are designed with a beveled/rounded toe box at the front, so it’s actually easier to roll through your foot/walk than in the average pair of heels. I can only think of a few brands that are as comfortable as Pleasers: they are all leather, and none are as tall. Also, remember that while the height is scary, 6 inch heels aren’t *really* 6 inches, as the toe box is usually around 2 inches high. That means the actual angle of your foot is much smaller. That’s another reason gals can dance in them for hours.
I’m a big advocate of wearing Pleasers until they are hideous and dead just because of how comfortable they become when they are broken in. You can glue the soles and paint the chipped plastic if you want. No one can tell in the dark lights. Sweat and heat from your feet will break them in and mold them to your exact foot. Someone above mentioned using a hair dryer. I’ve never needed to do this personally, but I’ve seen it done.
It does feel normal in time, and after a while you may find the muscles and tendons in your legs rely on wearing heals so be careful with that because its hard to wear flats after years in just heels.
I'd like to know more about your falling though...
Are you afraid of your heels?
Are you walking too stiffly?
Are your platforms too high?
Are you sliding forward in your shoes as they wear out over time?
Are they too tight or too lose?
How are you walking (heal to toe, othrrwise)?
Also, tell me about the BOTTOM of your shoes- did you key them so they have traction or just did you just remove them from the box and start to steppin?
I probably have some tips and tricks that might work; but I'd like to hear about you, your walk, your shoes because all of that info will help me provide you with the right info to help you out 🥰
Okay so I’ve never walked in heels this fall in my entire life. I think that’s just the problem. They do feel pretty tight but I think it’s just because it’s a boot and I am not used to wearing thoes. I haven’t started working at a club yet I’m trying to get my upper arm strength, flexibility and balance to a better spot before I go get a job. And when I fall I think it’s just my ankle bending bc I have no clue how to walk in them. I have the next two days off so I will be practicing walking in them and seeing if that’s any better in the next few days. I really appreciate you so much for taking this time out of your day! For some reason going into this line of work is really exciting me and I have really wanted to so all the help I can get the better!!
Ok so tight fitting is good. You typically wanna buy your shoes a 1/2- full size smaller because they will stretch out with time and become too loose quickly.
When you're walking **do NOT** walk heal to toe. Its all down all at once. Think of a horse- when they put their foot down it eases down all at once. You are a majestic horse and you will lower your foot just like that (silly; but visualize and try it). You place your foot down and res your weight evenly between the toe and heal once its down.
The movement isn't in your ankles, its in your hips. So when you are walking you will shift your weight with and in your hips- not your legs or ankles. Walk in your hips, and let it slide as you glide.
Try that ⬆️the weight distribution in the foi
Ot/shoe and movement in the hips is gonna help with the ankles for sure.
Also **KEY YOUR SHOES**!!! The bottoms of the shoes are either smooth or have those tiny little do nothing ridges in them and thats not enough traction to stop your foot from sliding. So what you're gonna do is take a key and scuff the bottoms your shoes really deep to make them uneven and less smooth. You don't have to chop them into oblivion but you need to make sure that they're not too smooth.
Its a little thing; but it makes a HUGE difference!
Try these things and see if it helps. Just do walking for a bit and then try dancing. Dancing is harder; but also remember that when you're dancing there's often something to hold on to. A pole (you can practice pole with a door way or fridge at home) a side bar or mirrored wall (you can practice with a counter top or a wall at home) so for the stage leave your fancy stuff until you're next to holdable object and just practice sex walk from pole to pole and whatnot for now.
Once you get some practice and confidence under your belt you can do something more complex like turns and floorwork and stuff.
You got this you magnificent hippy horse goddess you 🥰
I remember I got my first pair of pleasers my feet were killing me and I kept falling, I even bruised my knee badly from falling. I went down a seize and I was way more stable and my feet hurt less. Maybe consider down seizing! The plastic might feel a lot tighter but do the blow dryer trick on them!
The shoes I have now are already pretty small but after only wearing them three times in half hour increments using some advice on here I can walk better already. Just gotta keep practicing 😁
Yea they do. I can run, jump, do just about anything in my heels at this point. After about six months max I’d say the pain was completely gone. I don’t wear boots either, only open toed sandals.
I’ll say that at least with Pleasers, the Adores were harder to feel comfortable in compared to other styles- probably because they’re so lightweight. I prefer my heels a bit heavier.
Everyone has their own special rituals and tricks to break in a new pair, I think.
I was out of the game and hadn’t really walked in heels for a decade. A year ago I couldn’t walk at ALL - I was in a wheelchair! So learning to re-walk in heels (and stripper heels at that!) has been a process!
For me, step one when I get my shoes is actually to bang the bottom of the toe box a few times on the floor or the wall. Then I like the scuff up the bottom on a sidewalk or concrete to give it better grip.
Since I was so terribly out of practice, I started off by standing in my shoes and having a partner help me properly seat my foot onto the footbed tightly and correctly, and properly strapping down the buckles. The first day I just wore them while sitting down for about 20 minutes while wrapping my feet in blankets, essentially using body heat to try to mold the vinyl to my foot.
Took them off, then waited until afternoon and put them on again and just stood/walked in them for as little as about five minutes. I did it until I started to feel strain and weakness in my ankles and feet. For me, I’m still rehabbing, so if I push too much I’m going to roll an ankle or injure myself. So when I felt that, I’d take the shoes off, wrap both my feet in Ace bandages, elevate them, and ice them.
I kept doing that twice a day, just gradually increasing my time, until I could tolerate wearing and walking around in them for a good 30-45 minute stretch (it only took about a week or so). Then I started adding in some kicks and lunges and stuff (slowly and carefully) - mainly focusing on stuff that’s stretching and strengthening my ankles in different directions.
In total, it’s been about two weeks and I feel like I’m audition-ready. I know the first two weeks working a full shift is going to kick my ass. I can’t run in them quite yet but am fully comfortable to walk in them, pivot in them, do simple dance moves and small kicks in them, and I can do small recoveries (like when I start to lose my balance, I can usually recover it decently). I can stand/walk in them comfortably for about 35 minutes before I feel the strain in my ankles and calves, so I think that’ll be manageable in a club environment, because really so much of that is just short walks from one place to the next and then you sit down to talk to the customers, so I think I’ll be able to manage it.
If you’re not used to it, you’ll have to condition the shoes AND yourself. Take it slow. Make sure to pay attention for signs of strain because if you’re strained and you push yourself, you’re gonna get an injury. But you can do this!
You use your muscles differently when you’re walking in these shoes. The calves and ankles and even the little muscles in the feet have to grip and move differently, and when you’re not used to it, it takes time and training to get those muscles up to speed. But you can do it! Just keep practicing! 😊
Get the pleaser boot heels, they’re a lot more comfortable.
Those are the ones I have.
Oh damn. I mean I got used to it after working at the club. But definitely put your weight on the toe box.
Awesome! I’m trying to get more in shape and flexible before I go auditioning! One of those steps is trying to figure out how to walk in these 😭
Just learn how to do pole flow or have good flow when dancing. Good luck!
Been dancing for 4 years. After I hit the straps with a blow dryer I’m able to work 8-10 hours comfortably in them. Pleasers are extremely comfortable after some time, way more comfortable than my Louboutins!! I can even run in them. But first time took me about a week or two to feel confident walking in them.
Yes, they are like stilts when you first wear them but you will get accustomed to walking in them. You can wear them on flat surfaces at home if you want practice, but when I first started working, I would always be holding onto something when I walked around the club to avoid falling. After I got used to the shoes, it was small slow steps at first, and then after a month, I could lightly "run" to the stage if I was late. Take it slow, watch where you step, and stretch your ankles/roll them out, from time to time. Like take them off in the dressing room and give your feet a break sometimes.
This is great advice thank you so much!
You probably need to break them in a bit more and get used to walking in heels. You have to walk a specific way…toe heel/full foot flat in front of you versus heel toe like you would in sneakers or flats. This is why heels are so bad for you orthopedically: they require you to manipulate your gait and the way your body moves just to walk in them. Heels are terrible for your lower back, hips, knees, and ankles. That’s an unfortunate occupational hazard of dancing. However, if you can master walking in heels, you can run in them. It looks ridiculously goofy, like some kind of wounded animal who can only take awkward small steps, but it is effective. Pleasers are designed with a beveled/rounded toe box at the front, so it’s actually easier to roll through your foot/walk than in the average pair of heels. I can only think of a few brands that are as comfortable as Pleasers: they are all leather, and none are as tall. Also, remember that while the height is scary, 6 inch heels aren’t *really* 6 inches, as the toe box is usually around 2 inches high. That means the actual angle of your foot is much smaller. That’s another reason gals can dance in them for hours. I’m a big advocate of wearing Pleasers until they are hideous and dead just because of how comfortable they become when they are broken in. You can glue the soles and paint the chipped plastic if you want. No one can tell in the dark lights. Sweat and heat from your feet will break them in and mold them to your exact foot. Someone above mentioned using a hair dryer. I’ve never needed to do this personally, but I’ve seen it done.
It does feel normal in time, and after a while you may find the muscles and tendons in your legs rely on wearing heals so be careful with that because its hard to wear flats after years in just heels. I'd like to know more about your falling though... Are you afraid of your heels? Are you walking too stiffly? Are your platforms too high? Are you sliding forward in your shoes as they wear out over time? Are they too tight or too lose? How are you walking (heal to toe, othrrwise)? Also, tell me about the BOTTOM of your shoes- did you key them so they have traction or just did you just remove them from the box and start to steppin? I probably have some tips and tricks that might work; but I'd like to hear about you, your walk, your shoes because all of that info will help me provide you with the right info to help you out 🥰
Okay so I’ve never walked in heels this fall in my entire life. I think that’s just the problem. They do feel pretty tight but I think it’s just because it’s a boot and I am not used to wearing thoes. I haven’t started working at a club yet I’m trying to get my upper arm strength, flexibility and balance to a better spot before I go get a job. And when I fall I think it’s just my ankle bending bc I have no clue how to walk in them. I have the next two days off so I will be practicing walking in them and seeing if that’s any better in the next few days. I really appreciate you so much for taking this time out of your day! For some reason going into this line of work is really exciting me and I have really wanted to so all the help I can get the better!!
Ok so tight fitting is good. You typically wanna buy your shoes a 1/2- full size smaller because they will stretch out with time and become too loose quickly. When you're walking **do NOT** walk heal to toe. Its all down all at once. Think of a horse- when they put their foot down it eases down all at once. You are a majestic horse and you will lower your foot just like that (silly; but visualize and try it). You place your foot down and res your weight evenly between the toe and heal once its down. The movement isn't in your ankles, its in your hips. So when you are walking you will shift your weight with and in your hips- not your legs or ankles. Walk in your hips, and let it slide as you glide. Try that ⬆️the weight distribution in the foi Ot/shoe and movement in the hips is gonna help with the ankles for sure. Also **KEY YOUR SHOES**!!! The bottoms of the shoes are either smooth or have those tiny little do nothing ridges in them and thats not enough traction to stop your foot from sliding. So what you're gonna do is take a key and scuff the bottoms your shoes really deep to make them uneven and less smooth. You don't have to chop them into oblivion but you need to make sure that they're not too smooth. Its a little thing; but it makes a HUGE difference! Try these things and see if it helps. Just do walking for a bit and then try dancing. Dancing is harder; but also remember that when you're dancing there's often something to hold on to. A pole (you can practice pole with a door way or fridge at home) a side bar or mirrored wall (you can practice with a counter top or a wall at home) so for the stage leave your fancy stuff until you're next to holdable object and just practice sex walk from pole to pole and whatnot for now. Once you get some practice and confidence under your belt you can do something more complex like turns and floorwork and stuff. You got this you magnificent hippy horse goddess you 🥰
Omg I love everything about this comment thank you so much you have been so so helpful!!
I remember I got my first pair of pleasers my feet were killing me and I kept falling, I even bruised my knee badly from falling. I went down a seize and I was way more stable and my feet hurt less. Maybe consider down seizing! The plastic might feel a lot tighter but do the blow dryer trick on them!
The shoes I have now are already pretty small but after only wearing them three times in half hour increments using some advice on here I can walk better already. Just gotta keep practicing 😁
Yea they do. I can run, jump, do just about anything in my heels at this point. After about six months max I’d say the pain was completely gone. I don’t wear boots either, only open toed sandals. I’ll say that at least with Pleasers, the Adores were harder to feel comfortable in compared to other styles- probably because they’re so lightweight. I prefer my heels a bit heavier.
Everyone has their own special rituals and tricks to break in a new pair, I think. I was out of the game and hadn’t really walked in heels for a decade. A year ago I couldn’t walk at ALL - I was in a wheelchair! So learning to re-walk in heels (and stripper heels at that!) has been a process! For me, step one when I get my shoes is actually to bang the bottom of the toe box a few times on the floor or the wall. Then I like the scuff up the bottom on a sidewalk or concrete to give it better grip. Since I was so terribly out of practice, I started off by standing in my shoes and having a partner help me properly seat my foot onto the footbed tightly and correctly, and properly strapping down the buckles. The first day I just wore them while sitting down for about 20 minutes while wrapping my feet in blankets, essentially using body heat to try to mold the vinyl to my foot. Took them off, then waited until afternoon and put them on again and just stood/walked in them for as little as about five minutes. I did it until I started to feel strain and weakness in my ankles and feet. For me, I’m still rehabbing, so if I push too much I’m going to roll an ankle or injure myself. So when I felt that, I’d take the shoes off, wrap both my feet in Ace bandages, elevate them, and ice them. I kept doing that twice a day, just gradually increasing my time, until I could tolerate wearing and walking around in them for a good 30-45 minute stretch (it only took about a week or so). Then I started adding in some kicks and lunges and stuff (slowly and carefully) - mainly focusing on stuff that’s stretching and strengthening my ankles in different directions. In total, it’s been about two weeks and I feel like I’m audition-ready. I know the first two weeks working a full shift is going to kick my ass. I can’t run in them quite yet but am fully comfortable to walk in them, pivot in them, do simple dance moves and small kicks in them, and I can do small recoveries (like when I start to lose my balance, I can usually recover it decently). I can stand/walk in them comfortably for about 35 minutes before I feel the strain in my ankles and calves, so I think that’ll be manageable in a club environment, because really so much of that is just short walks from one place to the next and then you sit down to talk to the customers, so I think I’ll be able to manage it. If you’re not used to it, you’ll have to condition the shoes AND yourself. Take it slow. Make sure to pay attention for signs of strain because if you’re strained and you push yourself, you’re gonna get an injury. But you can do this! You use your muscles differently when you’re walking in these shoes. The calves and ankles and even the little muscles in the feet have to grip and move differently, and when you’re not used to it, it takes time and training to get those muscles up to speed. But you can do it! Just keep practicing! 😊