Inishfree - Aoife Pomp - Best Buy 4.5/5
Price: £33 - £40
Since having some issues with sizing and quality in another brand we have had a great deal of feedback from shops and dancers that lead us to believe that the Aoife may be one of the most popular pumps on the market at the moment and it is being used by many dancers.
First look: the first thing you notice is the paper flyer in the bag giving you information about the shoe and lacing, good idea. Taking them out of the packet, the next thing you notice is how soft the pomps are. Large Poron front pad, and thick single stitched sole. Toe is small, not a small as the Hullachan but close. The factory is a little bit over zealous with the glue, but it can be pulled off easily if it annoys you and doesn't affect the performance. The stitching is fine and less obvious than some makes, the test will be longevity, but we are not worried at this stage.
First Use: The shoes are instantly comfortable, and should be pulled up at the heel once the front has been laced and before being tied off to keep the fit round the heel. Due to the soft leather the shoes are 'instantly' wearable and do not need breaking in. This makes them ideal for last minute or feis purchases.
Toe shape is good, however if you or your child pronates or supernates then remember the softer leather will roll more when worn. The laces are a bit thin for our tastes but many dancers prefer this.
After an hour of practice these shoes were takin into a feis the next day and worn all day without any issues. The comfort and arch support was stated as being better than the hullachans, and easier to dance in. This was surprising given the Hullachan's obvious design strengths, but we think so far this is due to the leather being more supple for the dancer. This has been re-iterated elsewhere by other dancers.
Sizing so far is approx 1/2 size above regular shoe size.
Ongoing Use: One month on and these are going strong, a little stretch, but moulding to the feet well. Suede is still visible on the soles and comes up fine with a suede brush and stitching is still in tact. We bought another set half a size down and actually the correct shoe size (street shoes and pumps the same size for the first time). At this time the Aoifes are here to stay and a few other colleagues have decided to try them as well with good results.
Long Term Use: TBA
Verdict (initial): Best Buy - Buy them and save a few pounds/euros/dollars over some more expensive makes. 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality 4/5
Availability 3.5/5
Longevity Unknown
For: Price
Shape
Softness/comfort - able to wear without breaking in.
Support
Varied fittings available
Against: Nothing yet
Website: Click here
Since having some issues with sizing and quality in another brand we have had a great deal of feedback from shops and dancers that lead us to believe that the Aoife may be one of the most popular pumps on the market at the moment and it is being used by many dancers.
First look: the first thing you notice is the paper flyer in the bag giving you information about the shoe and lacing, good idea. Taking them out of the packet, the next thing you notice is how soft the pomps are. Large Poron front pad, and thick single stitched sole. Toe is small, not a small as the Hullachan but close. The factory is a little bit over zealous with the glue, but it can be pulled off easily if it annoys you and doesn't affect the performance. The stitching is fine and less obvious than some makes, the test will be longevity, but we are not worried at this stage.
First Use: The shoes are instantly comfortable, and should be pulled up at the heel once the front has been laced and before being tied off to keep the fit round the heel. Due to the soft leather the shoes are 'instantly' wearable and do not need breaking in. This makes them ideal for last minute or feis purchases.
Toe shape is good, however if you or your child pronates or supernates then remember the softer leather will roll more when worn. The laces are a bit thin for our tastes but many dancers prefer this.
After an hour of practice these shoes were takin into a feis the next day and worn all day without any issues. The comfort and arch support was stated as being better than the hullachans, and easier to dance in. This was surprising given the Hullachan's obvious design strengths, but we think so far this is due to the leather being more supple for the dancer. This has been re-iterated elsewhere by other dancers.
Sizing so far is approx 1/2 size above regular shoe size.
Ongoing Use: One month on and these are going strong, a little stretch, but moulding to the feet well. Suede is still visible on the soles and comes up fine with a suede brush and stitching is still in tact. We bought another set half a size down and actually the correct shoe size (street shoes and pumps the same size for the first time). At this time the Aoifes are here to stay and a few other colleagues have decided to try them as well with good results.
Long Term Use: TBA
Verdict (initial): Best Buy - Buy them and save a few pounds/euros/dollars over some more expensive makes. 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality 4/5
Availability 3.5/5
Longevity Unknown
For: Price
Shape
Softness/comfort - able to wear without breaking in.
Support
Varied fittings available
Against: Nothing yet
Website: Click here
Hullachan 2 - Good 3/5
Price: £38 - £55
The Hullachan 2 is the most expensive pump available on the market and created a buzz when released. It would be interesting to see how they compare against the new Corr's Champion split-sole which looks both innovative and interesting. There is a white soled version but we have been unable to find a pair to date.
First Look: The Hullachan 2 differs from the Hullachan AP Pro which is very popular in a couple of ways. Instead of two sewn panels at either side of the arch, the shape is created by a strengthened stitched 'seam' which seems firmer and looks likely to last longer than the other type. The suede sole is longer, more of a tennis racket shape than the previous tear drop. In theory this will give extended arch support but logically it will also stiffen the arch making it harder to point the toes down.
Inside there is more Poron padding in the tennis shaped ball to arch protector and the heel protector.
Hullachans are unusual and usefull in the fact that they come in 3 sizes colour coded by the insole Green = Narrow, Grey = Medium, Blue = Wide.
First Use: Read the lacing instructions on the website www.hullachan.com or watch the video first as Hullcahans lace up differently to any other shoe (the new Corr's look like they have a similar option). Pulling up on the heel sets the shoe properly on the foot and then you pull up on the sides confirming the fit. Craig Coussins of Hullachan designed the shoes so that dancers don't wrap the laces round the arch, and they should be used that way, although I know several dancers who can't get beyond the lacing round the foot.
The shoes like all new pumps are slightly stiff to wear but hug the toes well and look good with the lacing giving the foot a 'slim' and formed look. It is however easier to go up on the toes than some of the leather style shoes. The suede pads grip the matting or wooden floor well and we think all manufacturers should consider a suede frontpiece but accept this isn't going to happen due to cost.
Ongoing Use: The Hullachans settle down really well, you should probably mark the left and right with marker pen on the Poron insoles, and after a week we would say they are broken in. They are a joy to dance in and hug the feet well and there is a certain pride in having the 'top end' of dancing shoes. The arch support is great, and yes we do lace under the foot, sorry Craig, and have learnt that too tight a wrap around can cause cramps and muscle pain so we do see where he was coming from.
Another interesting couple of points is that the laces don't really seem to wear so replacements are almost unecessary, and the leather polishes up well with cream or polish. One piece of aftercare not given by the Hullachan site is that if you brush the underside with a suede brush avoiding the stitching then the suede stays nice and 'fluffy' retaining it's grip.
We do recommend waxing the stitching with the beeswax stick Hullachan sells for £3 as it makes the stitching last longer but in all honesty probably recommend this in all stitches shoes not just your Hullachans
The Competition: We reckon that back in 2010 the choice of many dancers was the Hullachan AP Pro which was a few pound cheaper, however many dancers are now choosing the Insihfree Aoife pump both on cost, suppleness and build quality.
Enjoy, we will be interested to see if Corr's can challenge the current 'best of breed'
Verdict: 3.5/5 - were Best Buy in 2009/2010
Price: 2.5/5
Quality 3/5
Availability 2/5
Longevity 3/5
For: Design
Support
Varied fittings available
Longevity
Against: Price
Inconsistent sizing means this shoe needs to be tried on and should not be internet or mail ordered as you will have to pay postage if they are wrong.
Can be hard to find in stock
Note: Throughout the back end of 2010 and all of 2011 we have had issues with the sizing of the Hullachan shoes. This is extremely disappointing and the AP Pro has been downgraded for several reasons.
Craig - Pull your finger out!!!! It's a shame to see a decent shoe go downhill, but if you want top dollar for your shoes you need to deliver, and in 2011 you ain't.
The Hullachan 2 is the most expensive pump available on the market and created a buzz when released. It would be interesting to see how they compare against the new Corr's Champion split-sole which looks both innovative and interesting. There is a white soled version but we have been unable to find a pair to date.
First Look: The Hullachan 2 differs from the Hullachan AP Pro which is very popular in a couple of ways. Instead of two sewn panels at either side of the arch, the shape is created by a strengthened stitched 'seam' which seems firmer and looks likely to last longer than the other type. The suede sole is longer, more of a tennis racket shape than the previous tear drop. In theory this will give extended arch support but logically it will also stiffen the arch making it harder to point the toes down.
Inside there is more Poron padding in the tennis shaped ball to arch protector and the heel protector.
Hullachans are unusual and usefull in the fact that they come in 3 sizes colour coded by the insole Green = Narrow, Grey = Medium, Blue = Wide.
First Use: Read the lacing instructions on the website www.hullachan.com or watch the video first as Hullcahans lace up differently to any other shoe (the new Corr's look like they have a similar option). Pulling up on the heel sets the shoe properly on the foot and then you pull up on the sides confirming the fit. Craig Coussins of Hullachan designed the shoes so that dancers don't wrap the laces round the arch, and they should be used that way, although I know several dancers who can't get beyond the lacing round the foot.
The shoes like all new pumps are slightly stiff to wear but hug the toes well and look good with the lacing giving the foot a 'slim' and formed look. It is however easier to go up on the toes than some of the leather style shoes. The suede pads grip the matting or wooden floor well and we think all manufacturers should consider a suede frontpiece but accept this isn't going to happen due to cost.
Ongoing Use: The Hullachans settle down really well, you should probably mark the left and right with marker pen on the Poron insoles, and after a week we would say they are broken in. They are a joy to dance in and hug the feet well and there is a certain pride in having the 'top end' of dancing shoes. The arch support is great, and yes we do lace under the foot, sorry Craig, and have learnt that too tight a wrap around can cause cramps and muscle pain so we do see where he was coming from.
Another interesting couple of points is that the laces don't really seem to wear so replacements are almost unecessary, and the leather polishes up well with cream or polish. One piece of aftercare not given by the Hullachan site is that if you brush the underside with a suede brush avoiding the stitching then the suede stays nice and 'fluffy' retaining it's grip.
We do recommend waxing the stitching with the beeswax stick Hullachan sells for £3 as it makes the stitching last longer but in all honesty probably recommend this in all stitches shoes not just your Hullachans
The Competition: We reckon that back in 2010 the choice of many dancers was the Hullachan AP Pro which was a few pound cheaper, however many dancers are now choosing the Insihfree Aoife pump both on cost, suppleness and build quality.
Enjoy, we will be interested to see if Corr's can challenge the current 'best of breed'
Verdict: 3.5/5 - were Best Buy in 2009/2010
Price: 2.5/5
Quality 3/5
Availability 2/5
Longevity 3/5
For: Design
Support
Varied fittings available
Longevity
Against: Price
Inconsistent sizing means this shoe needs to be tried on and should not be internet or mail ordered as you will have to pay postage if they are wrong.
Can be hard to find in stock
Note: Throughout the back end of 2010 and all of 2011 we have had issues with the sizing of the Hullachan shoes. This is extremely disappointing and the AP Pro has been downgraded for several reasons.
Craig - Pull your finger out!!!! It's a shame to see a decent shoe go downhill, but if you want top dollar for your shoes you need to deliver, and in 2011 you ain't.
Hullachan AP Pro - Below average 2/5
Price: £38 - £50
The Hullachan AP Pro has probably become more popular than it's 2nd iteration the Hullachan 2, probably because it is more widely available and offers a 'more comfortable' arch support (dancers comments) In the past we have had difficulty finding reasons not to like hullachans even if it made our wallets quiver.
First Look: The Hullachans come in standard poly bag, with no instructions for lacing, so look at the website if you need to find out how. The leather is and has always been quality and slightly thicker than some shoes but is also built to last. The toe is nicely shaped being smaller than some shoes, and good quality laces are provided that never seem to wear out. You can see the arch support and inside is the Poron padding. Good thick soles, double stitched with suede pad.
Note: the Poron padding is colour coded Green = Narrow, Grey = Medium, Blue = Wide, this also makes Hullachan the only supplier to cater for narrow feet.
First Use: As with the Hullachan 2, the AP Pro needs to be broken in and will take about a week. The suede soles grip well, the toe is a great shape, and the shoes hold well if pulled up properly at the back............................dancers you keep concentrating on the front of the shoe (not just Hullachan) and not pulling the back up properly. This is the reason your shoes fall off!!!!!!!!............................As mentioned the shoes need broken in, and you can feel the support in the arch from day one. Padding works well and they are good to dance in.
Ongoing use: When we started using the AP Pro, the suede sole retained it's nap for a good while, and careful use of a suede brush teased a few areas back to life without damaging the stitching. Below is a picture of the pumps 3 months later, and you can see the suede is all but gone, and the stitching worn through. Using Craig's advice (Hullachan) we do wax the stitching but admit this wasn't every day. Our first pair lasted 6 months, this set 3 months and is the first where the sole came away. A friend bought a set and her daughter danced one feis (8 dances) and the suede was gone almost completely smacking of quality issues.
Anyway the shoes dance well once broken in and do not stretch as much as other makes.
Long Term use: Sorry Craig, but at the moment there isn't such a thing as the shoes no longer last that long. Gone are the days of a set lasting 6 months to a year. One thing noticed in recent pairs is the 'compacting' of the leather making the sole stiff. You can eke them out longer as the soles will glue well for a few months.
Note: You will understand we were once a fan of the Hullachans and prepared to spend the extra money, but with those who have tested and bought in the last year, this is no longer the case. SIZING is a MAJOR issue. we have had a size 4 that did not fit a size 3 child, two pairs, a size 4 that was bigger than a 4.5 but would not fit a child with size 4 feet, a size 5.5 (3 pairs tried) that wouldn't fit a size 4.5 child and when the size 6 was tried you could get your finger down the back of it. Then add the last pair lasting 3 months and the pair last week which 'smotthed' in one day and I think we have a quality issue.
Don't buy unless you try first.
The competition: From many sources, dancers, suppliers and other feedback has to be the Inishfree Aoife pump.
Verdict: Average if you can find one that fits. 2/5
Price: 2/5
Quality 2/5
Availability 4/5
Longevity 2/5
For: Design
Shape
Support
Varied fittings available
Against: Price
Inconsistent sizing means this shoe needs to be tried on and should not be internet or mail ordered as you will have to pay postage if they are wrong.
Quality of the suede sole
The Hullachan AP Pro has probably become more popular than it's 2nd iteration the Hullachan 2, probably because it is more widely available and offers a 'more comfortable' arch support (dancers comments) In the past we have had difficulty finding reasons not to like hullachans even if it made our wallets quiver.
First Look: The Hullachans come in standard poly bag, with no instructions for lacing, so look at the website if you need to find out how. The leather is and has always been quality and slightly thicker than some shoes but is also built to last. The toe is nicely shaped being smaller than some shoes, and good quality laces are provided that never seem to wear out. You can see the arch support and inside is the Poron padding. Good thick soles, double stitched with suede pad.
Note: the Poron padding is colour coded Green = Narrow, Grey = Medium, Blue = Wide, this also makes Hullachan the only supplier to cater for narrow feet.
First Use: As with the Hullachan 2, the AP Pro needs to be broken in and will take about a week. The suede soles grip well, the toe is a great shape, and the shoes hold well if pulled up properly at the back............................dancers you keep concentrating on the front of the shoe (not just Hullachan) and not pulling the back up properly. This is the reason your shoes fall off!!!!!!!!............................As mentioned the shoes need broken in, and you can feel the support in the arch from day one. Padding works well and they are good to dance in.
Ongoing use: When we started using the AP Pro, the suede sole retained it's nap for a good while, and careful use of a suede brush teased a few areas back to life without damaging the stitching. Below is a picture of the pumps 3 months later, and you can see the suede is all but gone, and the stitching worn through. Using Craig's advice (Hullachan) we do wax the stitching but admit this wasn't every day. Our first pair lasted 6 months, this set 3 months and is the first where the sole came away. A friend bought a set and her daughter danced one feis (8 dances) and the suede was gone almost completely smacking of quality issues.
Anyway the shoes dance well once broken in and do not stretch as much as other makes.
Long Term use: Sorry Craig, but at the moment there isn't such a thing as the shoes no longer last that long. Gone are the days of a set lasting 6 months to a year. One thing noticed in recent pairs is the 'compacting' of the leather making the sole stiff. You can eke them out longer as the soles will glue well for a few months.
Note: You will understand we were once a fan of the Hullachans and prepared to spend the extra money, but with those who have tested and bought in the last year, this is no longer the case. SIZING is a MAJOR issue. we have had a size 4 that did not fit a size 3 child, two pairs, a size 4 that was bigger than a 4.5 but would not fit a child with size 4 feet, a size 5.5 (3 pairs tried) that wouldn't fit a size 4.5 child and when the size 6 was tried you could get your finger down the back of it. Then add the last pair lasting 3 months and the pair last week which 'smotthed' in one day and I think we have a quality issue.
Don't buy unless you try first.
The competition: From many sources, dancers, suppliers and other feedback has to be the Inishfree Aoife pump.
Verdict: Average if you can find one that fits. 2/5
Price: 2/5
Quality 2/5
Availability 4/5
Longevity 2/5
For: Design
Shape
Support
Varied fittings available
Against: Price
Inconsistent sizing means this shoe needs to be tried on and should not be internet or mail ordered as you will have to pay postage if they are wrong.
Quality of the suede sole
Hullachan AP Pro - 3 months on
See the comments above. These shoes are danceable but only for practice.
Celtic Creations Arch Support Pomp - Marmite 3/5
Price £21 - £25
Celtic Creations have come up with an innovative take on the pump similar to the 'belfast panther' jig shoes, and it looks good.
The shoes have a star shaped cutaway in the arch which is filled with neoprene, a stretchy rubberised fabric that also provides support. Fitting is standard eyelets and loops found in many entry to mid level shoes and works well. The shoes are really comfortable and have Poron type padding in the toe. The toes is well built with no creases as you sometimes get on shoes of the same cost and the finish is good.
Dancing in the shoes is really easy from the first moment and they need little breaking in. Some dancers will find they take a little getting used to.
Because of the reduced 'stiffness' the shoes do not last as long as some of the other more costly shoes on the market but in the case of the Hullachans for example you can buy two of these per one set of Hullachans. That said we would probably not recommend these shoes for an entry level dancer as they do not have the built in support less experienced dancers require. Maybe take a look at the Reel Comforts or Hullachan instead.
Verdict: Good for experienced dancers with arch strength at the price, a bit like Marmite, you'll love them or hate them
Celtic Creations have come up with an innovative take on the pump similar to the 'belfast panther' jig shoes, and it looks good.
The shoes have a star shaped cutaway in the arch which is filled with neoprene, a stretchy rubberised fabric that also provides support. Fitting is standard eyelets and loops found in many entry to mid level shoes and works well. The shoes are really comfortable and have Poron type padding in the toe. The toes is well built with no creases as you sometimes get on shoes of the same cost and the finish is good.
Dancing in the shoes is really easy from the first moment and they need little breaking in. Some dancers will find they take a little getting used to.
Because of the reduced 'stiffness' the shoes do not last as long as some of the other more costly shoes on the market but in the case of the Hullachans for example you can buy two of these per one set of Hullachans. That said we would probably not recommend these shoes for an entry level dancer as they do not have the built in support less experienced dancers require. Maybe take a look at the Reel Comforts or Hullachan instead.
Verdict: Good for experienced dancers with arch strength at the price, a bit like Marmite, you'll love them or hate them
Boyne Walk - Reel Comfort pomps - Best Budget buy 4/5
Price £24 - £25
The Reel Comfort shoes are an interesting shoe which is probably one of the best in the low-mid price range and is ideal for beginners to intermediate dancers.
Probably the first traditional style shoe to use a suede sole in this price range, the Reel Comfort has been going now for 10 years, and make no mistake the fact that it is still here without Boyne Walk releasing 'new and improved' alternates says a lot about its popularity.
The suede sole is double stitched and continues towards the heel providing additional arch support, there is decent padding in the sole to provide protection and the pleat free fronts provide a better feel and fit than the traditional leather sole shoes. The front is very much the traditional design as are the side loops.
We used Reel Comforts for about 10 months and they wore extremely well and definitely did the job. Having had several sets of entry level shoes from £18 - £28 the Reel Comforts were by far the best.
Verdict: 4/5 Highly Recommended Beginner/intermediate shoe at a good price
Price 4.5/5
Quality 4/5
Longevity: 4/5
For: Price
Suede Sole
Double Stitching
Arch support
Against: Nothing really
The Reel Comfort shoes are an interesting shoe which is probably one of the best in the low-mid price range and is ideal for beginners to intermediate dancers.
Probably the first traditional style shoe to use a suede sole in this price range, the Reel Comfort has been going now for 10 years, and make no mistake the fact that it is still here without Boyne Walk releasing 'new and improved' alternates says a lot about its popularity.
The suede sole is double stitched and continues towards the heel providing additional arch support, there is decent padding in the sole to provide protection and the pleat free fronts provide a better feel and fit than the traditional leather sole shoes. The front is very much the traditional design as are the side loops.
We used Reel Comforts for about 10 months and they wore extremely well and definitely did the job. Having had several sets of entry level shoes from £18 - £28 the Reel Comforts were by far the best.
Verdict: 4/5 Highly Recommended Beginner/intermediate shoe at a good price
Price 4.5/5
Quality 4/5
Longevity: 4/5
For: Price
Suede Sole
Double Stitching
Arch support
Against: Nothing really
Boyne Walk - Storms - Highly recommended 4/5
Price: At between £100 (lowest Price) and £145 the Storms come in as one of the more expensive shoes on the market, so are they worth the money.
Packaging: Well the Irish dancing market hasn't cottoned onto the fact that people like boxes, go to any branch of Barratts and you will probably get a functional box for a £5 pair of shoes, and a decent one for a higher priced set. Not only does it make things more appealing when giving a gift or a present, but in other markets it really matters to the value when you want to resell the item. Maybe Boyne Walk could think about that, the more someone can get for a used pair of shoes the less they have to pay for a new set.........anyway the Storms come in a brown cardboard box that looks like it should contain a 1970s teapot and like so many other items have pen written on the side. To say the least I was disappointed when looking at the price on the receipt.
First Glance: Inside wrapped in a ziplock bag were the shoes laced and ready to put on. The Storms come with the Hurricane heel a black composite high density heel with a nylon type white sole, which I have put on shoes before and make a really great sound. The Storms come with a 'bubble' type heel which means there is a bulge on the inside of the heel that helps when dancers do 'heel clicks' and they produce a nice clear sound. In the past sometimes this has led to chips on the heel or the heel coming off, but the Hurricane Heels I have had fitted have never suffered from this. The heels are slightly lower than some brands but not abnormal and this can also helo dancers when using the tips and is more natural to those used to wearing 'lights'The tips are a wet-moulded, tight Grain fibreglass mix called the 'Thundertip'. The fibreglass tips look similar to those many find on Fays and other shoes, strap buckles are good quality although younger dancers might need a hand to fit the straps when the shoes are new. The buckles do hold the straps nice and neat against the shoe. The straps themselves are sturdy leather of a good width and finished in a point for easy threading through the buckle. The leather uppers are nice and soft and good quality leather the grained sides leading to a smooth toe cap that will polish well.
Turning the shoe over we can see that the tip is flattened and aligns nicely with the toe piece. The soles are a soft black suede designed to be flexible from first wear and reduce the need for breaking in. Soles are glued, and it looks like the leather from the uppers is shaped about 1cm under the sole for strength but also leaves a Y shape in the middle which is made for flexing. The size is printed IN WHITE on the bottom of the shoe, and I really wish they wouldn't do this as a permanent marker pen is required to black this out. Not saying the adjudicator will spot this but a decent digital camera might.
The inside of the shoe is part lined with soft suede, which will increase grip reducing any slipping and there is a half padded insole which feels like poron and goes to abour mid arch. Another size stamp on the underside of the tongue and a size label as well. Get a grip guys!!. Internally the shoe is one of the neatest I have seen with minimal seams or areas for rub.
The Fit: Boyne Walk Storms are probably suited for narrow to medium dancers with some but not all narrow fitting dancers I know putting a further insole inside. This is good news because apart from Fays which are narrow and taper most manufacturers chose regular and wide options like Antonio Pacelli or Rutherfords which tend to be wider. The Storms have a rounded toe so will probably be suitable for most dancers and will reduce cramping and squashing of the foot.
First Wear: The padded heel feels great and the shoes are comfortable. The sound from the heels and tips are great and heel clicks are crisp. The Storms have a distinctive tone and it works very well. The suede soles are nice and soft and should break in well, and there was no rubbing or soreness after the 1st one hour session. We will update you as we go along:
Long Term Use: The shoes have performed well over the past year, and we note that they are also becoming more common. We still rate these as the loudest shoe on the market, one minor niggle might be starting to present itself in the tip, where a small amount of de-lamination might be starting, but there is no impact on sound or performance yet so watch this space............best heavies on the market in our opinion.
Verdict: Highly recommended 4.0/5
Price: 3/5
Build: 4.5/5
Sound: 5/5
For: Sound
Soft and supple from 1st use
Quality
Fitting
Against: Price
Presentation if giving as a gift and for resale
Availability
Packaging: Well the Irish dancing market hasn't cottoned onto the fact that people like boxes, go to any branch of Barratts and you will probably get a functional box for a £5 pair of shoes, and a decent one for a higher priced set. Not only does it make things more appealing when giving a gift or a present, but in other markets it really matters to the value when you want to resell the item. Maybe Boyne Walk could think about that, the more someone can get for a used pair of shoes the less they have to pay for a new set.........anyway the Storms come in a brown cardboard box that looks like it should contain a 1970s teapot and like so many other items have pen written on the side. To say the least I was disappointed when looking at the price on the receipt.
First Glance: Inside wrapped in a ziplock bag were the shoes laced and ready to put on. The Storms come with the Hurricane heel a black composite high density heel with a nylon type white sole, which I have put on shoes before and make a really great sound. The Storms come with a 'bubble' type heel which means there is a bulge on the inside of the heel that helps when dancers do 'heel clicks' and they produce a nice clear sound. In the past sometimes this has led to chips on the heel or the heel coming off, but the Hurricane Heels I have had fitted have never suffered from this. The heels are slightly lower than some brands but not abnormal and this can also helo dancers when using the tips and is more natural to those used to wearing 'lights'The tips are a wet-moulded, tight Grain fibreglass mix called the 'Thundertip'. The fibreglass tips look similar to those many find on Fays and other shoes, strap buckles are good quality although younger dancers might need a hand to fit the straps when the shoes are new. The buckles do hold the straps nice and neat against the shoe. The straps themselves are sturdy leather of a good width and finished in a point for easy threading through the buckle. The leather uppers are nice and soft and good quality leather the grained sides leading to a smooth toe cap that will polish well.
Turning the shoe over we can see that the tip is flattened and aligns nicely with the toe piece. The soles are a soft black suede designed to be flexible from first wear and reduce the need for breaking in. Soles are glued, and it looks like the leather from the uppers is shaped about 1cm under the sole for strength but also leaves a Y shape in the middle which is made for flexing. The size is printed IN WHITE on the bottom of the shoe, and I really wish they wouldn't do this as a permanent marker pen is required to black this out. Not saying the adjudicator will spot this but a decent digital camera might.
The inside of the shoe is part lined with soft suede, which will increase grip reducing any slipping and there is a half padded insole which feels like poron and goes to abour mid arch. Another size stamp on the underside of the tongue and a size label as well. Get a grip guys!!. Internally the shoe is one of the neatest I have seen with minimal seams or areas for rub.
The Fit: Boyne Walk Storms are probably suited for narrow to medium dancers with some but not all narrow fitting dancers I know putting a further insole inside. This is good news because apart from Fays which are narrow and taper most manufacturers chose regular and wide options like Antonio Pacelli or Rutherfords which tend to be wider. The Storms have a rounded toe so will probably be suitable for most dancers and will reduce cramping and squashing of the foot.
First Wear: The padded heel feels great and the shoes are comfortable. The sound from the heels and tips are great and heel clicks are crisp. The Storms have a distinctive tone and it works very well. The suede soles are nice and soft and should break in well, and there was no rubbing or soreness after the 1st one hour session. We will update you as we go along:
Long Term Use: The shoes have performed well over the past year, and we note that they are also becoming more common. We still rate these as the loudest shoe on the market, one minor niggle might be starting to present itself in the tip, where a small amount of de-lamination might be starting, but there is no impact on sound or performance yet so watch this space............best heavies on the market in our opinion.
Verdict: Highly recommended 4.0/5
Price: 3/5
Build: 4.5/5
Sound: 5/5
For: Sound
Soft and supple from 1st use
Quality
Fitting
Against: Price
Presentation if giving as a gift and for resale
Availability
Antonio Pacelli - Super Flexi - Good 3/5
Price £49.99 - £58.99 (basic) up to £93.99 with larger sizes and liberty tips & concorde heels
Chances are if you are an Irish Dancer, at some point you have had a set of these on your feet at some point. The ubiquitous Super-Flexi is a tried and tested entry level shoe that doesn't always break the bank and can be picked up from Chatham to Chattanooga second hand.
For the puposes of this review we are dealing with the entry level model which starts at £49.99 up to a size 1.5, £51.99 up to a size 6 and £58.99 above a size 6. The entry level model comes with Leinster tips and heels and is available from stock. This set-up is the most commonly used for beginner dancers and also second hand.
First Look: The Super-Flexis come in a white box logo'd which makes a nice change and does make a difference if giving as a present. The finish is clean and tidy, and the model is clear with the huge 'Super-Flexi' branding in green ink pressed into the leather sole. Tips are black composite and heels are a grey resin or nylon type compound. Straps are a good width and easy to fit through the buckles making them ideal for younger or beginner dancers and you can order Standard or Wide fitting. The leather uppers are good quality and the internal padding and lining is good.
It is useful to remember the Super-Flexis are an entry level shoe, and the leather sole is very stiff to start. I do not know of any dancer who wears these above beginner level who hasn't either softened the leather themselves (tips are available) or bought a second hand pair to save time. Personally with hindsight (Antonio Pacelli will love this!!!!) we don't see the point in the Super-Flexi anymore unless there is a benefit to putting beginners in the shoes to soften them up for other dancers. Why? because the softer Ultra-Flexi is ony £5 more.
Ongoing use: The Super-Flexis perform all day and every day and the leathers can probably do this for years. The sound is average and uninspiring but what do you expect for £50 give or take a penny. Over time the leather softens but by the time dancers hit intermediate or are moving out of beginner it is necessary to really hammer the sole to make them soft enough to bend. This helps with 'drum-rolls' going en-pointe and arching your foot, none of which really work without softening unless you have bionic feet. The Leinster heel wears fairly poorly and will last a year or two, and you can see in the picture the type of rounding you get from wear.
If you aren't sure whether your child or yourself is going to take to Irish Dancing save some money and buy these or a second hand pair. Two words of warning, make sure you check the width on second hand shoes, and there have been a few grumbles from people that Antonio Pacelli can be a bit inconsistent in it shoe sizing across individual models and ranges.
The competition: There are now competitive shoes on the market at £50 being sold by Idanceirish and FeisFayre which on occasion have the hurricane heel (IdanceIrish) which makes these far superior. Whilst the build is not quite as good as the superflexi, both the above models have soft suede soles and would suit a more advanced dancer on a budget.
Verdict: Average 3/5 when the next model up is only £5 more.
Price: 5/5
Quality: 3.5/5
Sound 2.5/5
For: Low Price
Choice of Standard or Wide fittings
Easy to resell
Will last
Against: Sound
Too close in price to the Ultra-Flexi
Hard to break in
Chances are if you are an Irish Dancer, at some point you have had a set of these on your feet at some point. The ubiquitous Super-Flexi is a tried and tested entry level shoe that doesn't always break the bank and can be picked up from Chatham to Chattanooga second hand.
For the puposes of this review we are dealing with the entry level model which starts at £49.99 up to a size 1.5, £51.99 up to a size 6 and £58.99 above a size 6. The entry level model comes with Leinster tips and heels and is available from stock. This set-up is the most commonly used for beginner dancers and also second hand.
First Look: The Super-Flexis come in a white box logo'd which makes a nice change and does make a difference if giving as a present. The finish is clean and tidy, and the model is clear with the huge 'Super-Flexi' branding in green ink pressed into the leather sole. Tips are black composite and heels are a grey resin or nylon type compound. Straps are a good width and easy to fit through the buckles making them ideal for younger or beginner dancers and you can order Standard or Wide fitting. The leather uppers are good quality and the internal padding and lining is good.
It is useful to remember the Super-Flexis are an entry level shoe, and the leather sole is very stiff to start. I do not know of any dancer who wears these above beginner level who hasn't either softened the leather themselves (tips are available) or bought a second hand pair to save time. Personally with hindsight (Antonio Pacelli will love this!!!!) we don't see the point in the Super-Flexi anymore unless there is a benefit to putting beginners in the shoes to soften them up for other dancers. Why? because the softer Ultra-Flexi is ony £5 more.
Ongoing use: The Super-Flexis perform all day and every day and the leathers can probably do this for years. The sound is average and uninspiring but what do you expect for £50 give or take a penny. Over time the leather softens but by the time dancers hit intermediate or are moving out of beginner it is necessary to really hammer the sole to make them soft enough to bend. This helps with 'drum-rolls' going en-pointe and arching your foot, none of which really work without softening unless you have bionic feet. The Leinster heel wears fairly poorly and will last a year or two, and you can see in the picture the type of rounding you get from wear.
If you aren't sure whether your child or yourself is going to take to Irish Dancing save some money and buy these or a second hand pair. Two words of warning, make sure you check the width on second hand shoes, and there have been a few grumbles from people that Antonio Pacelli can be a bit inconsistent in it shoe sizing across individual models and ranges.
The competition: There are now competitive shoes on the market at £50 being sold by Idanceirish and FeisFayre which on occasion have the hurricane heel (IdanceIrish) which makes these far superior. Whilst the build is not quite as good as the superflexi, both the above models have soft suede soles and would suit a more advanced dancer on a budget.
Verdict: Average 3/5 when the next model up is only £5 more.
Price: 5/5
Quality: 3.5/5
Sound 2.5/5
For: Low Price
Choice of Standard or Wide fittings
Easy to resell
Will last
Against: Sound
Too close in price to the Ultra-Flexi
Hard to break in
Goleen - Precision - Average in a tough market 3/5
Price £65 - £99.95
Goleen have been around for a while they seem to have dropped of the face of the map a bit and seem to be relatively hard to find.
The Goleen shoes have the distinctive red tip and heel and make a decent sound for the money. Build quality, fit, comfort all add up to a great entry to mid level shoe if you can find them. Younger dancers seem to love the coloured sole. As for breaking in they are certainly easier than some of the more prevalent makes such as the AP super-flexi but there is that niggling problem of finding a supplier and a distinct lack of product range.
Wear was good, and they have been through a couple of dancers and everyone so far has liked them.
At £99.95 the top end of the scale we think someone is trying to push the exclusivity button but they don't cut the mustard amongst the massive amount of better shoes out there. That said you could pick them up at £65 and have them re-tipped and heeled but whats the point.
Verdict: Average beginner shoe but not able to compete in the market with the larger manufacturers out there
The Competition: IdanceIrish
Goleen have been around for a while they seem to have dropped of the face of the map a bit and seem to be relatively hard to find.
The Goleen shoes have the distinctive red tip and heel and make a decent sound for the money. Build quality, fit, comfort all add up to a great entry to mid level shoe if you can find them. Younger dancers seem to love the coloured sole. As for breaking in they are certainly easier than some of the more prevalent makes such as the AP super-flexi but there is that niggling problem of finding a supplier and a distinct lack of product range.
Wear was good, and they have been through a couple of dancers and everyone so far has liked them.
At £99.95 the top end of the scale we think someone is trying to push the exclusivity button but they don't cut the mustard amongst the massive amount of better shoes out there. That said you could pick them up at £65 and have them re-tipped and heeled but whats the point.
Verdict: Average beginner shoe but not able to compete in the market with the larger manufacturers out there
The Competition: IdanceIrish