Sansha Women's Salsette 1 Ballroom Dance Shoes - Latin Tango Salsa Practice Shoes for Women - Perfect for Dance Classes, Performances & Social Dancing

I almost decided not to order due to the very confusing shoe size. I wear 7.5 street shoes. The drop down size chart suggests 8M. However, having read through the reviews, I ordered 9. The pair I received is size 11. It is very confusing. Surprisingly, they fits alright but a bit loose. I wear them to line dance with thick socks. They're quite comfortable. They're also quite light which is important for me. All said, I like the shoes but wonder if 8 would fit better. I'd like to order another pair and thinking about ordering size 8 although I do not want to go through the hassle to return if too tight. It is really a shame for such nice shoes have such confusing sizing.For years I have worn Capezio Frieze(?) dance sneakers, size 10 1/2 and they fit fine. I've "grown" from a 9 1/2 to 10 so I ordered a size 11 in these shoes. Plus after reading some comments I went a little bigger as I planned to add an arch support. Imagine my surprise when I saw the box marked size 13!! And the shoes inside read size 13 on the bottom!! I was ready to return then immediately but measured them against my Capezios and low and behold they were maybe a 1/4" bigger sole to sole. So I tried them and they fit! So either a batch was mis-marked of they run WAY SMALL. Still don't know why they sent a box marked 13 on a size 11 order!I've danced in them once a week for 7 weeks (line dancing on a poor floor) and appreciate the suede sole. But the soles are sewed on, hence a line of stitching around the edge of the sole. Other dancers have different shoes with no stitching which I might try next. The heel is just glued, no stitching. But the shoes are doing their job, fit well, a toe box that's not too tight, so I'll wear them 'til they fall apart.I am a gymnastics instructor and I like to wear form-fitting athletics or dance shoes (whichever I can find comfortable and for a decent price). This allows me the safety provided by shoes when moving equipment with the ability to show dance steps to my students, without having to constantly take off my shoes. These shoes fit into those requirements.My 2 concerns before buying them:I was concerned when I read a post from a ballet dancer in which she said it didn't provide enough flexibility to do 'on point'. But I have been working my shoes in over the past two days, and I can go 'on point' in these shoes. So this was good news.My other concern was that I am a size 6.5 US when I wear form fitting shoes - and these shoes don't come in half sizes. As stated by many reviewers, these shoes are the size they say they are. So, in this I was not relieved of my concern. The shoe fits me like any US size 7 would. Because of this, the shoe will only become more awkward and uncomfortable with time (looses half star for inconvenience). So, I really wish the manufacturers would make half sizes *please :)*.My 1 concern AFTER buying them:The only concern I have now that I own them, is the threading. By the end of the first day of wearing them (I wore them for half of my work day = 5 hours), I noticed the thread that attaches the leather sole on the arch of the shoes was coming out a little bit. I am hoping this is not going to be a serious problem. (looses half a star)What I like:I really like that I could wear them for 5 hours without any discomfort when I was unable to break them in (due to my other work shoes dying before I had the chance to break in this new pair).I usually go through work shoes really fast due to the extremes I put them under at work (I'm lucky if a pair lasts for 5 months - it's usually between 3-4 months). So, we will see what I think of these shoes after a few months. If I like them, I may get another pair.I have had trouble finding good suede soled shoes for line dance practice so I have bought 2 pair of these in a row. They last about a year, they are not particularly well-made. The real problem is the sizing. If you wear an 8 1/2 in womens (very common), you need an 11, not a 10. Trust me, even though size charts say a 10, your toe will be pushing against the end. If you wear a 9 in womens, the 11 may be too short for you. This is why I buy these on Amazon because of the no-hassle returns. At the dancewear companies, you will be paying all the shipping.The shoe: better than expected. It's a very light sneeker with suede soles. They feel great on carpet and fastfloors. The sturdy I was looking for in a dance sneaker. Supportive and lacking that flimsy feel of many jazz and ballet shoes/slippers.The Fit: A tad too exact a fit. Not wide. Not narrow. A perfect medium. BUT ALL of my toes are right at the edge. Since I've had surgery on my big toes, I need space. I used their size chart and bought my size 8.5 or Sansha 10. There is not much space for my toes to wiggle. Dance shoes should be a bit closer fit, but this is uncomfortable for chachacha class. Cute. I ordered the next size up for wiggle room. Had I bought them before my surgery, they would be perfectly loose right now. No, these are not and should never be worn for zumba/dance fitness and should not be purchased for that type of dance class. They have their own shoes.The laces will help when the shoe stretches out in the next size up in the Sansa 11.I wear size 10 and my feet are wide. I ordered a size 12 in these, after researching and reading reviews. The fit is great barefoot. But a bit snug with socks. I'll break them in, see if they stretch, and update. I did need to say... they are comfortable. Bottoms just slick enough to dance without sliding when i walk. I got mine half price in warehouse deals, so I'll keep this size and hope they stretch some or not wear socks to practice. Not worth the return for the $16 i paid.Update: these did not stretch as hoped. They fit without socks and are great on the floor. I wish I'd ordered another half size larger. So... 12 1/2 for my normally size 10 in women's.Muy contento, la calidad de la suela no tan fina como se esperaba, pero se compensa con comodidadDancing to Latin salsa and BachataThey are a little wide