Flexi Gold Irish Dancing Jig Shoes • Padded Collared Heel
Flexi Gold Irish Dancing Jig Shoes • Padded Collared Heel - Black / 1 UK is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Size & Fit Advice
Size & Fit Advice
Shoe Fit & Break-In
Shoe Fit & Break-In
At a Glance
At a Glance
Materials & Construction
Materials & Construction
Care information
Care information
International shoe sizes can vary slightly between brands and models. Use your measured foot length as the best starting point, then compare it with the individual brand's size recommendation. Where a product page gives model-specific sizing advice, that guidance should always take priority over a general conversion chart.
International Adult Shoe Size Conversion
A general reference for comparing EU, UK and US adult shoe sizes. Foot length is shown to make cross-brand comparison easier.
| Foot Length cm |
EU | UK | US Women | US Men |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21.5 | 35 / 35.5 | 2.5 – 3 | 4.5 – 5 | 3 – 3.5 |
| 22.0 | 36 | 3 – 3.5 | 5 – 5.5 | 3.5 – 4 |
| 22.5 | 36.5 / 37 | 3.5 – 4 | 5.5 – 6 | 4 – 4.5 |
| 23.0 | 37 / 37.5 | 4 – 4.5 | 6 – 6.5 | 4.5 – 5 |
| 23.5 | 38 | 4.5 – 5 | 6.5 – 7 | 5 – 5.5 |
| 24.0 | 38.5 | 5 – 5.5 | 7 – 7.5 | 5.5 – 6 |
| 24.5 | 39 / 39.5 | 5.5 – 6 | 7.5 – 8 | 6 – 6.5 |
| 25.0 | 40 | 6 – 6.5 | 8 – 8.5 | 6.5 – 7 |
| 25.5 | 40.5 | 6.5 – 7 | 8.5 – 9 | 7 – 7.5 |
| 26.0 | 41 / 41.5 | 7 – 7.5 | 9 – 9.5 | 7.5 – 8 |
| 26.5 | 42 | 7.5 – 8 | 9.5 – 10 | 8 – 8.5 |
| 27.0 | 42 / 42.5 | 8 – 8.5 | 10 – 10.5 | 8.5 – 9 |
| 27.5 | 43 | 8.5 – 9 | 10.5 – 11 | 9 – 9.5 |
| 28.0 | 44 | 9 – 9.5 | 11 – 11.5 | 9.5 – 10 |
| 28.5 | 44.5 | 9.5 – 10 | 11.5 – 12 | 10 – 10.5 |
| 29.0 | 45 | 10 – 10.5 | 12 – 12.5 | 10.5 – 11 |
| 29.5 | 46 | 10.5 – 11 | 12.5 – 13 | 11 – 11.5 |
International Kids' Shoe Size Conversion
Children's shoe sizing changes from child to youth sizing as feet grow. Measure the child's foot rather than converting from an existing school or trainer size wherever possible.
| Foot Length cm |
EU | UK Kids | US Kids / Youth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.0 | 24 | 7 | 7.5 |
| 14.5 | 25 | 7.5 | 8 |
| 15.0 | 25.5 – 26 | 8 – 8.5 | 8.5 – 9 |
| 15.5 | 26.5 | 9 | 9.5 |
| 16.0 | 27 – 27.5 | 9.5 | 10 |
| 16.5 | 28 | 10 | 10.5 |
| 17.0 | 28.5 | 10.5 | 11 |
| 17.5 | 29 – 30 | 11 – 11.5 | 11.5 – 12 |
| 18.0 | 30.5 | 12 | 12.5 |
| 18.5 | 31 | 12.5 | 13 |
| 19.0 | 32 – 32.5 | 13 – 13.5 | 13.5 / 1Y |
| 19.5 | 33 | 1 | 1.5Y |
| 20.0 | 33.5 | 1.5 | 2Y |
| 20.5 | 34 / 34.5 | 2 | 2.5Y |
| 21.0 | 35 | 2.5 | 3Y |
| 21.5 | 35.5 | 3 | 3.5Y |
| 22.0 | 36 | 3.5 | 4Y |
| 22.5 | 37 | 4 | 4.5Y |
| 23.0 | 37.5 | 4.5 | 5Y |
| 23.5 | 38 | 5 | 5.5Y |
| 24.0 | 38.5 | 5.5 | 6Y |
| 24.5 | 39 | 6 | 6.5Y |
| 25.0 | 40 | 6.5 | 7Y |
Never choose a dance shoe from conversion alone. Ballet, jazz, ballroom and character shoes can fit very differently depending on the last, upper material, width and intended level of compression. Use this table to understand international equivalents, then follow the fit advice for the individual shoe.
How to Measure Your Feet for Dance Shoes
Measure both feet while standing, preferably later in the day. Use the longer foot when comparing your measurement with a shoe size chart.
Foot Length
Key MeasurementStand with your heel lightly against a wall and place your foot flat on a sheet of paper. Mark the end of your longest toe and measure the distance from the wall to the mark.
Measure in centimetres for the most accurate comparison with international shoe charts.
Measure Both Feet
Repeat the measurement on the other foot. It is very common for one foot to be slightly longer than the other, so always use the larger measurement when choosing your starting size.
Foot Width
Measure across or around the widest part of the forefoot. Width can be just as important as length in dance shoes, particularly in fitted ballet, jazz and ballroom styles.
Measure While Standing
Take measurements with your full weight on your feet. Standing allows the foot to spread naturally and gives a more realistic measurement than measuring while sitting.
Check the Dance Fit
A correctly fitted dance shoe should feel secure without restricting the toes or causing pressure. Different dance disciplines require different amounts of growing room, compression and heel security, so always follow the model-specific Dance World Fit Advice.
This chart is designed as an international reference rather than a replacement for individual brand sizing. Bloch, Capezio, So Danca, IDS, PortDance, Diamant and other dance footwear brands may use their own conversion systems or fit differently from standard street shoes. Always use the individual product's Dance World Fit Advice where available.
Flexi Gold Irish Dancing Jig Shoes • Padded Collared Heel
Flexi Gold Irish Dancing Jig Shoes • Padded Collared Heel - Black / 1 UK is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Best For: Beginner to Advanced Dancers • Regular Training • Feiseanna • Strong Sound • Wider Feet • Supportive Toe Work • Dancers Preferring a Firmer Hard Shoe
Description
Description
Supportive, dependable and powerful in sound, the Rutherford Flexi Gold Irish Dancing Jig Shoes offer an excellent balance of structure and workable flexibility. A durable leather upper and flexible black suede sole give dancers the resistance needed for control while still allowing the shoe to become increasingly responsive through training.
SoundBlaster tips and integrated 1Heel SoundBlaster heels create Rutherford’s clear, strongly projected sound, while the wider heel supports more confident heel clicks. A padded collar improves grip around the back of the foot and helps reduce the friction often experienced when breaking in a new pair of jig shoes.
Personality
Supportive • Balanced • Powerful • Dependable
Flexi Gold sits in the practical middle of the Rutherford hard-shoe range. It offers more structure and resistance than Ultra-Lite Gold, but its suede sole remains flexible enough to develop naturally through regular class wear. The result is a reliable shoe for dancers who want support without returning to an extremely rigid traditional construction.
Rutherford Flexi Gold Jig Shoes – Design & Performance
The Rutherford Flexi Gold is built around a firm, supportive leather construction. The upper holds the foot securely while the black suede sole provides controlled flexibility, giving dancers a stable base for learning and refining trebles, clicks, drums and toe work.
Unlike an ultra-light shoe that feels highly flexible immediately, Flexi Gold retains more resistance beneath the foot. This can help dancers feel where they are placing their weight and provide a more dependable platform while developing strength, control and accurate technique.
The current Gold construction is fitted with Rutherford’s SoundBlaster front tips for a strong, clear tone. These are paired with lightweight integrated 1Heel SoundBlaster heels, creating a responsive clicking surface without the separate top piece found in some traditional jig-shoe heels.
The heel is deliberately wide, offering a generous contact area for heel clicks. This does not create the click for the dancer, but it can make clean heel connection feel more achievable while technique and accuracy develop.
A padded heel collar softens the edge around the back of the foot, helping reduce friction and providing additional heel grip. This is particularly useful during the early stages of wear, when a firm leather upper is beginning to settle around the dancer’s individual heel and ankle shape.
The lace-up front allows the hold across the instep to be adjusted, while the leather buckle strap provides additional security around the ankle. Together, these help keep the shoe connected to the foot during travelling movement, jumps and repeated rhythmic sequences.
Flexi Gold can accommodate a broader foot more comfortably than many narrow competition shoes. However, the rounder forefoot and supportive construction must still align properly with the dancer’s foot, the shoe should not be made wider simply by choosing excessive length.
Because Flexi Gold is firmer than Ultra-Lite Gold, it requires a more gradual period of natural class wear. It should never be softened with water, heat, oils or forceful bending, as these methods can weaken the construction and invalidate the intended support.
Rutherford Flexi Gold Technical Profile
Rutherford Flexi Gold Hard Shoe DNA™
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The Dance World Hard Shoe DNA™ compares the defining characteristics of every Irish dancing jig shoe. A higher score does not necessarily mean a better shoe - it shows the balance of sound projection, flexibility, lightness, support and break-in ease so dancers can choose the construction best suited to their level, technique and training needs.
Dance World Notes
A genuine all-level hard shoe: Flexi Gold offers enough structure for dancers learning their first hard-shoe steps, but its sound and performance construction remain relevant as training becomes more demanding.
The heel collar makes a real difference: Padding around the back reduces the hard edge associated with many traditional jig shoes and adds useful grip around the heel. It improves comfort, although the shoe still requires gradual breaking-in.
Dance World Tip – Choose the construction, not just the sound. Flexi Gold and Ultra-Lite Gold share Rutherford’s powerful SoundBlaster character, but they feel quite different. Choose Flexi Gold for firmer support and controlled resistance; choose Ultra-Lite Gold when minimum weight and immediate flexibility are the priorities.
Rutherford Flexi Gold Dance World Fit Advice
Natural through the toes. Secure across the instep. Firmly held at the heel.
Flexi Gold should fit closely without painfully compressing the foot. The toes should lie naturally inside the round-toe section, with the front block positioned correctly beneath them. The widest part of the foot should align with the widest part of the shoe.
Rutherford revised the design and manufacturing of its jig shoes in 2025. Do not assume that a current Flexi Gold will fit exactly like an older pair - measure both feet and use the current chart.
Dance World Fit Note: Foot length, width, instep height, dancer level and teacher preference can all affect the final fit. Professional fitting is especially valuable when choosing a first pair of hard shoes.
Check hard shoes while standing, walking, rising and performing gentle clicks on a protected surface. Keep the soles, tips and heels completely unmarked until the fit has been approved.
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About Our Irish Dancing Brands
About Our Irish Dancing Brands
About Our Irish Dancing Brands - Trusted Shoes for Every Dancer
At Dance World Europe, we carefully select Irish dancing shoes from some of the most respected names in the industry, including Antonio Pacelli, Goleen, Rutherford, Fay's and Hullachan. Each brand has earned the trust of dancers, teachers and championship schools through years of expert craftsmanship, innovation and dedication to the art of Irish dance.
Whether you're taking your first steps in Irish dancing or competing at the highest level, our collection includes shoes designed to deliver exceptional comfort, support and performance. From lightweight pumps to precision-crafted hard shoes, every pair is chosen for its quality, durability and ability to help dancers perform with confidence.
We work closely with leading Irish dance brands to offer authentic products that meet the demands of today's dancers, ensuring you receive footwear trusted by beginners, champions and professionals alike.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery & Returns
All orders are sent via GLS. A signature will be required upon receipt of your order. If there is no-one available to accept the package a calling card will be left behind for you so you can re-arrange delivery.
Free EU Standard Delivery on orders over 99€
Please visit our delivery page for further delivery information and our returns page for returns information.
Customer service can be contacted via email : orders@danceworld.ie
By phone - Ireland: 01 497 6129, UK and Rest of World: 00 353 1 497 6129
