Unlike other half-sole dance shoes, the Alpha Shock provides targeted compression (20-30 mmHg) and patented arch support you won't find in traditional dance turners, pirouettes, or dance paws.

Other half-sole dance shoes that have thick pads under the ball of the foot that can cause inflammation and injuries, the Alpha Shock promotes healthy foot mechanics, force reduction, and helps reduce the risk of overuse injuries. They are a dance shoe that is also a plantar fasciitis sock.

This makes them the best compression socks for women and men who want support and light but mighty footwear you forget you are wearing it, except for how much better your body feels when you are done.

For those dealing with specific medical conditions and wondering if the compression levels are right for them, please consult a healthcare professional.

They can advise on the appropriate millimeters of mercury and whether wearing compression socks is right for you.

The Alpha Shock features a snug, glove-like fit in the toes, designed to show off your feet and provide a secure feel, similar to a compression foot sleeve.

However, unlike some other dance socks and compression socks, the Alpha Shock has light compression in the toes to allow for better articulation. We also provide a size chart for a more customized fit.

Like other graduated compression socks, the Alpha Shock may feel snug at first. For best results, turn the sock inside out up to the heel. Put your toes in first, then gently pull the sock over your heel and up your leg. We recommend checking out the videos on our website for easy-to-follow visuals.

The Alpha Shock features refreshable grip technology. It starts sticky, giving you the traction of a pirouette shoe or a turner.

Apolla Grip Socks, like our Performance Shock, offer a revolutionary approach to traction. Unlike traditional dance shoes with fixed grip, Apolla's patented grip is customizable, allowing dancers to control challenging dance moves.

Here's how it works:

Initial Grip: The grip starts strong and sticky. This allows you to experience maximum traction from the moment you put them on. *Note: always email us if there is not strong resistance from the start!

Break-In Period: After a few uses, the grip will naturally wear down to your preferred level of traction allowing you to turn and glide smoothly. This break-in period allows you to personalize the grip to your individual dance style and the type of floor you dance on.

Grip Location: It's important to note that for The Performance Shock (and The Infinite sock profiles), the grip is located only on the ball of the foot, allowing for a combination of grip and freedom for pirouettes and control challenging technique. This differs from our AMP no-show profile, that has grip on the ball of the foot and heel strategically positioned to mimic a jazz shoe.

Refreshing the Grip: Once the grip has worn down to your liking, you can refresh it using our E6000 spray adhesive. This non-toxic spray reactivates the grip, allowing you to maintain your desired level of traction for the life of the sock.

Customization: You have complete control over your grip! If you prefer a stickier feel, refresh the grip more often. If you prefer less grip, allow the socks to wear down further before refreshing. Some dancers even use rosin, spray rosin, or hairspray for different levels of grip.

This process allows you to tailor the grip to your specific needs. You'll experience the perfect balance of control and freedom, whether you're turning, sliding, or performing any other movement.

Remember, it's essential to purchase the E6000 spray adhesive to refresh your grip and ensure optimal performance. Check out our Understanding Our Grip page for more tips and information.

Not at all! The Alpha Shock provides cushioning without bulk. This allows you to feel the floor and maintain a strong connection to the ground, which is essential for balance and control. In fact, most customers tell us they actually can work through their feet better with the Alpha than any other dance shoe.

The targeted padding has been shown in studies to reduce force, protecting your joints from the impact of jumps and landings without changing your weight distribution.

The minimal design also makes these popular as Pilates socks or Barre class socks!

They are fantastic as ballet socks for barre warmups as well or for any class!