The elastic strap might stretch after a while but you can change it, I had a friend who even replaced the pink strap into a black one so the shoes would look better.
You should also try and wear these shoes before bying them, bad shoes can really hurt your feet (I know the problem, believe me), unless you know well how your feet are built. But still, I don't think it would be a good thing to buy shoes directly online.
Well that's my thought, shoes are really something important for a flamenco dancer.

There's also Menkes, which i do recommend as well.

They have a store in NYC, and the ladies there are very, very helpful. They are also in the US so it is definitely easier to communicate with them, etc.

As far as elastics, my first pair were a Gallardo semi pro with elastic bands. They worked well, but as soon as i began getting more serious, i found the elastic wasn't feeling as supportive as i needed it. I opted for my next shoe to be a belt and buckle, and i have not looked back since.

I've heard really good things about Flamenco-world as a store.

--Marta

After finishing almost a month of studies at Amor de Dios in Madrid, I realized i needed to humbly and respectfully take back my recommendation on Menkes shoes. As i said in my posting before, the fact that i could go to a store and try on pair of shoes that semed to fit well was heaven for me. So i stuck around with a pair of expensive Menkes that although they ripped my feet apart the first month i wore them, i felt that OK, "they are new and this is what i should expect since i'm practicing so much."

After my second week of classes and many conversations about how shoes should feel and sound, i realized that maybe the shoes were a problem. I ordered a pair from a store accross the street from the school, Arte Fyl, (www.artefyl.com) and as everyone had else i talked to had done, the owner shook his head and said that Menkes just was no longer a good brand and that hardly any knowledgeable dancer uses them anymore. He went on to take my measurements and made a shoe that felt like a pillow to dance in. While i waited for the shoes to be made i bought a pair of Gallardos, that again felt like pillows, and that are just beautiful.

So, as someone who had not had the opportunity to try a few brands, i'd like to take back my recommendation of the Menkes shoes.

:)

Marta

I've been dancing flamenco for a year now, and I 've had my Menkes shoes (suede, buckled semi-pro) for the same amount of time. The lady I spoke with at the Menkes store in NYC seemed very knowledgeable about the shoes. The shoes fit like a glove, and never had any problems with them. Except that I noticed that the sound is different; I thought it was just me, but seeing the post here, I may be right. Well, my next purchase will be Gallardo's for sure.