Ballroom Dancing Shoes – What Your Should Know

When ballroom dancing, it’s crucial that you have the proper footwear. Ballroom dancing shoes are specifically designed to maximize the dancer’s flexibility, agility and to facilitate the type of motions particular to their style of dance. Many beginner dancers start by taking lessons in gym shoes. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that this makes things more difficult than they need to be. Imagine basketball players skidding and squeaking around the court! It’s important that athletes can pivot quickly and stop on a dime, but dancers need to move with fluidity and grace. That’s why ballroom dance shoes have thin suede soles that allow the dancer to spin and glide with just enough resistance to prevent them from slipping. The slender soles also give ballroom dancers a greater feel of the floor. In addition to special soles, ballroom dance shoes are also designed to provide the most flexibility and range of motion. Some men wear dress shoes for ballroom dancing. This may work in the short-term, but dress shoes are heavier, lack flexibility and will eventually crack.

What ballroom dancing shoes are right for me?

When shopping for proper dance shoes you need to consider the type of dancing you’ll be doing. Shoes come in two types, which correspond to the main categories of ballroom dancing: Standard (or Smooth) and Latin (or Rhythm). For men, the main difference is the size of the heel. Standard dance shoes have heels similar to men’s dress shoes while Latin dance shoes typically have a heel ranging from 2 – 2.5 inches. Some women’s Latin ballroom shoes have a higher, thinner heel than Standard ballroom shoes; the norm in modern competition is three inches! This makes turns easier places the woman’s weight upon the balls of her feet, which compliments certain styles of dance. Others have a shorter, wider heel (called a “Cuban”) for Latin/Rhythm dances requiring more stability, such as swing. Standard women’s ballroom shoes have heels placed farther from the edge of the shoe, to provide balance when moving backward. Women’s Latin ballroom shoes also have open-toes while Standard ballroom shoes can have either an open or closed toe.

If the Shoe Fits…

Proper fit is the single most important factor in selecting your dance shoes. A dance shoe should not fit like a normal shoe. Instead, it should fit closely, with no extra room between the shoe and the foot, even at the toe. You should always purchase your first pair of ballroom dances shoes in person, at a specialty shop if possible, where a trained salesperson can answer your questions and ensure a good fit. Most dance apparel stores also carry a small selection of shoes. Look for shoes with extra buckles for that can adjust to the exact size and shape of your foot. If you buy your first pair of dancing shoes online, be sure to wear your new shoes on carpeted floors around the house and don’t be afraid to return a pair that doesn’t feel right for any reason. Most online shoe sellers are accommodating about this.

A good pair of ballroom dance shoes will cost you $60 -$100 or more. If price is an issue, look for outlets or internet sales, but beware of a poorly made shoe. Low-quality shoes will not last long and can make the dancer prone to injury. Examine the stitching and gluing for any obvious signs of poor construction. Watch out for irregular edges around the heel and rough stitching on the interior that may cause chafing.

If you are planning on competing, pay attention to what color you purchase. Men should buy black shoes because most often men will compete in black pants. While two-toned shoes may be okay for swing dancing, they are inappropriate for other dance styles. Many women purchase black practice shoes, but when it comes to competition, beige or flesh-colored is the preferable because it elongates the line of the leg.

Upkeep

Although you may wear them on carpeted surfaces as you break them in, as a general rule you should never wear your dancing shoes anywhere except in your dance space. The soles are not made to protect the shoe but rather to provide the dancer with optimum traction and glide. The suede is easily scuffed and torn, at which point you’d need to repair the shoe before wearing them again. The tips of women’s heels will wear over time and need to be replaced.  Some dancers opt for heel protectors, which are small plastic caps that fit over the tip of each heel. These need to be frequently replaced, however they’re only a few dollars per pair.