Proper footwear is extremely important. Just as how you’d choose the right clothing and fabric for the changing seasons, the right footwear protects the foot against external agents such as cold, dampness, shock, and bruising. Choosing the appropriate footwear is essential for any activity, whether working, walking, running, or dancing.
Ballroom dances
- Men: Standard shoes (straight heel) or Latin shoes (Cuban heel) with turned-up leather soles.
- Women: Wear standard shoes (closed toe) or Latins (open toe), preferably with high heels (low heels are mandatory for youngsters in the growth period) and turned-up leather soles.
Swing dances
- Men: Classic swing shoes with low heel (<3.5 cm), turned-out leather or stiff rubber sole, depending on the floor.
- Women: Swing shoes with low heels (<3.5 cm), turned-out leather or hard rubber sole, depending on the floor.
Latino dances (Salsa, Brazilian dances)
- Men: Free choice
- Women: Latin shoes (open-toe), preferably high-heeled (low heels compulsory for growing children) with turned-out leather soles.
Street Dances & Zumba
All: Sports shoes (tennis, basketball) with rubber soles
Expressive dances (Modern dance, ballet, Music Hall)
- Bare feet
- Pedals (to protect the soles of the feet).
- High-heeled Latin shoes
Each type of dance comes with its unique footwear needs and with ballroom dancing, a good pair of ballroom dancing shoes can ultimately enable better dance performances. Ballroom dance shoes are expensive which is why it’s important to ask yourself these questions before investing in a pair:
- How often are you going ballroom dancing?
- How immersed do you want to be in ballroom dancing?
- Are you ballroom dancing as a hobby, a passion, a new skill you want to learn?
- How much are you willing to spend for your shoes?
Ballroom dancing is a delightful skill to learn whether you’re doing it as a hobby or as a passion project. Either way, knowing how much time you want to spend on it will be a good deciding factor on how much you’re willing to spend on a pair of shoes.
What else should you look for when selecting ballroom dancing shoes?
Apart from costs and the amount of time you’d spend using them, here are other important factors to consider.
Choose ballroom dancing shoes that allow better movement.
Dance shoes are made from flexible materials. The suede or leather sole also helps give your foot more freedom of movement while securing your heel. When executing turns and pirouettes, this solid heel helps ensure stability. A stable heel also helps prevent any injuries, especially when you are new and learning the different types of movements.
Determine your dance style.
Ballet shoes are designed for a different purpose than salsa shoes. One of the first steps in choosing your dance shoes is to know what dance style they’re for. If you’re into ballroom dancing, then purchase shoes crafted especially for the ballroom floor.
Find well-fitting dance shoes.
Your dance shoes should fit snugly, especially at the ankle, but not too tightly. After use, the shoe will stretch a little, so try to find a size that fits your foot as closely as possible, neither too tight nor too loose. A well-fitting shoe will allow you to move better on the dance floor and help you concentrate on the music and your dance partner rather than the feel of your feet. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer, your shoes should be comfortable and allow you to train and perform to the best of your ability. Quality footwear can boost your confidence as a new dancer, giving you the stability and balance you need to practice every movement with precision.
Choose between open- or closed-toe shoes.
With open-toe shoes, dancers have the ability to articulate dance steps easily. On the other hand, closed-toe shoes offer fluid movements are the preferred choice for dances that require more footwork. Closed-toe shoes also provide the dancer with better protection again foot injury or stubbing their toes. Then again, the choice of open or closed-toe shoes heavily depends on the dances you do. For instance. Waltzes and foxtrots are best done in closed-toe shoes.
Budget matters too.
Cost is an important factor for any purchase. Dance shoes can be expensive depending on the style and brand. If you are starting out in ballroom dancing and you don’t know what to choose or what works for you, go for the cheaper route. The idea here is to get something within an affordable price range so that you can get an idea of what type, design or brand works for you. You can build up from there are you progress further in your classes and lessons.
Consider the look of your shoes.
Your dance shoe should match your outfit or be neutral enough to be worn with several outfits. Your shoe is the most essential item you’ll wear, so don’t compromise on quality simply because of appearance. Your shoe should be comfortable, whether it draws attention or is discreet and conservative. Of course, your personality will also be a good indicator of purchasing your pair of ballroom shoes. However, keep in mind that you want form and function over aesthetics.
The advantages of a good pair of ballroom shoes
There are many advantages to choosing a pair that fits dancers well. Apart from keeping you safe, here are some of the benefits:
Protection for the dancer:
- Prevent blisters with a comfortable front sole and ergonomic back support.
- Prevention of sprains (thanks in particular to the cambrion)
- Prevention of patellofemoral syndromes (common when practicing more than 10 hours a week), especially for movement and pivot dances
- Prevention of tendonitis and muscular fatigue linked to sustained practice (> five hours per week)
- Prevention of halus valgus (bunion) for shoes with heels.
Floor protection
- Prevents black marks.
- Prevents scratches on the floor.
- Enables better posture and faster time spent learning to dance.
As the foot is better positioned and supported, the leg is better positioned, and, as a result, the whole posture is improved. By optimizing grip and facilitating pivot support, dancers can execute movements more efficiently and progress more quickly.
No matter what level you are in, choosing the right type of shoes for the right type of dance is crucial. From making you feel good and comfortable to ensuring foot health and safety, a good pair of ballroom dance shoes never disappoints in performance.