Why Dance-Shoes?
Q. Most frequently asked question is what makes dance-shoes different from street shoes?
A. All dance shoes, both ladies and men’s have non-slip suede soles, a metal shank in the arch for support and they are very light-weight and flexible.
Ballroom Dance Shoes: Choosing the Right Style
Men’s dance-shoes are typically black lace-up Oxfords with a flat heel for standard dances and a 1 to 2 inch heel for Latin dances.
For women, form is almost as important as function, and shoe styles are as varied as dance categories — including Latin, swing, cha cha, foxtrot and waltz, to name a few.
Basic designs include open- or closed-toe pumps and sandals. Heels in women’s shoes are slim or flared and generally range in height from 1 to 3 inches.
Slim heels make turns and other moves easier. Flared heels are preferred for the Latin dances because they provide more stability.
A Word on Women’s Shoes
Women new to the world of ballroom dance may consider purchasing one pair of shoes that will work for a number dances — typically a closed-toe with a 2 to 2.5 inch flared heel and an ankle strap. These are referred to as standard, court or modern dance shoes.
Latin dancers typically wear open-toed shoes or strappy sandals with a 3 inch flared heel. As you become more proficient, you can add more styles to your wardrobe.
Ballroom dance shoes come in a variety of colours. Black is the most popular. Many women choose flesh-coloured shoes, which help extend the leg line, for competitions.
Ballroom Dance Shoe Construction
Non-slip soles are essential. Look for suede soles & resin soles (see our Greek Range), which provide the right combination of grip and slide.
Rubber trainer-like soles can stick to the floor and cause knee/ankle injuries, and leather soles can slide too much. Dance shoes have thinner soles than normal shoes. Most dancing shoes have a steel shank for support. The shoe material is flexible and lightweight.
For Ballroom Dancing, A Good Fit is Essential
Choose a snug, but not toe-crushing, fit. Try on several styles before purchasing. Shoes should be both comfortable and functional.
Maintenance
Don’t wear your dance shoes on the street. Rough surfaces and dirt will wear them out quickly. Carry them in a bag (a dance shoes bag is provided FREE of charge with all purchases of shoes) and put them on when you get to class or to the ballroom.
Buying Latin or Standard Dance Shoes
Generally, dancers use open toe shoes for Latin and closed toe pumps for Standard.
Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep are defined as Standard dances.
Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive, Salsa are defined as Latin Dance. In Latin dancing, partners perform tightly choreographed routines in which they must project energy and passion. The pair’s appearance, including costuming and shoes, is important to the success of the routine.
Women’s Latin Dance Shoes: Style and Fit
For Latin ballroom dancing, women wear sandals with a 2- or 3-inch heel. You may want to choose a lower height if you are not used to dancing in heels.
Most often made of leather, women’s Latin dance shoes are lightweight, flexible and have suede soles, which provide the right blend of grip and slide while moving across the floor.
For Latin sandals, the woman’s toe should be as close as possible to the front of the shoe. Some women prefer to have their toes extend or hang over the edge of the shoe so that they can point their toes more easily and feel the floor.
Whichever style you choose should offer good control and look sexy.
Men’s Latin Dance Shoes: Style and Fit
Men’s Latin dance-shoes are typically lightweight, flexible oxfords with a 1.5 inch “Cuban” heel and suede soles. Styles include white, black, two-tone spectator shoes and other colour combinations.
The shoes can be made of leather, nubuck or patent leather. The fit should be snug, but not too tight. Most men only purchase Latin shoes for competition purposes, and you’ll seldom see men wearing Cuban heels when out for social dancing.
Caring for Your Latin Dance Shoes
It’s important to polish your shoes on a regular basis in order to keep them in top condition. You might also consider applying silicon-based oil occasionally in order to prevent cracking. Proper care of the suede soles is important, too. Be sure to brush them regularly to remove any dirt or wax build-up, which will cause the soles to wear faster. Lastly, don’t wear your shoes when not dancing. Sidewalks will ruin the soles.
