“How to pick the right shoes for your dancing”
Our first blog… Let’s jump straight in!
Why do I need dance shoes?
When you take your first dance class we recommend wearing a comfortable pair of shoes. But once you’ve caught the dancing bug, we may suggest investing in a pair of dance shoes. They have a suede sole which allows your feet to slide effortlessly across the floor whilst offering your feet the support needed whilst dancing.
With so many styles to choose from it can be daunting so in this blog we will help you to choose your perfect pair.
Ballroom
This is a court-style shoe, usually made from a satin fabric with a 2-2.5 inch heel. A closed-in toe with either a round or pointed style, and can have extra straps across the top of the foot to assist with support.
These shoes are best suited to Ballroom dancing only.
A laced shoe usually made from leather (vegan leather available too), suede, or patent with a very slight heel. They come with a full or split sole depending on how much support or flexibility you require. These can be worn for Ballroom, Latin & Social dancing.
Ladies Latin shoes are a sandal-style shoe, with an open toe, multiple straps and a higher, slimmer heel which range from 2-3.5 inches.
These shoes are best suited for Latin dancing only
These are a laced shoe also made from leather, suede, or patent. The main difference is these have a 1.5inch Cuban heel and usually have a split-sole allowing for more flexibility in the feet.
These shoes are best suited to Latin dancing only
Social
A perfect blend of a Ballroom & a Latin shoe - meaning you don’t have to keep changing your shoes throughout a Social dance. They also usually have a slightly lower heel so you can dance the night away!
Practice
This shoe is designed for ultimate comfort. Usually with little to no heel, these shoes have maximum support so are great for longer stints of dancing or a good alternative for those just starting out or with any foot/ankle problems.
Sizing
When ordering dance shoes go for your usual everyday shoe size. Many companies will cater for narrow and wide fit shoes too.
Heel height & styles
When considering what heel to go for we always recommend starting with a lower, slightly wider heel. A Cuban heel on practice/social shoes, or a contour or flared heel on Ballroom/Latin/Social shoes is a good place to start. As your dancing and balance improves you could then consider moving up to a higher and/or slimmer stiletto heel – think of it as a great excuse to buy a new pair of shoes!
When purchasing shoes it’s best to buy from one of the leading reputable manufacturers; for example Supadance, International, Ray Rose, or Freed. Whilst they are a slightly higher price point, these are the industry leaders and are built to last and to support your feet whilst dancing.
As Supadance Ambassadors we are confident in recommending their shoes, and when ordering through us you will receive a 10% discount.
Look out for next week’s blog when we will talk about keeping your shoes fresh and clean, how to deal with a slippy floor, and must have shoe accessories.