How to choose latin dance shoes
Guide for Ladies & Men
When you come in for your first lesson, you do not have to wear dance shoes. Sneakers or any comfy shoes would do!
But after a few classes, you might consider investing in proper dance shoes.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored or affiliated with any mentioned brands. All opinions are my own.
When you are looking for dance shoes, there are a few things that you need to take into account.
The first thing is the style of dance that you will be doing.
The second is the type of shoe that will be best suited for your needs.
In this blog post, we will discuss both ladies’ and men's dance shoes, as well as the best brands on the market. Let's get started!
The soles of dance shoes are considerably different from those of normal shoes. Ballroom dance shoes have a thin suede sole that allows you to glide across the floor with just enough grip.
Dance shoes are also flexible, allowing the shoe to follow the foot's movements.
A good shoe not only allows a dancer to slide but also highlights footwork.
Regular shoes often have a rubber sole that helps with a grip - but that grip is not quite what a dancer is looking for!
In general, these two ladies' styles may be identified with a glimpse.
Latin shoes are generally open-toed and more ‘strappy' than ballroom shoes, which will be quite similar to a conventional court shoe but with a buckle fastener across the sole.
Heels might vary considerably in height depending on the range available.
Ballroom heels are typically between 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm), while Latin heels can be up to 5 inches (12 cm).
However, we do not recommend buying a pair of competition heels until you have been dancing in lower-heeled shoes for a while.
The reason is…balance. When you are starting your dance journey, you don’t want to be struggling with balance but rather focus on getting the dancing basics.
Heel protectors help prevent damage to your heel and heel tips. You can get those at any dancewear store. They also add support, stability and friction to the heel of your dance shoes. Also, dance shoes make an interesting swishing sound when slid against the floor. Heel protectors significantly reduce noise and, believe us, this noise sometimes can be very annoying!
Men’s ShoesMen's ballroom shoes are similar to men's dress shoes: - closed shoes with low heel and laces.
Men's Latin shoes have a slightly higher Cuban heel (block heel). They are designed to keep the weight towards the balls of the feet for easier weight changes. Often you need some time to get used to a Cuban heel.
Traditional ballroom and Latin shoes tend to come in black colour, but you can find some more colourful options on the market so pick a pair that suits your personal taste.
These are comfortable shoes used for practising or for those who prefer a steadier shoe. These shoes often have black, lace-up designs and a low heel.
A pair of practice shoes will save the wear and tear on your regular dance shoes as they are usually sturdier and are built to last you years of practice.
Dance sneakersThis is a more casual version of a practice shoe. They are handy when you practice for many hours and need that comfort. Dance sneakers have built-in arch support and allow movement flexibility.
The Best Dance Shoes For Ladies And MenDisclaimer: We are not affiliated with any mentioned brands/shops.
When buying dance shoes, it’s not always necessary to pay a fortune for good quality, but the cheapest option isn’t always the best one either.
Popular High-Quality Brands
I have tried a lot of brands throughout my dance career and I can recommend looking at these brands:
Ray Rose, Supadance, International Dance Shoes and AIDA.
These are the most popular and high-quality shoes available on the market.
Where To Buy Dance Shoes?If you can, visit a dancewear store and try before you buy to make sure that they are comfortable and don’t allow the foot to wiggle.
If you order online, bear in mind that dance shoes can vary significantly in their width, firmness etc. Wide fitting from one manufacturer is not the same as from another. Make sure you can easily return or exchange them if they don’t fit.
You can find some shoes on Chinese marketplaces such as Aliexpress or LightInTheBox. They can be very affordable, however, they might not last long and you need to choose a shop carefully.
If you live in Sydney, we recommend visiting these 2 shops:
GlamourDance Shop in Glebe and VivazDance in Rosebery - they have a great variety of stylish good-quality shoes.
We hope that this guide has been helpful in choosing the right type of Ballroom and Latin dance shoes for you. Just remember to keep comfort, support, and style in mind when buying dance shoes.
Happy shopping!
How to Choose Ballroom Dance Shoes | 7 Things to Consider — Duet Dance Studio Chicago
You have taken a few ballroom dance lessons and are starting to get more serious about dancing. It's time to look into purchasing some dance shoes! A pair of quality dance shoes, with its special construction and materials, will help you learn better and dance longer. Below are 7 important things to consider when choosing the right dance shoes.
1. Make Sure it Fits Like a Glove
When you first try on a pair of dance shoes, make sure they fit snugly without excessive pressure. This will give you the most control of your shoes even after they are broken in. I usually go a half or full size down for my dance shoes.
2. Open Toe vs. Closed Toe
Generally, open toe shoes are designed for Latin and rhythm dances, such as Salsa, Rumba and swing, which require more pointing of the toes and articulation of the feet.
The opening in the shoes allows you to point your toes easier and execute footwork more precisely. Closed toe shoes are designed for smooth/standard dances, such as Foxtrot and Waltz, as these dances require a more traditional classic look. For beginners who are learning multiple dance styles, open toe shoes or Latin dance shoes are recommended since you can pretty much do all styles in them.
3. Heel Heights
3" Flared Heel
The heel height for Latin and ballroom dance shoes ranges from 1.5" to 3". For beginning dancers, you should choose a heel height that gives you the most comfort. If you are not accustomed to wearing heels, you may want to start with shoes that have a lower heel to start with. Also, there are different shapes of heel, such as slim and flared. A flared heel is a popular choice as it gives you more stability. For men's dance shoes, a 1/2" heel is designed for ballroom dance styles while a 1.
5" Cuban heel is designed for Latin dance styles. Unless you are participating in dance competitions, a 1/2" heel is generally sufficient for both ballroom and Latin dancing.
4. Suede Sole Shoes
Suede soled shoes are perfect for dancing.
It is recommended to have a suede sole for your dance shoes. The suede sole gives you the right amount of slip and traction so that you can feel more balanced and have more control when turning and moving around the dance floor. very once in a while, you need to brush the suede sole with a wire dance shoe brush to maintain its roughness.
5. Buying Dance Shoes Online vs. In Store
Whether you order shoes online or purchase them in a store, I suggest you first go to a dance supply store to try on some shoes. Since sizing can vary from brand to brand, it is best to try and compare various brands, sizes and models to ensure you find the right fit.
6.
MaintenanceMoisture is the no. 1 thing that kills a shoe. After dancing, I usually use shoe trees to absorb moisture and keep the shape of the dance shoes. Cedar shoe trees are particularly great for fighting odor! Unfortunately, dance shoes are not made to last for a long time due to their delicate materials and the way dancers use the shoes. To extend the life of a pair of dance shoes, I recommend having 2 or more pairs of shoes (depending on how frequently you dance) to rotate between dance sessions. This allows each pair enough time to dry out before the next use. Also, never wear your dance shoes outdoors as the suede leather is very delicate and can be damaged easily by any harsh objects and water!
7. Cost
The cost of Latin and ballroom dance shoes range from $80 to $300 a pair depending on the brand and quality. For about $170, you can get a great quality pair of shoes. It is definitely worth spending a little more money since a good pair of dance shoes can last much longer and give you more comfort and support when learning to dance.
I hope this is helpful to anyone who is buying their first pair of ballroom dance shoes! Also, check out a video I’ve made about ballroom dance shoes below. Please leave me a comment if you have any questions. I'd love to help!
The Duet Team is a group of friendly dancers who are passionate about helping people and sharing the joy of ballroom dance. And we love to make new friends and have fun at work! Duet Dance Studio is located in Chicago West Bucktown. We offer ballroom dance lessons, wedding dance instruction and private dance parties. Online Wedding Dance Lessons and Skype dance lessons are also available! Dances we teach include Salsa, Swing, Tango, Bachata, Merengue, Waltz and Foxtrot. Sign up for an introductory dance lesson now to get started!
Szewai Lee1 Comment
0 LikesHow to choose dance shoes: features and recommendations
How to choose dance shoes
Choosing dance shoes is not as easy as choosing casual shoes.
Therefore, before buying, questions usually arise: what guides you when choosing the most comfortable dance shoes? Where to buy dance shoes? Is it necessary to choose it for each type of dance separately or are there universal options? You can find the answer to these and similar questions in this article.
Shoes for different types of dance
Sports ballroom dancing
Shoes for Latin American and European dances are very different.
Children up to 11 years old dance in universal shoes. Rating shoes for boys or rating shoes for girls are versatile dance shoes for training and performance. We have a huge selection of these dance shoes in our store.
If you need to buy shoes for sports ballroom dancing, you need to know what program you are going to dance. In the Latin American program, the partner uses a high heel (about 4 cm), girls usually use shoes for dancing with heels from 5 to 9cm, the shoes are tightly held on the legs thanks to the straps.
For European dances (standard), shoes with a small heel (about 2 cm) are used for the partner, and pumps for the partner. The heels of the ladies can be as high as in Latin. As materials, both synthetic and natural high-quality materials are used, emphasizing the expensive and elegant image of a dancer on the floor, but at the same time providing comfort of movement.
Ballet
Pointe shoes are the classic ballet shoes. Pointe shoes contain a rigid glass inside, which helps to keep balance during the dance, when the performer has to stand on his fingers. Pointe shoes are selected individually for each dancer and choosing them correctly is not an easy task. Pointe shoes are a type of dance shoe that is used only in ballet and nowhere else.
Ballet shoes are also used during the training process. Ballet flats are the most "universal" type of dance shoes that are suitable for both ballet and just stretching, choreography and almost any dance style as training shoes.
Ballerinas are usually white, pink, nude and black. Men usually choose black, girls can afford any, but still white and flesh are the most popular. Ballet shoes as dance shoes are one of the most common options. After them, you can already move on to more specialized shoes for the chosen dance direction.
Jazz
Jazz shoes can also be used for other types of dance (hip-hop, aerobics, rock and roll). The heel does not matter - it can be both high and low. Open sandals and soft lace-up boots are also suitable.
Dance shoes must have a split sole so that the foot can easily perform any movement. Sometimes there is also a rubber sole - it provides additional grip on the surface.
Oriental dances
This type is usually characterized by barefoot performance. However, you can buy Czechs or ballet flats. They are often supplemented with decorative elements (they apply a pattern, add beads or rhinestones).
Rhythmic gymnastics
In our store you can buy shoes for rhythmic gymnastics - these are half-toes.
In fact, this is half a ballet flat and an elastic band that wraps around the heel. These are professional footwear for athletes, which you can also purchase in our Komilfo store.
What should you keep in mind when buying dance shoes?
- Choose a dance shoe that is more flexible and soft at the time of purchase - this is essential for many dance moves.
- Do not choose shoes that are too big. Remember that shoes can stretch after a certain time. Therefore, after a few weeks, they can become too loose and fall off the leg, and this can lead to sad consequences.
- The foot may not be very comfortable in new shoes. Don't compare the feel to your old shoes or regular shoes. The task of dance shoes is to provide comfort and safety while dancing. The most comfortable materials are genuine leather and suede (nubuck).
- In the case when the dance shoes are suede or leather, do not forget to take care of them in time. Do not forget to buy special care products.
So your dance shoes will last much longer. - Girls should buy strappy dance shoes. Thanks to them, the shoes will be securely fixed. It is important that the strap is long enough, otherwise it will be uncomfortable and cut into the skin.
- In order for the shoes not to slip too much on the parquet, do not forget to use a special brush for shoes, which raises the pile on the sole of the shoes. This ensures optimal glide and floor feel. You can also buy professional brushes for shoes in our online store.
- Do not forget that dance shoes wear out much faster than street shoes. Therefore, it should be constantly changed to avoid injury.
How to choose the right size of dance shoes when purchasing them in the Komilfo online store?
When ordering shoes through our online store, you need to focus on your usual size. But we must not forget that too large or vice versa, small, the size can lead to falls, damage or injury during dancing. In addition, each manufacturer's size range may differ from the one you are used to.
Therefore, consultation in our dance online store "Komilfo" is the best choice.
The Komilfo store cooperates with a large number of brands and suppliers of shoes for dancing or gymnastics. Among them: Galex, Aida, BD dance, Dancemaster, Odeon, Grishko. Our online store gives you the opportunity to purchase goods from many well-known and recognized brands that produce only high-quality shoes and offer a huge variety of materials from natural leather to natural or artificial lacquer, suede, nubuck, etc.
By purchasing shoes from us, you not only buy goods, but also get an excellent offer in relation to cost to quality, as well as positive emotions from the chosen dance shoes. You will definitely want to use our services again!
Dance shoes: how to choose comfortable dancing shoes
Contents
If a bad dancer gets in the way of his feet, then a good dancer needs uncomfortable shoes. Properly selected wardrobe for classes is an integral part of safety.
Shoes, ballet flats and even Czechs are designed specifically to protect the performer's legs and provide him with complete freedom of movement at the same time. Therefore, before starting classes, it is worth learning how to choose dance shoes.
Special shoes
Normal shoes are generally not forbidden for amateurs, however, wearing non-special shoes, you will quickly feel that shoes prevent you from performing many movements at full strength. The sole does not bend and does not slip, the heel flies off, and the fastener digs into the foot. If you're serious about dancing, consider purchasing a pair of dance shoes. And when choosing, consider the following:
- Flexibility is a valuable quality of dance shoes. You can check it by bending the toe of the model. A hard pair will severely restrict movement. This is true for ballroom and Caribbean dances.
- High heels are very impressive, but these shoes are best left for going out and for performances, and it is better to start training without heels.
- Specialty dance shoes always stretch, so you don't need to buy shoes with a "reserve", they will start to fall off in a week. If a pair of a size smaller is comfortable, you can buy it.
- Trying on should not feel uncomfortable: rubbing, pressure or tingling will only get worse during class.
- The width of the ankle strap must be at least eight millimeters, otherwise the strap will dig into the leg.
- Open toe or heel - comfortable, beautiful, but unsafe. For the very beginning of classes, you can choose a closed model. However, an open toe will be needed with increasing experience, for example in Argentine tango (free toes give more contact with the floor).
- The black color for shoes is universal, while the flesh color visually lengthens the legs. Keep this in mind if you plan to compete.
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Shoes and dance directions
Different types of dance are suitable for their own, special shoes, because standing at the bar in high heeled shoes is as uncomfortable as performing a waltz in pointe shoes.
Therefore, in the question of how to choose the right shoes for dancing, it is worth starting from the style of dance. Your teacher can advise you. But you will still need a shift, so for the first lesson, take stable and comfortable shoes / ballet flats, with soles that do not leave marks on the floor. Desirable - a slight slip, when the sole does not stick to the floor (made of rubber and leather - choose leather).
Classical choreography
Real ballet is performed in pointe shoes, but classical choreography classes for amateurs are held in flexible shoes or so-called ballet shoes. They freely pass air and do not constrain the movements of the dancer. The traditional colors of such shoes are classic white, flesh and black.
Shoes for ballroom dancing
Shoes for European - with a steel shaft, suede or leather upper and a special strap for additional fixation. Women's heel - from 5 to 8 centimeters, always with a heel cap. Shoes for Latin American dances - with the same heel for women's shoes and about 5 centimeters for men's.
