Buying new dance shoes?
Believe it or not, there is a lot to think about when buying new dance shoes. It is important to take the time to pick the right shoe as it is an investment after all.
In this video podcast I talk about choosing a shoe for the dance style that you are doing, how to pick the right size and mention a few brand names.
More video podcasts (Click here)
I didn’t realize that there were different styles dancing shoes. We usually go Ballroom dancing and I only have a pair of Ballroom dancing shoes , the majority of songs are suitable for Ballroom dancing , occasionally they’ll play a Latin song and the shoes seems to be work well.
I am curious to see what it would feel like dancing the merengue with Latin dancing shoes, but I guess it would be difficult having to switch shoes a few times throughout the night.
Thanks for the tips
Yeah, when you go out social dancing, you may not necessarily have a chance to change shoes…But for lessons its advised to wear different shoes.
Okay…. I believe in really ‘good’ fitting shoes. Since I do alot of country dances…a comfortable well made leather boot with good soft leather to allow your feet to be supported without being pinched. Thanks Leon for the tip and I will be looking for some brand name Salsa shoes!
Thank you for your information I never realized that before.
Need all the help I can get for Latin dances. I’m 6’4″ my wife 5’4″ so I hesitate adding to that differnce. Any suggestions?
@ Teabags,
I guess if you don’t want to add much more height, get a 1 inch heel dance shoes for Latin dancing. And also, get your wife to wear 2.5-3 inch heels!
I found the information quite helpful. I’m thinking about purchasing dance shoes and I wanted to find out how to choose the correct ones.
Very crisp and to the points. Very helpfu. I didn’t know about different shoes. Thanks.
I did know you have to wear different shoes for latin and ballroom dance . I learn something today
Hi Leon, I found this very educational as I have a partner and we are relative new to dancing and we are learning CW, ballroom and latin style, also was not aware of different type of shoes to wear…I have difficult feet to find proper size to wear as they are narrow and two different sizes of feet. .one foot is size 11 and other is 11 1/2…any suggestions
Rolando, Your best bet is to try many different shoe sizes to see what fits…Most likely you need like 10.5 in size..
really thank u…..
it’s very helpful………..thanks a lot to your effort.
if u can help me with more chacha lessons…..i will appreciate
Fatma,
All our ChaCha lessons are here: https://www.passion4dancing.com/category/dance-instruction-videos/chacha-dance-lessons/
ALSO COLOR IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU CAN NOT AFORD TO BUY SEVERAL SHOES TO MATCH YOUR OUTFIT, CONSIDER TAN, IT WILL MATCH EVERY COLOR BECAUSE IT MATCH YOUR SKIN.
Very interesting about the shoe size. Makes so much sense though.
Thank you very much for your tips Leon, I’ve learn a very precious tips about different dancing shoes for different type of dance…Wait until I tell my husband, he thinks any kind of shoes will do as long as they have to be high heels…lol…
GREAT INSTRUCTER
Good morning, I agree with you about the shoes because I have noticed that when I am doing the cha cha cha that I don’t get the turns very well. Thank you for those tips about the shoes.
yes .. that will help me alot how to get the right shoe. thanks Leon…by the way ,,how to find and buy nice shoe of these brand…cheers
I started with 2.5″ heel latins and used them for all my lessons. For first competition, my studio said I needed closed toe for smooth dances. I purchased 2.5″ heel closed toe. From this video, sounds like my smooth shoe heel should be shorter? Also salsa is my favorite dance- you mentioned salsa shoes as different from Latin?
The heel size can vary for all of the styles. But for standard/smooth typically its lower.
You can certainly dance salsa with the Latin 2.5 heel shoes. There are other Salsa specific shoes for men and women, but for ladies anything that has a heel, ankle strap will work and the Latin dance shoe is very good for it!
I didn’t know there were different shoes. Most of my dance is in cowboy lace up shoes.
Leon,
What shoes are appropriate for the dances
Of the sixties and seventies if you would
Be dancing boogie, the twist and disco
dances?
Love all the info you pass on; no one teaching, in general, seems to mention something as important as the shoes–the main tool of the trade. The emails were a great idea.
Hi Leon,
I wish I had seen this before ordering my new shoes. I ordered my normal size for Latin and they fit fine. The shoes I ordered for smooth are a little big. I use Lightinthebox.com for my shoes and they are great. All of the Latin shoes have the steel rod in the heels for support and both Latin and Smooth have the suade on the bottoms so you don’t slide too much. The best part is I only paid $35.00 for both pairs and that includes shipping. You should check it out. It takes about 5 weeks to receive them but it’s well worth the wait. Every bit as good as Champion shoes. Now I NEED TO START PRACTICING.
Hi Linda,
Sounds great. Congrats on your new shoes. I would be a little hesitant to buy shoes that costs $35 for both or even for one. My teaching shoes – by the brand “Stephanie”, is about $110-$120 or so and my competitive Latin shoe is $159 from Ray Rose. I guess it depends on the brand and the kind of quality you want.
My favorite brand of dance shoe was Bloch. They quit making ballroom dance shoes so now I order Supadance from England. I have purchased both 2″ and 2 1/2″ heels. In England you order your size minus 2.5. I wear a 6 in US so I order 3.5 and they fit perfectly. I also order a “flare” heel which gives you more stability. I use open toe not matter what the dance. My toes don’t like being enclosed so this works for me. I do wear a cowboy boot for country/western though since that’s all country western places play.
Good tips. A video for women’s shoes would be helpful. Also, a website address of the shoe suppliers would be welcome.
How long does my paid membership last.What may I download/ stream.. Good dancer but do same dance/ same place. harry
Hi Harry,
It lasts for as long as you stay a member. It renews automatically until cancelled. For any membership questions please email me instead at [email protected]
Good info to know. I knew dancing shoes needed to be a little different, but didn’t realize they needed to be different styles and smaller in size also. Thanks for the info.
I have just started ballroom dance lessons and I am really enjoying it. I have not bought dance shoes yet and I am using ‘minimalist’, very flexible shoes that I bought from the Lems company. I am a fan of the Vibrams five fingers shoes which I wear in the gym and for running. The reason for this is that I am developing some arthritic changes at the front of both feet and this ‘minimalist appraoach has helped. I am reluctant to buy a tight fitting dance shoe because of this. However I am aware that I would do much better particularly in dances like Samba, but also Rumba where the foot is in contact with the floor.
Would you comment on this for me please
Thank you
Rod Mitchell
Hi Rod, Well it all depends on if you’re going to keep dancing for a while then it makes sense to invest in real dancing shoes. But if you’re just going to do it for a few months and stop, then you can just keep using your minimalist shoes. As long as they allow you to dance properly.
I am still getting mine from LightInTheBox.Com. They are every bit as good as Champion or any other high priced dance shoe. They have a metal support in the heel, easy to hook straps and because of the low price, I can afford numerous styles and colors. I have never been disappointed.
Good to know, I like dance shoes with no heals. Heal shoes make your feet sore after a few, and then your dance time is cut down. But bring a few shoes with you.