How To Shop for Dance Shoes

Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance the night away! But be sure you are wearing the appropriate shoes for your big night. If you are planning a night of sassy salsa dancing, you certainly won’t want that beautiful ballet Pointe shoe. Neither do you want to study ballet with a tap shoe!

It is important to determine what type of shoe you need for the dancing you plan. There are a myriad of styles and qualities available, from the inexpensive man-made to the top-of-the-line, hand-sewn shoe good for many nights of dance-‘til-you-drop excitement. Steel shanks can provide support and endurance. Professional dancers will need to seek out excellence in fit, style, and durability. Weekend or casual dancers tend to not need the same level of serviceability but still need to be sure the shoe meets their needs. For example, if a tall heel is desired, that heel should be able to withstand the quick stops, starts and turns in dance without tearing loose from the shoe. Ill-made shoes that do not hold up to dancing demands compromise the safety of the dancer!

Those who dance for hours on a daily basis need to seek out those manufacturers who pay attention to detail: the strength of the sole, the durability of the uppers (not only to wear well but to look good also), and stability of the shoe. Professional dancers should have several pairs: a sturdy pair for rehearsals and study and as needed pairs for performance. Casual dancers will still want to look for a quality shoe but probably without the need to tolerate the extended wear hours.

Once a style or type and durability of dance shoes have been identified, then sizing becomes the most important factor when shopping. Dance shoes should fit snugly yet comfortably. There should be no gaps in fit around the foot/ankle. It is very important that dance shoes for children not be purchased with “room to grow”. That “room to grow” can lead to injury from tripping or misstep. Tap shoes can be bought with or without the taps attached, which also allows a chance to obtain new taps. Latin shoes should be bought with serious consideration given to the height of the heel; less experienced Latin dancers should opt for lower heels, gaining height with experience. A good dance shoe should not need to “be broken in”.

With careful forethought and research, it can be easy and fun to shop for dance shoes, whether they are for the professional or the weekend dancer.