Dance Shoes

Jazz Shoes

These usually come in one of two styles: lace-up or elasticized slip-on. While neither one offers an incredible amount of arch support, the slip-ons are definitely your best option. They feature an elasticized area situated under your arch, which will offer you significantly more support and comfort than the classic lace-ups. Jazz shoes should fit like a pair of socks, with your toes coming completely to the end of the shoe. The fit will likely feel strange at first, but if any extra space is left in the toe area, you're at risk of tripping over the excess material. Of course, always be careful to stand up when trying on these or any pair of shoes, otherwise they'll be too tight!

Dance Sneakers

When shopping for shoes, beginners will often be steered towards these all-purpose, plastic-soled shoes. And with good reason: they're cost effective and can be worn for almost all types of dance (excluding tap, of course). While they can be found in a whole-sole style, the most widely-sold type is a split-sole. This has a center connecting piece which makes an upside down U shape. Don't be fooled - just because it looks like fabulous arch support doesn't mean it is. However, unless worn for long periods of time, they're quite adequate. In other words, this is a perfect shoe for someone that takes only a few hours of dance class each week, but those who will be in long rehearsals or practices must continue the search. Please note that almost all dance sneakers are unisex and sizes listed are usually men's.

Tap Shoes

Incredibly expensive and just as difficult to fit, tap shoes are definitely a "big purchase" for advancing dancers. Ranging in price from $75-500, the main difference you find when choosing the more expensive range is a much better sound quality (pricier shoes usually come without taps attached, which allow you to customize your tone). The most important thing when buying tap shoes is to ensure that you have an adequate toe box. It must be sturdy and offer support when standing on your toes (think about all those photos you've seen of Gregory Hines!), but must also be roomy enough for comfort. Never, ever buy a pair of tap shoes if you have any question they may be a bit small! This equates to shoving your foot into an undersized steel-toe boot. Also, make sure your shoes are comfortable around your ankle and don't rub. If you develop a sore spot after just a few toe raises, you'll begin to question whether you spent wisely. Always attempt a few toe raises in the shoes you're fitting. Just because you're not yet doing them in class doesn't mean you won't progress to them in the very shoes you're buying!

Ballet Slippers

Ballet slippers, used throughout a dancer's career, are sold in two primary styles: whole-sole and split-sole. The best choice for you is dictated by your dedication to ballet: Dancers who intend to progress to pointe (or are currently en pointe) prefer a whole-sole, as it is more difficult to point the foot through the complete section of leather. Practicing in these shoes build the muscles supporting the arch, which ultimately lead to a more refined line when pointe is finally acheived. The split-sole is ideal for a part-time or less serious dancer, such as someone taking adult classes on the weekend. They're comfortable, and incredibly easy to adjust to. The split sole makes pointing and stretching your arch very simple, even for beginners. Ballet slippers should fit like a sock, with your toes coming completely to the end of the shoe. Always dance in your shoes before knotting the elastic and clipping the excess, and when you do tie them, please be standing. I cannot stress this enough. After personally throwing away several pairs of brand new ballet slippers after tying and clipping in a flurry of non-weight-bearing excitement, I can officially tell you: Your feet do swell, so accommodate them. Heel burns are no fun. Please note that no ballet slippers offer arch support, and care of your feet is achieved by careful weight placement when dancing.

Pointe Shoes

There are literally hundreds of separate aspects and factors that go into fitting a pointe shoe. NEVER buy a pointe shoe, especially for the first time, without a professional fitting. And no matter how cheap they may be, used pointe shoes are not okay. The arch is already in place, and was put there by another dancer with another foot. You need your own, personal break-in period with your shoes! Call your local dancewear retailer and ask when there will be a pointe shoe specialist available for a fitting. Achieving en pointe status is a huge milestone and should be celebrated with a new pair of proper fitting shoes, not a pair of shoes which will impede your career by causing pain and injury. By the way, those gel pockets for your toes are a really nice addition to your purchase, and all your little piggies will be very thankful! Paper towels, however, belong in the kitchen and not in your toe box.

Dance Paws

There's really no fitting advice for these, as the entire concept is quite simple: Slip on, slip off. The only thing that needs to be said is that these should be worn whenever dancing a barefoot routine. It may seem comfortable and cute to run around practicing and performing barefoot, but see how comfortable you are the next day and how cute those blisters, cuts, splinters, and calluses are in your strappy sandals.

Character Shoes

These are a great shoe for beginning ballroom dancers and of course, theatrical performers. The main decisions here are the type of sole and heel height. Please see the section below, Suede vs. Leather Sole, for advice on this aspect. As far as heel height is concerned, heels are your friends, ladies! Not only do they lengthen your leg line and increase your speed by pitching you forward, they also assist in supporting your arch. You can wear as high a heel as you're comfortable with, but please don't go below 1 1/2". If you choose something flatter than this, you lose any arch support you might have gotten. When fitting these shoes, please keep in mind that your toes should reach completely to the edge of the shoe. Also, be sure that the back of the heel is soft enough to be comfortable, as character shoes are notorious for not breaking in well, which means you'll be stuck with that hardness for quite some time.

Closed-Toe Ballroom (Standard, Modern, Smooth)

The biggest concern when fitting Standard shoes is the width. They often run narrow, so if you're at all in doubt of the fit, buy a wide width. Also important is how pointed you wish the toe area to be. While a point offers a beautiful and lengthy line, it also increases your chance of developing bunions later. A nice, gradual tapering is always your best bet - it's classic and comfortable. Your toes should come completely to the end of the shoe, but please don't go so far that you can see each toe outlined in the fabric. Where heel height is concerned, the usual height for Standard shoes is between 2-3." Anywhere in this range is fine. Please note that the sole of a Standard shoe should offer slightly more support than that of a Latin shoe. So if you cannot roll your Standard shoe, that's a good thing!

Open-Toe Ballroom (Latin, Rhythm, Salas)

This is a shoe with a lot of options! The basic fit is slightly unusual, because you wish the shoe to initially fit slightly tighter than you're used to in footwear. Because the straps will stretch, if the shoe chosen is slightly loose, you will end up slipping out the bottom once it's been broken in. But always make sure you dance about in it to make sure your toes are comfortable. It's normal in a Latin shoe for toes to reach the very end of the sole or even slightly hang over. It feels a bit odd at first, but prevents any problems of bunching or tripping over excess material when dancing, such as in your Rumba walks. Whatever you do, don't buy a Latin shoe with a broken shank. The shank is a concealed metal bar that runs along your arch and offers you much-needed support. A Latin shoe is made to enable you to point your toes, which should be done through the flexibility of the sole in the toe/ball of foot area. Some companies have decided it was best to attempt this effect by offering a split shank, which equates to zero arch support. You'll know this type of shoe immediately upon trying it. You will feel as if your foot is "bowing" in the center when you apply weight. Heel height for Latin shoes is also usually between 2-3", and anything in this range is fine.

Suede Vs. Leather Sole

Most character and ballroom shoes will be sold with the option of either a suede or leather sole. The best option is always the suede sole. Leather may be appealing and practical for beginning dancers, but after they become slightly worn, spins become a bit dangerous as you can easily lose control. Suede soles are easy to maintain provided you don't wear them outside the studio or the club, and brush them before and after you dance (purchase a wire brush with your shoes). It may seem like a lot of work, but once you've danced in suede soles and felt the control they offer, there's no going back!

»  Back to Top