Dance shoes are not just fashion. For dancers, correctly fitted, comfortable dance shoes are an essential item in their toolbox.
Dance shoes have a rich history that dates back to the late 18th century.
Junior (12 and above) and Women’s Ballroom Shoes
Women’s Ballroom Shoes come in different styles, some will come with straps and some without. They also come with different types of heel and different heights.
In the 1950's Stiletto heels were introduced to give dancers more stability and support while dancing. This also made them more aesthetically pleasing.
Top Tips:
When moving up from juvenile shoes wear your new height shoes at home as often as you can so you can get use to the extra height.
When you get a new pair of shoes wear them in well before contemplating dancing in them.
Add heel protectors to prolong wear and tear. Many dance floors will not permit you onto the floor unless you do in face have heel protectors.
Try different brands and styles on to find the brand and style that suits you. Not all shoes fit the same and athletes have the right to wear a shoe that fits and is comfortable for them.
Junior (12 years and above) and Women’s Latin Shoes
Women’s Latin shoes are open toed. They come in numerous heights, styles and heel types.
The straps on these shoes can be wrapped around the foot or the ankle. The choice is there to allow the athlete to feel most comfortable.
Top Tip:
When buying women’s Latin shoes, purchase them half a size smaller so that when you point your toes on the dance floor you don’t have excess shoe showing. Tip- Cut away excess strap. This will make your shoes look neater.
Men’s Ballroom and Latin Shoes
Men’s Ballroom dance shoes have a Cuban heel with height of 1 inch. The shoes can be patent leather, leather, or fabric. Patent shoes are most commonly used for competitive dancing.
Men’s Latin dance shoes have a heel with a height of 1.5 inches. The shoes can be brought in a variety of styles too which enables the athlete to have choice and determine what they would rather wear and feel most comfortable in dancing.
Top TIps:
Tuck in laces. This will prevent laces showing when you form lines where the shoes are on display.
Double knot shoe laces to prevent them from coming undone in the middle of a dance.
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