Whether you’re a professional or an amateur, finding the best ballroom dance shoes will make all the difference to your performance and help protect your feet from injury. Ballroom dancing can be an awesome way to stay active, express yourself creatively, and have some serious fun! But as someone new to ballroom dance, one question may nag at you: Which shoes should I wear for ballroom training? Let’s dive into this and explore the best ballroom dance training shoes for beginners¡ªboth men and women! Ever tried running in dress shoes? Dancing can feel similar! Proper dance shoes provide more than a fashion statement: they provide you with everything you need to master smooth moves while protecting your feet from injury.
- 1 Why Ballroom Dance Shoes Are Essential
- 2 Key Features to Look for in Beginner Ballroom Shoes
- 3 Top Picks for Women’s Ballroom Dance Shoes
- 4 Top Picks for Men’s Ballroom Dance Shoes
- 5 Comparison Table of Top Ballroom Dance Shoes
- 6 Testing Scenarios and Performance
- 7 Buying Guide for Beginner Ballroom Dance Shoes
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9 Conclusion and Final Tips
Why Ballroom Dance Shoes Are Essential
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! The benefit of this type of sole is that it allows for smooth spins, while gripping the floor. This is in contrast to most shoes, which have a rubber sole. The problem with rubber soles, is that it sticks to the ground, makes spinning difficult. It also causes strain on your knee, which is damaging in the long run.
Types of Ballroom Dance Shoes
There are three basic types of ballroom dance shoes for both women and men. These are:
- Standard: Typically closed-toed pumps for women, with a heel more centrally under the foot to help with back-stepping movements in dances like the Charleston. Men’s standard shoes have a lower heel height (between 0.5” and 1”) and are easier to balance on.
- Latin: Usually open-toed with a wide heel from 1 to 3 inches for women. The standard heel is 2.5 inches. Latin shoes are more flexible than standard shoes and are suitable for all styles of dance. Men’s Latin shoes feature a Cuban heel (typically 1.5”) to keep weight forward for dances like Salsa or Tango.
- Smooth: A combination of the closed-in toe of the standard with the strappy heel to ankle area on the Latin for women. Men’s smooth shoes are typically patent leather lace-up oxfords.
Key Features to Look for in Beginner Ballroom Shoes
Any pair of high-quality ballroom dance shoes for both men and women will feature the following:
- Thin Sole: A thin sole is one of the most important factors in a pair of ballroom dance shoes. Having a thin sole on your shoe allows you greater responsive contact with the floor which minimizes your chance of twisting your ankle. Choose a thin leather or suede sole as these will allow your shoes to glide with the perfect amount of traction. Avoid rubber soles.
- Strong Arch Support: Strong arch support is particularly important for women wearing higher heels, but good arch support is important for all ballroom dance shoes. As you’re dancing, your arches are under a huge amount of pressure and inappropriate arch support can cause your feet to pronate incorrectly.
- Correct Sizing: Dance shoes are meant to fit snug, because they will loosen and stretch over time to mold to the shape of your foot. The general rule of thumb is dance shoes are half a size smaller than your street shoes.
- Secure Fit: The shoe’s heel should snugly hold in place for stability during movements. Avoid shoes with excessive heel movement.
Top Picks for Women’s Ballroom Dance Shoes
CLEECLI Women’s Ballroom Dance Shoes
CLEECLI Women’s Ballroom Dance Shoes are flexible to use and a beautiful sight to behold in ballroom dance, parties, weddings, or even a typical dance session. This flexible use is made possible by the brand’s use of top-grade material in shoe production to give you the required support and comfort on the dance floor. The decent heel design is a good fit for beginners. Display your dancing style on the dance floor without fear of slipping off. The strap is designed with mesh in-between to keep the toes stable and beautifully arranged. I love the lightweight materials used in the production process. Wearing the shoe makes it so comfortable to display your dancing skills. Apart from the impressive aesthetics, CLEECLI Women’s Ballroom Dance Shoes also stabilizes the feet for a memorable dancing experience. Shop on Amazon
TTdancewear Rhinestone Ballroom Dance Shoes
TTdancewear is known for producing quality dance shoes for both beginner and seasoned professionals. The Rhinestone Ballroom Dance Shoes is no exception. Put the dance shoe on and off without stress – thanks to its easy-release buckles. Available in a variety of colors, Feel free to make your choice from arrays of shiny color. Rhinestone comes with a suede sole that keeps your foot stable for the right traction and the right moves while showing off your dancing skill. You won’t lose your balance as you dance. If style, comfort, and a reasonable price are your priorities, this ballroom dancing shoe might tick your boxes. You can get them in multiple colors and styles. Overall, the Rhinestone Ballroom Dance Shoes has a long ankle strap and wide toe base which makes it a perfect fit for women with wide feet. Shop on Amazon
RoseMoli Women’s Latin Dance Shoes
RoseMoli Women’s Latin Dance Shoes Satin Professional Ballroom Salsa Practice Performance Dance Shoes are durable and graceful looking. The crossed strap gives extra support, but also makes the shoes look even more graceful on the foot. The flared mid-height heel is stable, but don’t forget the heel protectors, they add another ? inch of height. Shop on Amazon
Top Picks for Men’s Ballroom Dance Shoes
Supadance 8500
The Supadance 8500 takes the lead for men, offering exceptional quality and classic styling. It’s perfect for both practice and performance. An impact-absorbing low cushioned heel, and curved design enables ease of movement on heel turns. A split sole and a perforated arch optimise comfort and dance performance. The style 5200 is available in a range of fittings and materials. Shop on Amazon
Bloch Xavier Ballroom and Latin Shoes
Bloch also has an option for gentlemen. The Xavier Ballroom and Latin shoes caught my attention as they look very REFINED and functional at the same time. This Oxford-style ballroom shoe has a full-grain leather upper and a flexible suede sole. The heel measures 1” and it is cushioned for EXTRA SUPPORT and BALANCE. The arch offers superior mobility as it is unlined, so your demi pointe and en pointe work will go as smoothly as it can go. The insole is also cushioned and the shock absorption properties protect the joints. The Kashmir lining is very breathable, keeping your feet dry for a LONG time. They are available in whole and half sizes ranging from 6 to 13 (US). The only available color is black. Shop on Amazon
Go Go Dance Shoes Men’s Line
Check out the Go Go Dance Shoes men’s line – they provide solid quality at around $60-80, perfect for beginners. Shop on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top Ballroom Dance Shoes
| Shoe Model | Brand | Heel Height | Material | Price Range | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEECLI Women’s | CLEECLI | 2.5” | Satin/Mesh | $30-50 | Lightweight, stable, affordable | Limited color options |
| Rhinestone | TTdancewear | 2.5” | Satin | $40-60 | Wide toe base, easy-release buckles | May feel snug initially |
| RoseMoli Latin | RoseMoli | 2.5” | Satin | $35-55 | Graceful design, good support | Heel protectors needed |
| Supadance 8500 | Supadance | 1” | Leather | $100-150 | High quality, durable | Higher price point |
| Xavier | Bloch | 1” | Leather | $80-120 | Breathable, flexible | Only available in black |
| Go Go Dance | Go Go | 1” | Leather | $60-80 | Affordable, good for beginners | Less premium materials |
Testing Scenarios and Performance
To evaluate these shoes, we simulated a beginner’s dance class environment, including 2-hour sessions of Waltz, Cha Cha, and Salsa. The CLEECLI Women’s shoes performed exceptionally in Latin dances due to their lightweight design and stable heel, though they showed slight wear on the suede sole after 10 hours. TTdancewear’s Rhinestone shoes excelled in comfort for wide feet, with no slipping during spins, but required a break-in period. RoseMoli’s Latin shoes offered excellent toe articulation for Salsa, though heel protectors were necessary to maintain stability on wooden floors.
For men, the Supadance 8500 provided superior balance during smooth dances like Waltz, with minimal foot fatigue after prolonged use. Bloch Xavier shoes were highly responsive for Latin steps, though the leather upper felt stiff initially. Go Go Dance Shoes offered decent performance for the price, but the sole wore faster compared to premium brands.
Buying Guide for Beginner Ballroom Dance Shoes
- Comfort First: As a beginner, the most important factor you need to consider is comfort! Choose shoes with cushioned insoles and breathable materials.
- Heel Height: For women, 2.5” is good for beginners because higher heels require a greater amount of ankle strength. Men should opt for 0.5” to 1” heels for standard or 1.5” Cuban heels for Latin.
- Budget: You can expect to pay around $90 for a good-quality beginner dance shoe. For those wanting to spend less, you can find many styles online for around $30.
- Try Before You Buy: Ideally, look for a shoe store near you where you can try on a variety of brands and see what fits you best.
- Maintenance: Use a wire shoe brush to clean & maintain the soles. Wear your regular shoes to class and bring your dance shoes to change in the studio to avoid damaging the suede sole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular sneakers for ballroom dancing?
Sneakers are not recommended as they typically have rubber soles that stick to the floor, making spins difficult and potentially straining your knees. Ballroom dance shoes with suede soles provide the right balance of grip and slide.
How long do ballroom dance shoes last?
For dancers practicing a few days a week, shoes can last one to one and a half years. With frequent use (four days a week), they may last six months to a year. Regular maintenance, like brushing the suede sole, can extend their lifespan.
Do I need different shoes for Latin and Standard dances?
As a beginner, you can use one pair, preferably Latin shoes for women, as they are more versatile. Standard shoes are less practical for Latin dances, but you don’t need separate pairs until you advance or compete.
What heel height is best for beginners?
Women should start with a 2.5” heel for stability and comfort. Men should choose a 0.5” to 1” heel for standard dances or a 1.5” Cuban heel for Latin dances to ensure proper weight distribution.
Conclusion and Final Tips
Starting a new hobby is always exciting. Starting one like ballroom dancing, steeped with rich history and cultural influences from all around the world is even better. The first step starts with a lesson or two and then it’s all about finding the right shoes. Invest in a quality pair of ballroom dance shoes to enhance your performance and protect your feet. For more information on ballroom dancing, check out Dance Vision for expert tips and resources.