What makes a good ballroom shoe

Caring For Your Dance Shoes Wearing your dance shoes outside of the ballroom will damage the suede sole; therefore, wear your street shoes to class and bring your dance shoes to change in the studio. Most dancers use a shoe bag, these are often included with your shoes purchase. Most students start with a basic, all-purpose social dance shoe. This could be a sturdy comfortable practice shoe or a strappy high-heeled latin shoe. High heels are not required and there are many options with low or flat heels.

If you decided to compete you will want to have the proper shoes for each style of dance, but in the beginning, any suede soled shoe that you like will work well.

Here are the basic types of shoes. Smooth shoes are flesh-toned, closed toe shoes with a 2, 2. Latin heels are strappy, flesh-toned, open toe shoes with a 2, 2. Practice Shoes — These are comfortable shoes used for practicing, teaching, or for those who prefer a steadier shoe.

These shoes are often black, lace-up designs. Most practice shoes are flat, but you may purchase a pair with a low 2 inch heel if you wish. Dance Sneaker — This is a more casual, cushioned, and supportive version of a practice shoe. Be careful when selecting a dance sneaker as they often have rubber soles which are not ideal for ballroom dancing. Choose a dance sneaker with a suede sole. Argentine Tango Shoes — This is where is gets fun ladies.

Tango is ALL about the heels, and the higher the better. In Tango, the standard heel height is 3 inches and up lower heels are available as well. When people contact us for scheduling ballroom dance lessons in Durham, they usually have quite a few questions about what to expect from their first lesson.

This is a great question because the type of shoes you wear for ballroom dancing can either help you or even get yourself and others hurt.

Shoes is an essential key in your success as a ballroom dancer. Ballroom Heels are different from regular shoes with heels because they are more flexible and they have a suede covering on the bottom of the shoe. The suede portion of the shoe provides friction to allow the ballroom dancer to both slide the feet along the floor easily and not slip.

Ballroom Heels are also different from regular heels because they provide a different type of support to the feet. The downfalls to wearing heels for ballroom dancing is pain and discomfort. After time and breaking in of the shoe, the pain will go away. Calluses and blisters on your feet is also a common complaint. Like ballroom heels, ballroom shoes provides added support for your feet. In particular, they provide extra support for the balls of your feet. Jazz shoes are very flexible and allow you to point your toes and stand on the balls of your feet.

And women are thinking of how many pairs they could get from DSW for that price. I cannot be more adamant that dance shoes are necessary period. If you are just socially dancing, they will make your dancing easier and more fun. If you are just taking lessons, they will make them easier and your progress faster. Think of dance shoes as a tool, when you need to hang a picture you get out a hammer. Because its a lot easier and more effective to use a hammer than a tape measure. I am a girl, and have been known to try some shady DIY hacks.

However, if you really want to get the job done, you use the proper tools. From the flexibility of the sole or the height of the heel to where the shoe offers your foot support. This shoe was designed for the job at hand, dancing. The heel is designed to place your weight over the appropriate part of the foot.

The higher the heel the farther forward your weight will be placed. Yes this applies to the guys as well! In the same idea, the striding required for Smooth and Standard dancing is much easier and physically possible with your weight in the heels.

Which is why those styles of shoe come in a lower heel. The sole is made of flexible suede so that you can feel the floor, use it to ground yourself and create power. Also, handy so that you can point your toe and finish the line of your leg.