Dance Shoes: Happy Feet, Beautiful Dancing!
A little guidance from Maui Dance Pro, Rita on choosing the right shoes for Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Salsa and social dancing on Maui.
The right dance shoes can make a wonderful difference!
Whether you’re taking your very first dance lesson or have been enjoying the dance floor for years, your shoes should help you feel comfortable, confident and secure while allowing your feet to do what dancers’ feet are meant to do—dance!
After nearly 40 years of teaching and dancing professionally, I’ve learned that the prettiest or most expensive shoe isn’t necessarily the best one. What matters is finding a shoe that suits your feet, your dancing and the floors you dance on.
And here on Maui, there are a few special considerations!
Just Beginning? You Don’t Need Expensive Dance Shoes!
If you’re new to Ballroom or Latin dancing, there’s no need to rush out and buy professional dance shoes before your first lesson.
A comfortable, lightweight shoe with a secure fit and a relatively smooth sole may be perfectly adequate to get started, provided it offers safe, controlled movement on the studio floor.
Here’s what I suggest looking for:
- A secure fit: Your foot should stay comfortably in the shoe. Avoid flip-flops, loose sandals, backless mules and shoes that slip off your heel.
- A flexible, lightweight design: Heavy, stiff shoes make dancing unnecessarily difficult.
- A sole that allows controlled turning: Too much grip can make pivoting uncomfortable, while too little traction can make you slip.
- Comfort and support: Your shoes should feel good when you’re standing, walking and dancing.
Please note: Bare feet are not permitted at Private Image Dance Studio classes and events.
Why Invest in Proper Dance Shoes?
Once you’re dancing regularly, a pair of shoes designed specifically for Ballroom or Latin dancing can be a worthwhile investment.
Unlike most street shoes, dance shoes are designed with dancing in mind. Depending on the style, they offer flexible soles, carefully positioned heels, supportive midsole, secure straps, very lightweight construction and materials that help you feel and respond to the floor.
Many traditional Ballroom and Latin shoes have suede soles intended for appropriate indoor dance floors. Argentine Tango shoes typically have leather soles.
My philosophy?
A good dance shoe should feel like a natural extension of your foot—not something you’re struggling to keep on, squeeze into or work around.
And remember, every manufacturer’s fit is a little different. Just as with everyday shoes, you may need to try several styles before finding your favorite.
Ladies: Beautiful Shoes That Feel Wonderful!
Ah, the shoes! One of the pleasures of Ballroom, Latin & Tango dancing is having so many lovely styles to choose from.
But beautiful doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable!
Open Toe or Closed Toe?
For Ballroom dancing, you’ll often see elegant closed-toe court shoes in the tradition of the dance. Latin and Rhythm dancers frequently choose open-toe sandals – this style is also the most popular style in our tropical paradise with the warm weather, sandal-style footwear and breathability.
For social dancing, the choice depends largely on your preferences, the dance style and how securely the shoe fits.
And ladies, don’t let the fear of being stepped on be your only consideration. In fact, with proper instruction, good partnering and applied dance techniques you can play an important role in protecting each other’s feet (although accidental contact can still happen).
How High Should Your Heels Be?
Choose the heel height in which you feel balanced, secure and comfortable.
If you live in Hawaiʻi and spend most of your days in slippers, you may not be accustomed to wearing heels. There’s absolutely no reason to begin with a 3-inch heel!
A lower, broader heel can be a lovely choice for classes and a slightly higher-heeled one for social dancing. If you enjoy higher heels, select a design with good support and allow yourself time to become comfortable dancing in them.
I often suggest having two pairs with different heel heights if you enjoy dancing throughout the evening.
A Few More Tips for the Ladies
- Look for straps that hold your foot securely in place.
- Leather is often a practical choice for regular use, while satin offers that beautiful, classic Ballroom appearance.
- A neutral or skin-tone shoe is wonderfully versatile and can create an elongated visual leg line than black or other dark colors.
- Practice shoes with a lower heel and enclosed design can be especially useful for lessons and workshops.
- I don’t recommend traditional stiff character shoes (think “Rockettes”) or tap-style shoes as substitutes for Ballroom and Latin shoes. They’re designed for different purposes with a heavier weight (leg fatigue), enclosed restrictive structure and different body-weight distribution.
Above all, your shoes should feel snug and secure—but, not painfully tight. They should feel part of your foot, not a protective armour or a worn-in athletic shoe.
Gentlemen: It’s All About Comfort, Control & Style
Gentlemen, you don’t need flashy footwear to look polished on the dance floor!
When you’re first starting out, a lightweight, single layer, smooth sole dress shoe and a secure fit may work well.
Once you’re ready to invest in dance shoes, here are the main differences:
Ballroom or Standard Shoes
Generally styled like an elegant lace-up dress shoe with a relatively low heel (no higher than a pair of dress shoes). They’re an excellent choice for many social dancers.
Latin Shoes
These typically have a somewhat higher block heel and a flexible design that accommodates Latin dance technique. They’re worth considering as your skills develop.
Leather or Patent Leather?
For everyday lessons and social dancing, I generally prefer practical, comfortable leather. Patent leather is a classic option for formal occasions and competitions, but it isn’t necessary for most students.
And don’t overlook the importance of lightweight, comfortable socks!
Dance Sneakers & Practice Shoes
Not everyone enjoys dancing in dress shoes or heels, and that’s perfectly fine.
Purpose-made dance sneakers can be an excellent alternative for certain classes, practice sessions and casual dance occasions. Many have lightweight construction, flexible soles and areas designed to facilitate turning.
Just remember dance sneakers are not the same as ordinary athletic sneakers. Traditional running shoes can have considerable grip, which may make turning difficult.
Always choose footwear appropriate to the particular floor, and check whether your dance sneakers are intended for indoor use only.
Sometimes comfort and practicality win over fashion—and that’s perfectly acceptable!
A Special Note About Dancing on Maui
Those of us who dance on Maui know that not every dance floor is created equal!
Our available spaces can include wood, vinyl, smooth concrete or other hard surfaces. Add island humidity, changes in floor maintenance and different styles of footwear, and the conditions can vary considerably.
A shoe that works beautifully on one floor may feel too sticky—or too slippery—on another.
Here are my suggestions:
- If you regularly dance on different surfaces, consider keeping separate pairs of shoes for different floors.
- Avoid using delicate suede-soled dance shoes outdoors or on rough surfaces.
- If you need additional cushioning, select a shoe with enough room and support for an appropriate insert.
- Pay attention to how your knees, ankles, feet and back feel when dancing, especially on hard surfaces. Proper dance technique makes a world of difference! The time-tested techniques I teach help dancers develop better balance, control and body alignment, reducing unnecessary strain and the risk of injury while making dancing feel more natural and effortless.
- Never try to solve a sticky floor by making your shoes excessively slippery.
I’ve experimented with different footwear over the years, but I recommend choosing a sole designed for your dancing surface rather than permanently altering an expensive pair of shoes.
And if you’re unsure what works best at our current dance locations, please ask me before buying!
Buying Dance Shoes Online:
Shopping online gives us access to an enormous variety of shoes, but it also means we can’t always try them on first.
⭐️Rita’s Pre-Order tip:
- Check the manufacturer’s sizing chart.US, UK and European sizes are not interchangeable, and even styles from the same manufacturer may fit differently.
- Read the return policy carefully.Some shoes may not be returnable, particularly special orders, custom styles, or due to country of origin
- Check shipping costs to HawaiʻAsk about delivery charges, international shipping and return postage.
- Consider width as well as length.A beautiful shoe is no bargain if it doesn’t fit your foot.
- Try new shoes on a clean indoor surface.Keep the soles pristine until you’ve decided whether the shoes fit correctly.
⭐️Rita’s Try-on tip:
I like to put down a clean towel or sheet before trying on new dance shoes. Our Maui red dirt can find its way just about everywhere! Stand and gently check the fit without marking the soles and follow the vendor’s return instructions.
⭐️Rita’s “gotta dance” tip:
Still undecided after trying on your new dance shoes? You may want to take a few gentle dance steps to see how they really feel! To help protect the pristine soles, slip a large, clean athletic sock over each shoe before moving around. The socks will help keep dust and debris off the soles while you test the fit, comfort and flexibility. Just be especially careful—the socks may make the floor more slippery than usual!
Dance Shoe Manufacturers & Shopping Resources
Over the years, I’ve worn and become familiar with many of the traditional dance shoe brands. Each has its own styles, sizing and fit, so I encourage you to explore rather than assume that one particular brand is best for everyone.
Established Ballroom & Latin Dance Shoe Manufacturers
Supadance
www.supadance.com
A long-established English manufacturer offering Ballroom, Latin and practice shoes for women and men.
International Dance Shoes
www.internationaldanceshoes.com
Another established English manufacturer, with options for social dancing, teaching, practice and competition.
Werner Kern
www.werner-kern.com
Known for an extensive collection of dance footwear, including comfortable and attractive social dance styles.
Dance Naturals
www.dancenaturals.it
Italian dance shoe manufacturer with a selection of Ballroom and Latin footwear.
Freed of London
www.freedoflondon.com
An established dance footwear company offering Ballroom, Latin, social and practice shoes.
Showtime Dance Shoes
www.showtimedanceshoes.com
A dance shoe retailer offering styles for women, men and children.
Additional Shopping Options
Very Fine Dance Shoes
www.veryfineshoes.com
A wide selection of Ballroom, Latin, social dance and practice shoes at various price points.
Capezio
www.capezio.com
A well-known dancewear company with Ballroom shoe selections and dance sneakers.
Champion Dance Shoes
www.championdanceshoes.org
A Los Angeles dance shoe shop offering footwear for various dance styles.
Toe To Toe Dance Wear
www.toetotoedancewear.com
A retailer with Ballroom, social and Swing dance shoe selections.
Amazon
Offers dance shoe options from a variety of retail vendors & manufacturers for Ballroom & Latin dancing, as well as Salsa, Tango & Swing.
All of the above links are provided as shopping resources, not paid endorsements. Product availability, sizing, shipping policies and return terms may change. Please confirm the details directly with each vendor.
Looking for Dance Shoes on Maui?
From time to time, I have a selection of new and gently used Ballroom and Latin shoes for men and women available through Private Image Dance Studio. Please contact me to ask about current availability. 808-344-4452
And while Maui has dancewear shopping options, specialty Ballroom and Latin selections may be limited if any. It’s always wise to call ahead (women: remember that “character shoes” are not the same as Ballroom, Latin or Tango shoes).
Still Not Sure What to Buy? Ask Rita!
I’d much rather help you choose an appropriate pair of shoes before you order them, than have you spend money on something uncomfortable or unsuitable for your dancing.
Whether you’re beginning your first lessons, exploring a different style or treating yourself to a beautiful new pair, I’m always happy to share my experiences from.
Happy Feet. Happy Dancing! 💃🏻🕺🏻 – Rita
