Best Shoes for Ballroom Dancing: a Coach's Guide

The best shoes for Ballroom dancing are the ones you forget about while you dance. Good dance shoes let you turn without fighting the floor, point your feet and keep your balance, and they protect your knees and ankles. The wrong pair, whether it grips too much, slides too much or lets your foot move inside, makes even simple steps hard. As coaches, we see it often in lessons. Here is our practical guide to dance shoes: what makes them different from street shoes, how Ballroom shoes differ from Latin dance shoes, how to choose the fit and heel, and when a beginner really needs them.

What makes a dance shoe different from a street shoe

• Suede sole. All dance shoes, for ladies and men, have non-slip suede soles that give the right blend of grip and glide on a dance floor.
• Metal shank. A thin metal support in the arch keeps the shoe stable while the rest stays flexible.
• Light and flexible. You can point and articulate your foot, which is impossible in stiff street shoes.
• Secure fit. Ankle straps, laces and a close shape keep the foot from moving inside the shoe during turns.

Best shoes for Ballroom dancing: Standard shoes

Ballroom, or Standard, dances (English Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep) travel around the floor with long steps and heel leads. That is why Standard shoes are closed and built for smooth travelling.

Ladies' Ballroom shoes

The classic choice is a closed-toe court shoe, also called a standard or modern dance shoe. Heels in ladies' dance shoes generally range from 1 to 3 inches (1 inch is about 2.5 cm). Slim heels make turns easier, while flared heels give more stability. For a lady new to dancing, a good first pair that works for many dances is a closed-toe pump with a 2 to 2.5 inch flared heel and an ankle strap.

Men's Ballroom shoes

Men's Standard shoes are typically black lace-up Oxfords with a flat, low heel. They should feel light, close-fitting and flexible through the arch.

Latin dance shoes for women and men

Latin dances (Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Pasodoble and Jive) are danced more on the spot, with a lot of work on the ball of the foot. Latin dance shoes are designed for that.

Latin shoes for women

Ladies usually wear open-toe sandals or strappy shoes for Latin, with a 2 or 3 inch heel. Choose a lower heel if you are not used to dancing in heels. Most are made of leather, light and flexible, with suede soles. In a Latin sandal your toes should be as close as possible to the front of the shoe; some dancers like their toes to reach the very edge so they can point and feel the floor.

Latin shoes for men

Men's Latin shoes are light, flexible lace-ups with a 1.5 inch "Cuban" heel and suede soles, in leather, nubuck or patent leather. Many men buy them only for competitions; for Social dancing you will rarely see men in Cuban heels.

Shoes for Salsa, Bachata and Argentine Tango

For Social dances, many ladies choose Social-style sandals: often a wider fit, a slightly more relaxed shape and comfort for a long evening on the floor. Teaching and practice shoes are also popular for lessons. Men often dance Social styles in a lower heel, such as a Standard-type or practice shoe. Whatever you choose, keep the suede sole: it is what lets you turn.

Style	Ladies	Men	Why
Ballroom (Standard)	Closed-toe court shoe, ankle strap	Black lace-up Oxford, low heel	Long travelling steps and heel leads
Latin	Open-toe sandal, 2 to 3 inch heel	Lace-up with a 1.5 inch Cuban heel	Ball-of-foot action, pointed feet
Social	Social-style sandal or practice shoe	Standard-type or practice shoe	Comfort for long evenings, easy turns
Practice	Teaching and practice shoes	Practice shoes	Long lessons and rehearsals

How to choose the right fit: a checklist

1. Buy your first pair in person. Try several styles before you decide, rather than ordering blindly.
2. Snug, not tight. The shoe should hug your foot like a glove. Too tight causes blisters, too loose makes you trip.
3. Check the heel. Choose a height you can control in turns. Comfort first, height later.
4. Walk, rise and turn in the shoes, not just stand in them.
5. Look at the straps. An ankle strap keeps the shoe on during fast figures.
6. Choose the colour. Black is the most popular. Many ladies choose flesh-coloured shoes for competitions because they extend the line of the leg.

When should a beginner buy dance shoes?

Not before the first lesson. For your first classes, comfortable clothes and shoes with a smooth sole are enough. Avoid trainers and other rubber soles: they grip the floor so much that turning becomes hard and the knees take the strain. After a few lessons, when you know which style you enjoy most, it is the right time for your first pair of dance shoes. Ladies who are not sure yet can start with one versatile closed court shoe; men can start with a Standard shoe.

Caring for dance shoes in Dubai

• Never leave your shoes in a hot car. Summer heat can soften glue and dry out leather.
• Let them air after every lesson before you close the bag.
• Brush the suede soles regularly, and keep them away from water.
• Use heel protectors if you practise on different floors.

We help you choose dance shoes in Dubai

We have worked in the dance world for years and are happy to advise our students on what to buy: style, model and size for your dance and your level. We also have reliable partners for high-quality professional dance shoes, clothes and accessories, and we can help you place an order. See our Dance Shoes page for examples of ladies' and men's styles.

Next step: book your first lesson in comfortable shoes, and ask your coach about the right dance shoes once you know your style.