Have you been training in ballroom dance for a while?
If you have, then it may be time to switch your regular pair of dance shoes for a pair of professional dancer shoes.
As most ballroom dancing experts recommend, if you feel that you want to try ballroom dancing on a professional level, then the first thing you need to do is buy a pair of professional ballroom dance shoes.
But how do you select the right pair of shoes for ballroom dancing?
You can’t just wear anything that catches your fancy.
The right shoes are an asset for ballroom dancers.
They determine their movement and flexibility on the dance floor.
They also help make sure you don’t suffer from a foot injury.
Let’s take a look at some things you need to keep in mind while purchasing a professional ballroom dance shoe.
We have also added some of our own recommendations of professional dancer shoes that you can consider buying!
Top 4 Things to Consider When Buying Professional Dance Shoes
Some of the most important factors that you need to consider while buying professional dancing shoes include:
The Material
The material of the shoe is a primary consideration.
You should try purchasing shoes that are made out of patent or plain leather.
Shoes made out of canvas or satin material are also a suitable choice, but plain leather is generally preferred among dancers.
This is because leather shoes last longer.
Your shoes will be subjected to a fair amount of stress while you dance, and leather holds out a lot better than other kinds of material.
If you can’t find leather shoes, then Satin is the best choice for you.
The Sole
Once you have decided upon the material of the shoe, you need to inspect the sole of the shoe.
A suede-based sole is generally preferred.
This is because it allows for better movement on the dance floor.
You can glide without slipping and there is much better control.
A suede-based sole doesn’t get damaged too quickly as well, so you won’t have to replace your shoes a few months after you buy them.
Considering how expensive professional dancer shoes can be, this an important consideration.
Heel and Arch Support
Make sure your shoes offer good arch support to your feet.
This is very important as it helps you dance for a long time without your feet hurting.
Shoes that do not offer good arch support will cause your feet to hurt while dancing.
You must also take the heel of the shoe into account.
A professional dance shoe has a 3-inch or a 2-inch heel.
This usually depends upon the type of ballroom dance style you opt for.
You can consider wearing a flared heel as this provides your feet with additional stability while you dance.
Men usually wear dance shoes that have a half-inch heel.
In the case of Latin dance forms, this can extend to 1.5 inches (shoes with Cuban heels).
Here are some popular choices:
JZNX Women’s Professional Rhinestone Ballroom Dance Shoes (See Here)
These shoes have a leather sole.
The length of the heel is at 2.4 inches, but you won’t find yourself falling over.
The best thing about these dance shoes is how they fit against the dancer’s feet.
They are extremely comfortable and soft to wear.
They also carry extra cushioning that can help reduce the stress on your feet.
As a bonus feature, they also contain an inner lining that can absorb your sweat while you dance.
The shoes make use of satin material, which is long-lasting in nature.
Pro Dancer Women Ballroom Dancing Shoes (See Here)
These shoes are made out of Satin.
They are imported and have a heel length of 2.75 inches.
The sole is made out of suede and leather, which makes these shoes last longer than most ballroom dance shoes.
There is extra padding against the bed of the shoe.
This will keep your feet comfortable while you dance.
These dance shoes are most suitable for popular dance styles such as:
Jive, Salsa, Tango, Latin, Quickstep, Waltz, Viennese, Foxtrot, Samba, ChaChaCha, Rumba, Disco, and Swing.
Dress First Suede Latin Ballroom Dance Shoes (See Here)
These shoes have suede-based sole.
The best thing about them is that they are very lightweight, flexible, and comfortable to wear.
The suede sole offers enhanced balance and resistance on indoor dance floors.
There is also a cushioned insole that protects these shoes from getting distorted and compressed.
If you are learning ballroom dance styles such as:
Quickstep, Tango, Salsa, Latin, Viennese Waltz, ChaChaCha, Waltz, Swing, Foxtrot, Rumba, Samba, and Disco, then these are a suitable choice for you.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right pair of professional dancer shoes is very important for your ballroom dance career.
Your shoes must also complement your feet and make them appear pretty on the dance floor.
A lot of judges take into account your appearance, so make sure you buy a nice pair.
- [Related] What kind of shoes do you wear for ballroom dance?
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