So you're getting serious about dance and you're ready to buy your first pair of DANCE SHOES!  Congratulations dance shoe virgins!!  Here are some things you should know.

Why do I need special shoes?  A good question.  Dancing is not like walking.  In dance, we rarely lift our feet off the floor as in pedestrian walks.  We glide.  Not only that, but dancers need to "feel" the floor at all times - that's possible only with thin soles.  Also, we articulate our feet.  In Latin for example, we lead with the inside edge of the ball of the big toe.  You wanna try that in tennis shoes?

Ballroom Dance Shoe Construction  Non-slip soles are essential.  Look for suede soles, which provide the right combination of grip and slide.   Rubber sneaker-like soles can stick to the floor and cause knee injuries, and leather soles can slide too much.  Dance shoes have thinner soles than normal shoes.  Most dancing shoes have a steel shank for support.  The shoe material is flexible and lightweight.

For Ballroom Dancing, A Good Fit is Essential 

Choose a snug but not toe-crushing fit.  Snug means that they seem a bit too small when you buy them... don't worry, they stretch.  Dance shoes that are too big are horrible.  Snug is good.  

I know there are a lot of shoes online, but trust me...  if you can, buy in person.  An experienced salesperson will save you time and money.  I recommend Carmen's Dance Shoes here in San Diego for my students.  Carmen, Sean or Ian will help you every step of the way and they have hundreds of styles to choose from, with most sizes in stock at all times. 

Maintenance and Repair 

Don't wear your ballroom dance shoes on the street.  Rough surfaces and dirt will wear them out quickly.  Carry them in a bag and put them on when you get to class or to the ballroom.

If you need your shoes repaired, call before you drop them off at your local shoemaker to be sure the shop is familiar with handling dance shoes.

Special Notes for Men  Men's dance shoes are typically black lace-up Oxfords with a flat heel for standard dances and a 1 to 2 inch heel for Latin shoes.   Men concerned about heel height should remember that in Latin, steps are taken with the ball of the foot; higher heels take your body weight forward and make Latin body rhythms easier to do. 

For women, well, like everything else, it's a bit more involved.   Basic designs include open- or closed-toe pumps and sandals.  Heels in women's shoes are slim or flared and generally range in height from 1 to 3 inches.

Slim heels make turns and other moves easier.  Flared heels are preferred for the Latin dances because they provide more stability.

Women new to the world of ballroom dance may consider purchasing one pair of shoes that will work for a number dances -- typically a closed-toe pump with a 2 to 2.5 inch flared heel and an ankle strap.  These are referred to as standard or court dance shoes.

Latin dancers typically wear open-toed shoes or strappy sandals with a 3 inch flared heel.  As you become more proficient, you can add more styles to your wardrobe.

Expect to spend at least $100 for a good pair of ballroom shoes.

Ballroom dance shoes come in a variety of colors.  Black is the very popular, but many women choose flesh-colored shoes, which help extend the leg line.

And finally, for you Argentine Tango dancers, a new line of REAL dance shoes for us!  Check out Werner Kern's new "Nuevo Epoca" line with beauties like these:

And yes, they have Tango shoes for men too!!!  Very authentic.

I hope this helps!  Let me know if you have any questions.  Oh, and HAVE FUN!