Before you buy anything
Do you need dance shoes? Not yet.
For your first few classes, smooth-soled shoes you already own are fine. Dance shoes become worth it once you’re dancing regularly, and when they do, the suede sole is the reason. Read this before you spend anything.
- Rated 4.9 on Google
- Founded by World and British champions
- Adults only
- No partner needed
For a first class: what you already own
You don’t need to buy dance shoes before you start. Flat shoes with a smooth sole are ideal: something that slides a little rather than gripping. Avoid grippy running shoes, which stick on turns and put strain on your knees. Some dance shoes are also sold at Beach Ballroom if you’d like to try a pair once you’re hooked.
Our guide to what to wear to a dance class covers the rest of your first outfit.
What a suede sole actually does
Proper ballroom and Latin shoes have a suede sole. It grips just enough to keep you stable but lets your foot pivot and glide, which is exactly what partner dancing needs. On a wooden studio floor, the difference from street shoes is immediate: turns feel easier and your knees stop fighting the floor.
The catch is that suede is for indoors only. Wear dance shoes outside and the nap of the sole gets flattened and dirty, and it stops working. In a Toronto winter that means carrying them in a bag and changing at the studio, every time.
If the soles start to feel slippery, they need brushing, not replacing.
Which kind of dance shoe
Latin shoes
Built for salsa, bachata, cha cha and rumba. Followers’ versions usually have a slim heel; leads’ versions a slightly raised heel.
Ballroom shoes
Built for the travelling dances like the waltz and foxtrot, where you step heel-first and move forward a lot.
Practice shoes and dance sneakers
Lower heels or split-sole sneakers for long classes. A good choice if you want one pair for several styles.
Fit and heel height
Dance shoes should fit snugly, with no slipping at the heel, since they tend to give a little with wear. Sizing varies by brand, so try them on where you can.
For heel height, lower is easier when you’re starting. A modest, stable heel lets followers learn balance and turns without wobbling. You can always go higher later. Leads rarely need more than a standard low dance heel.
Start in what you have
Come to a beginner class in smooth-soled shoes, and ask your coach about dance shoes once you know you’re staying.