Ballroom dancing, as with most other sports, (and if you don’t believe it’s a sport, get out there and do swing dancing for an hour or so and see if you don’t work up a sweat) has its own ‘uniform’ of sorts, including the style of clothing additional to the type of shoes worn. That varies, of course, depending on whether you’re going to class, a studio dance or a competition.

I get the question – ‘What kind of shoes should I wear to dance in? It’s my opinion that the very best choices for footwear are those designed especially for ballroom dancing and even more specifically for the exact dance style you plan to be doing. But until you decide to reward yourself with a sexy strappy Latin shoe with the Cuban heel for the cha-cha or rhumba, or a gorgeous sequined number for the elegant waltz, practicing in street shoes is quite acceptable.

Styles that should be avoided include anything with rubber soles, like sneakers, (they just don’t give you the slide you need on the floor) open-toes (for obvious reasons, you’re still learning and chances are so is your partner),or sandals .
But, if you have a leather soled shoe, such as a loafer-type, or for men, a dress shoe style, these will usually accommodate you nicely. The most important factor is that they must be comfortable and not tight on your feet. If your feet are aching, you’ll soon be unable to focus on anything else.

The dance floor also plays a part in the comfort level of your feet. Some studios have the proper flooring for dancing, which normally includes a soft, almost spring-like underflooring. This type floor enables dancers to dance for hours without feeling much effect. If their shoes are also adequately comfortable. But a few dance studios are built on a concrete slab, with only a layer of hardwood over it, and with those floors your poor feet will take a pounding.

When the time comes that you decide to invest in a good pair of dance shoes, look around a bit. Prices and styles vary and the selection is almost endless. Prices can range from $30-50 on the low end to well over $200 on the high end. For the best deals go to dance shoes. dance shoes are made not only to be best suited for dancing, but to enhance the total aesthetics of your dance…you’ll just look better out there on the floor.

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