Read this before you buy dance shoes!

The style of dance shoe you buy should be appropriate to the style of dancing you do.
Yes, there are different styles of shoes for different dances.
In this article, we will specifically be talking about Salsa dance shoes.
If you dance another style such as ballroom or swing, make sure you do your own research before purchasing.
 
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD DANCE SHOES?
Quality dance shoes are lightweight, comfortable, flexible, made of real suede and/or leather, and have built-in extra cushioning in the sole. They give your foot more freedom of movement than regular shoes while keeping the heel “locked” in place. They have leather/suede soles to give you just the right amount of slip-and-grip on the dance floor while allowing your foot to pivot freely (to avoid knee damage). In general, any leather-soled or suede-soled shoes are “good” and rubber-soled sneakers, hiking boot, etc. are “not good”.
 
WHICH STYLE OF DANCE SHOES SHOULD I BUY?
Gentlemen – You have many options of latin dance shoes to choose from, with the most common being the latin dance shoe, a jazz shoe or sneaker, or the new modern suede Salsa shoe. Jazz shoes and the new modern Salsa shoe seem to be more popular among Salsa dancers, while the Latin dance shoe is more common for Latin Ballroom dancing. I found an article that sums up, in depth, all the options you have when it comes to dance shoes. Read it here.
 
**NOTE: Get a 5% discount on your dance shoes by using the code “STEP.”
 
Ladies – An open toe heel or strappy sandal is best. Having an open toe his allows greater movement of the toes, which many dancers feel help with balance. It also allows you to finish off your leg lines with a strong point of the foot that gives your dancing a clean look.

CHOOSING STRAPS FOR YOUR SHOES:
• Traditional Ankle Strap:
  This is the standard around-the-ankle strap commonly used for most women’s dress shoes and sandals and provides the least amount of foot
  security.
• T-Strap
  The t-strap connects to the base of the shoe securing your foot more evenly to the shoe while taking some of the pressure and tightness off
  the ankle.
• X-Strap (around ankle)
  This style of x-strap anchors you firmly into your shoe by providing twice the coverage as a traditional strap.
• X-Strap (around arch)
  Great for newer dancers, this strap style anchors your foot to the arch of the shoe, providing an ideal amount of support and stability.
  If you are prone to “roll” your ankle in heels with a traditional ankle strap, you’ll love the security this cross-strap will provide you.
• Double X-Strap
  Combining the best of all worlds, the double x-strap provides FOUR anchors securing you as-if you were wearing a lace-up style. You’ll be amazed at how secure your foot feels!

HEEL HEIGHT:
• Heel sizes can be as low as 0.5″ or as high as 4″. The most common heel sizes are between 2″-3″. Higher heels give more shape to the leg, but just that extra half an inch can cause a noticeable difference in how it feels to dance. For beginners, it is recommended to start with a 2.5″ heel height. The higher the heel, the more your weight is pushed forward onto the ball of the foot (which is where it should be most of the time) instead of spread out evenly over the foot.

HEEL THICKNESS:
• The thickness of heels vary. Cuban heels are the lowest and thickest heels and distribute weight over more of the foot, providing more balance and comfort. The current popular trend in Salsa is the skinny stiletto heel, which has a very small point of contact with the floor, causing more weight to be pushed forward on the ball of the foot and less balance. The flare heel is another common heel still used among many dancers in Salsa and ballroom. The heel is skinny at the center and slightly flares out out the bottom, providing a bit more stability over the stiletto heel.

HOW SHOULD MY DANCE SHOES FIT?
Your dance shoes should feel like a glove to your foot. You do NOT want any wiggle room in your dance shoes. They will stretch a bit once you begin using them. This snug fit allows your foot to connect better with the floor, giving you more control of your movement, balance, spins and will significantly reduce your fear of slipping and falling. You will wonder why you didn’t make the investment sooner once you experience the difference.
 
WHAT IS MY SHOE SIZE?
Typically, your dance shoe size will be the same as your street shoe size. The sizes may be in American, British, European or Japanese. Click here for a conversion chart. If your foot is narrow, you may want to go down 1/2 size. If the shoes run narrow, you may want to go up 1/2 size. Your best bet is best to check with the company you are purchasing shoes from to clarify and make sure you are able to try on different sizes to find the one that fits best. Remember, you want them to be snug, but not painful. NO WIGGLE ROOM!
 
HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY DANCE SHOES?
To keep shoes looking clean, shoe polish is great for leather. Satin, mesh and sparkle net can be cleaned with soap and water. Suede bottom shoes can wear out quickly if worn on the street. It is best to wear suede bottom shoes on dance floor surfaces only (such as hard wood floors). We suggest switching into dance shoes once arriving to your dance destination. Most new dance shoes come with a shoe bag for this reason.
Wire shoe brushed can be used to clean suede bottom shoes. The wire not only removes debris from the bottom, but it also lifts the nap to make the suede like new again.
 
Do you have anything else you consider when buying dance shoes? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

 
Sheena & Cesar
Step Into Salsa