Best Shoes for Swing Dancing: Buying Guide
Whether you're new to swing dancing or you're a seasoned pro, choosing the best shoes for swing dancing can be overwhelming. What kind of soles should swing dancing shoes have? Should they be flats or heels? Can I wear casual shoes for swing?
Here, we're going over the top swing dancing shoes on the market. Hopefully, this guide will help you make the right choice based on how often you hit the dance floor, whether you practice indoors or outdoors, personal preference, and more. Let's get started.
How to Choose Swing Dancing Shoes
We get it. There are so many good options out there and it's easy to get lost. So, to help you get started, there's a few considerations to make and important things to know when shopping for new swing dancing shoes.
- Type of Sole
- Casual vs Formal
- Style and Fit
- Quality
- Flats or Heels
Let's break down each of these categories to gain a better understanding of why they're important to your decision.
Type of Sole
The two most common types of shoe soles are rubber soles or leather soles.
Rubber soles are often the best shoes for Lindy Hop, a style of swing dancing that's particularly athletic, meaning you'll need a lot of traction. The rubber will help you grip the dance floor, especially outdoors. Though, keep in mind, it's harder to turn with a sticky rubber sole on some surfaces.
Leather (or suede) soles have less grip when compared to rubber and are popular for smoother swing dance styles, such as Balboa, allowing you to glide and turn with ease. In general, however, most swing styles require you to twist on your toes and leather soles make this a breeze. The downside is that they can be slippery on some surfaces.
Generally, a rubber sole like the ones found on classic tennis shoes are best for rough outdoor surfaces and Lindy Hoppers who require a firm grip. Leather-soled shoes are better for dancing indoors and are the most popular type of sole for swing shoes.
Casual vs Formal
When it comes to choosing casual vs formal shoes to dance in, the choice is usually a matter of personal preference.
Swing dance started as a casual pastime, as many styles do. So, a casual shoe is a perfectly acceptable option when it comes to swing dancing.
Formal shoes tend to be more delicate and less suitable for all the movement required of swing dancing. However, some shoes that are technically considered formal, like men's dress shoes and women's heels can be worn. Some swing dancers add rubber or suede soles to their street shoes to make them more suitable for dancing, which is certainly an option.
Generally speaking, a casual tennis shoe or a shoe specifically made for swing dancing will be your best option compared to formal shoes.
Style and Fit
When it comes to style, you'll likely want a closed-toe shoe with lots of support.
For women, there are many styles of shoes with a peep toe or open-toe style. However, in swing dancing where there's a lot of footwork and many opportunities to get your feet stepped on, most prefer a closed-toe style.
Additionally, women's shoes with an adjustable strap or laces offer extra support for the ankles. Men usually prefer shoes that also have laces to adjust the tightness.
High-quality leather shoes typically offer the perfect fit. They're tight and strong but also malleable enough to form to the foot after a few wears. You'll want a pretty tight fit (although not too small) so that you can feel the floor as much as possible and leather shoes consistently do the trick.
As for design style, some might prefer a vintage swing shoe in the oxford style or something with a little more flair. These old school styles really bring us back in time to when big bands graced every stage in America and swing dancers started to create the moves we love today.
Therefore, these great vintage looks might be an important consideration for you. But again, the style is generally a matter of personal preference and what you like to wear.
Quality
When choosing shoes to dance in, you'll want to go for high quality. Especially for professionals who are likely dancing many hours each week, you'll want the shoes you're wearing to last.
Typically, any shoe made of leather (real or synthetic) is built to last long with such a sturdy and durable material. Therefore, even if you see a part of cheap swing shoes, consider that they might not be of the utmost quality.
Flats or Heels?
Flats and heels are both common styles of swing dancing shoes for both men and women.
Flats are generally easier to dance in since they provide you with the most balance and stability. Lindy Hop shoes, in particular, are usually flat. But, you may opt for a short, thick heel to maintain that stability if you like the look of a heel.
Perhaps surprisingly, a slight heel often helps with comfort, especially if you have naturally high arches. Generally, a 1 to 1 1/2" heel is plenty for swing dancing. But, it's simply a matter of preference.
Best Outdoor Swing Dancing Shoes
As previously mentioned, the best outdoor swing shoes will be those with rubber soles. Classic flat tennis shoes or other kinds of street shoes like the ones that can grip the ground and provide traction are better for outdoor dancing.
Compared to leather soles they are more delicate and can rip when worn outdoors, swing shoes with rubber soles are definitely preferred.
However, you can always add a rubber sole to any leather-soled shoes. If you prefer a specific style or fit that doesn't come with a rubber sole, most shoe repair shops will be able to add one to any shoe you bring them.
This is a great option if you want to dance outside with shoes that were originally leather-soled.
Swing Dancing Shoes to Avoid
There are a few types of shoes you'll want to avoid when it comes to swing dancing, this includes:
- Formal shoes
- Shoes with a thin, high heel
- Open-toed shoes
- Shoes without a strap or laces
- Low-quality shoes
- Uncomfortable, overly structured or hard shoes
- Boots or anything too heavy
Best Swing Dance Shoes
Now, let's give you some actual options. Here, we have the best swing dancing shoes available online for you to choose from including flats and heels.
Women's Swing Dance Shoes
Women who swing dance need to be able to jump, twist, and spin with ease. It's also important, especially on the professional level, to be sure you're preventing injuries as much as possible with shoes that are supportive and sturdy.
After all, you'll likely be tossed through the air in your swing routines and need a solid shoe to land on, protecting your knees and ankles.
With that said, you'll also want a shoe that can move and bend. If your shoe is too sturdy, it can cause blisters and feel uncomfortable. It's better to find a shoe that can meet somewhere in the middle between sturdy and flexible.
Flat Swing Shoes
Keds Champion Sneakers
Keds are classic swing shoes and are a top choice of many swing dancers. Especially for dancing the Lindy Hop or in outdoor spaces, you truly can't go wrong with these great Lindy Hop shoes.
- Thick rubbered sole
- Casual
- Fits true to size with arch support
- Lightweight but somewhat stiff
- Durable and great for dancing outdoors
- Lots of color options
These shoes are perfect for practicing many dance styles and are specifically designed for quick movements like those required to do Lindy Hop. They also offer great flexibility and support.
- Split sole
- shoes for dance
- Snug fit
- Lightweight, extremely flexible, and comfortable
- Not for use outdoors
- Comes in black or tan
Low Heel Swing Shoes
Jig Foo Practice Swing Dancing Shoe
Jig Foo is a trusted brand for swing dancers and these practice shoes are more elegant than casual, adding a bit of style to your dance steps.
- Leather sole
- Dancing shoe
- Single strap for support
- 1" heel with wide diameter for stability
- Various color options
- Narrow fit
- Not for use outdoors
- Affordable
Soft and breathable, these shoes for swing dancing are a bit more flexible, similar to a jazz shoe, with a T-strap for great support.
- Leather sole
- Dancing shoe
- T-strap for support
- 1" heel with wide diameter for stability
- Narrow fit
- Not for use outdoors
Medium Heel Swing Shoes
Jig Foo Women's Dance Shoe
Another from the Jig Foo brand, this medium-height heel shoe is also a great choice if you're ready to take your swing dancing to the next level.
- Leather sole
- Dancing shoe
- Criss-cross strap for support
- 1.6" heel with wide diameter for stability
- Snug fit
- Not for use outdoors
Made with real leather, these dance shoes are a favorite among the swing community. With their elegant design and perfect fit, you'll love these swing shoes.
- Leather sole with rubber heel
- Dancing shoe
- Stylish diagonal crossover strap for support
- 1 1/4" heel with wide diameter for stability
- Snug fit with real leather that adjusts to the exact measurements of your foot
- Not for use outdoors
Men's Swing Dance Shoes
Men who dance need sturdy shoes with a slightly stronger grip to safely lift their partners and perform quick footwork. They're also the ones taking the lead and therefore need to feel sturdy on their feet so that the momentum won't pull them in the wrong direction due to shoes that slide and are too slippery.
Like women, men will also want to find a shoe that's sturdy and supportive while remaining flexible and easy to move in.
NLeahershoe Breathable Lace-up Dancing Leather Latin Shoes
Made with quality materials and purposeful design, these men's dance shoes are breathable, flexible, and super supportive.
- Leather sole
- Dance shoe
- Perforated holes in the quality leather material for extra breathability
- 1" heels
- Lace-up design to adjust the fit
- Not for use outdoors
These premium dance shoes are flexible and sturdy with a comfortable lining that allows you to effortlessly swing all day.
- Leather sole with rubber heel
- Dance shoe
- Flexible, sturdy, and supportive with cushioned lining to protect feet from impact
- 1" heels
- Lace-up design to adjust the fit
- Not for use outdoors
Vintage Swing Dance Shoes
If you prefer a vintage look like what some the originators of swing dancing might've worn, these are some great options for women and men.
Ollio Women's Classic Lace-Up
With an oxford style made with canvas, these casual women's shoes have that bit of flair, perfect for swing dancing and Lindy Hop. You'll feel like you've gone back in time!
- Rubbered sole
- Casual
- Fits true to size
- Lightweight and flexible
- Easy to clean
- Flat heels
These two-tone oxford shoes for men do the trick in taking you back to the 40s, the heyday of jazz and swing. It's a vintage style that truly never gets old - perfect for Lindy Hoppers of any age!
- Rubbered sole
- Formal
- Versatile and can be worn for dancing or with a suit or tuxedo for any occasion
- 3/4" heels
- Sturdy but not so flexible
Overall Winners
Based on all the factors listed above - the type of sole, casual vs formal, style and fit, quality, and flat or heels - we've come up with our favorite for both men and women to Lindy Hop their hearts out. So, let's break it down.
Type of Sole
When it comes to the type of sole, we prefer a leather (or suede) sole. Most often, especially if you're serious about swing dancing, you'll be doing so indoors where you won't need the traction that the rubber provides. Therefore, it's better to be able to twist and move freely without the stickiness you might feel with rubber-soled shoes.
Our winner in the sole type category is a leather sole.
Casual vs Formal
In the debate between casual vs formal, we suggest getting a shoe that's specifically made for swing dancing. They often provide the best of both worlds - a casual feel with all the style of formal and, sometimes, vintage footwear.
Our winner between casual vs formal is neither. We prefer a dance shoe.
Style and Fit
Honestly, when it comes to style and fit, personal preference will always win out. Plus, we all like different styles and our feet are all different shapes and sizes. So, we'll leave these decisions up to you. However, you'll definitely want shoes with either laces or a supportive strap for added stability.
Our winner for style and fit comes down to choosing a shoe that has various color options, a great fit, and either laces or a strap.
Quality
When you're dancing all the time, you'll need some high-quality shoes that won't fall apart after all that movement. Usually, real leather lasts longer than synthetic leather or other kinds of material.
Our winner in the quality category is a shoe made of real leather.
Flats or Heels
For women, there are so many options when it comes to heel size. But even men's swing shoes often have a bit of a heel. Again, it might seem counterintuitive but picking shoes with a slight heel, as long as it's low and wide, is often easier on your feet. With a flat shoe, you might have trouble with your arches after long periods of dancing.
Our winner in the debate between flats or heels, we'd suggest getting shoes with a slight heel.
Drum roll, please!
Best Overall Women's Swing Shoe
Tic-Tac-Toes shoes are made in New York City and are one of the top-rated swing dancing shoes on the market. The asymmetrical strap is both supportive and stylish and they come in six different colors to match your outfit and personal style.
These shoes also have a wide range of size options to make sure you get the perfect fit, with half sizes and options for both wide and narrow feet.
Plus, with a leather sole for the ball of your foot and rubber on the heel, you'll be able to dance with ease while still getting a bit of traction at the same time. Not to mention, the suede sole is thicker than most, providing extra cushioning for the ball of your foot. You'll be able to jump for hours in comfort.
Overall, these Tic-Tac-Toes Women's Swing Dancing Shoes are a clear winner.
Best Overall Men's Swing Shoe
SoDanca is one of those trusted brands that makes all kinds of shoes for dancing. So, it makes sense that it's a brand offering some of the best on the market.
Although it's made with man-made leather, we can look past it due to the classic design and near-perfect features.
The cushioned lining provides added comfort and it fits regular, wide, and narrow feet well with its lace-up design, making them adjustable and customizable.
These SoDanca shoes also have a leather sole for the ball of the foot and rubber on the heel, meaning dancers can move freely across the floor while maintaining the traction needed to be a strong partner without slipping and sliding.
Although not to be worn outdoors, we agree that these SoDanca CH95 Men's Man-Made Leather Swing Dancing Shoes are the overall winner for men.
And there you have it! Our list of the best shoes for swing dancing available online. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect pair for all you Lindy Hoppers out there. Now, all that's left to do is hit the music and hit the dance floor!