Best Ballroom Dancing Shoes for Beginners: Men+Women

The most exciting part about starting a new hobby is learning all the new things about it. Ballroom dancing is an excellent hobby to start with as it is steeped in rich history and cultural influences. For many, they have turned this hobby into a passion and livelihood.

In order to put your best foot forward when it comes to learning ballroom dance for beginners, it's important to have the right pair of dancing shoes too.

Beginner ballroom dance shoes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. So if you ever feel overwhelmed, fret not, because here is our comprehensive guide on finding the best ballroom dancing shoes for beginners.

Table of Contents

Are Ballroom Shoes Necessary?

In a short answer, yes.

But to answer that question accurately, you need to ask yourself if you're serious about about this type of dance

Technically, every type of footwear can be worn for dancing, but even the best-fitting shoes will fall short of a proper pair of ballroom shoes.

The reason that dance shoes work perfectly is that they are made for a purpose. The sole and material are designed to give the right amount of grip and flexibility to execute the dance with confidence.

If you're trying out your first ballroom dance class, you will be forgiven for not wearing proper ballroom shoes. Most dance teachers would encourage students to purchase a new pair only if they're serious about committing to weekly dance classes.

If you've put your foot down and decided to pursue ballroom dancing long term, there are many benefits to purchasing a pair of ballroom shoes.

The best ballroom dance shoes will prevent injuries that may cause permanent damage and are made out of suede soles which allow the dancer to pivot smoothly without slipping.

Ballroom dance shoes are also cushioned at certain parts of the feet that receive the most pressure from dancing for long hours. This is especially important for beginners, who are not used to ballroom dancing. It is safe to say that waking up with blisters all over your feet will hinder your ballroom dancing journey.

The right pair of dance shoes will enhance your performance and accentuate the line of your feet by encouraging you to point your foot to strengthen your ankles.

What to Wear

Now that you've learnt the importance of the right pair of ballroom dancing shoes for beginners, let's explore the options of footwear for your trial ballroom class.

It may sound obvious, but wear something comfortable. For the gentlemen, wear dress shoes if available. For the ladies, wear low heels or ballet flats. Jazz shoes are also recommended.

What Not to Wear

Wearing socks to a ballroom dance class is not a good idea. Socks do not provide enough grip, and that becomes extremely dangerous when you are performing steps with a quick change of direction. You could slip over and hurt yourself or others around you.

However, that doesn't mean you should go barefoot either.

Dancing barefoot produces too much friction. Your foot might get caught in one direction while you're turning in the other direction, resulting in a twisted ankle.

You shouldn't wear flip flops either because flip flops can be kicked off easily, causing a distraction in the dance class to yourself and others. Worst case scenario, you hit your dance mate in the head and get too embarrassed to show up in class again.

Another one on the list is street shoes. Street shoes are typically made with leather or rubber soles. It is suitable to weather the harsh conditions on the road, but it is not in the dance studio.

Given the material of the shoes, it may leave skid marks on the dance floor, damaging its integrity and aesthetics. Besides, it is also difficult for dancers to articulate through their feet and execute the steps with the right technique.

Tips in Choosing the Most Suitable Pair

heels of ballroom dancing shoes for beginners

Fit

Congratulations on making it this far!

Let's get down to business and evaluate the anatomy of ballroom shoes. This way, you can understand what you need and decide on the best ballroom dance shoes for yourself.

They always say, if the shoe fit, wear it.

But that's not true in this case. The general rule of thumb is, your ballroom dance shoes should be half a size smaller than your regular street shoes. When you're trying out shoes at a store, the ballroom shoes should feel snug and slightly uncomfortable.

The reason for that is dance shoes are made out of lighter and stretchable material. Eventually, your ballroom shoes will stretch and if you bought them one size too big, you will lose control of them.

Remember, you wear the shoes. Don't let the shoes wear you.

The best time to buy shoes is in the middle of the day. Feet would change sizes due to all the walking and standing which allows blood circulation. Trying out shoes in the afternoon helps you try out shoes more effectively and buy the best frame for your feet.

Different manufacturers produce different shoe sizes, hence there is no one-size-fits-all solution for dancing shoes. It always best to try the shoes out at the store because some shoes may come with narrow and wide options.

Material of the Sole

There are two types of materials for ballroom dance shoes: suede and leather sole. These are soft materials, and they are built with a purpose, which makes ballroom dance shoes unsuitable for everyday wear. Dancers are taught from the get-go to always travel with suitable everyday shoes and change in the studio to protect the life span of the dance shoes.

Suede sole is a popular choice amongst dancers - be it beginners or advanced. Ballroom dance shoes with suede sole give more control to the dancer and maximize flexibility in the feet. The suede soles allow dancers to turn gracefully without slipping.

Leather sole is the least popular option because it is much more slippery and dancers have to practice extra precaution on the dance floor. However, it is more robust than suede sole ballroom dance shoes, which is a good option for outdoor dancing.

The choice comes down to preference, but the extra comfort and flexibility of the suede sole shoes make it suitable for beginners.

Heel Height

One thing you should know about Latin dancing shoes is, Latin shoes have higher heels for both men and women to emphasize the hip movements.

Heels come in different sizes, either stiletto or flare heels. The preference for heel size depends on the strength and flexibility of your ankle. Beginners should opt for flare heels because it provides more stability, making room for dancers to focus on mastering the right technique.

Latin ballroom shoes for women range from 2 to 3.5 inches while shoes for men range from 1.5 inches to 2 inches. Most Latin dance is performed on the ball of the feet, therefore Latin heels are higher.

Women standard ballroom shoes range from 2 inches to 2.5 inches while men's shoes range from 0.5 inches to 1 inch.

Generally, most men wear half inch to one inch heel ballroom dance shoes. The main difference between men's Latin and standard dance shoes is the heel height. Generally, most men wear ballroom dance shoes for classes, because it is a more standard and practical choice. The advanced dancers can choose to purchase Latin shoes for performances or competitions.

Female ballroom dancers are spoilt with a wide range of choices. Visit any specialist retail store and you will be blown away by the choices. But choices come down to practicality, Latin ballroom dance shoes take the prize because they are more versatile and can be worn for both dance styles.

Ladies, if you're not used to wearing heels, always start with the 2 to 2.5 inch heel. It takes time and practice to get used to turn and move on heels. You will strengthen your muscles to reduce the risk of injuries. Once you're comfortable with lower heels, you can gradually move on to higher heels.

Open vs Closed Toe

Female ballroom dance shoes come with open or closed-toe option.

Open-toe shoes are suitable for Latin dance styles while close-toe shoes are associated with Standard Ballroom or American Smooth dance styles.

Latin ballroom has more footwork involved than the Standard dance styles, and its versatility makes it suitable for both dance styles. Hence, it is most suitable for beginners.

Dancers who wish to progress far in their ballroom dance journey should choose a pair of ballroom shoes that would help develop good technique from the get-go. With open-toe shoes, dancers learn to strengthen their feet and feel the floor better.

Care

If looked after properly, dance shoes can last long even for the most enthusiastic ballroom dancer.

Some simple basic rules to care for ballroom dance shoes are to let your shoes air out after class or to place it in a breathable dance bag, remove any foreign material as soon as possible and use accessories such as heel protectors.

Another care tip is to purchase an additional pair of ballroom dance shoes to alternate between two pairs of shoes. If you purchase two pairs of shoes with different qualities (ie suede and leather sole, open and close toe), you will build muscles to adapt to different shoes and become a better dancer!

Another point worth repeating is to never wear your dance shoes on the streets (outdoor dancing is an exception).

Not only will you pick up foreign objects that will cause permanent damage to your dance shoes, but you will also risk getting injured because your dance shoes are not built to protect your feet from danger.

Rocks, glass, getting stomped on the streets. It is just not safe for dance shoes out there!

The most important part of maintenance with your dance shoes is the sole. The best way to maintain the condition of your soles is to invest in a wire shoe brush. The hard-wired bristle is designed to remove any objects embedded in the sole and to increase the friction of the sole.

Make mindful mental notes to only brush the sole, because a shoe brush will cause permanent damage such as removing the stitches or scratching up the surface of the shoes if it comes in contact with any other part of the ballroom shoes.

Best Ballroom Dancing Shoes for Women

1. Rosemoli Classic

Elegant and classic
Open toe shoes perfect for Latin dance
Choose between 2.2 and 2.8 inch heel
Cushioned insole for superior comfort and support
Anti-slip suede soles
Elegant rhinestone buckle straps with quick-release buckle and replacement rhinestone
Best ballroom shoes for beginners

See Price Here

2. TTdancewear

Comes in 3 colors (red, tan and black) and 2 heel heights (2.5" and 3")
Suede soles for ballroom dancing
Extremely comfortable and flexible ballroom shoes, perfect for long hours of dancing
Quick-release buckles

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3. TTdancewear Rhinestones Dance Shoes

Stand out in a competition or performance with these star-studded rhinestones dance shoes
Suede soles for the perfect grip
Extra padding and cushion for support
Moisture absorbent cotton lining to keep your feet dry all the time
Choose from 1.5 to 3-inch heels
Best ballroom shoes for beginners and advanced dancers

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4. Capezio 550 Junior

Capezio is a trusted dancewear supplier, so if you worry about buying shoes online, you should go with Capezio
Closed-toe and leather soles
1.5 inch wide flared heels, best for dancing for long hours
Moisture absorbent microfiber lining with foam padded footbed
Begins half a size up from street shoes

See Price Here