The Complete Guide to Ballroom Dance Shoes: Styles, Benefits and Choosing the Right Pair

Discover what makes ballroom dance shoes unique, including suede soles, flexible design and supportive construction that help dancers move safely and gracefully.

·        Learn when and why to invest in proper dance footwear, plus how heel height, shoe style and material impact technique and comfort.

·        Avoid common buying mistakes with tips on what not to purchase and how the right shoes can accelerate your progress on the dance floor.

Shoes are an essential part of not only our wardrobes but our work uniforms – nurses wear comfortable shoes that allow them to be on their feet all day, while football players wear cleats that grip the turf so they can change direction quickly. Chefs wear anti-slip shoes in case of spills or drips, and construction and factory workers wear steel-toed boots to protect their feet from heavy machinery.

Ballroom dancers have shoes designed specifically for the job as well. With suede soles and a heel, ballroom dance shoes allow dancers to feel the floor and use their feet correctly, enabling them to take their dancing to the next level.

What are Ballroom Dance Shoes and Why do They Matter?

Ballroom dance shoes come in a wide variety of styles, but they all have a couple of things in common: a flexible suede sole and a heel.

The suede sole covers the entire bottom of the shoe – except the heel – and allows dancers to feel the floor and use different parts of their feet. The suede also allows dancers to slide along the floor or stick to it, depending on the amount of pressure applied in various steps. This helps protect dancers’ knees by preventing their feet from sticking to the floor and causing resistance within the leg when turning or quickly changing direction.

For leaders, soft shoes also protect your partner. The risk of breaking your partner’s toenail is much smaller when you aren’t wearing dress shoes with thick, rubber soles.

For dancers who prefer foot support, never fear! Most ballroom shoes have a metal shank through the middle of the sole with flexible suede on either side. Shoes that don’t have this shank are often labeled as such.

When Should I Make the Investment?

We recommend students purchase shoes when they know they want to make ballroom a long-term hobby – typically after four or five lessons. Students who want to stick to one style of dance can purchase shoes specific to that style, and there are more generic options for dancers who want to try them all.

Once you’re ready to commit, it’s easy to find shoes online at a variety of price points – from $30 up to more than $100. Any pair that fits your budget will work! Instructors can help source shoes for students who don’t like shopping online.

What’s the Deal With the Heel?

Women’s shoes are available in a wide variety of heel heights, and there’s no wrong choice. Women who like heels are welcome to wear them, but ballroom shoes with wide, 1-inch heels are also available. Both help dancers maintain appropriate posture. Our recommendation is to dance comfortably! The only exception is for students who wish to compete. In this case, something a little flashier – and maybe with a little higher heel – is better than plain, low-heeled practice shoes.

For women, we recommend starting with a close-toed shoe for all dance styles so partners who are also at a beginner’s level don’t accidentally step on bare toes. These shoes are designed for smooth dances (such as waltz, tango and foxtrot) and allow followers to push their toe into the ground to keep contact with the floor. Shoes for rhythm dances (such as salsa, cha-cha and bachata) have an open toe that allow dancers to grip the floor. As dancers become more advanced, it’s important to wear the shoes meant for each style. Learning a smooth dance in open-toe shoes can create bad habits as students use their feet incorrectly to avoid scraping their toes on the floor.

All men’s shoes for smooth dances have a 1-inch heel that helps them poise forward a bit and have a better connection with their partner. Latin shoes have a 1.5- or 2-inch heel. What you choose to wear is personal preference – some men like a little extra height when dancing both styles.

What NOT to Buy

Ballroom dance shoes have a lot of lookalikes, so it’s important to understand what you’re buying before you complete your purchase! Character shoes, which are used in theater productions, look similar but are not ballroom shoes. They have a hard leather sole similar to dress shoes, so they don’t offer the same flexibility. They also tend to be slippery.

OK, I’m Convinced. Any Last Tips?

We cannot emphasize this enough – ballroom dance requires athleticism, so comfort is king! If a shoe prevents you from walking comfortably, it will prevent you from dancing your best.

When students have ballroom dance shoes, we are best equipped to help them learn and progress. There comes a time when regular dress shoes that were fine when you started will prevent you from executing proper technique. The wrong shoes will eventually hinder your dancing, and you won’t grow as fast or feel as comfortable as you would in proper shoes. If you plan on sticking with ballroom dance, it’s important to get the right tools – er, shoes – for the job!