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Shoe Guide for Dancers
- Author:
- Lonnie & Robert's Dance Galaxy (713-838-7773 | lonnie@lonniesdance.com)
- Date Published:
- July 14, 2007
Choosing the Right Dance Shoes
Robert & Lonnie's Dance Galaxy
is located at:
3300 Chimney Rock, Suite 303, Houston, TX, 77056
Purchasing "proper" Ballroom and Latin dance shoes is a big decision since you will be dancing in them for a year or more and - other than bargain or practice shoes - they cost upwards of $130. So you should get the shoe that fits you best for the purpose at hand and here's some information that should help you find the perfect shoe.
Types of Dance Shoes
The main difference in dance shoes over "street" shoes is in the construction and the sole. Ballroom & Latin dance shoes use a thin layer of suede for the sole, which allows the shoes to glide well on the floor while retaining a certain amount of "grip".
Additionally, dance shoes are usually more flexible than street shoes, especially the Latin & Rhythm shoes. Other than practice shoes or ones "special ordered" for exhibitions, the upper part of men's shoes are normally made of calf, kid or patent leather. Ladies competitive shoes are normally made of satin, though some are made of leather.
For both men and women, competitive and exhibition style dance shoes come in two types: those used for Smooth/Standard dances and ones used for Latin/Rhythm dances.
Ladies' Latin or Rhythm shoes are normally open toe and generally look like sandals. The heels are long and thin and are set further forward under the heel of the foot with height ranging from 2" to 3.5" (Beginners should choose no higher than 2.5" heels)
Men's Latin or Rhythm shoes are often made out of extremely soft leather or cloth, have a very flexible arch and a narrow heel that is 2.25" to 2"5" in height.
Weight is always forward over the balls of the feet in Latin & Rhythm dancing, and the narrow and higher heels help maintain the proper balance.
Ladies' Smooth & Standard dance shoes feature closed toes and a slightly less flexible "box" that helps control how the weight goes onto and off of the foot. The heel heights are comparable to Latin & Rhythm shoes, but are back further toward the end of the shoe.
Men's Smooth & Standard shoes have 1" to 1.5" heel that is much wider than the ones on Latin & Rhythm shoes and this type of shoe resembles a regular dress shoe.
If you plan on entering dance competitions, get the right shoes for the job. Don't try to save money in this area unless that is an absolute "must". If you do economize, women should get Latin/Rhythm shoes in a neutral beige or "flesh-tone" color to elongate the legs and blend the feet into the floor. Men should get Standard/Smooth shoes first because the wider lower and wider heel gives a better base for newer students. If using such shoes for both styles, get regular leather, not patent, which is far too shiny for the Latin/Rhythm dances.
To prolong the life of your dance shoes, never wear them outside on streets, parking lots or lawns where they can pick up unwanted oils, be damaged by gravel or other detritus. Even though you avoid these hazards, your shoes will eventually pick up wax and other debris and will periodically need a brushing to remove the debris and raise the nap of the suede sole.
Dance floors are vital to dancing and deserve the same respect as you'd give your shoes or clothing. Ladies should be especially aware of the steel shank in the heel of the shoes that break and/or wear down easily. And, once the heel cap is broken or worn down, that metal shank ends up scraping across the floor over and over. This leaves scratches and gouges that not only detract from the way the floor looks, but also affect how well you and others can dance. So check the heel caps regularly and, when possible, wear heel protectors to prolong the life of the heel caps.
If you have questions about what shoes to get, give us a call the store, send us an email or come in and see us, we'll be happy to help you pick out the best fitting shoes that are right for what you want to do in them. Ph: 713-838-7773 email: lonnie@lonniesdance.com