Professional Dancer Shoes: 4 Things You Need to Know — Ballroom Dance Planet
Have you been training in ballroom dance for a while? If you have, then it may be time to switch your regular pair of dance shoes for a pair of professional dancer shoes.
As most ballroom dancing experts recommend, if you feel that you want to try ballroom dancing on a professional level, then the first thing you need to do is buy a pair of professional ballroom dance shoes.
But how do you select the right pair of shoes for ballroom dancing? You can’t just wear anything that catches your fancy. The right shoes are an asset for ballroom dancers.
They determine their movement and flexibility on the dance floor. They also help make sure you don’t suffer from a foot injury. Let’s take a look at some things you need to keep in mind while purchasing a professional ballroom dance shoe.
We have also added some of our own recommendations of professional dancer shoes that you can consider buying!
4 Things to Consider When Buying Professional Dance Shoes
Some of the most important factors that you need to consider while buying professional dancing shoes include:
The Material
The material of the shoe is a primary consideration. You should try purchasing shoes that are made out of patent or plain leather.
Shoes made out of canvas or satin material are also a suitable choice, but plain leather is generally preferred among dancers.
This is because leather shoes last longer. Your shoes will be subjected to a fair amount of stress while you dance, and leather holds out a lot better than other kinds of material. If you can’t find leather shoes, then Satin is the best choice for you.
The Sole
Once you have decided upon the material of the shoe, you need to inspect the sole of the shoe. A suede-based sole is generally preferred. This is because it allows for better movement on the dance floor.
You can glide without slipping and there is much better control. A suede-based sole doesn’t get damaged too quickly as well, so you won’t have to replace your shoes a few months after you buy them.
Considering how expensive professional dancer shoes can be, this an important consideration.
Heel and Arch Support
Make sure your shoes offer good arch support to your feet. This is very important as it helps you dance for a long time without your feet hurting. Shoes that do not offer good arch support will cause your feet to hurt while dancing.
You must also take the heel of the shoe into account. A professional dance shoe has a 3-inch or a 2-inch heel. This usually depends upon the type of ballroom dance style you opt for.
You can consider wearing a flared heel as this provides your feet with additional stability while you dance. Men usually wear dance shoes that have a half inch heel. In the case of Latin dance forms, this can extend to 1.5 inches (shoes with Cuban heels).
Originally published at https://ballroomdanceplanet.com on June 19, 2019.
