Are you wondering what types of shoes you will need for social dancing classes and parties? In this article I’ll dive into what features your shoes need to have for dancing in indoor dance halls, what types of shoes are common and what are trends among different dance communities.
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Shoe Requirements
The most critical thing about social dancing shoes is that the sole needs to be slippery enough for turns, otherwise you will hurt your knee joints. This is why dance shoes used in dance halls need soles made of suede, leather or slippery plastic. The most harmful soles are those made of rubber, since they grip the floor.
How the rest of the shoe looks is usually determined by the trends in each dance style. For example, in forró women usually wear flats, but in salsa women tend to wear high heels.
Types of Shoes
Latin Heels
Traditionally, Latin dancers wear high heeled sandals with suede soles. You can see women wearing them in styles like salsa, bachata, tango, kizomba and Latin ballroom. They might be plain or decorated with rhinestones. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend these for beginners, since the sole tends to be very soft, especially on cheaper models – it’s challenging to balance on heels anyway and the soft sole doesn’t help.
If you love wearing heels, you can read my article on where to purchase these types of high heeled shoes online.
High Heeled Ankle Boots
In recent years, ankle boots with high heels have become popular among SBK dancers. They offer more support around your ankles and have a sturdy sole. This makes them a good choice for beginners who want to try heels. I’ve seen them become especially popular among bachata and kizomba dancers. Brands who used to produce high heeled dance sandals only, have now started making ankle boots, so you can check out the brands you already know.
Dance Sneakers
Most dancers opt for comfort nowadays and ever since dance sneaker design was modernised you see less and less high heels at parties. The most well-known dance sneaker brand at the moment is Fuego. I have already gotten through two pairs of them and love wearing them to parties – read my review of Fuegos here. As a result of their big success, other brands have started coming out with updated dance sneaker models as well. Dance sneakers are used by both men and women at bachata parties, and also in other dance styles.
Soft Sneakers
There is also a softer sneakers version available, with a thinner and softer sole and fabric upper part. I have seen Brazilian zouk dancers wear these and similar sneakers advertised for salsa as well. Ideal for practicing or casual dance parties. A very popular brand among zouk dancers is Taygra who make very soft shoes that almost feel like barefoot shoes. I own a pair I bought from Brazil, but they also have online stores for international customers.
Ballet Flats
Forró dancers almost never wear heels, instead opting for flats. These cute ballet flats are an excellent option for other dances as well – something to switch into during the other half of the party once your legs are tired of high heels. Again, don’t just buy normal ballet flats. Check if the sole is suitable for indoor dancing.
Jazz Shoes
Dancers from communities who prefer flat shoes also sometimes use jazz shoes. Brazilian zouk dancers especially love them, since the zouk has contemporary/jazz elements. These shoes are from Sansha, the exact model I own and wear to classes sometimes. My local zouk dancers also love them.
Dance Sandals
Flat sandals may seem like the least dance-friendly option, but forró and zouk dancers wear them. Might just be a Brazilian thing to be honest. But considering that other dance communities also organise summer outdoor pool or beach parties, dance sandals might come in handy. Suede-sole sandals can be your dressier option for indoor dancing when you don’t want heels but sneakers look too casual.
Dance Boots
These types of dance boots are very popular among women in West Coast Swing. Haven’t seen any other dance communities use them, so you can always tell WCS dancers from others.
Where To Buy Dance Shoes?
Each dance style has its own trends of what people like to wear. I would first google your dance style “eg salsa shoes for women” or “zouk shoes for women” to get an idea of which brands are out there and where they sell/ship to.
For beginners I would recommend going to a physical store first to try different models. However, if there is nothing available in your area, try online stores with free returns. A good way to find shoes is to travel to dance festivals – they often have stands for shoes and clothes there.
It’s possible to find shoes suitable for dancing in regular stores as well. Check out my article on how to do that.
Conclusion
This was definitely not an exhaustive list but hopefully these guidelines give you at least some idea. The most important thing to look for in your dance shoes is the sole material – will it allow you to turn without too much friction? Other than that, every dance style has trends on what people like to wear, so pay attention at parties or ask your instructors. You’re welcome to share in the comments what your dance community likes wearing to parties!
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