5: Dance Shoes

Ballroom Dancing
A Beginner's Guide
Part 5

What to Expect from this Series

Have you ever wanted to try ballroom dancing but needed to know where to start? 

Well, this is the place to begin if you want to learn. This series of articles is your gateway to the joy of partner dance! We explore, from a newcomer's eyes, that wonderful world of movement, partnership, and music. We aim to give you a good foundation of knowledge to start your dance journey and experience the sheer delight of ballroom dancing.

The number of dance styles in ballroom dancing can be confounding, not to mention the confusing terminology or how to make sense of it all. This series will clarify things for you and answer (we hope) most of your questions. We should note that this series is for those wanting to social dance—and perhaps eventually compete even—it is not geared towards one-time learning like those wishing to do a choreographed dance at their wedding, for example. 

Delve into the mesmerizing world of ballroom dancing with this comprehensive series of articles designed to guide beginners through the exhilarating realm of partner dancing. From decoding the intricate dance styles and terminology to unraveling the nuances of selecting the perfect dance shoes, these articles provide a detailed and immersive introduction to the captivating art of ballroom dancing. As you master each dance style, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment that will keep you motivated, whether your interest lies in social dancing or you aspire to compete professionally.

Comfort

Feet of a dance couple facing eachother

Dance shoes are made to fit your feet like a glove. They are made to be light and flexible and are, therefore, very comfortable to wear. Also, the construction of the sole is different from regular shoes; they are made of suede leather (aka chrome-tanned leather), allowing the dancer to feel the floor through the shoes. 
Dance shoes are custom-made for dancing; you should only wear them on the dance floor. Never wear dance shoes for daily wear—they won't last long (perhaps a week at best). 
Like any fashion item, dance shoes are subject to the vagaries of design, trends, and fads; women's shoes are more so than gentlemen's. 

Movement

cropped image of a woman in a white dress in motion

Just as street shoes are designed for walking, running shoes for running, and cleats for running on grass or track surfaces, dance shoes are designed for the specific purpose of dancing. It's crucial to wear the right shoes for different types of dancing, just as you would for any other activity.

Dance shoes are specifically designed for dancing and cater to different types of dancing styles. There are shoes designed for Traveling, Rhythmic, and Nightclub dances. However, for partner events like Salsa, Bachata, and Zouk, regular street shoes can also be worn, as these events are often held in venues without purpose-built dance floors.

The design of dance shoes prioritizes allowing the dancer to feel the floor through the shoes. They are lightweight, flexible, and soft, providing comfort and support to the feet. Ensuring the shoes fit well is essential, as ill-fitting dance shoes can cause pain, blisters, and injury.

When it comes to good dancing movement, various factors come into play. However, a good pair of dance shoes can significantly enhance the dancer's performance by allowing correct foot flexion and improved leg movement.

There are many factors involved in good movement. But a good pair of dance shoes can only help—they allow your foot to flex correctly and improve (instead of prevent) better leg movement. 

Respect

Historical black and white photograph of a ballroom dance competition

We understand that respect may not be the first thing that comes to mind when choosing your dance shoes, but it's a factor that carries a lot of weight in the dance community. Let's delve into why.

First, we should wear dance shoes out of respect for the studio's property. Regular shoes are worn on every type of surface. Consequently, it is common to have bits and pieces of rock and sand embedded in the soles of the shoes. Sand and other detritus make the bottom of the shoe similar in texture to sandpaper. Now imagine sliding sandpaper-like soles on top of a highly polished and costly floating dance floor made from beautiful maple. That would be like running sandpaper on your computer monitor—it would get scratched badly and possibly gouge the surfaces easily.

Second, we should wear dance shoes out of respect for our dance partners. When we wear dance shoes to dance, we communicate to our partner (whether at a social, practice, or competition) that we take ballroom dancing seriously enough to follow the norms. We do not find dancing with someone wearing regular street shoes comfortable. If you have danced for a while as we have, you would know what we mean; you will find that they do not move as smoothly as we would expect (the shoes hamper good movement). Some of the finest dancers have stepped on our toes (it happens now and then in dance), and we can say that being stepped on with regular street shoes is more painful. Dance shoes are not as hard as regular street shoes, having more "give" when you accidentally step on your partner; thus, they can be a little more forgiving.

Lastly, if you like ballroom dancing, you should wear dance shoes out of respect for your feet. Dancing in rigid street shoes can lead to a host of problems—from chafing, scratching, and calluses to blisters, bunions, and (potentially) more severe foot problems. It is frustrating to know how to dance but cannot do so since your feet are offline—all because of bad shoes. Protect your feet and keep them in top dancing condition by wearing the right shoes.

Conclusion

This article explored three fundamental reasons to wear dance shoes in ballroom dancing. There are other reasons, of course, but we hope these are enough for you to secure a GOOD pair and start dancing with them.