How to choose a ballroom dance shoe

Get the proper sole. It is a good foundation for your dancing ability. Suede soles, new or well-brushed, give a good amount of traction, especially on the standard wooden ballroom dance floors. Suede is also known as chrome leather in some stores. Leather soles tend to be more slippery, but are a good option if you don’t want to spend as much on a shoe.

Decide on the height you are comfortable with. Generally flats for both men and women have a 1 to 1 1/2 inch heel. Women’s high-heels run between two to three inches.

Choose a style. Especially women. Latin dancing ballroom shoes tend to be higher with a slim heel and a much more flexible sole for all that fast twisting footwork. There are open toe styles and closed toe styles to choose from. The closed toe shoes give you extra protection when stepped on. Another thing to consider is that the edge of your toenails take a beating against your partner’s shoes with all the close steps.

Choose shoes that are comfortable and have great support for your foot. They also need to hold up. Make sure there aren’t any sharp edges that will press on your ankle. Look out for seams on the inside that can chafe your skin after long hours of practice. You can add arch supports for better comfort.