While a nice pair of leather-soled shoes can get you by for your first few classes, investing in quality dance shoes will be a total game-changer in your ballroom dancing experience. Ballroom dance shoes are made with a suede sole to help you glide smoothly across the floor and feel lighter on your feet.

Initial Investment

Unlike other hobbies with extensive required supplies, all ballroom dancing requires is a pair of shoes. A basic quality pair that will last you 5-10 years will set you back about $90. Budget shoes can be purchased online in the $30 range while fancier designs or professional quality shoes will cost significantly more. The wonderful thing about these all-leather shoes is that you rarely need to replace them completely as your local cobbler can easily resole them when needed.

Types & Styles

Starting with a basic all-purpose social dance shoe is the most common choice for beginners. If you eventually want to compete, you will need the proper shoes for each style of dance.

Smooth Shoes - designed for Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and the Viennese Waltz these closed-toe shoes come in flesh tone with a 2-3" heel (2.5" standard) for women and are a patent leather lace-up oxford for men.

Latin Shoes - as the name indicates, these shoes are made for the Latin dances including Rumba, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, and Salsa. Men's shoes are a black leather lace-up oxford with a low 1.5" heel while women are offered strappy, flesh-toned, open toe heels from 2-3" high (2.5" standard).

Practice Shoes - one of the most comfortable styles, these are perfect for those needing a steadier shoe. Most are black lace-up flats or 2" heels for women and perforated leather for men.

Dance Sneakers - designed for long hours of practicing, these are a more casual, cushioned, and supportive version of a practice shoe. They are harder to find with suede soles as most sneakers are made with a rubber sole which is not appropriate for ballroom dancing.

Argentine Tango Shoes - these shoes are all about color and flash with suede or leather soles. For women, the higher the heel the better with a standard heel height of 3".

Care & Sizing

Since most dance shoes are made in England and Italy, be sure to double-check the size conversion for proper fit. You want your shoes to fit snug without feeling tight or pinching. The leather will stretch with use so your shoes will feel slightly looser over time. Since wearing your shoes outside of the dance floor will damage the suede soles, keep them in a shoe bag for transport while you wear your street shoes to and from the studio.

At Quick Quick Slow we would love to help you decide on the right shoe style for you and give you a list of our favorite vendors. Contact us today so we can help you get started on putting your right foot forward.