The kind of dancing shoes you use greatly influences the manner in which you dance. And if you are a beginner, your footwear can impact how you feel about dancing in general and how quickly you learn the steps involved. With that said, buying and using the right dancing shoes is of paramount importance. Here are some tips that can help you pick the right shoes to match your requirements.
Perfect Fit
Dance Style
A salsa shoe needs to "do different work" than a tango shoe, which is why it's important to know which dance style do you want to dance with your shoe. There are lots of dancing shoes designed for different dance styles. In the beginning, you may want to choose an 'all-around shoe" that you can wear for different dance styles. It may take you a while to find out which dance style you really like and where you want to specialise. So it is really handy if your dancing shoe isn't too specialized.
Open vs Closed Dancing Shoes
A shoe that is closed at the front has one very practical aspect - your delicate female toes will be protected from the boisterous male steps. When it comes to visual preferences, it is just a question of personal taste, so you should focus on the function. Open-toed dancing shoes usually give dancers a better grip and a better feeling for rolling the steps of their toes, but their toes are also in more danger. A lady may have her own reasons for not wanting to show off her toes in public and that's ok. I just want you to understand that an open shoe offers more functionality, especially for tango, salsa and Latin dances.
Material and Shoe Construction
Dance shoes have come a long way, but generally, they have to withstand a great deal of pressure. This means the material they are made from needs to survive quite a lot. When considering durability, a dance shoe made of real leather is the best choice. For any type of dance shoe, non-slip soles are essential. Rubber and leather are not good for dancing. Rubber sticks and leather slips. Suede is a great option. Shoes with suede soles are light, which is desirable. Plus, these soles provide the right amount of friction for salsa or any other dance involving partnership.
