If you are a beginner Salsa dancer you may be unsure where to go to make that all important first purchase, and overwhelmed by the choice on offer (or underwhelmed by the lack of it) when you get there.
I’ve wasted a ton of money buying shoes which have never set foot on a social dance floor.
You’ll know if you’ve been to my studio – I have a “sale rail” full of barely worn/nearly new dance shoes which didn’t work out for myself or my students.
So I want to save you the time, money and disappointment I experienced with all my shoe regrets.
So here is a breakdown of the most popular styles of dance shoes in use for Salsa dancing, followed by a few tips on how to go about actually buying a pair:
Types of Shoes For Salsa Dancing
There are a few different types of dance shoe which work for Salsa, but which works best for you will depend on your personal preference as well as the shape and strength of your feet.
The most common ones are listed below, along with a few tips on who they will be most suitable for:
Full Sole Jazz Shoe
Jazz shoes are flat and typically come in leather or PU.
A shoe with a full sole will be more supportive than a split sole as the sole runs the full length of the shoe giving it more structure.
Most dancers prefer a suede sole as they grip less on wooden floors.
Split Sole Jazz Shoe
Split sole jazz shoes come in leather, PU, and sometimes canvas.
They have a small rubber or suede sole on the forefoot and a small heel. As before a suede sole is usually preferable.
They are super soft and flexible but offer no support. They are great for beginners however as you will feel more grounded and stable and will learn to use your feet properly.
Practice Ballroom Shoe
This type of shoe is a closed lace-up shoe made from leather or fabric. They can have a full or split sole usually made of suede.
These are a good all-rounder for classes, practice and social dance and are available in many different colours and funky designs as well as classic black or tan.
They will usually have a 1-2 inch Cuban heel.
They are comfortable and very supportive which is why a lot of female teachers wear them – including myself.
Men’s Ballroom Shoe
These look like classic men’s formal shoes from the top, but the main difference is the suede sole.
As dance wear brands have caught up with fashion trends, the choice of shoe designs available for men has exponentially increased. This means you can go as funky and colourful as you dare!
However classic designs and colours never date so if you are a man just starting out in Salsa and not ready to make a shoe fashion statement there’s still plenty of choice available.
Latin Sandals
The classic choice for ladies – nothing beats the elegance of a strappy high heel with sparkles that catch the light for social dancing!
Heel heights can go as high as 3-4 inches but my recommendation for beginner ladies is 2 inches if you are not used to wearing heels, or 2 and a half inches if you are.
Prsonallly I prefer an open toe as it allows the toes to spread which enhances balance, but there are many closed styles available and these offer more protection if you accidentally get stepped on!
Dance Sneakers
These are trainer style shoes with a plastic sole which enables turning and spinning more than a rubber soled trainer would.
The plastic sole can also be worn outside – something which would ruin a suede sole.
The soles on dance sneakers tend to be more flexible than a classic leisure or fitness trainer and some have split soles.
Tips For Your First Dance Shoe Purchase
Tip 1: You don’t need to spend fortunes on your first pair.
An entry level pair of jazz shoes will set you back £25-£50 and are perfect for class, practice and socials. Big name dance brands are more expensive but there are plenty of cheaper imported Chinese shoes on Amazon, although quality and sizing can be erratic.
Tip 2: Go to a shop and try on as many different styles as you can if possible.
Dance shoe sizing can vary between brands so a trip to a shop where you can get a better idea of what feels comfortable and works for your foot shape is a great idea, even if you don’t end up buying anything.
Tip 3: Buying online will give you more choice and maybe a better price
There are some great dance wear online stores, but be sure to check the returns policy – just in case.
Watch out for extra sales tax, shipping and customs charges if buying from outside the UK.
Tip 4: Size up a bit if in doubt.
Feet will often swell quite significantly when dancing and there’s nothing worse than trying to dance in shoes which pinch or compress your toes too much.
Tip 5: Professional dancewear brands are worth the extra money when you get serious
The design, quality checks and craftsmanship will ensure the shoes last a long time, are perfectly balanced and up to the rigours of social dancing.
I’ve known many occasions where buckles have broken, heels have snapped, and rhinestones have fallen off cheap shoes, so in the long term those bargains may cost you more.
My Final Thoughts
Once you’ve found a pair of dance shoes that work for you, you’ll find your turns and spins much easier so it really is worth the effort.
Buying shoes for dancing is an investment so don’t rush into buying the first pair you see.
There’s no such thing as the “perfect pair” – there are practical considerations as well as your technique level and foot shape/strength which will narrow down your choices.
I’m always happy to help newbie dancers decide what to buy and where to go, so don’t hesitate to get in touch for more detailed advice.