As a dancer, there is one thing you need to get right when it comes to your dancewear. You can get by in a less-than-perfect skirt or shorts, but if your sneakers don’t fit and you’re not comfortable, they’ll remind you of that fact with every step you take. Make no mistake, your choice of dance shoes is going to matter. So how can you be sure you’ll pick the right pair?
There are several criteria you’ll want to weigh when considering which dance shoes to wear. You’ll want to make sure you consider each of these before you make your purchase. Taking time at this stage will make a difference once you start dancing in your new shoes. This is not something you want to go wrong with.
Color
Perhaps you haven’t given much thought to the look of your dance shoes, but this can actually be very important. Clearly, the color won’t help you dance better or make your shoes more comfortable, but the color and appearance of the shoes can be important.
Your dance class will probably have some kind of dress code that you are expected to follow. Your dance class or teacher will most likely expect you to wear shoes that conform to this dress code. Perhaps you can see why this is important: imagine you show up in your new hot pink dance shoes and your dance teacher refuses to let you participate in class. Suddenly, all other criteria vanish as if they were insignificant. If you have any questions, check with your dance class for information on the dress code. Assuming your class allows you to wear sneakers in the first place, you’ll probably find black to be the preferred color, but it’s important to check before you spend any money.
Comfort
It doesn’t take a genius to tell you that your dance shoes need to be comfortable. Be on the lookout for misplaced glances that can lead to foot irritation. Cheap dance shoes can fall victim to poor design, and what may seem like a harmless annoyance when you first put them on will turn into something really annoying and potentially painful over time.
Weight
If you are going to be dancing for an extended period of time, over an hour for example, then you will want to pay attention to the weight of the shoes you choose. Dancing for an extended period of time in heavy shoes will be like wearing weights on your feet. Given enough time, this extra weight can really take its toll. Lighter is better – that’s the simple truth
flexibility
You’ll want dance shoes that move in every way your feet do, so you’ll want a flexible yet supportive sole. Many dance shoes have innovated a two sole design, where the heel and forefoot have a small sole, not meeting in the middle. This has the effect of reducing weight and increasing flexibility. Not all dance shoes have this, and there are many quality dance shoes that don’t, so it’s important to at least consider single sole shoes as well.