I need shoes with better than average support and cushioning and can't seem to find them. I live in Northern NJ and there are just a few stores that specialize in ballroom shoes. These stores have a very limited inventory. I have also researched on the net. I would greatly appreciate any advice!

Each foot is different, but I've found Celebrity to be a comfortable fit for me.

It may depend on what kind of shoe (latin sandal, closed, practice) you are looking for and what kind of dancing you do. I've found that backbaydancewear.com has a huge selection of shoes, very helpful people on the phone, and will allow you to return shoes if you only try them on carpet. You might call them for advice.

Have you tried putting an insert in the shoe for added padding? I make my own from molefoam (moleskin with added foam padding, avail. in drugstores--I step on a paper bag with wet feet, use that as a pattern, and cut them out). I don't recommend gel pads because they are too squishy and your foot keeps moving inside the shoe after you stop--bad for balance.

It is also possible to take a comfortable pair of street shoes and have suede soles put on them. I'm thinking about doing that for social dancing. Forgot my dance shoes once and had to dance in a pair of rubber-soled flats. They were way too sticky on the floor, but otherwise very comfortable!

I know of a good shoe store up in Warren, NJ called Featherlite Dance Shoes. Their shoes are light with good balance and flexibility and well placed cushioning but they can be a bit expensive. There is also a place in East Brunswick on Rt. 18 called Dancin' on the Moon, I wasn't crazy about the shoes they carry but they may have what you are looking for. Good Luck on your search!

I swear by Celebrity Dance Shoes! American street size (and accurate) WAY more cushioning than any other brand I have tried. I have 11 pairs of shoes from them in every configuration imaginable, too. I wear a size 11 so no matter what I have to 'special order' my shoes, but often Celebrity will have my size in stock in some style. If you have a more usual size, they can get the shoes to you in a matter of days.

Go to www.CelebrityDanceShoes.com and look at what they have. Then go to www.stepnout.com to order. Gini at StepNout gives a gift certificate on the order that nearly covers shipping. I have never returned a pair of shoes from Celebrity. Never had to. No blisters to date and that's even with taking the shoes-brand new and in the box- to the studio and dancing in them for hours!

Hello,
This is FeatherLite Balroom Dance Shoes here. We carry ladies sizes 4.5-13 in stock!!! NARROWS & WIDES as well. We jsut got a new shipment in with a new styles including a beautiful closed toe shoe in camel, ivory, nubuck and black leather. Call (732) 537-1010 for more information

I wear Amys After 5 brand. They are fully padded from the heel to the toe and unlike other brands I've tried the padding does not flatten out right away so it stays cushioned longer. They are a fairly new brand but I find them to be more comfortable and made of better materials then even the top brands. And they are 1/2 the price of the top brands! (About $70) Plus my balance improved when I started wearing them and they don‘t wear out as fast as other brands. My feet seem to get all around better support from these shoes then any other brand. I defiantly recommend giving them a try.