I'm planning on starting ballroom dancing soon and, like for any other type of dancing, I need shoes. I don't know if it makes sense to spend $110-150 dollars on shoes for lessons if I just want to dance socially. Are there any less-expensive, but good shoes that anyone knows of? If not, what brands do you suggest for a beginner?

Hi,
Yes, it does make sense to buy dance shoes even if you are a beginner. Why? You get a real feel for the floor and the flexibility needed to dance well in a dance shoe. The soles allow you to move properly. Street shoes either slip or stick to a dance floor. I don't know if you are male or female but either way I have never seen a street shoe that is a good substitute. If you dance in running shoes you can not feel the floor or point your toes, and women look very flat footed. Start with a low heel, if you are not comfortable with a higher heel. Find a brand that is comfortable and within your price range. Cheaper shoes might not last as long but in the beginning comfort is most important.

Hi- The right dance shoe definitely makes a huge difference. I've only been ballroom dancing for about 6 mos. and finally got dance shoes with suede soles...wow, what a big difference. My balance has improved as has my ability to execute the turns. I bought my shoes over the internet (after a lot of research) and am very happy with them. I wasn't sure about the higher heels, but I've found a 2 inch Cuban heel to be very easy to dance in. I opted for a practice shoe and paid in the $65.00 price range. If you can financilly "swing" it, the shoes will really be worth it. Best of luck to you....

Thank You so much for your input, Trudy. But I'm wondering-Where on earth did you find practice shoes for $65.00? That's such a steal if they're really goos shoes (which I assume they are). I'm on a bit of a budget, so $65.00 makes quite a bit of sense, unless I have to spring for the more expensive shoes.

I also was wondering if you are male or female, but it doesn't matter. Proper dance shoes are THE vital piece of equipment for this sport/art. I was teaching a couple a few months ago, and the man had thick rubber-soled shoes you might wear to work on casual day. He couldn't figure out why he couldn't glide or move along the floor properly on a Fox Trot. I asked him if he would still play golf with wooden woods and irons with small faces, when the new equipment today provides much larger Titanium heads and irons that help amateurs strike the ball much better. It is the same, in my opinion, with dance shoes. Why would you go into a lesson or a game (a dance) with equipment that was going to hinder your chances to do well? Decent shoes are well worth it. The better the shoe, the longer it will last, too.

My wife sells to her students.

Our page is out of date and we just got in a new shipment.

We sell more practice shoes than anything. Our practice shoes are 4th down in the left. Ignore "available sizes" as it needs updating. Our most popular colour is black. The wide heel gives better support and should make it easier to last longer when dancing.

The $75 includes 7% PST + 5% GST. which is about $65 Canadian. We add only whatever the post office charges for Shipping & Handling.

As we're mostly word of mouth and small volume we only deal in cash or cheque however we can provide lots of background info if you're interested.

http://www.dancingdragon52.com/

OB

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. I defiantly recommend giving them a try.

Website: amysafter5.com