My question is do we need to wear a pair of dance shoes for men in latin dance such like cha cha rumba etc.
What is the different between dance sneaker and latin dance shoes.

what is the different between normal shoes and men dance shoes.
Tks

peter

Since none of the men have responded, I'll give you my opinion. Yes, men (and women) should wear dance shoes. Shoes specifically for latin are not absolutely necessary but they do redistribute the man's weight so they are dancing more on the balls of their feet. Very tall men often wear standard shoes because they do not want to tower over their partner. Dance shoes allow you to bend your foot, important in latin and standard. Otherwise, you dance flat-footed. You can feel the floor and spins and turns are easier to do. Dance sneakers are designed so the foot can bend. The have lots of support but they are ugly. Very few men I know wear them. One who does is an instructor who is on his feet all day. Even though they are light- weight they look big, bulky and heavy.

As written tha mans Latin Shoe should have a Cuban Heel which puts the mans weight over the ball of the foot. The better Latin Shoes can be bent toe right over to the heel. If you can find a clip of one of the top dancers pay particular attention on the rear moving foot. Which part of the shoe is on the floor. If I were to say the very tip of the big toe nail and further by some. Paul Killick is a good example.
The draw back with a mans Latin Shoe is, it shouldn't be used for the Standard style, To try a Waltz would be asking for trouble. The heel is likely to take off on a heel lead.

Also don't forget about the difference in the soles of the shoes. Regular shoes don't allow for some of the action that is necessary. They have to have a proper sole.

That being said...for the first little while you can get away with normal dress shoes. You just will be frustrated after awhile.

Here is an ideology...if you play golf, when you first begin any club will do. In fact you can play golf with a hockey stick (i.e. your normal shoes). Once you get better at dancing and begin to understand some of the more delicate components you need better and more specialized tools. You will not only need dance shoes you will find you need particular ones suited to your style of dancing and the way you move and carry yourself. In other words about two months down the line you'll (keeping the golf analogy) invest in your own clubs, probably cheap ones. Then a year down the line you will need better clubs because your skill level has risen to that level that will make you capable of utilizing the equipment. So it is with shoes.

I'm not sure that made sense and I hope it helps :~}