Whether you’re a beginner, teacher, social dancer, or Latin, Swing, Jazz, Hip Hop dancer, you always need that reliable shoe that can keep you going for hours.
The most common sneakers dancers wear to class are:
- Jazz sneakers
- Suede sole sneakers
- Regular sports sneakers
In every capsule wardrobe, we have foundation pieces like the perfect T-shirt or turtleneck or jeans, the LBD or black suit for formalwear, and the red dress for putting on the ritz. The dance sneaker is like a foundation piece you’ll rely on again and again. Here are some qualities dancers should look for in a dance sneaker.
- Lightweight
- Flexible sole
- Spinning ability
- Breathable material
- Support
Lightweight
Since dance sneakers are made for dancing, they should be lightweight and help dancers’ feet grip the floor or enable quick footwork and direction changes. Lightweight also helps dancers to move fluidly without any pressure.
Flexible Sole
Flexible soles will help dancers for movement. Certain choreography may involve more pointing of the foot or the ability to step on the ball of the foot; flexible and split soles are best for enabling these foot actions.
A split sole is the type that has a break in the sole material where the arch is. This allows for the greatest range of motion for your feet. Full sole sneakers, which most regular sports sneakers are, are not able to provide the same flexibility as split sole sneakers. They may cause injury on your feet during extensive dance practices and movements.
Spinning Ability
Spins and turns create the dynamism and wow factor that makes watching dance so addictive! You want a dance sneaker that helps you practice and execute these moves. The sole is usually made of PVC for outdoor shoes, and suede for indoor shoes, which are very smooth materials. This smooth sole, especially on the ball-of-the-foot portion of the shoe, is critical for helping dancers spin. Suede soled sneakers are best for indoor-only surfaces: they enable you to grip the floor better, and have the most flexibility.
PVC soled sneakers can be worn indoors and outdoors, and thus are more versatile. PVC shoe soles do not tear or break easily if they are produced with the correct PVC compound formulation. The material’s strength makes it long-lasting. Dancers may want to go to outdoor socials, dance outside by themselves or with friends, or shoot videos and photos in scenic outdoor locations. In those cases PVC soled sneakers are best, for those of you who are looking for multi-purpose dance shoes.
Breathable Material
As you will be learning or practicing many new moves and routines in your dance sneakers, you want to get a breathable material that will allow sweat and moisture to escape or wick away. Breathability in a pair of dance sneakers means your feet are going to feel less sticky and you will stay more comfortable as you dance. Breathable materials also tend to be more lightweight. Avoid damp, sweaty feet by choosing breathable dance sneakers and wearing moisture-wicking material socks.
Support
Most dance sneakers have a low profile but some have higher profiles which are appropriate if you are dancing a style with a lot of side-to-side movement. In this attribute, dancers have a range of preferences. Typically advanced dancers favor shoes with less rigidity to be able to feel the floor. If you plan to dance outside or on a variety of surfaces, the firmer support materials (such as hardened rubber) tend to protect your feet by providing some shock absorption on concrete and pavement.
Dance sneakers will also vary in the amount of arch support and ankle support/cushioning that they provide. If you are starting out in your dance journey and still developing strength and flexibility in your feet, it may be wise to start with a more supportive shoe.
Conclusion
Any pair of dance shoes should be comfortable and protect your feet, but even better would be to help you develop the techniques and skills you are working on! Along your dance journey you will develop your own tastes for what you like in a pair of dance shoes, and this will often dovetail with what type of classes/styles you like most; but the above key points are important attributes when shopping for a pair of dance sneakers.
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