Things to Consider When Purchasing a New Pair of Dance Shoes
Your toes should come to the edge of the shoe
and your heel should rest firmly into the back
The shoes should include some padding to
absorb
the pressure of the foot constantly pressing on the floor.
The shoes should include something to secure
them
tightly on your feet like straps or laces. The best support
in women's sandals are shoes that include a strap
underneath the arch of the foot.
In woman's sandals, the width of the shoe's
straps should
be about 1/4" or wider to prevent breakage of the strap
and to lessen the strap cutting into the foot. Also, tension
straps are desirable because they don't require a hole in the
strap and it allows you to adjust for tightness differently on
each foot.
All dance shoes will stretch over time.
If a shoe feels
slightly tight at first, it's better than a shoe that is too loose.
Ultimately, a dance shoe should mold to your foot.
The type of heel should be considered.
For women's shoes,
the heel should be a little thicker for better support and
balance. Men should consider which style of dancing they
will do most often. Smooth dancers will probably prefer
a flat (1/2") heel, while a rhythm or latin dancer will probably
prefer a cuban (1 1/2" - 2") heel which will force them more
onto the balls of their feet.
The outside texture of the shoe should also
be considered.
Brocade designs, nubuck, velvet, and suede wear quickly
and shorten the life of the shoe since the appearance
becomes undesirable.
Special consideration should be taken with
patent leather shoes.
It's usually a good idea to put petroleum jelly on the inside of
each heel to prevent sticking as the feet pass one another. No
matter what style of shoes you buy, be aware that patent leather
will almost always crack or crease just behind the toes.