Recommendation for salsa dance shoes?

Question

I just started taking the salsa lesson and I need to purchase a pair of dance shoes. Can anybody make some recommendation on how to select the shoes? How high should they be? How fat the heels should be? Where on the Internet can I find? Any recommendation will be helpful. Thanks!

Answer 1

I'd recommend Latin dance shoes. I don't think it matters so much how fat the heel is, because your weight is mostly on the balls of your feet anyway when you dance. I think it is good to start forming good dancing habits right away, so I recommend heels not flats. It should be open-toe sandals with heels. Don't get the heels that are way too high for you - good height is when you get on your toes the bottoms of your heels lift off about 1/2 inch from the floor. If you can't do that - the heel is too high. If you are wearing adult sizes from 5 to 8 I'd say get 2.5'' heel or 3'' heel, not higher. If your foot size is more than 8 you can get higher heel if you want. The heel needs to be balanced properly - that is, you should be standing in them comfortably without feeling that you are unstable. If you feel unstable it doesn't mean that the heel is too high, it means the heel is not positioned where your foot needs it. Every brand is slightly different. This is why people go for slightly fatter heels - it is easier to get the balance point just right.
Check out www.featherdanceshoes.com - they have good models and good discounts. I really like the design with 2 shiny buckles on the toebox - it has stable heel and it lets you adjust how wide your toebox is. A word of warning - these are suede sole shoes. You can't wear them outside or on dirty floors. Other websites for you to check out: www.dancesport.uk.com and www.danceshopper.com

Answer 2

Check out the previous answer. Some people have issues. I would recommend a dance shoe, just because the suede bottoms help you on the floor. But if you're really wanting a shoe that you can wear outside the club, then you should look for a nice strappy sandal that fits pretty closely to your foot. You'll have a hard time with the close fit, because women's dress shoes are not made in the same way as dance shoes. The sandal is not just for look but for comfort and feeling on the floor. If you have a closed toe, you are gonna totally die. I dance in men's rhythm shoes, which are very soft leather and flexible and only an inch and a half in the heel, and I am really hurting after a few hours. So I can only imagine what it would be like to dance in women's closed toe pumps. If you like your toes, don't fence them in! I would choose a shoe that is backed and not just with a strap around your heel. A strap that goes over your instep, like a T-strap. Oh, and if you see any dumbasses like the one who first answered you with their pretentious in-the-hood babble, just stomp on them with those heels....

Answer 3

I'm a guy, so take my answer filtered through that info. Most salseras I see gravitate towards Latin style ballroom shoes, heels usually seem 2 or 2 1/2 inches. But these can't be worn on anything but a good wood dance floor. The thin sueded leather soles are quite delicate. Personally, I cringe at the thought of 1 1/2 inch men's Latin heels. I don't see how you ladies do it.

Answer 4

For men:
It depends on where you will be wearing the shoes.
At lessons and practice go to a bowling alley and get a pair
of bowling shoes (good price range). Note: If the dance club floor is sticky (spilled drinks)
the bowling shoes can take the abuse better and still allow you
to show off your moves.

Answer 5

i just started salsa lessons as well and it was recommended to me by someone who studied salsa that i start with ballet flats with no a non slip bottom so that you can do the turns easily. heels will not make that easy for you. you can find cute ballet flats at baker shoes (that's where i got mine) or anywhere really. just something comfy that will let you move freely. later when you get good at it you can do the heels.....for now you want to NOT break a leg... :)

Answer 6

flemanco shoes. you can get them anywhere where they sell dance shoes. on the internet type in 'flemanco dance shoes'.
hope i helped.