Best dance shoes for every dance surface

by Clement

Dec 8, 2023

Best Dance Shoes for Every Dance Surface. In this short article, we give you our best recommendation & optimal dance shoes for different type of dance floors and dance surface.

Popular dance floor

There are 6 main types of dance floors.

Hardwood dance floors
Plywood dance floors
Sprung dance floors
Concrete dance floors
Marley Dance Floors
Practice Mat

Can you use your dance shoes on any dance floors ?

Not every dance shoes can be used on all the dance floors cited above. Otherwise, you risk to damage and ruined your dance shoes.

There are 3 main types of dance shoes soles.

Rubber soles dance shoes
Suede Soles dance shoes (leather soles dance shoes category)
Smooth Leather soles dance shoes (leather soles dance shoes category)

Sole dance shoes: Best Dance Shoes For every dance surface

Best dance shoes for hardwood dance floors

Use Suede soles dance shoes. You can also use rubber and smooth leather soles. But you will get the most of the dance shoes benefits using suede soles on hardwood dance floors

Best dance shoes for Plywood dance floors

Same answer as for Hardwood dance floors. We recommend using Suede soles dance shoes.

Tap dance shoes are not recommended on Plywood. Even on a marine-grade plywood.

Best dance shoes for Sprung dance floors

Same answer as for Hardwood & Plywood dance floors. We recommend using Suede soles dance shoes.

Best dance shoes for Concrete dance floors

Polished concrete dance floors. You can use suede soles, rubber soles or leather soles. A smooth leather soles would make your dance shoes last longer on polish concrete.

Non-polished concrete. Use only rubber sole or Smooth leather soles. Strictly no suede soles on non polished concrete. We recommend using dance sneakers on a rough non polished concrete floor.

Tap dance shoes are not recommended on concrete.

Best dance shoes for Marley dance floors

Same answer as for Hardwood & Plywood dance floors. We recommend using Suede soles dance shoes.

Good for ballet, pointe and jazz training.

Do Not use tap dance shoes on Marley dance floors, unless it’s a new technology Marley dance floors that can resist to the impact.

Best dance shoes for Practice mats

Same answer as for Hardwood & Plywood dance floors. We recommend using Suede soles dance shoes.

Good for ballet, pointe and jazz training.

What type of dance shoes soles do you sell at Latin Dance Shoes Australia ?

We sell rubber soles dance shoes, suede soles dance shoes, leather soles dance shoes and smooth PU leather soles dance shoes.

You can customise for any dance shoes and dance boots the type of sole, making it the perfect dance footwear for your needs and occasion.

What about heels height and Heel shape to dance on wood floor ?

Choosing proper Heels height and shape depends on 3 main factors.

Your dance style. Latin dancers usually prefer higher heels than ballroom dancers.
Your dance experience. Are you a beginner dancer? If so, it is safer to start with a lower heel and a bigger shape such as a cuban heel or flared heel.
Your personal preferences. Are you used to walk in heels at work? If so, you might feel more comfortable with a higher heel.

We wrote a guide to help you decide the best heels for dancers depending on your dance style and level.

At Latin Dance shoes Australia, you can customise heels height and heels shape on any models.

You can also decide what type of sole to choose from.

And all of that at no additional cost!

What shoes are best for dance lessons ?

It will depend on dance style and the venue where you are dancing. Most dance lessons occurs in a dance school that has a proper hardwood or plywood dance floor. It would be best to use suede sole dance shoes. But make sure to always verify what type of dance floor you will be dancing and attending your dance lessons.

Note: Make sure to contact your dance studio to ask if you are required to wear heel stoppers (also called heel protectors) in order to wear heels on their dance floor.

What shoes are best for Ballroom dancing ?

Best dance shoes for ballroom lessons: Low heels suede soles dance shoes for absolute beginners. Cuban Heels between 1 to 2 inches are usually preferred for absolute beginner dancers.

What shoes are best for salsa dance lessons ?

Best dance shoes for salsa lessons: Low heels suede soles dance shoes for absolute beginners, or 7 centimetres flare heel suede soles dance shoes.

What shoes are best for Bachata dance lessons ?

Best dance shoes for Bachata lessons: Low heels suede soles dance shoes for absolute beginners, or 7 centimetres flare heel suede soles dance shoes.

Bachata music being slower than salsa music, you might be able to start with a higher heel than the one recommended when attending salsa lessons.

What shoes are best for Kizomba dance lessons ?

Best dance shoes for Kizomba lessons: Kizomba is a very low pace dance. We recommend you to start with a 7 centimetres flare heels suede soles dance shoes. Once confident, you can try higher heels shoes.

What shoes are best for Zouk dance lessons ?

Best dance shoes for Zouk lessons: Low heels suede soles dance shoes for absolute beginners, or 7 centimetres flare heel suede soles dance shoes.

What shoes are best for tango dance lessons ?

Best dance shoes for tango lessons: Low heels suede soles dance shoes for absolute beginners, or 7 centimetres flare heel suede soles dance shoes.

Note: Tango dancers really like closed toe shoes!

Should dance shoes be tight or loose ?

Dance shoes should fit snugly, providing support without being excessively tight.

Read our full guide on how dance shoes should feel.

Do shoes matter when dancing ?

Yes, Shoes matter when dancing. Dance shoes and dance footwear have been specifically designed to help and support dancers’ feet.In latin dances, ballroom dances and performance dance, it is important to buy comfortable, breathable and flexible dance shoes that will protect your feet and improve your dance. Note that some dancers do enjoy dancing without shoes, and that’s typical to traditional african dances for example.

Can you dance in any shoes ?

You can dance in most shoes, but specialized dance shoes are highly recommended for optimal performance, comfort, and safety.

Can I use sneakers for dance ?

Yes, you can dance some dance styles like Hip hop and latin dances in regular sneakers. However, it is highly recommended to use dance footwear that is specialised for dancing. That why it is best to use specialised sneakers for dance. They are specifically made for dancing outdoors and indoors, and their split sole will protect your feet and enhance your dance performance.