Tips on How to Choose the Best Salsa Dance Shoes
There’s more to salsa dancing than dancing. This is a moment that you easily get to connect with your inner self, your dance partner, and, more so, the floor. Yes, the floor. You have to be in good sync and connection with the floor when dancing salsa. This is why one of the most important factors to consider during salsa dancing is your shoes.
Do you struggle with your spins? Does your body feel a little unnatural during your movements? Or do you sometimes find yourself treading on your partner’s toes?
All these problems may not be down to your technique. In most cases, you simply have to have a look at your shoes. Heavy, poor-fitting or inflexible shoes are mostly the cause of your troubled salsa dance sessions. Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with this anymore, as you can easily get yourself good salsa dance shoes and rock on the floor. Here’s a quick guide to enable you to pick the best salsa shoes.
- Sole material
There are many choices when it comes to picking dance shoes. While for most of us, our eyes might be first drawn to the most stylish pair, there are other things that you must consider, especially when it comes to salsa shoes. One of the key aspects to check is the sole material.
The type of sole you go for has a significant impact on your step and spin. Suede sole materials make it easier to make turns and spins. This is mostly because there’s less friction between the shoes and the dance floor.
Some salsa shoes have smooth leather soles. These soles are somewhat less flexible than suede, but if you are looking at durability, these are the shoes for you. These shoes are also known to be capable of handling different types of dance floors without getting damaged.
There are also salsa shoes, such as trainers or sneakers, that come with a rubber sole. While not very popular among female dancers, these shoes are good for almost all types of dance floors, offering better flexibility. However, these shoes tend to grip the floor more often, making it a little more difficult to maneuver for some users.
- Heel height
Traditionally, salsa shoes for all genders had heels. This is no longer the case for salsa dancers, especially male dancers. If you are looking for the best heel height for your salsa dance sessions, it would be prudent to consider several things, including how good you are at the dance. If you are a beginner, it is advisable to start with shoes with lower-high heels. 1.5 – 2 inches of heels may be a good start, then you can gradually increase the heel size depending on your experience.
- Heel shape
Not all salsa dance shoes have the same heel shape. The shape of your heels matters a lot and greatly impacts your dance experience. There are two primary types of heel shapes when it comes to salsa shoes — slim and flared. Slim heels taper your feet, meaning they get narrow as they reach the floor. This makes them ideal for more graceful and fluid movements. On the other hand, flared heels initially taper your feet but eventually flare as they reach the floor. This wider tip gives room for more stability.
Choosing the best salsa shoes can be daunting, but once you take these three tips into account, your search for the perfect shoes becomes easier.
