Mens Ballroom Dancing Shoes

Information & tips for choosing comfortable dance shoes
for men that are functional & stylish too!

Do you need help choosing mens ballroom dancing shoes? A little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to choosing the best mens ballroom dance shoes!

When it comes to dance shoes, men have several styles and colors to choose from, although the basic black standard oxford is most common in mens ballroom dancing shoes.

Which ones to choose?

The best way to start is by identifying your needs.

The info and resources on this page will guide you quickly and easily through the entire process!

The most important thing is that your feet are comfortable.

For a man, ballroom dance shoes for the standard or smooth dance styles, are usually a black, lace up oxford type of shoe with a low heel.

Mens dance shoes worn for latin or rhythm dance styles are also oxfords, but have a higher heel, making them a bit more challenging to dance in.

Although black is the most common color in dance shoes, men do have some other choices, such as white, various shades of brown, and a few two tone combinations.

Anatomy of Mens Ballroom Dance Shoes

Ballroom Shoes are constructed to meet the specific needs of a dancers and have the following characteristics:

Steel shank for added arch support.
Chrome-tanned (suede) soles for optimal grip and slide on typical hardwood floors.
Light weight construction to help reduce foot fatigue.
Made from nubuck, leather, or patent leather
Extra foot pad cushioning for dancing comfort.

Mens Ballroom Dancing Shoes

For a man, Ballroom dance shoes are optimally designed for the Standard/Smooth dancing styles such as a waltz or a foxtrot.

The heels are usually no more than 1 inch and are extremely stable.

The soles are thinner than the soles of a street shoe, allowing maximum control and ease of movement. Most dancers want to feel the floor under their feet!

Some dance shoes come with air holes on the sides, and shoes with suede linings will help to keep your feet cool as well.

A variety of colors are available in either leather, nubuck, or patent leather.

Although the lace up oxford is definitely most common, I have seen a pair or two of slip on mens ballroom dancing shoes!

If you are just starting out, or want only one pair of shoes, mens ballroom dancing shoes are for you!

You can easily dance latin dances in a ballroom shoe, but not so the other way around!

Mens Latin Dancing Shoes

Designed to accommodate the technique of latin dances such as jive and rumba, Mens Latin Dancing shoes are similar to the mens ballroom shoes, but have a 1.5" - 2" cuban heel.

There is an option to get a split sole on a latin dancing shoe. This provides the added flexibility needed for Latin foot movement technique, but does not provide as much foot support.

Latin Dancing Shoes can also be custom ordered with a half shank or no shank at all.

These shoes are typically worn by more advanced Latin dancers or for competitions.

Available also in a variety of colors in leather, nubuck, or patent leather.

If The Shoe Fits....

Comfort, Comfort, Comfort......That's the most important rule! You will not enjoy ballroom dancing with ill fitting shoes and sore feet!

If you live near a dance shoes store, find an experienced salesperson to properly measure your feet. Try different brands of shoes to find one that fits best.

Mens ballroom dancing shoes should fit snugly with just enough room to wiggle your toes.

You might also learn how to measure your own feet and follow the guidelines of the dance shoes manufacturer to ensure a good fit.

If you require wide width dance shoes, narrow ballroom dance shoes, or have any other special needs, you can custom order your shoes for just a few dollars extra.

It's worth it!...Your feet will thank you over and over!......Your ballroom dance partner probably will too!

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How To Care for Men's Ballroom Dancing Shoes

If you have invested in mens ballroom dancing shoes, you will want to take good care of them! Implementing the following tips will help to extend the life of your shoes: