Your Ultimate Guide to EVERY Type of Dance Shoe

This guide to EVERY type of dance shoe is here to help you find the right dance shoes for you!

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As dancers we need a lot of different dance shoes for different dance shoes. And if you are trying a new class or need new dance shoes, it can be tough to know where to begin. That’s why with my experience using lost of different dance shoes, I’ve create this post about nearly EVERY type of dance shoe.

You are going to learn all about different dance shoes and what they are used for along with a few great options of dance shoes to choose from. Dance shoes like ballet shoes, pointe shoes, tap shoes, half-soles, dance sneakers, character shoes, and more!

After reading this post you will know all about nearly every type of dance shoe and will find the perfect shoes for all of your dance class needs.

This post is all about dance shoes

Types of Dance Shoes

Importance of Proper Dance Footwear

For every dance style, you will need to have the proper shoes. Having the correct dance shoes will impact every dance style and your technique in performing the style. Proper shoes will also help prevent injuries and improve your performance as a dancer which is why proper dance footwear is incredibly important.

The next few sections will discuss a variety of dance shoes including ballet shoes, jazz shoes, tap shoes, character and ballroom shoes, and dance sneakers.

Ballet Shoes

Step into the world of grace with ballet shoes, your companions in every pirouette and plié. These lightweight, flexible shoes cradle your feet, allowing you to articulate each movement with precision. Whether you opt for full-soled or split-soled styles, ballet shoes are not just footwear; they’re the silent partners in your journey, offering the perfect blend of comfort and support as you navigate the intricate steps of classical ballet.

Ballet shoes are typically worn for ballet class and sometimes contemporary ballet class. Two common types of ballet shoes are leather ballet shoes and canvas ballet shoes. Both types of ballet shoes are typically secured with elastics across the ankle.

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Leather Ballet Shoes

Leather ballet shoes are typically worn by younger dancers but some older dancers that prefer leather ballet shoes will also wear them. They come in full soled and split soled types. Leather ballet shoes are typically more durable and last longer than canvas ballet shoes.

Here are a few different leather ballet shoes:

Buy on Bloch

Buy on Discount Dance

Canvas Ballet Shoes

Canvas ballet shoes are very common amongst older dancers and professionals. Many dancers like they way they can feel the floor as they move through their feet in canvas ballet shoes. These ballet shoes primarily come in a split sole. Canvas ballet shoes offer an alternative to traditional leather, providing breathability and a snug fit. They are lightweight, mold easily to the foot, and are ideal if you prefer a more sock-like feel in your dance shoes.

Here are a few different types of canvas ballet shoes:

Buy on Bloch

Buy on discount Dance

Pointe Shoes

Pointe shoes are for mature and professional ballet dancers. They are a type of specialized footwear designed for ballet dancers, specifically those trained to dance on their toes. These shoes enable dancers to perform on the tips of their toes, providing the illusion of weightlessness and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of ballet performances.

The pointe shoes a dancer wears depends on their personal foot shape and shoe preferences. This is why having the right fitting pointe shoe is so important for each individual dancer.

Here are some places you can find pointe shoes:

Discount Dance

Bloch

Capezio

Dancewear Corner

Jazz Shoes

Slip into jazz shoes, where your every movement becomes a stroke on the canvas of dance. Versatile and snug, these shoes accompany you in jazz, contemporary, and lyrical expressions. Feel the arch support as you weave your story through movements that are uniquely yours. Your artistic journey is boundless; let your jazz shoes be the brush that paints your dance narrative.

Jazz shoes typically have a split sole or a full sole. A split sole enhances flexibility, allowing for a greater range of movement, especially in the arch of the foot. Full soles offer more support and are often preferred by beginners. Though they commonly come in leather, there are also canvas jazz shoes for dancers that like a more sock-like feel.

Leather Jazz Shoes

Leathers jazz shoes are the most commonly worn type of jazz shoes. They come in a variety of shapes in styles. Most dancers will choose their shoes based on what they prefer and like in a shoe. These shoes come in lace-up and slip-on styles.

Here are a few different styles of leather jazz shoes that I recommend:

Buy On Bloch

Buy on Discount Dance

Canvas Jazz Shoes

Canvas jazz shoe are less commonly worn by dancers than leather jazz shoes. However, canvas jazz shoes are a great dance shoe option for jazz class if you like a shoe that feels more like a ballet shoe where you can feel the floor more.

Here are some canvas jazz shoes:

Buy on Bloch

Buy on Discount Dance

Tap Shoes

With tap shoes, your feet become a rhythmic orchestra, creating beats that echo through every step. These shoes, adorned with metal taps, empower you to be both dancer and percussionist. As you choose a pair, let comfort be your guide, ensuring that each tap resonates with the joy of mastering intricate footwork and expressing the music within.

Tap shoes come in a variety of styles including lace up, slip on, buckle tap shoes, full sole tap shoes, and split sole tap shoes.

Check it out- 10 Must-Have Dance Products Every Dancer Should Own

Lace-up Tap Shoes

Lace up tap shoes give you the ability to tie your shoes like you would sneakers. There are lace up tap shoes made for beginner, intermediate, advanced, and professional dancers.

Here are a few lace-up style tap shoes:

Buy on Bloch

Buy on Bloch

Buy On Bloch

Buckle Tap Shoes

These are commonly worn by female dancers and come in a Mary Jane or heel styled tap shoe.

Buy on Bloch

Buy on Bloch

Buy on Discount Dance

Half Soles

Half-soles, or contemporary shoes, invite you to dance barefoot while protecting the essence of your movements. Experience the freedom of expression with enhanced flexibility and grip, allowing your feet to tell a story with every step. Let the stage become your canvas, and these half-soles, your trusted companions in articulating your soul through the language of dance.

Half-sole dance shoes are commonly worn by competition dancers and dancers for turning while they dance. They are typically worn for jazz, lyrical, and contemporary styles of dance. Half-soles are literally half of a ballet shoe sole with a suede bottom just like ballet shoes with an elastic strap that holds the half-sole on the ankle.

Here are a few types of half-soles:

Buy on Bloch

Buy on Discount Dance

Foot Undies/Dance Paw/Foot Thong

Slip into foot thongs, your secret weapon for turns and floor work. These dance paws offer the protection you need while letting you feel the floor beneath you. Minimalistic yet impactful, they’re your allies in exploring the nuances of contemporary and lyrical styles. Allow your feet to dance freely, confident in the subtle protection and freedom of movement that foot thongs provide.

Similar to half-soles, these shoes are commonly worn for lyrical and contemporary dance styles.

Here are some options for this dance shoe:

Buy on Bloch

Buy on Discount Dance

Character Shoes

Character shoes are typically worn for ballet character dancing, musical theatre dance, and sometimes for jazz dance classes. Character shoes come in a variety of heights and styles. Character shoes are also usable for some ballroom dance classes.

Check out a few different styles of character shoes to choose from:

Dance Sneakers

Dance sneakers are more than shoes; they’re your fusion of style and support on the urban dance stage. Infused with the comfort of athletic shoes and the flexibility for dance movements, they become your statement in hip-hop and street dance. Let every step echo your rhythm, knowing that these sneakers are not just an accessory but a reflection of your dance style and personality.

Dance sneakers are great to have for a hip hop or jazz funk class.

Here are some great dance sneakers to choose from:

Buy on Discount Dance

Buy on Bloch

Before you go:

I hope this post has helped you learn more about all of the different types of dance shoes. If you want more dance lifestyle content, dance tips, and more, be sure to subscribe to the Charming Dancer below!

Comment your favorite dance shoe and dance shoe recommendations

This post was all about types of dance shoes