First pair of Ballroom shoes, sizing question.

[VegasMade]

I am buying my first pair of real Ballroom shoes and after about a month of research I decided to go with Supadance. I was at a comp this past weekend and they had Supadance but only had latin. I wear a size 8-8.5 in U.S. (would generally be 6 u.k.) shoes. However, I wore a size 5 u.k. in Supadance latins. Thought this was odd but who am I to judge ;).

So my question is, should I order my ballroom shoes in a size 5 u.k.? Do Supadance latins usually run bigger than the ballroom shoes? Also, what do you guys think about ordering in wide? I am looking at Supadance style 1008. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[latingal]

Hi VegasMade! Welcome to DF!

I normally wear my latins smaller than ballroom shoes (the infamous toe overhang, feel the floor issue). For instance my latins are 3.5's and I wear either a 4 or 4.5, depending on make/brand in smooth or ballroom.

[middy]

I would get a 5.5 or 6...it's hard to say, but generally you do wear standard shoes in a half size bigger. Also it takes a while to get used to the snugness of court shoes, lots of blisters, but it is important that they stay on your foot. You might have to order a few different sizes/widths to get the perfect fit.

FYI, I am normally a size 8.5 street shoe and wear a UK 6 in the 1008s.

[VegasMade]

So if I get a 5.5 do you think I should go with a wide width? I do have a slightly wide toe box. Are the wides a lot wider?

[wooh]

I'm a 10 US. An 8 in Supadances tends to fit well, with latin, standard and smooth. I've got a narrow heel and wide across my toe joints. (Although any of their T-strap and any of the practice shoes tend to all be too wide in the heel box.)

[biggestbox]

my advise is unless you've tried them, don't buy them. dance shoes need to fit perfectly. There are many good brands and they all fit differently. also latin and standard shoe sizes are different.

[ireniecat]

my advise is unless you've tried them, don't buy them. dance shoes need to fit perfectly. There are many good brands and they all fit differently. also latin and standard shoe sizes are different.

I would just add that it's very unlikely that your first pair will be perfect for you. Many people are still searching for their "perfect" fit, even after years of dancing and trying lots of brands of styles. It's not meant to discourage you, but rather so you have realistic expectations. Also, what might be good for you now might not be good for you a year from now as you learn to use your feet and body differently.

I wear the 1008 in Wide (size 4). In street shoes, I'm between a Medium and Wide. But honestly, I've been considering getting an alternate pair in either Medium or 3.5 Wide (not sure which yet) because depending on the weather or the day, my feet swell and shrink. So some days they fit great, and other days they're too big.

[VegasMade]

I decided to go with a 6 regular in the end and they fit great! Thanks for your help guys! xoxoxo

[MB083008]

I've always been told by my dance instructor to buy my latin shoes at least 2.5 sizes smaller than my street shoes. Because of this, I wear a 7.5 street shoe so my dance shoes have always been a size 5 for latin. That translates to 3 in UK according to my last order.

It seems like the majority of the board buys larger. What's the consensus?

[middy]

Usually that's just a translation from your street shoe (in US) to the dance shoe (in UK) because the standard conversion is 2 sizes less from US to UK. The extra half is for extra snugness when it comes to latin shoes, or slight toe overhang.

Are the 3's comfortable for you? I think that would be much too small and restricting; size 5 should work fine.