Men's salsa shoes - types, heels, etc.

[Josh]

To all the salseros out there--

* What type of shoes do you dance in most often?
* What type of heel do you use? For those who use a Latin heel, how does the height affect your dancing?
* What about practice sneakers--what's the main difference, and are they useful?

I've got some standard shoes right now, 1" (I think) heel, which do nicely for salsa. But I've seen a few latin heels around, and am wondering if I should go that route. Is there any kind of rule about wearing standard shoes while salsa dancing?

[itorres]

To all the salseros out there--

* What type of shoes do you dance in most often?
* What type of heel do you use? For those who use a Latin heel, how does the height affect your dancing?
* What about practice sneakers--what's the main difference, and are they useful?

I've got some standard shoes right now, 1" (I think) heel, which do nicely for salsa. But I've seen a few latin heels around, and am wondering if I should go that route. Is there any kind of rule about wearing standard shoes while salsa dancing? Hey Josh!
I believe there's a related thread just pointed out on the Salsa Clothes thread.
Now, I'm not a hard core dancer as most here seem to be, so...
* Most often I use leather soled black street/regular dress shoes. Laced.
* I have seen heels in Latin balroom competition are higher, but didn't know they'd be specifically called Latin heels. Hmmm... I think some are boot-like which would provide anlke protection in a crowded dance floor.
* The rule for wearing standard shoes (standard ballroom or standard dress shoes? :oops: )... If any shoe has a positive impact in your ability to dance and you can afford them, get them. :) (Only partly kidding!)

About practice sneakers- great shock absorption, breathe-ability, decreased spin potential. However, I tried on a couple pair. Bloch was one of them and I immediately thought it was an ankle turning waiting to happen. Ouch! it has happened to me (playing tennis). I found the heel to high for a soft polyurethane material. Low stability. Has anyone felt this?

[OneCentSalsero]

Great Post Josh, I've been having the same questions myself.

I currently use Bloch Sneakers, i forget what style but am looking to change them for a dif style, theyre abit tall w/no support in the arch part during the 1st couple mins of dancing i always get alittle sore right there, but goes away once i get use to it.

I can't use jazz slip ons because I once had a stress fracture in my basketball playing days and im worried it could happen again since they offer no support.

I have a pair of Kenneth Cole leathered sole shoes that I wear when im out and about town but they always tear my feet apart :( too bad they look real hot and were so expensive.

I tried on a pair w/latin heel and didnt feel very comfortable, but Im a size 13 street shoe size and its just hard to find any sorta dance shoe thatll fit period. Im always worried to order online because of the size difference. The only reason I have the bloch' is cus it was the only ones that would fit me and they say size 16 lol.

Itorres i get worried about an ankle sprain too.

Does Anyone sell dance sneakers that look like shoes ?

[kdogg]

I recently bought a pair of Bloch sneakers, and although they're comfortable, I felt little awkward dancing with it; I'll probably get used to it as I dance more often wearing them. Normally, I wear dress shoes that are comfortable, and since my style of dancing involves a lot of slidings dress shoes are perfect. Never tried Latin dance shoes.

[SurfSalsa]

I wear Latin shoes about 1" heel for ballroom and Latin @ the studio - and they work well for the one or two salsas they play there...

When I'm out for a salsa marathon, I prefer Bloch jazz sneakers - I find they are very forgiving on the soles for a long night. But they tend to stick just that little bit on cement / plastic tile floors when you get tired. Great on wood!

Leather sole shoes are nicest for a more sophisticated / funky night out than the Blochs IMO, and for me they also turn/spin easier. However, I have only found one pair of real leather shoes that don't have an edge along the side - I hate that edge; it just asks to hook on something at the wrong time...

I have found one pair of shoes in London that are nice and sporty looking, light weight, very hard plastic sole which also turns okay, with no edge on the side... but they are starting to show signs of overuse... so the quest for the perfect leather shoe still continues...