Shoe Replacement
- Thread starter Tothebeat
- Start date
fineshrine
Active Member
Yep, separate Latin and ballroom is a MUST for competitive dancing at any level.
I seem to need to replace my ballroom shoes more often than Latin but it's roughly a pair of each per year. I've got some dedicated practice shoes now which I'm hoping will make a difference.
Social dancing may be different. It's probably annoying to change your shoes and maybe there is a style that you can wear to do both for social purposes?
I seem to need to replace my ballroom shoes more often than Latin but it's roughly a pair of each per year. I've got some dedicated practice shoes now which I'm hoping will make a difference.
Social dancing may be different. It's probably annoying to change your shoes and maybe there is a style that you can wear to do both for social purposes?
Not a follow myself, but I've quizzed my partner about this because I'm the curious type.
First, I second @fineshrine that separate shoes for Latin and Standard are a must. Latin shoes have less structure and a slightly higher heel--great for the smaller steps and dramatic leg lines that typify Latin. Standard shoes have more structure to them, which helps keep you better supported on those long, linear steps. I'm told Standard shoes feel very uncomfortable in Latin, and Latin shoes feel dangerous in Standard (but doable. If you wanted to use a single pair of shoes for both styles, a lower-heeled Latin shoe will treat you better than a Standard shoe).
Second, how many pairs. My partner and I dance ~8 hours per week, and do ~8 competitions per year. She goes through 3 pairs of shoes of each kind (6 pairs total) in a year.
First, I second @fineshrine that separate shoes for Latin and Standard are a must. Latin shoes have less structure and a slightly higher heel--great for the smaller steps and dramatic leg lines that typify Latin. Standard shoes have more structure to them, which helps keep you better supported on those long, linear steps. I'm told Standard shoes feel very uncomfortable in Latin, and Latin shoes feel dangerous in Standard (but doable. If you wanted to use a single pair of shoes for both styles, a lower-heeled Latin shoe will treat you better than a Standard shoe).
Second, how many pairs. My partner and I dance ~8 hours per week, and do ~8 competitions per year. She goes through 3 pairs of shoes of each kind (6 pairs total) in a year.
Wannabe Triple Threat
Member
In two years, I've got through two pairs of Standard shoes and three pairs of Latin shoes. For social dancing, I use my Latin shoes. I keep one nice pair for lessons, one pair for social dancing, and one pair for clubs.
fascination
Site Moderator
if one isn't dancing competitively, a good pair of practice shoes are fine for any style but, as others have said, one does use their feet differently in the various styles and the shoes are constructed with that in mind so, if competing or interested in dancing at a level above casual, I would wear the proper shoe....as for replacement, yes, that depends also on how much one dances...I would also add that if competing, I would have an extra pair of just broken in, but not broken down, shoes for competing....as the beat up ones feel great for practice but no one wants to see them on a comp floor...I was also always trained to practice in the same type of shoe in which you plan to compete...I took 8 lessons a week and probably needed a new pair of smooth and latin every 6 months...
scullystwin42
Forum Master
I go through a pair every 6 months or so, but i compete and practice quite a bit. I've gotten a bit ridiculous with my shoes though - i have one ray rose pair I only use for competition, and then a pair of internationals i use for lessons, and then an older pair of internationals that are my home practice pair. and i have a pair for going out to socials/clubs. basically, they start as lesson shoes and then as they get more used, they get down to social shoes...
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