As we all know that there are different style of dance, ballet, latin, jazz, etc. Most of us only know some of them, and when it comes to choose a dance shoes for others or ourselves, many of us could not choose the right shoes. Let me learn more about dance and dance shoes today.
For a different style of dance, there is a different kind of dance shoes. The choice of dance shoes can also depend on the surface that will be performed on. The types of dance shoes are: ballroom shoes, ballet shoes, pointe shoes, flamenco shoes, jazz shoes, tap shoes, dance sneakers, foot thongs, and ghillies.
Ballroom shoes can be categorized in ladies ballroom shoes or classical ballroom and Latin American ballroom shoes. Ballroom shoes sole is made of suede material. Classical ballroom shoes have a low heel (two-inch heels) that allows the weight to be distributed evenly across the foot. Latin American shoes have higher heels ( up to 3-inch heel) that put weight onto the toes, strapped and are open toed.
Ballet shoes are soft shoes made of leather, canvas or satin with full or two-part leather sole. The sole is thicker at the heel and ball part and thinner at the arch part for flexibility. They are secured by elastics at the top of the foot.
Pointe shoes are used when ballet dancer performs pointe work. It allows you to stand on the tips of your toes. These shoes developed as a need of ballet dancers to appear weightless, lightfooted and graceful while jumping and looks lightweight like defying gravity. Elements of ballet pointe shoes are a box, two ribbons and an elastic band, shank, sole, fabric cover and accessories. The toe of the pointed shoes are hard, pre-shaped toe box.
Flamenco shoes are worn by flamenco dancers and have the ability for percussive footwork. Female flamenco shoes have a heel, and men have short heeled boots. These shoes have nails inserted in the heel and toe area to produce the sound.
Jazz shoes are used in jazz dance. These shoes have a short heel, two-part sole, laces to secure to the foot and suede patch for better turning. Jazz shoes can also be used in other dance genres like acrobatic rock’n’roll and acro dance. Jazz shoes are available in a variety of styles, with varying features. They may be high-rise or low-rise, and may be slip-ons or lace-up Oxfords. Split-sole jazz shoes allow enhance shoe flexibility, making it possible to flex the foot more easily.
Tap shoes have metal taps attached to the bottom of the toe area and heel. These metal tap make a loud sound when hit against the hard surface during the performance. Tap dance is known for using the sound of tap shoes striking the floor. The tap on the shoes creates a form of percussion. Thin fiberboard called soundboard is integrated to the sole. The taps are screwed into this soundboard or glued. Screws can be tightened or loosened to make different sounds. Glue also influence tonal quality. Tonal quality depends on the material the tap is made from, tap shape and tap weight. The tap can be the concave or convex shape. Some taps are thinner and lighter and have a small footprint area, but others are thicker and heavier and fill out the edge of the shoe more.
Dance sneakers are light sneakers with reinforced rubber on toes area. In this way, a dancer can stand on the toes in ballet manner.
Foot thongs cover foot partially on ball area to provide less friction. They are just flesh colored slip-on when dancing barefoot. They protect foot skin from injuries and make turns easier. Foot thongs are also called lyrical dance pads or dance paws.
Gillies are used in Scottish highland dance, Irish dance, and Scottish country dance. Ghillies are soft shoes, made of leather that forms to the shape of the foot and has crisscross laces. They are often black. They are similar to ballet shoes. Ghillies have full leather sole or two-part sole. They have very long laces to wrap around the ankle, foot and often around the sole and then tied them up.
No matter what kind of dance shoes you are looking for, comfortable and fit are always the most imoportant point.