Uptempo Dance studio
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    • Home
    • Register
    • Current & New Classes
    • Upcoming Events
    • Gift Cards
    • About the Teachers
    • Sassy Stilettos Heels
    • Videos of Dance Styles
    • Dance Hosting
    • Dance Shoe Purchase Guide
    • Contact
    • Uptempo Merch
    • Music & Playlists
Uptempo Dance studio
  • Home
  • Register
  • Current & New Classes
  • Upcoming Events
  • Gift Cards
  • About the Teachers
  • Sassy Stilettos Heels
  • Videos of Dance Styles
  • Dance Hosting
  • Dance Shoe Purchase Guide
  • Contact
  • Uptempo Merch
  • Music & Playlists

YOUR GUIDE TO BUYING THE RIGHT DANCE SHOE

Dance shoes are a great investment, but finding the right shoe can be confusing. We can help!

Latin and Ballroom Shoes


Most dance shoes will come with a suede sole so you can feel the floor and will have a heel to help with your weight placement. The height of the heel changes depending on the dance.. In latin dances, your body weight needs to be over your toes. A higher heel helps with that. In smooth/ballroom dances, you are leaning back and you must take large steps with your heel first. A lower heel is more stable. and helps with that. 


If you are on a budget, there is enough overlap within the women's shoe guidelines to pick a shoe that works for both dances. The men must choose, but typically can get away with a lower heel for latin dances.

 

The basic guidelines for heel heights are:

Women's Smooth/Standard shoes (used for dances like waltz, tango, and foxtrot) have a heel that is 1.5" to 2.5".
Women's Latin/Rhythm shoes (used for dances like rumba, cha cha, salsa, etc.) have a heel that is 2" to 3.5" tall.

Men's Smooth/Standard shoes (used for dances like waltz, tango, and foxtrot) have a block heel of 0.5" to 1" tall. 
Men's Latin/Rhythm shoes (used for dances like rumba, cha cha, salsa, etc.) have a block heel that is 1.5" to 2" tall.


Suede-bottom shoes are for indoor wear only and are not designed to be worn outdoors.


Country Dance Shoes


For the country dances you are, of course, looking for cowboy boots. Avoid boots with a lot of grip or deep treads. These will make it hard to turn and put a lot of pressure on your joints. Look for boots with a smooth bottom if you want an indoor/outdoor boot that is good for dancing. Look for boots with a suede bottom for a dance-specific boot. 

Local Stores for Dance Shoes

Gabie's Boutique in Barrie

C.W. Fine Dance Shoes in Scarborough

Natural Spin in Richmond Hill

For latin and ballroom shoes

Go to Store Website

Natural Spin in Richmond Hill

C.W. Fine Dance Shoes in Scarborough

Natural Spin in Richmond Hill

For latin and ballroom shoes

Go to Store Website

C.W. Fine Dance Shoes in Scarborough

C.W. Fine Dance Shoes in Scarborough

C.W. Fine Dance Shoes in Scarborough

For latin and ballroom shoes

Go to Store Website

Herbert's Boots and Western Wear

Herbert's Boots and Western Wear

C.W. Fine Dance Shoes in Scarborough

For cowboy/cowgirl boots

Go to Store Website

GFranco Shoes in Mississauga

Herbert's Boots and Western Wear

Stardust Dance World in Brampton

For latin and ballroom shoes

Go to Store Website

Stardust Dance World in Brampton

Herbert's Boots and Western Wear

Stardust Dance World in Brampton

For latin and ballroom shoes

Go to Store Website

Options on Amazon

Options on Amazon

Options on Amazon

For latin and ballroom shoe options on Amazon, we have compiled a wish-list for you to browse at your leisure

See Options

Shoe Brushes

Keep your shoes clean!

 As you wear your dance shoes for longer, the bottoms will start to lose their grip. Use a shoe brush to scrape the bottom of your shoes clean and keep them lasting longer! (Remember to only use these brushes on the bottom of your shoes.) Many of the above stores also sell shoe brushes. We have also compiled an Amazon wish-list of shoe brushes below.

See Amazon Options
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Uptempo Barrie Dance Studio

320 Bayfield Street (#110), Barrie ON

705-818-1407 info@uptempobarrie.com

Copyright © 2025 Uptempo Barrie - All Rights Reserved.

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Kids Lessons FREE Trial!

Our spring kids programs start April 10-14!


Email info@uptempobarrie.com to get a FREE TRIAL LESSON for your kid!


We offer salsa and hip-hop for kids aged 4-12. See our class list for what is available and look for the purple classes in our colour-coding!

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