Athletes or Artists?
Women’s dance heels typically range from 1 to 3
inches in height. Men’s heel heights are up to 1.5
inches. Midsole shanks and firm heel counters are
mandatory in ballroom with a shorter shank being
preferred in conjunction with the Cuban heel for
Latin dances such as the Rumba, Samba and Cha
"We all understand
the importance in
fitting normal footwear
correctly, however, fit
is even more critical in
pointe shoes due to the
choices available and the
extreme foot and ankle
movements required in
this discipline."
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Pedorthic Footcare Association | www.pedorthics.org
Cha. Surprisingly, width fittings are more common in
dance shoes than in athletic footwear (New Balance
excluded) and at least one company – Toe-to-Toe Inc.,
offers separate-size feet fittings, which is virtually
unknown outside of orthopedic footwear. Many of
the features on women’s dance shoes - viewed as
aesthetic, have practical purposes. The ankle straps
on ladies dance heels add stability and control to
the shoe. Similarly, elasticized gore panels in the
upper construction help to hug the foot for a more
anatomical fitting.
Cushioning is important in most dance shoe
categories because many wooden dance floors are
built directly on top of concrete, making landing
and clogging a bruising experience. Many dance
categories tend to emphasize the “feel of the
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to traditional African steps. In addition to wooden
heels and metal taps, acrylic soles may also be used to
maximize the resonance on wooden flooring. Another
traditional family business is known for its specialty
footwear in this category – Steven’s Stompers from
Pennsylvania. American Country and Western style
(square dancing) is traditionally performed in Western
boots for both genders. Luckily, most “cowboy boots”
have leather soles making them suitable for spinning
and twirling on various flat surfaces.