Swing Shoe Tips

Swing Shoe Tips

Dancers Tell All About Their Favorite Shoes To Dance In

Swing dancing in the D.C. area has strayed away from fashion. Dancers have become more athletic and so has their dance shoes. The hopping, sliding and fast movement has them wearing their favorite pair of sneakers instead of ballroom shoes. Today, dancing in comfort is a requirement, not a choice.

Fashion in the DC swing dance scene has come a long way from saddle shoes and Mary Janes. Swing dancers today have taken dancing to the next level. They've traded in their high heels and saddle shoes for more unusual choices.

"The most comfortable shoes to wear dancing are golf shoes," says dancer James Kranyak. "I just take off the cleats and glue suede to the bottom."

The main thing a good dance shoe must have is a smooth sole. Using hard leather or suede on the bottom is most commonly used because it allows the dancer to slide. While sliding seems like a dangerous idea to some beginners, the importance of easy and smooth movement must outweigh that fear.

"Its hard to spin when your shoes are stopping you," says swing dancer Stan Tso. "I've danced on rubber soles before and that was not fun. My knees were about to come apart."

Dancers need shoes that move as fast as they can. Dancing to fast music can be more difficult with out the easy movement sliding creates. "It's important to have smooth soles because slides match the musicality and that's when you feel the connection with your partner," says balboa instructor Jane Castanias.

Dancers today use a wide variety of techniques to make their comfortable shoes easy to dance in. Some resort to using tape, others use a shoe doctor to attach leather to the bottom of their favorite tennis shoes. Dancers also make their own dance shoes because it's cheaper than buying a pair.

"I danced with painter's tape on the bottom of my shoes for two years and only had to redo the tape twice," says Jeff Aravanis. He wares Pumba sneakers with a hard leather sole that was attached professionally. "These are my new favorite shoes to dance in," Aravanis says.

Swing dance instructor Yvonne Furad suggests using duct tape on the bottom of dance shoes. "Nike, Reebocks, or cross-trainers are the best to dance in," Furad claims. "One thing I hate is when people come to my class in sandals. Wearing open toe shoes around beginners isn't the best idea."

For those who choose to buy shoes in stead of make them, dancestore.com sells shoes that look like they're vintage but are made for dancing. Aris Allens are shoes sold on this Website that are light-weight and comfortable. The hard leather soles make spins effortless, and the shoes look stylish while keeping your feet comfy.

Some women prefer to dance in heels. They're great for getting women to dance on the balls of their feet instead of keeping their feet flat. It can make spins sharper, and they can also make the movement more stylish.

"Heels are a great for dancers who like to keep their weight shifted forward because they keep you on the balls of your feet," says dancer and massage therapist Janell Bowie. "I like to dance in ballroom practice shoes because the thin soles let me feel the floor."

Wedges are another type of shoe that women can wear that can be purchased from dancestore.com. They look like they're out of the forties era and and are made for the fast-pace swing dancer. Michele Joseph agrees, "Simple wedges are great because they make your footwork look nice and sharp."

There are many ways to look stylish and be comfortable for any dancer। The trick is to stay as comfortable as possible. Remember, the more cozy your feet are, the faster, longer, and happier you can movie on the dance floor. Comfy feet are happy feet.