As I started learning Latin dance styles such as Salsa and Bachata, I wondered if I could wear dance shoes outside. So, I decided to research whether dance shoes are made for the dance floor only or much more. As you stick further into this article, you will find interesting information about this topic that I will share with you.
Can you wear dance shoes outdoors? Dance shoes should not be worn outside because they are primarily designed for dancing. Dance shoe sole is made of suede, which is very sensitive to the outside environment. Suede sole will get ruined if shoes get wet and if moisture, dirt, or particles gets trapped inside.
It would be very convenient to put on our dance shoes and wear them all day long and then wear them to a dance lesson or a dance event. However, wearing dance shoes outside could damage them, resulting in them being unsuitable for the dance floor.
Like many other people, I lead a busy life and wearing one pair of shoes the whole day would be convenient instead of carrying around a few pairs of shoes and switching them up.
Wearing dance shoes outside could shorten your shoes’ life and would not be durable and suitable for the dance floor anymore.
When you begin Latin dancing, you will want to invest in a good pair of dance shoes, and you will need to take good care of them for many years of dancing to come.
High-quality dance shoes will ensure that your feet are comfortable and should reduce the impact on your knees, ankles, and hips. So it would be best if you treated your dance shoes as a piece of safety equipment. Your feet need to be snuggled comfortably and safely into your shoes during those fast spins and turns.
It is crucial to find the most comfortable, durable, and flexible dance shoes so you could dance effortlessly and carelessly on the dance floor.
Can Latin Dance Shoes Be Worn Outdoors?
As I mentioned earlier, Latin dance shoes should not be worn outside because they have a suede sole that easily attracts dirt, moisture, and other small particles from nature.
You will ruin heels and suede sole quicker when you walk on an uneven surface, such as pavement.
Dance shoes are made to be worn on a clean and flat surface such as a dance floor.
Your dance shoes will lose grip and traction on the dance floor. You won’t be able to spin and turn effortlessly as you did before you started wearing those shoes outdoors.
Some shoes are made in a way that you could wear outdoors as well. I will provide a few examples later in this article.
The best characteristic of dance shoes is that they have a flexible suede sole. Suede soles are very sensitive to moisture. So be careful that your shoes don’t have contact with any moisture.
The best option would be to put your dance shoes into a breathable shoe bag and wear your regular street shoes to the dance lesson or a dance social event and change your shoes upon arrival.
I know this may seem like a lot of work, but it will pay off in the long run because your dance shoes will stay impeccable.
What Is The Purpose Of Dance Shoes?
Latin dance shoes are made differently than regular shoes. They are made for dancing on a clean and smooth dance floor.
Dance shoes have a non-slip suede sole, a metal shank in the arch for support and are very flexible, comfortable, and lightweight.
Flared heels are the staple of Latin dance shoes for ladies, and they provide better support.
Men’s Latin dance shoes are usually lace-up Oxfords shoes with a heel of one or two inches.
Proper dance shoes will give you just enough traction to move around the dance floor freely, safely, and effortlessly.
Would Dance Studio Allow Wearing Dance Shoes Outdoors
A dance studio where I am learning to dance doesn’t have specific guidance regarding the dress code. It is not a professional dance studio where dancers learn to dance for competitions. It teaches adults different Latin dance styles to know how to dance socially.
Social dance etiquette is a set of guidelines that help us navigate the social dimensions of dancing. Latin dance styles such as Salsa or Bachata are fun, sexy, sensual, and energetic. So wearing running shoes would not be acceptable.
I would not recommend wearing sneakers or shoes with spongy or rubber soles because it will be more difficult for you to spin. After all, those kinds of shoes stick to the floor.
A bit of dust or a stone stuck in the soles will scratch the dance floor. It puts the dancers at risk of injury and will damage the floor in the long run.
Before you attend your dance lesson, ask your dance instructor what kind of shoes would be acceptable and if the studio allows you to wear shoes that your wore outside.
Even if your dance instructor confirms that you can wear outdoor shoes in the studio, I would think twice about exposing dancing shoes to the outdoor environment. Save those shoes for the dance floor only 🙂
Dance Shoes For Outdoors
There are lots of outdoor social dance events lining up as the weather is warming up. But the reality is that the outdoor environment will destroy your suede sole dance shoes pretty quickly.
There are a wide variety of shoes suitable for outdoor dancing and will help smooth out those movements. However, these shoes do not have a suede sole but will allow you to dance comfortably for many hours under the sun or stars.
Outdoor Latin Dance Shoes For Women
MSMAX Women’s Outdoor Ballroom Latin Wedding Party Dance Shoe
These non-slip sole Latin dance shoes are suitable for outdoor and indoor dancing, which will provide you with good resistance, traction, and control.
These shoes have synthetic instead of suede soles, which allows you to dance outdoors without worrying if the sole will get damaged.
The heel of 2.7 inches and nude color will make your legs look much longer while you dance gracefully on the dance floor. Besides these dance shoes being absolutely gorgeous and elegant, they are also comfortable, flexible, and durable.
Outdoor Latin Dance Shoes For Men
BeiBestCoat Black Modern Outdoor Dancing Shoes Lace-up Leather Soft Sole Dancing Shoes for Men
BeiBestCoat men’s dance shoes have a rubber outsole that will allow you to dance outdoors without worrying about damaging the sole. These shoes are perfectly appropriate for outdoor dance events.
These shoes are made of high-quality materials with a highly comfortable insole and are made with great taste in fashion.
They are not slippery as the suede sole shoes but will still provide plenty of movement. If you plan to dance indoors only, I would recommend getting dance shoes with suede sole as these will allow you better traction and sliding control.
Final Words
Latin dance shoes are made specifically for indoor dancing because they have suede soles, allowing for better traction and grip. Suede sole will get damaged once these shoes are worn outside and will not be suitable for indoor dancing anymore. If you want to elongate your dance shoes’ life, the best option would be to wear regular street shoes to dance events and put on dance shoes when you get there.
