Dance shoes are an investment, but once you find out how long dance shoes can last, it is easier to justify the cost. Quality dance shoes are a necessity regardless if you are a social dancer or a professional. I have extensively researched how long dance shoes can last based on brand, quality, use, and care, and I will share this information in this blog post.
How long can dance shoes last? Dance shoes can last anywhere from six months to a few years. The dance shoes’ longevity greatly depends on the dance type, how often you use them, brand type, and how you care for the shoes. These primary factors will determine how long the dance shoes will last.
My first pair of Latin dance shoes did not last me very long because I didn’t adequately care for them, which I will discuss further in the article. So learn from my mistakes 😉
| Dance Shoes Type | Shoe Longevity |
| Latin dance shoes | 6 months to a few years |
| Ballroom dance shoes | 6 months to a few years |
| Ballet shoes | 4-6 months |
| Tap shoes | few years |
| Pointe shoes | couples of weeks to a few months |
| Jazz shoes | 3-4 months |
How To Extend The Life Of Dance Shoes
Dance shoes are an essential piece of “safety equipment” for dancing. All sports have safety equipment, and proper dance shoes should be treated as a piece of safety equipment because without the right dance shoes, you could hurt yourself and your partner while dancing.
Regardless if you are a professional dancer or just a beginner, quality dance shoes are crucial if you want to improve as a dancer.
It is well known that dance shoes can be costly, so you want to ensure you take good care of them. Here are tips on how to extend the life of your dance shoes.
- Clean dance shoes
To extend the life of your dance shoes, you must clean them properly after every use. However, please do not wash your dance shoes and never put them in a dryer.
For detailed information on how to clean dance shoes based on material and style, please check out the article “How To Clean And Take Care Of Latin Dance Shoes.
- Wear dance shoes only on a dance floor
Dance shoes are made specifically for dancing, so do not wear them outside or on uneven or dirty surfaces because dirt, liquids, and dust will quickly damage the bottom of your dance shoes.
I made this mistake with the first pair of dance shoes I owned, and I wore them outdoors, not knowing what damage it would cause. I hope that learning from my mistake will save you money and time.
- Eliminate shoe odor
Your dance shoes will get smelly after a while due to the sweat your feet produce while dancing. There are many ways to eliminate the dance shoe odor, such as air-drying and applying baking soda or baby powder. To find out more about removing shoe odor, check out this article.
- Brush the soles
Brush dance shoe soles regularly to keep them in good shape for many upcoming dance events. Regular brushing will revive the sole and get dirt and dust off your soles.
- Protect heels
Inspect the heel regularly to make sure there are no damages. You can use heel tip protectors, which are relatively inexpensive. For more recommendations for heel protectors, check out the article “Best Heel Protectors For Dance Shoes.
- Purchase a mesh bag
Naturally, dance shoes are filled with bacteria, sweat, and dead skin cells due to the physical activity that comes from dancing.
Mesh beg has small halls that allow air to circulate and help moisture evaporate. Mesh dance bags help to slow down the process of the bacteria, sweat, and dead skin cells getting into the shoes.
After every dance session, simply put your dance shoes into a mesh shoe bag to dry.
Click here to check my recommendation for a mesh shoe bag.
How Often Should You Replace Dance Shoes
If you are a vivid dancer, you should replace your dance shoes once a year. By a vivid dancer, I mean dancing two to three days a week. Dance shoes should be treated as a piece of safety equipment, the same as any other sport.
It creates safety risks if your shoes are damaged, and you could slip and fall and hurt yourself and your dance partner.
I would suggest investing in a good pair of shoes because it is not fun trying to adjust to a new pair of dancing shoes every few months.
How Long Do Latin Dance Shoes Last?
Latin dance shoes can last anywhere from 6 months to a few years, depending on the quality, use, and care.
Latin dance shoes are very specific in terms of design and their purpose. Latin dance shoes are incredibly flexible in the sole of shoes, and the feel is designed to place the weight at appropriate foot parts.
While dancing any Latin dance style, you need to place your weight over the ball of the foot. The sole is made of flexible suede so you can feel the floor, use it to ground yourself, and create power.
Latin dance shoes heels are one of the first parts that get damaged. It would be best to use heel protectors to protect the heel and extend its life.
How Long Do Ballroom Shoes Last?
Ballroom dance shoes have a similar life span as Latin dance shoes, which is six months to even a few years, greatly depending on the care, use, and quality.
One of the main reasons why some dance shoes last longer or short is the amount of use. If you don’t use the dance shoes that often, they will last you more, and if you use them often (a few times a week), there is a greater possibility that the shoes will get damaged or have noticeable wear and tear on them.
Another factor that will determine the shoe’s life is the quality. Naturally, shoes will last you longer if the quality is better. Investing more money in high-quality shoes will pay off in the future once you see how long these shoes can last you. Of course, it is essential to care for them properly.
Dance shoes are crucial for dancers because they provide comfort and support. The proper dance shoes should have a few important qualities to help dancers perform and feel better. Those qualities are that shoes need to be a lightweight, flexible material, appropriate sole, and they should feel snug but not too tight.
How Long Do Ballet Shoes Last?
Ballet shoes can last only a few weeks to several months, depending on the quality, type, and material. If you are a professional dancer, your ballet flats will not last long due to strenuous and demanding practice. You can expect ballet flats to last only a few weeks if you are a professional dancer.
On the other hand, if you are a semi-professional ballet dancer and only rehearse twice a week, you can expect the ballet shoes to last two to three months.
Lastly, if you are a beginner ballet dancer, your ballet flats can last over six months, considering that you practice once a week.
How Long Do Tap Shoes Last?
Tap shoes are one of the “tougher” shoes that can last longer than other dance shoes. It is estimated that tap shoes can last for a few years, depending on the quality.
To extend your tap shoes’ longevity, ensure you don’t wear them outside. Wearing tap shoes outside will damage the plates. Tap shoe plates are made of metal that can easily be scratched and damaged by outdoor debris, and these scratches will result in poor sounds while tap dancing.
Also, damaged tap shoe plates can easily damage the dance floor, and I am certain your dance school would not be pleased with that.
Another way to ensure your tap shoes’ longevity is to keep them clean, especially if you have leather tap dance. Make sure to nourish the leather, so it doesn’t crack.
It is essential to check tap shoe screws regularly, and the screws can loosen up and damage the dance floor.
Final Words
It is vital to understand that dance shoes are not meant to last forever, like any product you purchase. Once you fully grasp this concept, you will have a much easier time following the steps to prolong the life span of dance shoes, and you will also be ready to purchase new pair of dance shoes when the time comes. I hope this article has helped shed some light on how long you should expect your dance shoes to last based on the amount of use, quality, and type.
Happy dancing!
