It is easier to shop for dance shoes in a store than it is online. While shopping for dance shoes is best done in person, you can often save money and time by looking for new pair of shoes online. When you have a better idea of your feet’ physical shape and size, you can select a dance shoe size that will deliver a more comfortable fit.
I had a few mishaps while purchasing dance shoes online without measuring my feet and thinking that dance shoes fit like regular street shoes. Let me tell you; they don’t fit the same as everyday shoes or the same as heels.
8 Steps To Measure Your Feet To Determine Accurate Dance Shoe Size
Step One – Measure Your Foot Shape And Size
Take a piece of paper and put it on the floor. Check that your foot can fit within the paper surface. Select a larger piece of paper if your foot can’t fit on the existing one. Arrange the paper in a safe area where you won’t risk slipping.
Step two – Consider a more accurate way of measurement
Consider laying your printer paper against the wall to ensure a firmer measuring surface. Place your bare foot on top of the paper. Ensure that your foot stays on the page and that there is enough room to trace around the frame.
Try to keep your tracing close to the edge of your foot so that the drawing can be accurate. Try working in sections if you need help tracing around your entire foot at once.
Step three- Ask for help
Ask someone else to help you with this, as they can get a more accurate drawing. Depending on your foot, your tallest toe might be your big toe or the toe right next to your big toe. Ensure your drawing is correct before you continue.
Step Four – Repeat The Process With Other Foot
Set a new piece of paper on a flat surface, then place your foot in the center of the paper. Once again, use a pencil to trace around the edge, keeping the drawing along the edge of your foot. When you have finished drafting, set the piece of paper aside along with your first drawing.
Taking two measurements helps you see whether your foot sizes are even or not.
Step five – Measure The Drawing With A Ruler
Position a ruler or measuring tape along the heel portion of the drawing, making sure the measuring tool is going through the middle of the pictures. Measure to the top of your tallest toe, then check to see what the ruler or measuring tape says. Repeat this with both drawings to get an accurate concept of your shoe size.
It may help to write down the exact measurements on a separate paper.
Step Six – Determining The Shoe Size
Look up the Internet for an accurate shoe size chart for your area. Find your foot measurements on the chart to see which size grouping you fit. Compare your measurements if your feet are two different sizes.
I suggest converting your size if you purchase dance shoes from another country.
Step Seven – Determine If You have Narrow Or Wide Feet
Take a ruler or measuring tape and lay it horizontally across the illustration of your foot. Align the measuring tool so it spans the two widest parts of your feet, giving you more accurate results. Jot down the exact measurement, then search online to compare your results to a width sizing chart.
The widest parts of your feet are directly beneath your big toe and piggy toe.
The width of your feet is proportionate to the overall size. For instance, if your feet are size seven and 3.8 in (9.7 cm) wide, you could classify them as wide. However, if your feet are a size 10, then your feet would be considered to have an average width.
Step Eight – Find out if you have low or high arches
Place your foot in a bucket of cool water, then step on a piece of cardboard. Remove your foot from the sheet, then examine the leftover imprint. You likely have low arches if you can see most of your feet and high arches if half of your foot is not visible in the imprint.
You likely have normal arches if you see about two-thirds of your foot in the imprint.
While arches don’t influence the size of your foot, they affect the types of shoes you can wear comfortably. If you have a flat arch, you’re better off shopping for shoes with sturdy midsoles. If you have a high arch, you should look for dance shoes that provide extra cushioning.
Pro Tip One – Size Comparison
Before looking for a specific type of shoe, search the website for a sizing chart that pertains to the brand. While most charts will be similar, some brands might offer different sizing recommendations. Find your shoe measurements on the chart to get an idea of what shoe size would fit you best.
Pro Tip Two – Consider Shoe Material
Note that synthetic shoes include materials like spandex, acrylic, polyester, nylon, or acetate, indicating that the shoe is more flexible and breathable. Be cautious when shopping for shoes made of heavier materials like leather, which may feel rigid around your feet with long-term use.
Pro Tip Three – Check Customers’ Reviews
Aside from the company’s recommendations, see if other customers enjoyed wearing the shoes they purchased. If previous customers weren’t satisfied with their purchases, look for keywords in the review that indicate why. You might gain valuable insights into how well the shoe fits and if you need to buy it in a larger or smaller size.
Should I Size Up For Dance Shoes
Depending on the dance shoe brand you plan to purchase, you might need to size up your shoes. I usually size up 0.5 from my regular shoe size, and most dance shoes run a bit small. However, if you measure your feet correctly, there will be very little room for sizing up or down.
Will Dance Shoes Stretch
Dance shoes will naturally stretch a bit after a while. So you should only purchase shoes that are tight enough. Your dance shoes should be snug but not too tight and loose, and dance shoes should fit like a glove.
If your dance shoes are still tight after you have worn them for a while, it would be worthwhile to read this article on How To Stretch Dance Shoes.
It talks about many methods to stretch your dance shoes when they feel too tight.
Final Words
Correctly fitted dance shoes are essential for proper foot support and comfort. Dance shoes are dancers’ safety equipment. If you describe your shoes as painful, they are too tight, if they are moving around your feet, they are too big, and if you don’t even notice them, they are perfect. I hope this article has helped you shed some light on choosing the correct size for dance shoes.
Happy dancing!
