A good pair of leather-soled shoes are the most crucial piece you must have for dancing, especially when it comes to Ballroom dancing. Leather soled shoes fit your foot like a glove and are the most comfortable type of shoes that Ballroom dancers wear.
Why do Ballroom dancers wear leather-soled shoes? Ballroom dancers wear leather-soled shoes because leather soles glide smoothly across the dance floors while providing enough traction. Leather soles are very flexible, allowing the shoes to move with the foot.
Dancing in leather sole shoes will always be a little bit easier at most events, and most promoters will take care that the place has a proper dance floor. Even on an average floor, the leather sole combined with some talc is making dancing a pleasure, not a task.
I know many more people who will only dance in leather-soled shoes, whether dancing for ten minutes or ten hours. If I plan to dance a lot, then the leather soled shoe is the only option for me.
With a little bit of talc, you feel like the floor is not gripping at all. So if you like to slide across a dance floor, this is important.
Dancing in regular shoes puts extra strain on your legs, and you will feel pain in your knees afterward.
Good leather soles will make your feet feel supported, and it also gives flexibility with a well-tapered waist. This is very important while Ballroom dancing.
What Are Leather Soles?
Leather soles are made of thick and strong leather. Leather is a natural product, and just like the shoe’s leather upper, you can expect a leather sole to mold nicely to the shape of your foot as you wear it.
Leather is a natural material that undergoes tanning processes to become resistant and ready for use.
Now, what is the tanning process, you may ask? Tanning hide into leather involves a process that permanently changes the protein structure of the skin, making it more durable and less susceptible to decomposition and possibly coloring it. Before tanning occurs, the skins are degreased, desalted, and soaked in water over six hours to two days.
Soles are built from animal skin or raw material, a waste product from the food industry. This means it would be wasted if this material wasn’t used for soles.
Vegetable tanning in the tub with tannins is the only tanning method that allows the hides to acquire the characteristics necessary to become sole leather.
I know I am a bit off the topic here, but leather soles are environmentally friendly, which means that at the end of their useful life, which is approximately ten years, these leather soles can get disposed of as organic waste.
By choosing a leather sole, you bring home a lasting product that is not harmful to the environment.
Benefits Of Leather Soles For Dancing
Here are the benefits of leather-soled shoes for dancing I have discovered:
- Leather soles are comfortable because the leather soles adapt to how you walk and dance. They simply hug your feet very nicely like a glove.
- Leather soles are supportive and sturdy, which I have found better supports against twists. This is very important in Ballroom dancing because there are many twists and turns.
- Leather soles are sustainable, which means they will last you longer for many years to come of dancing.
- Leather soles are elegant, and you will feel classy wearing them.
- The leather soles are resoleabe which means they are easier to resole than plastic or rubber soles.
- Leather soles are breathable, which is essential for healthy feet.
Rubber Soles Vs. Leather Soles
There are many debates on the differences between leather and rubbers soles in terms of durability, comfort, performance, and elegance when it comes to dancing.
Rubber soles have lots of traction, so they are not the best for dancing. In contrast, rubber soles are slippery enough for dancing and allow you to glide and slide on the dance floor effortlessly.
Leather soles are more comfortable than rubber soles. Many people think that it will be uncomfortable because leather sole material is hard. On the contrary, it is still just skin and can mold and is shaped according to your foot, allowing natural contour to occur because it is a natural product.
Therefore, it can create a very soft and flexible footbed combined with cork, actually creating much more comfort than its rubber counterpart.
On the other hand, a rubber sole cannot mold to your feet as a leather sole does. So while the insole might mold to your feet, the sole does not ever mold, and thus the rigidity of that lack of taking shape can often feel quite uncomfortable over time. This is very problematic when it comes to dancing.
Leather soles are very durable because they are made of a natural material, and rubber soles can crack easily without any apparent reason. It is crucial to have durable soles while dancing.
Leather soles have a certain level of elegance compared to rubber soles. A leather sole embodies elegance and formality and is always the material of choice for dancing. Rubber soles add a certain level of chunkiness to the shoe, making it plain informal.
Leather soles are environmentally friendly, which means that at the end of their useful life, which is approximately ten years, these leather soles can get disposed of as organic waste. On the other hand, rubber soles don’t last that long and are not environmentally friendly because it cannot be disposed as organic waste.
How To Take Care Of Leather Soles?
Leather Soled shoes are beautiful and comfortable for dancing but require extra care and maintenance to keep in good shape.
While these tips will prolonge your leather soles’ life, your leather soles will need to be resoled eventually. If you don’t take good care of your leather-soled shoes, they will be worn out quicker.
Leather soles do not like moisture or rough surfaces. Save your leather-soled shoes for the dance floor only. Moisture and surface texture can chew through leather soles at a very fast rate. If you have to attend an outdoor event, I recommend using a sole conditioner such as a Saphir conditioner. This product protects leather shoe soles by conditioning, waterproofing, and nourishing bottoms from harsh weather, so your leather soles will last longer.
Eventually, you will need to resole your leather shoes. Many shoe repair shops can resole your shoes, though it can be costly sometimes. Leather soles must be replaced before they are worn out, so keep this in mind while caring for your soles for the longest life.
If you see intense wear on your soles, don’t wait to combat the problem – discuss options with your shoe repair shop professional, or maybe it would be a better option to purchase a new pair of shoes if the sole is too worn out.
When you are not wearing your shoes for some time, make sure they are dry clean, and store them in a shoe bag.
Best Ballroom Dance Shoes With Leather Soles
Recommendation # 1
Capezio dance shoes are my favorite dance shoes out there with a leather sole. These shoes are dressy and elegant for many occasions. Also, these shoes have flared heels and adjustable straps for extra stability and support. You will not get disappointed if you choose these shoes.
Recommendation # 2
This pair of shoes have a classic Ballroom dance shoes look. These shoes are 100% leather, and the sole is handmade, so you can be assured that these shoes and soles will last you a very long time.
Recommendation # 3
Capezio Women’s Chorus Character Shoe
Capezio never fails with style, comfort, and quality. This is a beautiful pair of dance shoes but a bit on the pricey side. I would recommend purchasing either the first or second pair of shoes due to the high price. However, if you want to invest in a good pair of shoes, these shoes would be an excellent choice for many years to come.
Recommendation # 4
Bloch Dance Men’s Oxford Shoes
Bloch doesn’t fail when making its products, whether it is for men or women. These men’s dance shoes are a perfect example of elegance, quality, style, and comfort. These shoes are 100% leather, including the soles being leather as well. A full leather outsole and cushioned insock are excellent for shock absorption and comfort.
Recommendation # 5
When choosing men’s shoes for dancing, you don’t have to look for dance shoes specifically. All you need to look for is a leather sole because leather soles are slippery enough for dancing. These shoes are very stylish and perfect for a dance night out. These shoes come in many colors for you to choose from.
Final Words
Leather soles are very important for Ballroom dancers because they are slippery enough for moves on the dance floor while providing enough traction. I hope this article has helped you shed some light on the importance of leather soles for dancing.
Happy Dancing!
