Major dance shoe brands target different dances: Werner Kern, Anna Kern and Diamant are best known for ballroom and Latin dance, Capezio covers almost every discipline, while Bloch, Merlet, Sansha and Repetto are primarily known for classical dance. The right choice therefore depends on your dance, then your foot and your budget, long before the name on the label.
The brands at a glance
| Brand | Origin | Founded | Main specialties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Werner Kern | Germany (Hanau) | 1950s | Ballroom, Latin, swing, weddings |
| Anna Kern | Line linked to Werner Kern | Not disclosed | Women's ballroom and Latin |
| Diamant | Germany | Origins in 1873 | Ballroom, Latin, salsa |
| Capezio | United States (New York) | 1887 | Classical, jazz, tap, ballroom |
| Bloch | Australia (Sydney) | 1932 | Pointe shoes, classical, jazz |
| Merlet | France (Limoges) | 1974 | Pointe shoes, demi-pointe shoes |
| Sansha | France | 1982 | Split-sole shoes, multi-dance |
| Repetto | France (Paris) | 1947 | Classical, ballet flats |
Ballroom and Latin dances
Werner Kern
Werner Kern is a German family business founded in the mid-1950s by Werner Kern, headquartered in Hanau. It originally made slippers and evening shoes before focusing on dance shoes. The brand states that its shoes are produced in a factory in Italy, with many steps done by hand. Its catalog offers models for narrow or wide feet and removable soles, and it favors sales in specialty stores. Our Werner Kern vs Anna Kern comparison goes into detail.
Anna Kern
Anna Kern appears in the Werner Kern catalog under the label "Designed in Italy", with ballroom and Latin models for women. Public information about its own history remains limited: mainly remember that it is a line closely linked to Werner Kern, with a similar style.
Diamant
Diamant is a German family business whose origins date back to 1873, when a shoemaker, Eberhard Müller, opened a shop in Frankfurt. It is now run by the fourth and fifth generations of the family and focuses on ballroom, Latin and salsa shoes for women, men and children. Our guide Diamant Dance presents the brand in more detail.
Multi-dance and classical brands
Capezio
Capezio was born in New York in 1887, when Salvatore Capezio, a young Italian shoemaker, opened a repair workshop near the old Metropolitan Opera. In 1910, the ballerina Anna Pavlova bought Capezio pointe shoes for herself and her company during her American tour. The current range is very wide: classical shoes, jazz shoes, tap shoes, demi-soles for contemporary, and a ballroom and Latin line.
Bloch
Bloch was founded in Sydney in 1932 by Jacob Bloch, a shoemaker who came from Lithuania. The company became known for its pointe shoes, first made for dancers passing through Australia, and expanded into jazz, tap, and dancewear.
Merlet
Merlet is a French brand created in 1974 in Limoges by Roger James Merlet. Its production is now carried out in a workshop in Haute-Vienne, in Verneuil-sur-Vienne. The brand, specializing in pointe and demi-pointe shoes, states that it has been one of the suppliers of the corps de ballet of the Paris Opera since 2015.
Sansha
Sansha was launched in 1982 by the Frenchman Franck Raoul-Duval around a very flexible split-sole classical shoe. The brand then expanded into jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, flamenco, ballroom, and tap.
Repetto
Repetto was created in Paris in 1947 by Rose Repetto, mother of choreographer Roland Petit: she started designing shoes because her son came home from his classes with sore feet. The brand set up a workshop in 1967 in Saint-Médard-d'Excideuil, in Dordogne, and is also known to the general public for its ballet flats.
How to choose between these brands
Start with the dance
A brand renowned in classical dance does not necessarily make good salsa shoes, and vice versa. For salsa, bachata, or ballroom dance, look at brands that work with suede soles, flared heels, and arch support. For classical dance, pointe and demi-pointe work is a separate trade. The guide to recognize a quality dance shoe lists the points to check, regardless of the label.
Then your foot
Each manufacturer has its own last (shoe form). A dancer with a narrow foot may feel perfectly supported in one brand and loose in another, at the same size. If a brand offers multiple widths, it is a real advantage for wide or very narrow feet. Try on as much as possible, and compare the length of your foot in centimeters to the chart of each model rather than your usual size.
Finally your frequency of practice
- One class per week: a comfortable pair, with a suede sole and good support, is more than enough. The brand name matters little.
- Several classes and evenings: the quality of the construction and leather shows over time.
- Competition: follow your federation's rules and the advice of your teacher, who knows the constraints of your category.
And Dansezo in all this?
Dansezo does not sell these brands. We offer our own selection, designed as an affordable alternative for those who want a real suede-soled dance shoe, in European sizes. You will find it by dance, for example in ballroom dance, in Latin dance or in our shoes for beginners. Size advice is free by email at contact@dansezo.fr, with the length of your foot in centimeters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dance shoe brand?
There is no best brand in absolute terms. Werner Kern, Anna Kern and Diamant are best known for ballroom and Latin, Bloch, Merlet, Sansha and Repetto for classical, and Capezio covers almost every dance. The right choice depends on your dance, the shape of your foot and your frequency of practice.
Werner Kern and Anna Kern, are they the same brand?
Anna Kern appears in the Werner Kern catalog, with models presented as designed in Italy. The two names are therefore closely linked and share a similar style. Differences in models and fit are verified on a case-by-case basis.
Do you need a branded shoe to start dancing?
No. To start, the essentials are a sole suited to your dance, good foot support, and the right size. A well-known brand only adds real value if its fit suits your foot.
Are the sizes the same from one brand to another?
Not always. Each manufacturer uses its own last and sometimes British or American sizes, so the same size can fit differently. Measure the length of your foot in centimeters and compare it to the chart of each model.