The best heels for dancing hold the ankle, have a sole that turns on the floor and a heel shape you can balance on. For a first heels class, pick a stable heel you can walk in for an hour; go higher and slimmer only once your ankles are used to it.
Why ordinary heels are hard to dance in
Fashion heels are made for walking in a straight line. Their soles grip the ground, the heel often sits far back and nothing holds the ankle. In a heels class or on a salsa floor you turn, drop, kick and land: you need a shoe that stays on the foot and lets you pivot.
Heel height
There is no single right height. A lower heel is easier for long practice and for learning choreography. Heels classes are usually taught in high heels, because the style is built around them, but many dancers keep a lower pair for training. Choose a height you already feel stable in and increase step by step.
Heel shape
- Block heel: the most stable, a good first choice.
- Flared or Latin heel: slimmer, set under the heel bone, used for salsa and Latin dances.
- Stiletto: the most demanding, for confident dancers.
Ankle support
An ankle strap, a boot shaft or a closed back keeps the foot from slipping out during turns and floor work. For heels choreography, ankle boots and strappy sandals are the most common choices.
The sole
A suede sole lets you spin on a wooden floor. Keep the shoes for the studio: outside, the suede wears and loses its grip. Heel protectors help you avoid marking the floor and slow down heel wear.
Avoid pain
Warm up your ankles and calves before class, break in new shoes at home for short sessions, and choose a snug size: a shoe that is too big makes the toes clench. Measure your foot in centimetres and follow the size chart on each product page; the first size exchange is free.
See our dance heels, our dance ankle boots and our high-heel salsa shoes.