Last updated: October 26, 2023
It all started in a small, vibrant hostel in Medellin, Colombia, during my first salsa lesson. The infectious music and the instructor’s mesmerizing footwork sparked a passion in me. Eight years later, that initial spark has grown into a lifelong love for salsa, danced weekly across the US and Asia.
Along this dance journey, I developed a peculiar fascination: Mens Dancing Shoes. I know, it might sound nerdy, but finding the right footwear is crucial for any dancer. So, for all the fellow dance shoe enthusiasts out there, or anyone struggling to find the right pair, let’s dive into the quest for the ultimate salsa dance shoe for men.
My search focuses on several key aspects:
Style: Finding a shoe that not only performs well but also looks great.
Performance: Identifying shoes that actually enhance dance movements and technique.
Comfort: Locating shoes that can be worn for hours without causing foot or back pain.
Versatility: Discovering shoes that can transition seamlessly from the dance floor to everyday wear, eliminating the need for extra baggage.
To give you some context, I come from a background as a Division 1 collegiate tennis player. Years of hard-court tennis have left me with some back and ankle issues. While I wouldn’t consider myself a typical “shoe guy,” as an athlete, I understand the importance of quality equipment – and dance shoes are no exception.
What the Dance Pros Choose
Mens Salsa Dancing Shoes: Reviews & Comparisons
Top Pick for Mens Dance Shoes
DIY Dance Shoe Solutions
Recommended Mens Dancing Shoes for Salsa
My Wishlist for the Ideal Salsa and Bachata Shoe (8 Years In)
What the Dance Pros Choose
My initial research involved observing what seasoned dancers and instructors wear. This included local dancers I admired, my own instructors, and online research into professional dancers.
Ataca and El Tiguere
These bachata icons are my biggest inspirations for their style and captivating performances. They often sport bright, eye-catching loafers, previously Jose Bottas and now Taygras. While their style is undeniable, I’m not quite bold enough yet to rock such flashy footwear on the dance floor – maybe someday!
Daniel
Daniel and Desiree’s bachata videos were my introduction to the dance. Daniel’s style, and his undeniable appeal, are hard to ignore, even in those famously tight pants! He frequently wears what appear to be jazz shoes, and occasionally opts for running shoes or cross-trainers.
Rodolfo Montano Castro
Watching Rodolfo dance is a masterclass in footwork and rhythm. He typically wears well-worn sneakers with thin soles. For Dominican style bachata, where extensive turning isn’t as prevalent, sneakers offer sufficient grip. Observing Joan Soriano’s music videos further reinforces this, with many dancers in sneakers or even sandals.
Terry
Terry takes a minimalist approach to footwear, sometimes dancing barefoot, perhaps with tape for protection, or even Birkenstocks! In more formal settings, he seems to favor Latin or jazz shoes. This highlights that exceptional dancers can shine regardless of footwear – much like a skilled musician can make any instrument sing.
I had the privilege of seeing Terry and Cecile at a salsa festival in Vietnam. One of my most cherished memories is watching them dance under the moonlight, lost in improvisation and connection, a true testament to their artistry. While Terry often takes the spotlight, Cecile’s talent is equally remarkable.
Adolpho Indochea
One of my Colombian salsa instructors, a world salsa champion and a huge admirer of Adolpho’s style and choreography, introduced me to Adolpho. Adolpho’s precision and style are captivating. Even in social dancing, he often chooses traditional Latin dance shoes.
Salsa Teachers & Top Local Dancers
My instructors in Colombia favored dance sneakers for their comfort and ability to facilitate dancing on the balls of the feet, crucial for spins. While I review these below, I’ve noticed that comfort often trumps pure performance for social dancers, with sneakers, loafers, or running shoes being common choices. Dance shoes tend to be reserved for performances.
In summary, while personal style varies, some key features emerge as desirable in salsa and bachata shoes:
- Lightweight construction
- Streamlined, snug fit (not bulky)
- Thin sole for ground feel
- Flexible sole to mimic natural foot movement
- Stylish design, whether subtle or bold, to reflect personal flair
- Comfort for extended wear
Mens Salsa Dancing Shoes: Reviews & Comparisons
Dance Sneakers
My dance journey began with a recommendation for dance sneakers from DanceFree in Medellin.
Dance sneakers offer the lightweight feel and durability of regular sneakers but feature a split sole – separating the ball of the foot and heel. The smooth outsole promotes easy spinning, and the split sole enhances flexibility.
Adjusting to the split sole and the emphasis on dancing on the balls of my feet took some time. New dancers might experience the same. These are excellent value practice shoes suitable for social dancing. However, despite their design for outdoor durability, wearing them casually can be impractical. Navigating everyday terrains, especially stairs, requires extra caution.
Men's Dance Sneaker Profile
Men's Dance Sneaker Sole
Cost: $50-70 USD
Latin Dance Shoes (Cuban Heel)
I now understand the female perspective on heels! I purchased a pair of Latin dance shoes in Taiwan. Their dressy appearance and suede soles make spinning effortless, enhancing shines and footwork. Instructors often emphasize that the Cuban heel improves posture and dance form, signaling serious dedication to dance.
Wearing them to a social in Taipei was exciting. However, these are definitely shoes you need to carry separately. Suede soles are delicate and heels aren’t ideal for casual settings.
Comfort is a significant drawback, even after breaking them in. Toe cramping is common, and the relief upon taking them off mirrors the experience many women have with high heels. These are best suited for performances or short social dancing sessions. Versatility is limited – they are strictly dance floor shoes.
Men's Latin Dance Shoe Profile
Cost: $60-70 USD
Jazz Shoes
Jazz shoes were a revelation, introduced to me by an instructor who favored jazz boots. He praised their lightweight nature, affordability, and sock-like feel. My split sole jazz shoes confirmed their status as the ultimate practice shoe, offering the closest sensation to barefoot dancing. Shines, spins, and Dominican bachata feel incredibly natural. However, their suede soles are strictly for indoor dance floors, vulnerable to damage and unsuitable for wet conditions.
Men's Jazz Shoe Profile
Men's Jazz Shoe Sole
Cost: $20-30 USD
Running Shoes
Running shoes excel in comfort, lightweight design, durability, and support, making them suitable for all-day wear, including dancing. Major brands offer stylish options. I initially learned salsa in Nike Pegasus running shoes. However, spinning becomes challenging due to their high-grip soles, increasing the risk of ankle and knee strain. The cushioning and support come at the cost of a thicker sole, reducing ground feel. Some running shoe models can also feel bulky.
Men's Running Shoe
Men's Running Shoe Sole
Men’s Running Shoe Nike | Asics
Cost: $60-140 USD
Sneakers
Sneakers are my preferred choice for social dancing. They are lightweight, offer a snug fit comparable to dance shoes, and are stylish and versatile enough to wear anywhere. No need for a separate pair of shoes. Many feature smooth synthetic soles ideal for spinning on various dance floor surfaces. While thicker-soled Converse felt tiring, I discovered a Vietnamese brand with thinner outsoles for around $25 a pair. Durability was sacrificed, but the price was right.
The downside is limited support and often sticky rubber soles, designed for sports like skateboarding or basketball. They are also inherently casual, unsuitable for formal occasions.
Many dancers recommend Toms for their lightweight feel and spin-friendly soles.
My online research led me to Taygras, a Brazilian brand initially for soccer and capoeira, now adapted for dance. My pair has incredibly flexible soles, enhancing floor feel, and they resemble everyday casual shoes, making them ideal for practice and casual wear.
Taygras Sneakers
Cost: $20-80 USD
Formal Dress Shoes
My quest for danceable formal dress shoes has been extensive. The ideal dress shoe that is also comfortable for dancing would be a game-changer – eliminating the need for shoe changes and providing all-day style and comfort.
However, most dress shoes are stiff, heavy, and restrict movement. Dressier styles often mean stiffer soles. While some have leather or suede bottoms suitable for spinning, foot fatigue sets in quickly, and stiff ankle areas can cause discomfort.
After trying several dress shoe options, leather moccasins with flexible outsoles have come closest to meeting my needs.
Leather Dress Shoe Pair
Leather Dress Shoe Profile
Brands like GFranco and Jose Botta, popular among professional Latin dancers, offer dressy loafers that balance formal style and dance functionality. While I don’t yet feel my dance level warrants the investment, Jose Botta is particularly appealing for shoes wearable for both work and dance.
Formal Dress Shoes Jose Botta
Cost: $40-140 USD
Top Pick for Mens Dance Shoes
Practice: Jazz Shoes.
For practice at home or in studios with smooth floors, jazz shoes are the best value. At $20-30, they are hard to beat. The only inconvenience is carrying them. For those who prefer not to carry extra shoes, running shoes or sneakers are alternatives, though not ideal for spin-heavy practice.
Social Dancing: Sneakers.
Sneakers offer the best versatility for social dancing. They look appropriate before, during, and after dancing, eliminating the need to change shoes. While advanced spins and intricate footwork might be slightly compromised, they are a reliable and comfortable choice. For added comfort, smooth-soled running shoes can serve as a backup.
Formal Dance Events: Dress Shoes.
Well-fitting and broken-in dress shoes are the best option for formal occasions. Latin dance shoes are also suitable but require carrying an extra pair. A comfortable dress shoe with a leather bottom you already own is often the most practical choice.
DIY Dance Shoe Solutions
Here are a couple of DIY tips I’ve encountered:
Hot Dance Tip: Know Your Dance Floor Surfaces
My initial excitement to use jazz shoes for social dancing was quickly tempered by the realization that suede soles are unsuitable for two out of my three regular dance venues.
The dance floor surface is as crucial as the shoes themselves. Before investing in dance shoes, observe what experienced dancers wear at your usual venues.
Synthetic outsoles are the most versatile, followed by leather, suede, and rubber. Smooth synthetic outsoles work well on wood, ceramic, vinyl, linoleum, and carpet.
Recommended Mens Dancing Shoes for Salsa
A respected Bachata Champion from Vietnam recommends Toms for their versatility and performance. I plan to try a pair soon and will update this review.
I am particularly enthusiastic about my Taygras. They are stylish, feature dancer-friendly flexible, smooth soles, and align with ethical considerations.*
*Did you know that 20 billion shoes are produced annually, with 90% ending up unrecycled? The leather industry has significant negative impacts on animals, workers, and the environment. I prioritize durable, minimally harmful, and ideally recyclable shoes. Taygras uses 100% recyclable materials.
Jose Botta also addressed this issue a decade ago, creating excellent dance shoes. Ataca and El Tiguere endorse them for performance and style. While pricier, I intend to try them when my dance skills justify it.
GFranco offers stylish dance shoes, but like Jose Botta, they are in a higher price range and are not designed for daily outdoor wear.
My Wishlist for the Ideal Salsa and Bachata Shoe (8 Years In)
My ideal dance shoe would have these features:
- Stylish and versatile design
- Lightweight construction for ease of movement
- Snug, foot-hugging fit (not bulky)
- Thin sole for optimal ground feel and responsiveness
- Design that encourages dancing on the balls of the feet
- Cushioned and flexible sole for energy return
- Smooth outsole for easy spinning on various surfaces
- Durable outsole suitable for outdoor wear in different weather conditions
- Versatility for both work and dance
Has anyone discovered this holy grail of dance shoes? What are your favorite salsa and bachata shoes? Share your recommendations in the comments and continue this dance shoe journey with me!
