Did you know that there is a difference between a dance sneaker and a “regular” sneaker? There is a big difference!
Seems obvious but dance sneakers are designed for dancing. They are specially designed to support the feet, but still allow for bending, spinning, and movement. Therefore, dance sneakers should only be worn for dancing; they are not intended for general use, because they often do not provide enough arch support for daily walking.
Dance sneakers can be used for a variety of dance, such as jazz, Zumba and Hip-Hop. Often, dance sneakers are designed with a split sole. This means that there is sole support in the front, underneath the toes and ball of the foot, and the back, underneath the heel of the foot. There is no sole in the middle of the foot under the arch, however. This split sole design allows the foot to bend much more freely when dancing. Some feature straps along the side to give the arch a small bit of support. Other types of dance sneakers have a very thin, extremely flexible sole over the entire sneaker.
Dance sneakers typically only come in a few colors, including black, pink, or white. This is because many dance schools have strict rules regarding attire; both for practices and shows, and brightly colored sneakers are not often allowed.
Some dance sneakers feature additional benefits, such as smooth spots on the soles to make spinning easier, or notches in the heel to make it easier for a partner to lift another dancer. Sneakers are typically lace-up. The sneakers are typically made of leather, canvas, or suede; leather and suede shoes tend to be more expensive than others. Again, the style, type, and features of the shoe vary depending on the brand.
Remember, dance sneakers should never be worn for anything other than dance. Not only can this damage an expensive pair of dancing sneakers, but it can cause injury or pain in the legs and feet. It may also cause damage to the dance floor.
How do I find which size of sneaker fits best? It is very important that your feet are comfortable and that shoes are not too tight, nor too loose (you don't want to be constantly worried they will fall off!). The soles of the shoe should provide good grip on a number of surfaces, again, with some having a special spot made of different material to enable spinning. It is preferable for dance sneakers not to scuff too readily. Some sneakers are heavier than others, even if they look similar, so weight may also influence your decision. Those “universal’ size charts on-line or in discount catalogues aren’t always accurate. We’re happy to help you find the right fit for you…sizing varies by company so it’s always best to come in and try them on.
Information complied from www.wisegeek.com and www.ezinearticles.com
(Originally part of our "Studio of the Month" series - March 2011)
