Spread it!
Wearing the right dance shoes is at least as important as wearing the right track shoes. Professional dancers know this: dancing puts enough strain on your feet.If you’re dancing for exercise (and fun), you don’t want to have to quit because your feet are killing you – and then wait until they heal before dancing again.
Here’s what you need to know about picking good dance shoes. Some of it may surprise you:
- Heel height. Think flats are best? Think again. A heel of 1 to 2 inches actually provides better arch support than a flat.
- The fit. Make sure you have some room in the toes. You don’t want the shoes to be loose enough to rub blisters anywhere, but you don’t want them to be tight enough to cut off circulation. Remember that as you dance, your feet may swell.
- Testing, testing. If you want to dance at an event like a wedding or a school dance, it’s smart to try out your shoes by dancing around your home in them, or wearing them out somewhere else first. Wear them for hours, and if you confirm you got no blisters or pinched spots, they’re good to go.
- Inserts. If you have feet that are difficult to fit, or a pair of shoes that aren’t quite right, check out the inserts available at most any shoe store or drug store. For narrow heels, they make clear inserts that will keep straps from rubbing blisters. You can buy inserts to go provide cushioning under the balls of your toes, or under the toes themselves. There are inserts for arch support and overall support as well. Many of these are now made in clear silicone so even strappy sandals can hide them. They also make a spray that works similarly to liquid bandages – you spray it on areas where your shoes rub, and they just slip over this stuff instead of rubbing blisters on you.
