Every art form has essential tools that allow artists to let go and get carried away by their craft. In dance, that tool is a great pair of shoes. Quality dance shoes are more than just a fashion statement. If you or a family member is getting into dancing, here's a closer look at why this type of shoe design is unique and how you can take care of your new pair. 

What Makes Dance Shoes Special?

Traditional sneakers or street shoes are designed to traverse rough materials like concrete, asphalt, and rocky ground. However, their tough, rubbery soles aren’t conducive to graceful movements in a dance studio. Dance shoes have soft bottoms made with materials like suede, which offer much more subtle traction. This way, you can slide, spin, and sashay across the floor with ease. Additionally, they offer a bit of cushioning to make long hours of practice easier on the heels, arches, and balls of the feet. 

Some styles are even designed with a type of posture in mind. For example, Latin dance requires dancers to focus their weight on the balls of the feet and toes. Therefore, they have higher heels, arch support, and open toes to complement this technique. 

Meanwhile, hip-hop and jazz dancers need to use the whole foot and keep weight on the heel just as much as the toes, and there are also challenging jumps. For them, a supportive dance sneaker with cushioning and arch support is the ideal choice.

How Can You Take Care of Them?

Because of their soft bottoms, dance shoes are extremely vulnerable to any use outside of the studio. As soon as you're done with class or rehearsal, remove the shoes and place them in a breathable bag. 

At least once every few weeks, take a look at the bottoms. If the fibers of the suede have been matted down with dirt and wax, you’ll need to comb them out with a ballroom dance shoe brush. To protect the exterior, see if the manufacturer offers a polish or sealant for your shoe’s specific material.

If you’re looking for high-quality dance shoes for your classes, turn to Pastry. They supply dancers throughout the country with “America’s No. 1 Dance Sneaker.” Best of all, you can buy from their online store and have a pair shipped to you. Whether you’re dancing professionally or preparing your child for a school dance team, visit their website to browse their collections. Call (855) 572-7879 to speak with a team member in their Acworth, GA, headquarters.