What Shoes Do I Need for Salsa?
A Guide for Beginners + Bonus Tips While You Level Up
As a salsa instructor, one of the questions I’m asked most frequently by new students is what shoes to wear to class.
The good news is that there’s a lot of flexibility and plenty of great options.
For the most part, new students have three options:
Latin Dance Shoes
Designed specifically for salsa and other Latin social dance styles, these shoes typically have a smooth sole and a snug fit on your feet.
Shoes for women or anyone who wants to dance in heels usually have a 2 to 3½ inch heel. They are softer, more flexible, and more supportive than typical heels. For beginner and intermediate students, I highly recommend starting with the lower 2 or 2 ½ inch heel. As students advance, they can build toward a standard 3 inch heel (and beyond).
Very Fine Dancesport Shoes has a huge variety of styles and colors, many of which are available in the 2 ½ and 3 inch heel:
On a budget: For new students looking for their first Latin dance shoe, you can find inexpensive alternatives online. While these shoes might not last as long as pricier options, they are perfectly adequate for newer recreational dancers. Students of mine have had success with these.
Another option is to begin with a Cuban heel, which is a chunkier 2 inch heel that can be a great option while students are building up their ankle strength.
This pair is an affordable starting point. Or, if you’re looking to invest in higher quality, the MYZIJI pair pictured above will last longer and hold up better than others (I recommend getting the “split sole” option.)
Dance Sneakers
Another increasingly popular and gender neutral option is dance sneakers.
These can take a variety of forms, but I recommend going with something with a split sole and a bit more support than a classic jazz shoe.
My favorite pair of dance sneakers, because of the style, split sole, and good arch support, is this pair by MYZIJI, in black & white or yellow. (Make sure you read the description and size up for these.)
They also have a great neutral black pair that resembles a jazz sneaker.
You can also go with a dance sneaker from a tried-and-true classic dance brand like Bloch or Capezio (size up in you use men’s sizing, these are gender neutral).
Another popular dance sneaker brand is Fuego, which offers a variety of styles. Their low- and high-tops are best for dancers looking for a shoe they can use for outdoor dancing. For beginners I recommend their split sole options rather than their low- or high-tops, which can be heavy for newer dancers.
For Men/Leads
Men and Leads need just as much mobility in salsa as Follows, so getting a pair of shoes that allows you to spin, rotate your hips, and create momentum, while still remaining grounded is important for your dancing and protecting your ankles.
For Men and Leads starting out, I recommend a dance sneaker, like the ones mentioned above.
A more classic option would be a Men’s Latin Dance Shoes (which often resemble dress shoes but have much greater mobility) like these or these:
Regular Athletic Shoes
One important note! If you clicked on this article because you signed up for your first class ever and then lightly panicked realizing you don’t know what to put on your feet…do not stress.
You can absolutely feel free to show up in regular athletic wear and sneakers – whatever you’d wear to workout at the gym is probably fine.
Once you get the bug and decide to move forward with your salsa dancing, whether in class, performance, or the social dance floor, come back to this article to revisit your options!
Happy Dancing.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links, which means in some cases if you purchase something through the link provided I receive a small amount of compensation. The post includes my honest opinions and actual recommendations for students.