Saleras and their Salsa Dance Shoes

Article written by Evie for OnlineSalsa.com

It is a well known fact that woman and shoes are both from the same world: the world of girls. Little girls trying on their mom’s shoes, walking on wooden floors and enjoying the sound of their heels. Click clack, click. And of course the lack of resistance when it comes to buying new shoes when you really don’t need them. Well.. Need..? We just love shoes!

With a wide spectrum of shoes there is a shoe for every girl. Simple, extravagant, flats, killer heels, etc. And this is also the case when it comes to Salsa dance shoes. From dance sneakers and Jazz shoes –  if you need a comfortable shoe or do not want to wear heals - to nice Latin heals of different heights for the lady-like feeling and for dancing with more flow.

Battered Shoes & Bad Odor

I wore a many, and different kinds of dance shoes in my dance career; from Ballet slippers and point shoes to dance sneakers and Latin heels. All of them for different dance styles. But for Salsa, I prefer my Latin heels. You need to stand on the ball of your feet so your dancing will be neater and with more flow. The only problem I have is the odor emanating from my shoes after a couple of months. I teach Salsa classes 5 days a week, go social dancing at least twice a week and next to that I perform salsa shows and demo’s at least twice a month. So, as you will understand, my feet and shoes have to go trough a lot. Aside from all that a Salsera has to cope with people dancing with enormous steps and landing on her toes, not every floor being ideal for her suede soles, drinks spilled on the floor, lots of sand – and no, I’m not dancing ON the beach – and of course the floors with holes and sharp floor boards.

Quality is everything when it comes to shoes. Good quality shoes not only enhance the contact between you and the dance floor, but your shoes also need to support your feet. I have had different kind of brands and models from different stores, one better than the other. I have not found my perfect shoe yet, but at least I now know which models to avoid!

I am curious if anyone has good tips when it comes to comfortable and nice looking Salsa heels. And do you have a tip when it comes to solving the problem of my smelly shoes?? Please share it with the world, because I know I am not alone on this.
 

About the author

Evie Boerhout is a Salsa dance instructor, performer and choreographer from the Netherlands. She also teaches dance classes for kids. Her website: www.evielicious.nl