There are many different types of jazz shoes on the market and new styles are introduced very often. They are mainly available in leather and canvas, although most prefer leather. The first jazz shoes were laces that allowed the shoe to be tightened for a perfect fit. Although laces are still widely available, some dancers complained that the laces dug into their feet, so manufacturers developed the slip-on jazz shoe. These are now very popular as many dancers find them to be very comfortable and very stylish.
Getting the right fit for you is very important to get the most out of your shoe. This will allow the dancer to perform his best possible performance and enjoy the dance to the fullest. A good pair of jazz shoes should feel good and snug on the dancer’s foot, but not too tight. The dancer should be able to move the toes a little and should be able to bend and flex the foot with ease. The toes should not be pushed up at the end of the shoe, but if you can move enough over the foot to feel loose, then it is generally a good idea to try the next size down.
If you are new to dancing, it is worth checking if your dance teacher recommends a particular shoe. Many dance schools and dance academies have uniforms and jazz shoes are often part of this. Your teacher can also advise you if you want to wear a full sole or a split sole.
If you find that your new jazz shoes don’t have enough grip when you first get them, there is a simple solution. Some dancers lightly wet their soles before dancing, but this has been known to cause the suede sole to shrink slightly. A better idea is to brush the suede soles from the heel in the direction of the toe with a suede sole brush. This will help create enough grip to keep you from slipping, but not too much to prevent you from executing fantastic twists and turns!
High-quality jazz shoes, even leather ones, don’t have to cost the earth. There are a lot of very popular and highly reputable dancewear companies that have many years of experience in making high quality cheap jazz shoes. Companies such as Bloch, Capezio, Dance Gear, and So Danca have been supplying quality shoes to dancers of all levels for many years.
It is never a good idea to wear your jazz shoes outside as it will quickly spoil your suede soles. Any grit or dirt they pick up can also damage the dance floor, which may not suit your dance teacher very well. Many dance brands also offer stylish dance bags that are ideal for bringing your shoes to dance class.