New Students:
Just like any other sport, you need the right equipment for the best results. If this is your first class, we do not require you to wear dance shoes, but we highly recommend it. Dance shoes not only provide great comfort and flexibility for your feet, they also protect your knees and ankles from tension injuries. If you choose to continue your dance education, you will need and want to purchase a pair. For your convenience, dance shoes can be purchased at the Mambo Room. We offer top quality dance heels, mens shoes and also practical practice shoes.
In Dance Classes:
Please bring a clean pair of dance shoes in hand rather than on feet, then change shoes before entering the dance are. What are dance shoes?
In Fitness Dance Classes:
A clean pair of tennis shoes is acceptable for fitness classes as long as you bring them in hand and change once inside the studio to prevent grit on the dance floor. We do recommend dance sneakers.
Do you REALLY need dance shoes?
Absolutely! If you are just beginning to learn how to dance, the right shoe can make a world of a difference. Just like soccer players wear cleats, or football players wear pads, dance shoes are specifically designed and built to support your feet and reduce the possibility of tension injury to ankles and knees. And women, this is a perfect excuse to buy a new pair of sexy heels!
Dance shoes have flexible suede soles that have the perfect balance between ‘slick and stick’. When dancing, you need a sole that allows movement during spins (unlike tennis shoes with rubber soles) and will also grip the floor when you need control (unlike leather or plastic soled shoes). Additionally, dance shoes are very lightweight and flexible to help prevent tired, sore, overworked feet.
Because the dance shoe is very lightweight and has a thin sole, it enables you to roll through and articulate your feet while dancing. This is something that cannot be done in regular street shoes. Rolling through the feet when you’re dancing creates better balance and control in your dancing, like you see from good social dancers.
Learn more about finding the right pair and dance shoe maintenance.