For a professional dancer, shoes are considered almost the most decisive component of the costume. Its thoughtful selection allows not only to spectacularly present itself, but it is also easy to move around the parquet and perfectly reproduce any dance element.
Peculiarities
Ballroom dance shoes must meet several important criteria. First of all, shoes should provide reliable contact with the floor, and therefore be made only from genuine leather. The sole that sewn from this material externally resembles a suede, but absolutely does not slide and allows you to really feel the floor covering. If the sole of the shoes turn out to be made of plastic, then the leg will be slipped, and the rubber will prevent the embodiment of most movements, including rotations.
The next important condition is the presence of a correct supinator - an element embedded in the sole and supporting the shape of the foot. In simple shoes, this detail in length reaches the middle of the sole. European ballroom dancing, they are standard, require the use of an enlarged supinator, as the step often starts from the heel. For Latin American dancers, on the contrary, we need models with a shortened supinator, as most of the movements goes from the sock.
Ballroom shoes must match the lifting of the artist, that is, it must feel the insole along its entire length.
The height and shape of the heel fixed by the hydraulic method, are selected depending on the variety of performances. For example, a high and thin heel is suitable for the lat. The novice dancer, on the contrary, is recommended to look after an element not higher than 5 centimeters to save the balance throughout the performance.
Dance shoes should be flexible. You can check this parameter directly in the store, bending the model toe. It should be remembered that the rigid steam limits the movement, which is particularly relevant for the standard and caribbean programs. Open socks with a heel are considered unsafe, but they are indispensable in some directions, for example, Argentine tango.
Varieties
Despite the similarity of the majority of models of dance shoes, they differ in purpose, and according to the material used.By destination
Under sports and banal, Latin American and European dances are usually meant. Footwear for classes them has its own specifics. Children's models designed for dancers under 11 are universal. Such shoes are called rating and used not only for performances, but also as training.
Adult models for the Latin American program have high heel: About 4 centimeters for men and from 5 to 9 centimeters in women. Their tight fit to the legs is provided by a strap. Men's shoes for European dance have a heel equal to 2 centimeters. The women's shoes can be on the same high heel, as in Latina, but necessarily with the boobrel and the model "Boat".
Jaiva shoes - one of the elements of the Latin American program Also can be used in hip-hop, aerobics and rock and roll.
The height of the heel does not play a special role, but mandatory forked sole, allowing the stop to easily perform absolutely any movements.
Some dancers prefer classic samples with rubber sole providing additional clutch with the surface, and others choose comfortable shoe-skinned shoes.
The highest quality shoes for tango are created by Tangero's manual specialists. An antistress placed inside eliminates overvoltage in the front of the foot and uniformly redesters the load. The girls usually choose sandals on a heel from 5 to 11 centimeters, and men are elegant boots on a standard elevation.
By material
Usually, durable natural materials are used for the production of dance shoes - genuine leather, its artificial analogue, a brocade or satin. Satin shoes look extremely impressive, but quickly contaminated. Given the difficulty of care of the cloth, it also rapidly fail. Leather models are more practical, plus it is easy to care for them.
Genuine leather is best manifold, in size, stretching on the foot and providing her aeration.
Popular manufacturers
The most popular creators of equipment for ballroom dancing are considered Brends Aida, Dancefox, Supadance, Eckse, Dancemaster, Galex, Dance Naturals and International Dance Shoes.
Domestic brand AIDA I broke into the market back in 1993, presenting high-quality ball shoes to the public. Today, the company is not only known everywhere, but also recognized by many famous artists. AIDA products meet all the requirements that advanced by professionals. It is not only pleasant to wear, but also stylish, because the design of the models of the models always corresponds to fashion trends. Interestingly, all brand products are performed manually, as the company completely refused conveyor production. Assortment can find goods for men, women and children engaged in different directions.
Another Russian company is known entitled Eckse. Production is carried out on high-tech equipment using only quality materials. Technological control service necessarily estimates all the steps for designing shoes. For the creation of a shoe pad, both forms and profiles, are responding with outstanding specialists not only in Russia, but also England, Italy and Spain. The benefits of Eckse shoes include excellent elasticity, reliable fixation of legs and ease of operation. The plus is the constant update of a wide range, accompanied by finding fresh design solutions.
Dancefox attracts its beautiful and very stylish shoes suitable for all kinds of dance directions. The brand's chip is the release of the same model of women's shoes in several variations, which allows you to choose the optimal dimensions of the heel for the design you like. Many female shoes, by the way, are decorated with Swarovski crystals, and the goods for men are equipped with a special heel with the ability to shock and not cutting edging. Goods for children are manufactured taking into account the anatomical features of the growing foot.
The Supadance brand comes from England is known to any dancer. Each model presented in its assortment is created manually, but based on innovative technologies. The company makes a bet on outstanding quality, relevant design and convenience of wearing. You will be able to succeed both training shoes and equipment for speeches.
Another famous English manufacturer is International Dance Shoes. , the production of which focuses in the town of Milton Keynes. Dance shoes are going and processed manually, but the brand will use all available technologies to constantly improve the quality and update the design. Comfortable shoes ensures artists maximum freedom of movements.
Often, preference is given to the goods of Galex. Each brand model is available on the market after productive cooperation with designers, researchers and professional dancers. A wide range of brand is constantly updated with new products.
Finally, The rating of the best manufacturers includes the Italian brand Dance Naturals. To create dance shoes, it uses only environmentally friendly materials, up to dyes, thanks to which the shoes acquire hypoallergenicity and allow the stop to breathe. Checking the heel balance with a mechanical press provides the correct weight distribution between the rear and front parts. Each new model is first tested in laboratories, then it is checked for several months in practice dancers, and then enters the mass production.
Child Nuances
Separate dance shoes should be in accordance with the size of the leg.
It is important to remember that such shoes are always stretched, and therefore it is not necessary to take them with the "reserve", otherwise they will begin to fall over a few days later.
If a smaller pair is really comfortable, you can take it.
In addition, the strength and wear resistance of the material must be taken into account, the softness of the surfaces, the comfort of socks and an attractive appearance. During the fitting, even the slightest discomfort should not be felt, otherwise, during classes and performances, he will only increase.
The width of the mounting strap on an ankle can not be less than 8 millimeters, otherwise the strap will in the leg. The stop must be firmly adjacent to the insole, and buckles are devoid of sharp protrusions.
Black color for dance shoes is considered universal, but beige visually lengthens legs. In some cases, it is a bodily equipment that allows you to hide the shortcomings of dance, while white and black emphasize all foot movements.
The most suitable materials are genuine leather and suede, but they will have to regularly care for such shoes.
Selecting the dance shoes for a child, you must not forget that the height of the heel should not exceed 5 centimeters.
The optimal indicator ranges from 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters. The child should wear lungs and comfortable shoes so that the back is not tired during classes, and the load on the legs was minimal.
Of course, it is not necessary to navigate the wishes of a young dancer or a special design, but on those parameters that provide leg comfort and minimize the likelihood of injuries. For example, an additional plus will be the presence of fasteners on the fingers and a special strap passing under the sole and turning around the leg.
Beginner dancers of mature age to begin with makes sense to choose a model with a 4-centimeter block-heel. Next, you can already purchase three versions of the shoes: workout, Latino and Standard. The male dancer at the beginning of the career will be able to limit the standard black shoes, which does not exceed 2 centimeters. Then the collection of the equipment can be supplemented with Latino and training models.
By the way, a truly significant rule is the purchase of products only proven manufacturers. In the dance industry, world-famous brands conquer the popularity of the audience not by catching design, namely high quality. Manufacturers of specialized shoes spend large sums on the development of light and flexible pads, which provide one hundred percent security. However, if the budget is too small, it is better to take cheap shoes from a little-known brand than to engage in everyday shoes with an inappropriate sole.
A good solution will be pre-read the reviews, as some foreign samples do not cope with Russian realities and, gliding in their homeland, rush, clinging for sticking irregularities not the best scenes. Domestic manufacturers usually take into account this aspect.
Secrets of dance footwear care You will learn by looking at the next video.