Jazz is a type of dance that involves a lot of movements of the feet. Because of this, dancers need full support and flexibility from their jazz shoes. So, when looking for the perfect footwear for this dance, you need to consider a lot of things aside from the pair’s style and colour.
While you need to check with your dance studio to learn about their guidelines for buying shoes, they may not be able to give you all the information about finding the best one to provide you with the best comfort. So here are three tips to help you find the perfect shoes for jazz performances:
Tip #1: Find the Right Pair
Professional jazz dancers believe that jazz dance shoes must snugly hug the feet. Therefore, it should be as tight and comfy as ballet shoes.
Having too much space in the shoe may result in rubbing on the foot. On the other hand, too tight shoes may cause the buildup of bunions and excessive cramping.
So, if you plan to buy jazz shoes online, you need to know your exact foot measurement. And you can do it by stepping both feet on a plain piece of paper, then drawing a horizontal line starting from the top of your longest toe up to the bottom part of your heel.
Jazz dance experts also mention that you must base your shopping choice on your intended purpose. And it can either be used for dance class, performance, or both. So, if you choose to wear the pair for both purposes, you should pick durable pairs like those made with leather.
Tip #2: Pick the Right Material
Most of the time, the upper portion of the jazz dance shoes is designed with genuine leather. But you may also find pairs made with canvas, neoprene, faux leather, and other elastic materials.
Leather can be more costly yet most durable of all the mentioned materials. It is also the safest, softest, and most natural material you can find if you want the most comfortable footwear. However, you must be ready to spend a fortune if you plan to buy leather dance shoes.
Meanwhile, if you need to find a more affordable option, you can opt to get jazz dance shoes made with canvas. These pairs are cheap yet more breathable than elastic and neoprene shoes. Moreover, the soles of these types of footwear are often made with rubber.
You may also pick shoes with suede soles to improve your moves when dancing on vinyl floors.
Tip #3: Check the Inside of the Shoes
Aside from the outer portions of the footwear, it is also necessary to think about the inner part of the shoes. Therefore, making your decision with this factor in mind is essential before purchasing.
The best jazz footwear must have a canvas inner portion with antibacterial materials. This factor is crucial when shopping for the right shoe to ensure your hygiene and ultimate comfort. It must be one of the highest-quality models with special cushioning inserted beneath the heel or the toe area.
Buying the right jazz dance shoes is very important to hone your jazz dancing craft. It will also allow you to avoid aches and pains while dancing on stage. So shop for the right dance shoes for your ultimate comfort and find yourself performing better in the long run.
