Best Shoes for Swing Dancing

If someone tells you that dance shoes are not the most important thing in dancing, don’t believe them. Especially if you do boogie woogie or lindy hop. If you want to learn to dance fast and right, you need the best swing dance shoes. Neither street shoes nor gym slippers quick do the job – they will lead to the mistakes. Let’s take a look at the right shoes for swing dance, covering some for men and some for the ladies.

Men’s Swing Dance Shoes

Best Value: Minishion Dancing Shoes

Minishion Dancing Shoes - Best Value.

Recommended 98%

These shoes deserve a place on this list with their elegant and incredibly stylish design. The classic men’s Oxford style dance shoes are eye-catching with a combination of natural white and black leather that will make any dancer stand out and brighten up on the dance floor. So why not, especially when it comes to swing dance!

They are very affordable, so don’t expect super-high quality out of them. However, they are totally worth every penny: good build quality, nice fabrics, they don’t pinch or chafe, and the soles don’t wear out as quickly as some swing shoes.

Pros:
  • Natural leather
  • Stylish design
  • Reasonable price
  • No rubbing, even just after purchase
  • Suede sole
Cons:
  • Not the best build quality

Very Fine Shoes Men’s: DanceNwear

DanceNwear Very Fine Shoes Men's

Recommended 97%

Professional men’s dance shoes will be your perfect swinging partner.

They are soft but reliable, hold the heel well, have a low 1-inch square heel and have cushioning properties. So jumping and active movements will not be a threat to your joints. At the same time, the suede soft sole will allow you to easily, but not uncontrollably slide and spin in pirouettes with your partner.

These shoes from dance shoe manufacturer VeryFine are a great example of how classics can be your best choice. They are very high quality and securely sewn, which will ensure their durability and reliability at competitions and performances.

Pros:
  • Cushioning properties of the suede sole
  • Soft but durable
  • Made of genuine leather
  • Long-lasting
  • Great fit and support
Cons:
  • Price is a little higher than average

Best Style: Ferro Aldo Arthur MFA139001D

Ferro Aldo Arthur MFA139001D Mens Wingtip Two Tone Oxford Black and White Spectator Dress Shoes.

Recommended 95%

It’s the perfect style and the best quality for the price. Just look at these stylish, two-tone Oxfords with a chunky sole and small heel. They’ll look even more striking and cool when you perform on stage and that’s what you need when you’re dancing with your partner!

Ferroo Aldo Arthur have a rounded toe and sturdy laces. The faux leather that these shoes are made of is very durable and sturdy. Although they are a bit stiff, they are still good for swing dancing as they have a comfortable sole and a very low flat heel. That being said, after you wear them a bit, they become even more comfortable to wear.

Unpacking the Ferro Aldo Arthur Oxfords you will notice that every stitch and detail is made carefully, securely and with attention. So you can definitely rely on these shoes for performances and workouts.

Pros:
  • The perfect style
  • High-quality synthetic leather
  • Inner lining made of soft fabric
  • High-quality tailoring
  • Reasonable price
  • Made of tough but supple synthetic leather
Cons:
  • Have a strong chemical odor at first
  • Size may not fit properly, read manufacturer’s recommendations before purchase

The Best for Practice: TOMS Men’s Classic Slip On Denim

TOMS Men's Classic Slip On Denim The Best for Practice.

Recommended 95%

These men’s espadrilles are soft and lightweight, making them perfect for your swing or lindy hop lessons. They feel weightless on the foot, but hold the feet securely enough and provide a little cushioning with the rubber outsole. The above features combined with an affordable price make them ideal for hours of swing dance training.

Made of a combination of textile fabric and faux leather. They have a dense rubber sole, which bends well, but cushioning. Comfortable inner part, rubber on the top of the foot, soft and pleasant to the skin. Textile insole is removable. There is a huge variety of colors, so you can choose exactly what will suit your outfit or mood! But the classic black, blue and dark brown are also available.

You will probably not want to perform in these Toms shoes at a festival or competition, because you are more likely to choose something more dressy, like Oxfords. But they are one of the best for classes because they perform all the functions a dancer needs and don’t tire your feet too quickly.

Pros:
  • Lightweight and weightless on your feet
  • Affordable
  • Thin but durable rubber sole
  • Soft and comfortable footwear
  • Wide range of colors
Cons:
  • Short-lived
  • Style is not the best for training only

Swing Dancing Shoes for Women

The range of women’s swing dance shoes is much more diverse in types, designs and colors than men’s shoes. Women can prefer both comfortable flat-soled sneakers and ballroom shoes, but with a small heel. A variety of dance sandals and boots are also available for women. Below we will consider the best positions in terms of comfort, quality and design. By purchasing the below described comfortable dancing shoes, you can be sure that nothing will prevent you from dancing with pleasure and in comfort.

Best Overall: Capezio 550 Junior Footlight

Capezio 550 Junior Footlight – Best Overall.

Recommended 99%

In general, Capezio is one of the most popular brands that produce dance shoes and clothing. Capezio dance shoes are popular among ballroom, ballet, modern and social dancers, but also among swing dancers. Thanks to many years of experience in the industry, the manufacturer knows how to make the shoes comfortable and suitable for a particular dance style.

Professional dancers use sandals or low-heeled shoes for lindy hop and swing. This pair of shoes, in our opinion, is one of the best shoes for swing dancing for women. They are sturdy and reliable enough to withstand hours of active dancing, but at the same time soft and flexible enough to allow your foot to move as much as you need it to. Sure, the heel may seem a little high, but because it’s as stable as possible, this dance shoes are still suitable for swing dancing.

Elegant shape, reliable heel support, closed toe and high stability are the main advantages of this shoes. They are available in several different colors. They are made of synthetic leather, and the inner lining is made of microfiber, pleasant to the touch, to prevent friction and discomfort. When buying them, note that they fit a narrow foot and they are undersized – typically take one size larger than your standard outdoor shoes.

Pros:
  • Stable and comfortable heel
  • High quality, soft but durable sole
  • Top sewing and build quality
  • Cushioned inner lining
  • Available in assorted colors
  • Full foot support

Best Value: Ollio Women’s Shoe

Ollio Women's Shoe Best Value.

Recommended 98%

Inexpensive, stylish flat-soled Oxfords are one of the best solutions for both practicing and performing at swing festivals. Swing is a very active dance and with these shoes, your feet won’t strain or get tired prematurely, because they only weigh about 5 ounces each. The comfortable, soft, flat sole will make your dance even more dazzling!

The style of these Ollio shoes deserves special attention, because they can be chosen to perfectly suit any swing dance outfit. There is a variety of colors available: one-color and two-color. This allows you to customize your look down to the smallest detail. These shoes are made of synthetic leather, but there are a few colored models that have a suede part added. This, by the way, makes them even more vintage in style. They are easy to match your size as they have a standard sizing grid.

We noticed that statistically, girls prefer a small heel. Based on this, and the best price for ladies swing dance shoes, we think this is the best option for daily practice.

Pros:
  • Very affordable price
  • Stylish vintage design
  • Lots of colors to choose from
  • Flat sole without heel
  • Rugged and durable
  • Light weight
Cons:
  • They are quite narrow, so they do not fit wide feet

Leather Swing Shoes: Eastland Women’s Sadie Oxford

Eastland Women's Sadie Oxford Leather Swing Shoes.

Recommended 96%

This model is made of genuine leather and is suitable for your swing style performances. Stylish Oxfords with a flat heel are suitable for wide feet also. High quality tailoring and materials will provide maximum comfort and durability of use. We recommend these highly!

The EVA outsole is ideal for swinging: it is durable, glides sufficiently, and is flexible. The insole remembers and follows the curves of your foot. Every detail is made with care and it can be seen with the naked eye. Immediately after unpacking and trying them on, they will seem visually large and not soft enough. But the first is only first impression and believe, it’s false, and second – you should wear them for a couple of hours to finally wear this pair of wonderful and very high quality Oxfords.

Keep in mind that this pair of shoes is quite sturdy and not as soft as the other models in this review. Some customers report chafing in the toe or heel area, which goes away after a few wears. Otherwise, the Eastland Sadie Oxford are comfortable and have excellent support thanks to the memory foam insole is your ideal solution.

Pros:
  • Made of 100% genuine leather
  • Insole with memory foam
  • Rugged and flexible sole
  • Elegant low heel with flat heel
  • Stylish design
Cons:
  • Price is above average
  • May chafe at first

Best Boots for Swing Dance: Women’s Leather Practice Dancing Boots

Women’s Leather Practice Dancing Boots – Best Boots for Swing Dance.

Recommended 95%

Many women choose for their dance performances boots, which in addition to holding the feet well, also fix the foot in the ankle area. This model is specially designed for dancing, so you can safely dance in the swing.

The shoes have a soft and flexible sole, so you can freely move your foot as required by the dance and your choreography. At the same time, the small and flat heel is very stable and gives more confidence in your steps and other movements.

Pros:
  • Good support not only of the foot but also of the ankle
  • Materials
  • Flexible sole
  • Stable low heel
  • Specially designed for dancing
Cons:
  • Smell for the first few hours
  • Not the most durable option

What should the best shoes for swing dancing should feature?

When choosing dancing shoes, pay attention to these characteristics:

  • The sole should be thin and soft – natural leather, suede or rubber (if slippery). Thanks to it the dancer feels the floor, helping avoid slips on the parquet.
  • The shoes should fit snugly around the foot. Do not squeeze, but fit. Natural leather will stretch a little in use and fit perfectly on the foot.
  • There should be a stable low heel. The optimal height is up to 1.57 inches. For children’s shoes it iss less. A lot of dancing movements are performed on the front part of the foot. The heel helps to keep the balance and not to fall on the heels.
  • Lindy hop dance shoes must have a reinforced heel. In open sandals without a heel a dancer’s foot slips.
  • High quality. Dance shoes are designed for many hours of stress. It should be sturdy, durable, high quality leather or fabric, well glued.
  • Individual peculiarities of the foot. The size may be the same, but the shape, width, and elevation of the foot are different for everyone.

Types of swing shoes

Men’s and women’s swing dance shoes are considered separately.

Swing Shoes for Women

  • Barefoot. The best type is basic latin shoes and kid’s latin type. Heel 4 cm, closed heel, open or closed toe.
  • Leather sandals with laces and low heel. Can be used if feet are swollen and need to adjust the fullness.
  • Closed dancing shoes or “training latin shoes,” similar to men’s ballroom shoes. It is sometimes that woman feel more comfortable in these than in open sandals.
  • Toms and Converse. Bright cloth closed shoes, similar to sneakers. Usually acceptable as a change of shoes, but not for constant training. They give wrong body balance.
  • Boots. Ok, if basic requirements are met: soft sole, tight fit.

Unsuitable women’s swing shoes:

  • Ballet shoes. The sole is stiff, the dancer does not feel the parquet.
  • High-heeled sandals. The swing step is done from the heel, the foot rolls smoothly. It cannot be done in a high heel.
  • Jazz sneakers. The soles are stiff and thick. They look bulky.

Men’s Swing Shoes

  • Men’s standard shoes. Soft, low wide heel. Perfect basic model.
  • Latina shoes with a tango heel. The most flexible sole and semi-supinator. Pointed elongated toe, stable heel. Perfect model for competitions and trainings.
  • Aris Allen, Oxfords. They look like regular shoes. On a leather sole. Especially recommended if you have to dance on a non slippery floor.
  • Sneakers Hi-Top. Lightweight, flexible, lined underneath sneakers for swing dancing.
  • Dance sneakers. Combined models of Oxford and low-profile sneakers.
  • Keds. Acceptable for use with certain suits.
  • Toms. It is acceptable to use with certain clothes and on multi-hour workshops.
  • Lorenzo. High athletic shoes. Ok for training. Have a simple athletic look, but inappropriate for competition.

Unsuitable men’s swing shoes:

  • Jazz sneakers. They have thick soles.
  • Shoes for folk dancing. Stiff sole.
  • Ballet shoes. The sole is too thin.
  • Street sneakers. The soles are stiff and thick.

If you want to learn to drive a motorcycle, you don’t buy a scooter. If you want to learn how to swing dance, do not buy flip-flops! Shoes for swing dancing must be special, to initially hold the correct balance, steps, movements. Quality shoes for swing is soft, tight-fitting foot, durable and long-lasting.

And what kind of shoes do you wear for swing dance?