West Coast Swing Dance Shoes: The Best Shoes for Social Dancers
One of the most common questions we get from West Coast Swing dancers is: “What shoes should I wear for West Coast Swing?”
The right West Coast Swing dance shoes will make social dancing more comfortable. They help you move better on the dance floor, and protect your feet during long dance days.
My first piece of advice is to shop with shoe vendors at West Coast Swing events whenever possible. I always prefer seeing dance shoes in person and trying them on before buying online. Can’t make it to a weekend event? This guide will help you choose the right dance shoes for your feet and your style.
Pro tip: Comfort and style both matter. A good WCS dance shoe should feel secure, allow you to move and turn and match the kind of dancing you do most. In my oppinion, good dance shoes don’t need to be broken in. They should feel good right away!
Quick Links: Find the Best WCS Shoes for You
What dance shoes are people commonly wearing?
Wanna know what people are commonly wearing for dancing? Check out this quick guide
| Dancer | Best Shoe Option |
|---|---|
| Beginner WCS dancer | Comfortable dance sneaker or low-heeled practice shoe |
| Women social dancing at WCS events | Dance boots, strappy sandals, or practice heels |
| Men social dancing at WCS events | Hybrid dance sneakers or casual suede dance shoes |
| Long weekend events | Cushioned hybrid dance sneakers |
| Country bar or sticky floor | Smooth-bottom street shoes or dance boots |
| Shoes to avoid | Heavy rubber soles, unstable heels, flip-flops, or shoes that grip too much |
WCS Dance Shoe Review Video
Here is a 6 min video where we share our favorite shoes (and the ones we wear) for west coast swing! -Brian & Megan
WCS Dance Shoes for LADIES
Sandals
Fashion boots have become the in thing these day. The ‘strappy sandals’ or “practice cuban heels’ are a core shoe that will serve you well. They work for not only WCS but your other styles like ballroom dancing as well.
Pro tip: The fit of these shoes is important. Your big toe should line up with the front edge of the shoe. Also remember these shoes will stretch out overtime and form to your foot.
Style Options: There are many options for sandal and strappy looks. These are nice if you are wanting to wear shorts or a skirt, as well as pants. The tan strappy sandals are the most common selection. The nice thing about these shoes is that the major shoe vendors make several styles of them. So you should be able to get something that both fits your taste and your feet.
Visit Very Fine Shoes
They carry the best quality strappy sandals!
Where to buy:
- Very Fine is the most popular company that has a nice selection. They carry many different options but the tan practice cuban strappy’s are the most popular ones.
- Supadance is a very popular shoe in the ballroom community. They make a quality option for ballroom dancers and WCS dancers alike.
- Dance Shoes of TN has a nice line of these types of shoes. I get my dance shoes from them!
West Coast Swing Dance Boots for Ladies
West Coast Swing boots are also popular favorites these days. Several manufacturers have created several different high quality dance boots. Dance boots may be the most popular options for women at west coast swing events.
Style Options: They come with many options of brand, color, heel size & shape. You can get them in both suede or leather.
Pro tip: Sway’d boots have the most comfortable stylish options for west coast swing.
Where to buy:
- Sway’d Boots they are the manufacture or these boots – Get $10 off with coupon code: BrianB
- Dance Shoes of TN are our favorite distributor.
- Dance Connection also has some options for you as well.
- Danceweare Europe has some high quality stylish boots and might be easier to get if you live in Europe.
Get $10 OFF SWAY'S BOOTS
At Checkout…
USE THE COPON CODE: BRIANB
Get $10 OFF SWAY'S BOOTS
At Checkout…
USE THE COPON CODE: BRIANB
Closed toed practice shoes for ladies
These are not the most popular choice for west coast swing but they serve a purpose. If your feet don’t fit the strappy sandals or if you want to protect your toes.. these are an option.
I recommend a shoe with a heel height of about 1.5 inches tall. The most popular for woman are black, closed-toe heeled shoes with laces.
For a full description of heel heights check out this page.
Style Options: Black closed-toed options are usually chosen for comfort and protection of your feet. There are endless options thought. Ray Rose has some cool choices. There are so many options for material, color, and style! The choice comes down to personal preference.
Pro tip: You will find a lot of professional dance teachers wearing these. I always recommend double knotting the laces.
Where to buy:
- VERY FINE is one of the most popular brands with a lot of options.
- Dance Connection has several basic options including one with extra padding.
- Ray Rose is one of the highest quality shoes out there. Plus they have some fun color choices.
Visit Very Fine Shoes
Very Fine has the largest selection and best quality shoes
Hybrid Dance Sneakers Women
While not the most popular option among women these hybrid dance sneakers provide a comfortable option for long hours on the dance floor. You will see more male dancers wearing them but if the shoe fits, wear it!
Style options: These come in several color options however there might be a long wait time for some colors
Protip: Again if comfort is your main concern Dance Connection makes a pair of hybrids with extra padding.
Where to buy:
- Dance Connection has some comfortable options for aching feet and different colors as well.
- Veryfine makes several selections in different colors
WCS Dance Shoes for Men
Brian B’s favorite dance shoe
Port Dance PD Casual Suede
I get asked all the time “where do I get my shoes”
My current go to pair is the Portdance PD Casual Suede shoe. I love them so much I have 4 different colors. They’re comfortable, they look good and they are high quality. Oh and the vendor I get them from is really great too. Enjoy!
Style Options: I have these in Blue, Brown, Black & Red (called Bordeaux)
Pro tip: Get them in multiple colors!
Where to buy:
- Dance Shoes of Tennessee – This is where I get mine! PS my red shoes are now called Bordeaux – I love the new version.
Visit Dance Shoes of TN
This is where I get my favorite shoes, the Port Dance PD Casual. I have them in 4 colors! -Brian
Ballroom Shoes for Men
If you dance other dance styles dance shoes with heels are very popular. You’ll see them in ballroom competitions and social dancing in the West Coast swing genre.
A traditional Latin dance shoe usually has a thick, chunky heel that is 1.5 inches tall. I recommend a smooth style dance shoe, which is typically one inch tall. The most popular for men are the black, closed-toe heeled shoes with laces.
Style Options: While black shoes are pretty standard and go with anything, if you are looking for a bit more style check out some of the options at Very Fine
Pro tip: I always recommend double knotting the laces for competitions and shows.
Where to buy:
- Very Fine has the best quality and a large selection of styles.
- Supadance make a quality dance shoe worn by many professional dancers
- Dance Connection can be found at many WCS events. Their ‘Ultimate’ shoe has the most padding on the market
Visit Very Fine Shoes
Outside of my favorite Port Dance Shoes – Very Fine has the largest selection and best quality shoes
Hybrids for Men
These might be the most popular shoe for male west coast swing dancers. They are reasonably stylish and very comfortable. If you’re looking to put in lots of hours of dancing these are a good choice.
Style Options: Again black is the most common choice but you can actually get these in different colors and with some cool stylish options
Pro tip: If you want shoes with extra padding, go with Dance Connection
Where to buy:
- Very Fine has several different styles and options
- Dance Connection offer the most common hybrid dance sneaker for west coast swing
Street Shoes for WCS
Many of my students have taken regular street shoes to a cobbler and added felt or suede bto the bottoms.
The result: a pair of cool, danceable street shoes. These students want to look like they fit into a club or bar without looking pretentious. This route makes them feel more comfortable, like they naturally fit into the scene.
Pro tip: The shoe brand Tom’s is popular for WCS social dancing.
Street shoes
Ladies have LOTS of different options for shoes. Here is a great video on Street Shoes vs Dance Shoes so you can learn the no no’s of what shoes you should avoid.
Many of my students have taken regular street shoes to a cobbler and requested that felt or suede be added to the bottoms. The result: a pair of cool, danceable street shoes. These students want to look like they fit into a club or bar without looking pretentious. This route makes them feel more comfortable, like they naturally fit into the scene.
Pro tip: The shoe brand Tom’s is popular for WCS social dancing.
Shoe bags
Lastly, it is always recommended that you don’t wear your dance shoes on any floor other than a dance floor. Use a shoe bag to transport your dance shoes to and from the car, and change shoes before and after dancing.
Pro tip #1: Let shoes air out before putting them back in the shoe bag or they will get stinky. Leave your shoe bag in the trunk of your car instead of the back seat when not in use.
Pro tip #2: Make sure you add a unique marking to your shoe bag. I’ve seen many people mistakenly take home the wrong shoe bag because they all look the same.
Shoe Brushes
With suade bottom shoes it’s always a good idea to have a shoe brush! I keep it in my shoe bag.
Pro tip: Watch this video to find out why I DON’T brush my shoes!
Dancing WCS in a country bar?
You’ll want to read this about what shoes to wear country dancing.
Join the dance shoe discussion on Facebook
Hear what other dancers have to say about west coast swing dance shoes!
Best Dance Shoes for Different Styles of Social Dancing
Here is a video where we share our favorite shoes (and the ones we wear) for social dancing -Brian & Megan