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When it comes to picking the right dance shoes, you get exactly what you pay for. If you’ve chosen a pair of cheap dance shoes made with sub-par components, don’t expect a lot of wear from these shoes. This goes especially if you are a performer or a competitive dancer. It will only take several uses before some of the shoe components break, snap, or crack. You’re not getting your money’s worth if the shoes couldn’t last a couple of uses.
On the other hand, high-quality Latin dance shoes like Yami Dance Shoes are guaranteed to last a long time. These Latin dance shoes may be slightly more expensive than regular shoes but the fine craftsmanship and durable materials will take your dance skills to the next level.
And speaking of materials, what’s the best shoe material for dance shoes? Dance shoes come in an array of designs and materials and these factors do affect the longevity of the product. If you are on the hunt for the perfect dance shoes, continue reading below:
The Best Latin Dance Shoe Materials
PU Leather
Low maintenance, breathable, durable, and most importantly, flexible. Vegan leather-like PU is fast becoming the material of choice for dance shoes because it’s thinner and more pliable than genuine leather.
In short, vegan leather moves with you. It doesn’t require a lot of time to break in and the vegan leather material molds to the shape of the feet. That means you won’t have to deal with blisters, cuts, and bruising because of the rigid shoe material. The pliable material allows for maximum freedom of movement without pain!
Here at Yami Shoes, we chose vegan leather because of its superior quality. It’s also eco-friendly and cruelty-free. Vegan leather is just as durable as genuine leather material when taken care of properly. And taking care of dance shoes made from vegan leather couldn’t be easier. Just use the same products you use on genuine leather. The material does not require babying at all.
Satin
Satin is a textile or fabric made with weaved filament fibers to give it a glossy and smooth sheen, just like silk. On one side of the material is glossy, the other side is dull. Satin varies in texture, it can be soft and thin or thick and stiff.
Satin is a terrific material for dance shoes because the shimmery material really elevates any outfit. And satin, especially when encrusted with rhinestones or crystals, looks amazing under a spotlight so it’s a favorite among competitive dancers.
While not as durable as synthetic leather or genuine leather, satin remains as one of the most popular dance shoe materials because the glossy sheen makes it perfect for dressy dance shoes like strappy heels and stilettos.
Flock Soles
Unlike normal shoes, dance shoes have smooth soles to make gliding, twirling, and turning easier on the dance floor. Some of these shoes have suede soles, others have soles made from synthetic materials, like Yami Shoes.
Suede, which is made from lambskin or cow, pig, goat hide, is traditionally used as dance shoe soles because of its smooth, soft texture. The material lets you glide, turn, and twist on the floor safely. That said, suede is prone to tearing, especially if it's not taken care of properly. You’ll have to clean the leather material regularly to extend its life and suede is an expensive shoe material.
Microfiber soles made from flock leather, are just as durable, soft, and smooth as suede soles. Flock is a special type of textured leather alternative made with synthetic fiber. It has a similar texture as suede leather but is softer, more velvety.
Unlike suede, no animal was hurt in the process of making flock leather. The material is ideal for dancing because it gives perfect control on the dance floor, allowing for total freedom of movement.
Flock soles are hardy but low maintenance. The soles do not require much babying save from the occasional cleaning. All Yami dance shoes boast of microfiber soles! The shoes let you glide, twirl, and slide on the dance floor safely while ensuring excellent adhesion while dancing.
Microfiber Insoles
Microfiber is a thin textile that's often used as a lining material for various applications, including shoemaking. This material is prized for its luxurious softness and breathability. It wicks moisture away from the skin and is never abrasive to the skin. It’s also popular as a material for shoe cushion or padding because it’s durable yet low maintenance.
Not all dancing shoes come with built-in microfiber insoles but all Yami Dance Shoes do! This feature is what sets Yami dance shoes apart from other brands.
As you know, dancing does a number on the feet. Wearing 3-inch dance heels pushes about 75% of the body weight to the balls of the feet, which explains why it’s painful to take a step if you’ve been dancing in heels for a couple of hours. Wearing a comfortable pair of dance shoes is essential to minimize pain, reduce peak impact, and decrease the risk of injuries.
Dance shoes with padded insoles help distribute the body weight evenly so the balls of the feet do not hurt from the added weight. The soft, supple, and cushy material ensures optimal comfort so you can dance for hours in your Yami heels without pain and fatigue. The cushions are also strategically-placed for maximum comfort and pain protection.
The best part? Microfiber insoles are hypoallergenic and do not develop bad odors. The insoles don’t need babying at all. While you can always buy padded inserts for your dance shoes, it’s great to know that there are dance shoes that come with built-in cushions so you don’t have to get these separately.
