Salsa is a fantastic form of dance, however any one who has learnt this dance knows the importance and perhaps confusion of choosing salsa dance shoes. So what is the best shoe to wear for salsa dancing? In this article we dive right in and provide a comprehensive guide to men’s salsa dance shoes so you can make an informed choice for your dancing footwear.
The best mens salsa shoes will depend on your dancing situation, however excellent choices include the Ray Rose H460 Thunder, GF Franco Apex, and Very Fine Adrian as well as more casual options such as the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star or the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38.
Keep reading for detailed insights into the above, this is your one-stop shop for your male salsa dancing shoe needs.
We have completed many hours of research and drew on personal experiences to compile a complete list of best mens salsa dance shoes for any scenario. We then elaborate on each shoe following our table summary.
Please keep in mind that salsa is a broad dance form, and people will wear a variety of footwear to salsa dances. As a result we have identified appropriate footwear from casual, to social, to professional competitive Latin leather shoes depending on your situation and preference.
GF Franco Apex | Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38 | Very Fine Adrian | Ray Rose H460 Thunder | Vans U Authentic | Adidas Originals Stan Smith | Converse Chuck Taylor All Star | |
Advice | Best for style | Best for comfort | Best for wide feet | Best for competitions | Best for budget | Best for casual wear | Best for beginners |
Preview |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Upper material | Faux leather | Synthetic mesh | Leather | Leather | Canvas | Synthetic leather | Canvas |
Sole material | Plastic | Rubber | Suede | Suede | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
Heel size | Low | Flat | 1 inch | 1.5 inch | Flat | Flat | Flat |
Cushioning level | Medium | High | Low | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Weight | Very light | Very light | Very light | Very light | Medium | Medium | Light-medium |
Slide ability | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | – |
Price (USD) | $105 | $119.99 | $110 | 116 | $74.04 | $100 | $84.9 |
Best mens loafer shoe for salsa dance
Reasons why we like it: The style of the GF Franco Apex is what sets apart from the rest. The loafer cut, the imagery, and the colors all work seamlessly together to provide the wearer with a sense of laid back sophistication. Furthermore it can be worn outside (but not recommended for highly abrasive surfaces), whilst also providing the glide and slip needed in salsa.
Who is this for: This shoe is for men who want to step up their game in the looks department. Or add to the variety in the wardrobe.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: A flaw of this shoe it does not have a tension mechanism, so if the fit is loose, you may be stuck with it.
Weight: Very light
Upper material: Faux leather
Sole: Plastic
Price (USD): $105
Best mens shoe for comfortable salsa dancing
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Reasons why we like it: The best shoe for comfortable salsa dancing goes to the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus Black/White. The reason is that this shoe has athletic grade cushioning and support, its highly breathable, it has a full heel cup to keep you secure, its not too wide or narrow, and you can wear orthotics or innersoles with no problems. I myself once knew an Australian national Latin dance champion who used to wear these to social salsa events. One thing to keep in mind is we recommend the black and white versions as the white provides a lighter more stylish appearance, whereas all black is too heavy and dark, and colors make you look your off to a gym class. If you pair the black and white versions with a nice set of slim pale blue jeans with a few tears in them and a nice fresh white t-shirt, you should look fine.
Who is this for: This shoe is for men who want maximum comfort whilst also not looking too out of place in a salsa class.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: A flaw of this shoe is that it is perhaps not as stylish as the other options. Another potential flaw is that some peoples body shape (eg narrow hips, muscular legs, small feet) enables them to wear highly fitted jeans, which also enables them to wear more sporty shoes and not look out of place. So if you do have that body shape then that’s great, but if you don’t then it can be more difficult to wear slim jeans and running shoes without looking like a dad.
Weight: Very light
Upper material: Synthetic mesh
Sole: Rubber
Price (USD): $119.99
Best mens Latin dance shoe for wide feet
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Reasons why we like it: The best salsa dance shoe for wide feet is the Very Fine Men’s Wide Adrian Salsa Shoe. The reason for this is that it has an extra wide toe box coupled with exceptional arch support. In addition this shoe ranks number 8 in Amazon’s best dance shoe sellers list so it’s success is verified. Furthermore despite its practical fit, it retains a stylish and fashionable appearance.
Who is this for: This shoe is for men who have wider feet or have bunions and desire a technical salsa dance shoe.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: A flaw of this shoe is that some say that the width is not as wide they expected. However in the shoes defense, salsa shoes do need to fit tighter than normal to provide maximum agility.
Weight: Light
Upper material: Leather
Sole: Suede
Price (USD): $110
Best mens Latin dance shoe for competitive dance
Reasons why we like it: The best competition Latin dance shoe for men is the Ray Rose H460 Black Leather shoe. Hand crafted to the highest possible standards, the leather Thunder, highly flexible, dance shoes are perfect for competitive dancing. These beautifully made dance shoes have characteristics that have been specially incorporated for performance and comfort. These include enhanced support for the ankle through the use of sports grade material and the use of lining and socking which have antibacterial properties. This style benefits from an orthotic sock with integral arch support.
Who is this for: This shoe is for men who want to take their dancing to the next level, or who are in the competitive/professional Latin dance scene.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: There are few flaws, if any, with this shoe. One potential flaw is the price which is on the higher end. However the product you receive is worthy of its price tag. Another drawback is these shoes cannot be worn outside due to the suede/felt sole which is fragile.
Weight: Very light
Upper material: Leather
Sole: Felt/suede
Price (USD): $116
Best mens budget shoe for salsa dancing
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Reasons why we like it: The best mens budget shoe for salsa dancing are the humble Vans Unisex in black and white. The reason we like these is that they are a simple affair with no airs or graces about them which makes them perfect for beginners. They have good breathability and a good amount of cushioning and are flat with a wide toebox so your feet are not cramped.
Who is this for: This shoe is for men who need a quick and easy solution for dancing footwear without breaking the bank.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: A flaw of this shoe is that it is somewhat on the heavier side. There is also a lack of tensioning ability given the upper is simply canvas and the laces are somewhat short.
Weight: Medium
Upper material: Canvas
Sole: Rubber
Price (USD): $74.04
Best mens shoe for beginner salsa dancing
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Reasons why we like it: The best shoe for men just beginning to dance salsa is the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Leather High Top Sneaker. The reason we like it is that it is a practical shoe with a breathable upper and most importantly, the ability to securely fasten the shoe with laces that tighten through your ankle. It is also a stylish option that goes well with most casual outfits. It also has high utility in that it can be worn to the gym or for walking or even some sports, which is useful if salsa turns out not to be your thing.
Who is this for: This shoe is for men who are perhaps not sure if salsa is for them and want an entry level multi-use shoe.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: A flaw of this shoe is that the fit is perhaps not as form fitting as some other shoes (however this does depend on the shape of your feet). A workaround is to wear thicker socks to pad out the fitting space if required. A hot tip is that there are fitting differences between the colors, so an all black pair fits tighter than an all white pair.
Weight: Light
Upper material: Canvas
Sole: Rubber
Price (USD): $84.9
Best mens casual shoe for salsa dancing
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Reasons why we like it: The best casual shoe for mens salsa dancing shoe is the Adidas Originals Men’s Stan Smith Sneaker (in white). The reason why it’s a top stylish pick for salsa dancing in a more casual dance setting is that it’s a simple white sneaker that’s lightweight, has good cushioning, and is a timeless classic that goes well with most casual outfits.
Who is this for: This shoe is for any man who wants a solid footwear wardrobe option for casual or social salsa dancing. It is great for men who don’t want to be that one guy who has turned up to a beginner class wearing full professional dance shoes. The beauty of this shoe is that it can be worn by beginners and advanced dancers for casual salsa dancing.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: A flaw of this shoe is that the upper is made of a synthetic material similar in quality to leather. This means it is not particularly breathable and as a result good quality socks are recommended to avoid blistering. Perhaps one other flaw is that the rubber sole can be grippy and so spinning in salsa is not as effortless as other shoes.
Weight: Light
Upper material: Synthetic leather
Sole: Rubber
Price (USD): $100
Types of Latin dance shoes for men
Often the confusion in choosing salsa footwear comes when choosing leather Latin dance shoes. There are several factors which result in different types of traditional Latin dance shoes. Let’s discuss them now.
Types of dance
One of the first topics to address in the world of dance shoes is what type of dance are you doing.
The reason for this that traditional dance shoes tend to fall into two categories, ballroom or Latin.
Ballroom shoes are for dances such as Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Quickstep.
Latin shoes are for dances such as Tango, Samba, Rumba, and, you guessed it, Salsa.
Suede vs rubber sole
A suede sole shoe is used to dance indoors only and provides exceptional sliding and turning ability due to reduced friction. This lack of friction is perfect for salsa dancing. However, if you dance outdoors on a suede sole, the suede is easily destroyed.
A rubber sole is more durable, can be worn outside, but doesn’t reduce the amount of friction when turning or sliding. This lack of reduced friction can make it more difficult to dance salsa as you turning/spinning will be harder.
Type of heels
Latin heels for men tend to be higher than ballroom heels. Latin shoes tend to have a 1.5-2 inch heel, whereas ballroom shoes tend to have a 1 inch heel. This impacts both the look of the shoe wearer and the movement of the shoe wearer. For example a higher heel encourages a more forward movement, and more roll in the hips to accommodate that heel height. These movements are characteristic of Latin dances.
Latin heels also tend to have more cushioning due to the harder steps in dances such as the Pasodoble which is a fast, passionate, heavy step, Spanish dance.
Upper material
The two main types of upper material for mens dance shoes are patent leather and leather.
Patent leather is not recommended for Latin shoes as it is too stiff. So the best choice is a pure leather shoe which will be much more flexible and soft.
Practice vs competition shoes
Practice shoes tend to place greater emphasis on comfort, flexibility, practicality, have low heels, and are made of soft materials. An example would be this Capezio Canvas Dance Sneaker:
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Competition shoes tend to be more rigid, have less cushioning, have higher heels, and have greater aesthetics.
Split sole vs full sole
In the dance shoe world for men there are two types of soles, the split sole and full sole.
The split sole is as the name suggests, split into two. One piece of the sole under the ball of the foot and the other under the heel. The mid section of the sole is more flexible and not made of the same material as the harder wearing sole material.
Latin shoes tend to be split sole to enable the wearer to point their toes and perform dynamic movement as many Latin dances are explosive or fast.
Do you need Latin dance shoes for salsa?
The question of if you need Latin dance shoes for salsa will depend on your goals for dancing. If you desire greater ease of dancing or if your an intermediate to advanced dancer with lots of fast and intricate movements, then yes Latin dance shoes would greatly benefit you.
However, if you are a beginner or someone who doesn’t mind having to put more energy into spinning and turning, then no you may not need Latin dance shoes, and a more casual shoe which you can use in salsa will be satisfactory.
In the end the benefits of Latin dance shoes can be in reduced friction, improved fit and reduced weight. This enables you to spin effortlessly and not worry about the fit/weight of your shoes.
What’s the difference between regular shoes and Latin dance shoes?
The differences between regular dance shoes and designated Latin dance shoes is as follows:
Latin dance shoes have suede soles. This enables you to glide, slide, and most importantly spin, with reduced friction and therefore effort. Anyone who has done salsa dancing will tell you that there is a heavy emphasis on spinning. Most regular shoes have rubber soles, which are meant for grip and increased friction to keep you stable. This means it is harder to turn and spin with regular shoes and therefore harder to dance salsa.
Latin dance shoes have a raised heel. This heel encourages you to place weight on the balls of your feet and in a forward position, which is where you want your weight so you can be agile and balanced. Regular shoes do not have this raised heel, and are often flat footed. This means your weight is in between the balls of your feet and your heel which means your weight is more backward and you are not as ready for fast feet movements as you would be in a Latin shoe.
Latin dance shoes have a firm fit. Indeed when buying Latin shoes you will need to purchase a size which is lower than your regular shoe size, as the leather is meant to be tight at first, then over time it will mold to your foot. Many Latin dancers report this fit as feeling like wearing socks. As you can imagine having a shoe that feels like a snug sock encourages effortless and sharp movement. Regular shoes often have a looser fit with a thumbnails width of space in front of your toes. When performing sharp turns and changes of direction this space means your foot slides around your shoe and takes away that sharpness of movement.
Latin dance shoes are very light. This means there is less weight on your feet, which increases your ability to move quickly and intricately. Regular shoes are more heavy and therefore your feet and legs cannot move as fast or effortlessly due to this weight.
Latin dance shoes are flexible. This flexibility enables you to point your toes, bend your feet and stay on the balls of your feet. This all increases sharp movement and elegant lines. Regular shoes are more stiff and rigid. This stiffness prevents your feet from moving freely and dynamic/elegant movement is reduced.
What’s the difference between ballroom and Latin dance shoes?
There are several key differences between ballroom and salsa/Latin shoes. We outline these differences below:
Ballroom shoes Salsa/Latin shoes Sole type Full sole/split sole Split sole Heel height 1 inch 1.5-2 inch Heel type Standard Cuban Upper material Patent leather Leather Weight Very light Very light Overall feel Like an athletic dress shoe Like a sock
Do you need practice Latin dance shoes?
There are two schools of thought on practice Latin dance shoes. One mindset is that if you practice in your actual/performance Latin dance shoes, you will become accustomed to the feel/fit of them. In this way when you do either perform or use your actual Latin dance shoes, there will be less mental/physical adjustments to be had. This means you can focus more on enjoying the dance.
However, the second mindset is that using actual Latin dance shoes for practice can be hard on your feet. This is due to the firm fit of Latin shoes and the lack of cushioning in the soles/heel. Furthermore, practice Latin dance shoes can have suede soles, split soles, and raised heels to give you the overall feel of Latin shoes whilst also providing abundant cushioning with a not too tight fit. This can preserve the health of your feet as you practice. In addition keeping your Latin dance shoes for social nights or performances can preserve the leather and the overall life of the shoe.
How to size, fit and choose your Latin dance shoes?
There are several elements to take into account when fitting, sizing and choosing your Latin dance shoes. We discuss each element below so you can be well prepared when you do purchase your dance shoes.
How to get the right size Latin dance shoe?
The key with sizing your Latin dance shoes is to avoid having space between the ends of your toes and the shoe. As a general rule of thumb, to get the correct sizing go down half a size or a full size compared to your regular shoe size.
This is contrary to how you would size a regular shoe. In a regular shoe the rule of thumb is to have one average thumbs-width between the ends of your toes and the shoe. In Latin shoes, you don’t want any space between the leather and your toes.
Whilst this may feel uncomfortable at first, the design of Latin shoes, and the leather used in Latin shoes, means the shoe will mold in time to your feet. The end result will be a firm and custom fit, perfect for dancing.
The same rule goes for width. In Latin shoes, avoid having space on either side of your feet in the shoe.
In general, you want a snug fit with very minimal/to no wiggle room in length and width when the Latin shoe is laced.
What heel height should you choose in a Latin dance shoe?
In Latin mens dance shoes, the heel is often 1-2 inches high, with most being in the range of 1.5-2 inches.
As a general rule, if you desire your weight to be more forward, and more roll in your hips when dancing, then go for a higher heel.
However, if you’re a beginner in Latin dance then we would recommend either choosing a 1 inch or 1.5 inch heel to give your ankles and feet time to strengthen and get used to the feel of heels in mens dance shoes.
What toe design should you choose in a Latin dance shoe?
Fortunately in the world of mens dance shoes, the toe design is not as varied as in dress shoes. In Latin dance shoes the toe of the shoe is designed to be form fitting with your foot shape to minimize excess space in the shoe.
Some brands may have a more tapered depth from toe box to sole which is one aspect to keep in mind.
If in doubt, try several dance shoe brands to get a feel for their different toe fittings, however most should have similar toe designs.
What amount of support/flexibility should you choose in a Latin dance shoe?
In comparing a regular shoe to a Latin dance shoe, there is little traditional support in the Latin shoe. However, that being said, different brands do offer a variety of arch support in their shoes. For example, the Ray Rose 330 Sandstorm shoe features a removable biomechanical latex full length arch support and heel cushioning insert.
Whilst no doubt valuable, we would caution against depending too much on a Latin shoe arch support. The reason for this the nature of a Latin dance shoe is to feel like a sock, which translates to there is not a whole lot of material in that shoe, which means there cannot be a substantial amount of support.
There is a also limited choice in flexibility options in Latin dance shoes. The two main options are full sole or split sole. However many Latin dance shoes will be offered in the split sole variety to enable the wearers to have explosive and dynamic movement. However it is advisable to search for a full sole Latin dance shoe if you are a beginner to enable your foot to build the necessary arch strength prior to getting a spit sole shoe.
What upper material should your Latin dance shoes be?
The predominant upper material used in mens Latin dance shoes is leather. However there are other options as well such as fabric, suede, neoprene, or even patent leather. Sometimes the shoe might be a combination of these materials.
Patent leather is a more stiff leather which holds its shape well and looks fantastic however it is easy to scuff. Patent does require maintenance such as a vaseline application between dances as the leather is quite sticky. This stickiness can result in the wearers shoes gumming together when in a closed foot position. Dancers may choose patent leather as a personal preference, or for a durability perspective, or to suit their costume when performing.
Fabric/canvas material tends to be quite breathable however tends to wear out quite quickly.
Neoprene material is a flexible lycra like material which is used for practice Latin dance shoes.
Plain leather/nubuck is a good middle ground option. Leather molds to your feet, provides good durability, and is relatively easy to maintain.
What type of sole should you choose in your Latin dance shoes?
The predominant sole option in Latin mens dance shoes is suede or felt. This is to reduce friction and provide an effortless turn or spin.
However, there are resin soles available. A resin sole is not as flexible as suede or felt however it is more durable. A resin sole can be useful if you intend to wear your dance shoes over small sections of outdoor area, perhaps when transiting from your car to the studio.
Keep in mind that even if your shoe sole loses its integrity over time, you can get your shoe resoled.
What price should your Latin dance shoes be?
The average price for mens Latin dance shoes ranges from $95 to $220 USD.
If you are a beginner then you may enjoy the lower price ranges, but a more experienced dancer will find value at the upper range.
If in doubt, a good middle price range is $150 USD.
What are the best Latin dance shoe brands?
The best Latin dance shoe brands available which we highly recommend considering when purchasing salsa shoes include:
Supadance, Capezio, RayRose, International Dance Shoes, AIDA, and GF Franco.
Related questions:
How long do Latin dance shoes last?
A poll run by Dance-forums.com with 45 dance participants showed that 44% of dancers will replace their dance shoes every 6-12months. 20% said they would replace their dance shoes every 1-2 years.
However this number can fluctuate depending on if you are competing, how much you are training, how you dance, how well you clean and maintain and even store your shores, and how many pairs of shoes you rotate.
Should you wear Latin dance shoes outside?
The short answer is no. The reason for this is that Latin dance shoes generally have soles made of suede which can easily be damaged on abrasive surfaces such as bitumen or pavement. It is common practice to wear regular shoes to your dance studio, then change into your Latin dance shoes once inside.
How to take care of your Latin dance shoes?
There are a few things you should do to take care of your Latin dance shoes. We discuss these below:
1. Purchase a high quality shoe from a reputable brand. This will enable you to work with high quality materials which is easier to maintain then poor quality ones.
2. Use a shoetree when you’re not using the shoe. This will keep the shape of the shoe and assist with removing moisture from the shoes materials which will prevent mold.
3. Only use your dance shoes inside on smooth surfaces. Whilst this isn’t always possible, you should try and avoid wearing the shoe on rough surfaces such as bitumen or in wet conditions. This will assist with retaining the shoes suede sole and upper material integrity.
3. Clean your shoes after each dance session using the recommended manufacturers method/products. This will keep the leather and suede of the shoe in prime condition which will be easier to maintain if done regularly.
4. When in transit or storage, avoid keeping the dance shoes in a plastic bag, and instead use a breathable bag made of cotton or linen.
For further information on taking care of your Latin dance shoes, a good resource is our article Length Of Time Dance Shoes Last: For every type of dance.