During my twenty-one years as a dancer, I found dance warm-up booties to be an important accessory in my dance bag. There are lots of options when shopping for warm-up booties, but certain considerations can narrow down the best brands on the market.
With its wide selection, high quality, competitive prices, and easy online access, Bloch’s Ankle Warm-Up Booties are the best choice for dancers. However, for dancers most concerned about budget American Movement has a comparable warm-up bootie available for a fifth of the price as Bloch on Amazon.
Though Bloch’s warm-up booties rank highest in a variety of categories, it doesn’t mean that they will be best for your unique needs. Before buying, it is important to understand what warm-up booties are and if you need a pair.
Dance warm-up booties are insulated booties that slip over your dance shoes. Most dancers will wear warm-up booties with their costumes and remove them when they get backstage or are about to return to dancing.
Dance warm-up booties are intended to keep your feet warm in between rehearsals and before performances. Keeping your feet warm helps to prevent stiffness and potential injuries.
Also, these cushioned slippers decrease the amount of wear on your dance shoes, meaning a longer time in between purchasing new ones.
To prevent injury and save your shoes, booties can be a necessary item for dancers. They are a versatile accessory worn over most dance shoes but are most associated with ballet dancers.
Best Warm-Up Booties
The best warm-up booties must be able to offer a reasonable price, be designed with high-quality materials, show a wide selection and stock of products, and be easy to find and order online.
Below is a list of warm-up booties that were chosen and ranked based on how well they performed in these categories.
Pros:
- High-quality materials – 100% polyester filling and 100% nylon outer shell
- Bloch rubber logo badge on a Velcro strap that can be used to tighten the booties around your ankles
- Drawstring band at the top of the bootie that can be used to tighten around your calf
- 5 stars on Amazon with over 2,000 reviews
- Competitive price at $54 USD
Cons:
- Website only offers free ground shipping, which takes about a week
Pros:
- Has a unique quilted outer shell which is great for warmth
- Anti-slip sole
- Toggled adjustable drawstring at the ankle to keep warmth in
- Cushioned insole offers exceptional comfort
- Fashionable graphic design on tread
Cons:
- Website doesn’t offer free shipping and Amazon doesn’t offer Prime delivery
- Visible visual design is somewhat bland
Pros:
- Very Low price at $8.95 USD
- Polyester lining is lined with faux fur for a unique design element
- 4 stars on Amazon
- Fashionable graphic design on tread
Cons:
- No variety to choose from
- Only has a drawstring around the ankle, so you are unable to tighten the bootie around your calf
Pros:
- The outsole is designed so it can be worn outside
- Waterproof
- High-quality materials – soft, felt lining and faux leather outsole
- The split sole allows you to bend the bootie in half, which ensures flexibility when wearing it
Cons:
- Expensive at $88.6 USD
Where to Buy Warm-Up Booties
Once you have decided which warm-up booties are right for you, it is time to make your purchase. Warm-up booties can be bought through four different avenues.
1. Bloch or Dancewear’s Online Store
First, warm-up booties can be purchased online. Bloch and Dancewear Corner are large online dance stores and offer a wide selection of items. Purchasing the item online is not only convenient, but the online store typically has more items in stock than your local dance store.
Two things to consider when shopping online are the amount of time to ship and the cost of shipping.
2. Your Local Dance Store
A great option for purchasing your warm-up booties is your local dance store. You can find a dance store near you by asking your instructors at your dance studio or doing a quick online search.
By going to your local dance store, you can talk with a salesperson for another opinion, see the item in person, and support a local business.
3. Amazon
Amazon can be a great way to purchase your chosen warm-up booties because you can read customer reviews, get quick delivery with Prime, and find discounted options.
However, Amazon only has a few brands available, and an even smaller selection is available for Prime delivery.
4. Facebook Marketplace
An alternative option for purchasing your warm-up booties would be searching on the Facebook marketplace. The marketplace offers you the opportunity to find used high-quality brands for discounted prices.
How to Size Warm-Up Booties
Most warm-up booties are sized according to the street shoe size that you wear. All the above brand’s websites have a size chart to guide you toward the appropriate size.
Warm-up booties are sized according to what size street shoe you wear. However, if you are purchasing warm-up booties to be worn over your pointe shoes, you will need to go up one size for them to fit comfortably.
Do you need Warm-Up Booties?
Warm-up booties keep your tendons and muscles warmed up in-between rehearsals and before performances. Keeping your muscles and tendons warm reduces stiffness and prevents injury.
Warm-up booties also help reduce wear on your dance shoes which means more time in between replacement and more money in your pocket. But even with these perks, it doesn’t mean every dancer needs a pair.
Warm-up booties are recommended commonly for seasoned ballet dancers who are participating in performances and long rehearsals. If you are a dancer just starting out, you may consider purchasing an inexpensive pair of booties, such as American Movement, to test them out and see if they’re helpful.
Can you Wear Warm-up Booties Outside?
Several brands have come out with multi-function booties, which can be worn outdoors. When searching, check if the booties you are considering purchasing have a rubber sole. If they do, then you are safe to wear them outdoors.
If you would like more information on dance footwear, have a read of our article A Complete Dance Shoe Guide: The what, how, and when.