How to choose the right dance shoes size?

Anyone who has bought shoes from an on-line shop knows that the most important thing is to choose the right size. This applies to all footwear but is of particular importance for dance shoes.

The correct size of dance shoes is individual for everyone and depends on several things, the most important of which is the foot length. It is, of course, also good to take into account the width/circumference of the foot and whether there are bunions next to your great toes. For example, if the width/circumference of the foot is larger or smaller, i.e. your foot is wider or narrower, it is good to verify whether your desired shoe model is available in different widths. Another option is, for a wider or narrower foot and a model that is available in standard width, to choose one size larger or smaller shoes, respectively. If you have bunions next to your great toes, then it is better to select one size larger shoes. However, let us not forget that the length of the foot remains the most important thing when choosing the right size of dance shoes.

How do we measure the length of the foot correctly?

Errors are very often made when measuring the foot, leading to a choice of larger or smaller footwear size. This is, of course, rather unpleasant and requires the footwear to be returned and replaced with the correct size, and we all know that this involves time and money. Therefore, it is very important to measure the length of the foot accurately. Here's how we can do this at home.

Before you start, locate a flat vertical surface that makes a 90° angle with the floor and does not have any skirting-boards, mouldings or other decorative elements. This may be a wall, cabinet, wardrobe or door frame. We recommend using door frame because there are usually no skirting-boards. Prepare a pencil and some right-angle object such as a thick book, a shoe box or any other box, but it is important that the book/box has right angles and edges and that they are not very rounded. How to measure:

1. Position your heel firmly against the wall or the door frame. Drop a perpendicular from your longest toe and mark with a pencil on the floor. In order to be as precise as possible, you can place the book/box firmly against the longest toe, whichever it is, and remember or mark on the box the area where it touches the longest toe. See the picture.

2. Carefully remove your foot without displacing the box and place a small mark along the edge of the box just below the point where the longest toe had come into contact.

3. Move the box and measure the distance from the wall to the mark on the floor with a plastic tape measure, a dressmaker's tape measure or a ruler. It is very important to measure this distance in a straight line. Be careful if you are using a ruler because the beginning of the ruler is often before the beginning of the scale – do not use such a ruler. We recommend that you use a plastic tape measure by putting the edge of the tape against the wall/door frame. See the picture.

Note the following:

• A person’s feet are different, therefore you should measure both of your feet and take into account the larger of the two.

• It may sound strange, but our feet change from morning to evening. This is due to the burden that our body exerts on them when we are in upright position, jumping, running or dancing. It is best to measure your feet in the afternoon or evening, but do not do so after getting up from sleep.

So, how to choose the right dance shoes size?

Now that you know the exact length of your feet, simply check in the size table which size corresponds to your length. We recommend that you select shoes with insole length equal to your foot length or the nearest larger size of footwear. Otherwise, your toes may protrude a little, and that may irritate you. However, we must mention that many professional dancers prefer their toes to go a little further because, in this way, they are better connected to the floor.

If you like it, share it and be sure to check out our exclusive collection of dance shoes here.