How to choose your shoes to dance in social west coast?

Each evening of dance, choose the right pair of West Coast shoes turns out to be much more than a matter of style. It is a story of balance, pleasure and connection, where each step is tinged with confidence or fragility depending on the shoes that we put on. Whether you are a novice of the West Coast or a long time passionate, selecting your shoes well, is opening the door of freedom and flow, where swivels are fluid and powerful anchoring. In this article, let yourself be guided: discover how to combine flexibility, aesthetic and comfort so that each social dance in West Coast becomes an invitation to surpass yourself without pain, together, all night.

The importance of choice: the base of your freedom in social dance

Why are West Coast shoes so specific?

The West Coast Swing, all in subtlety and in play, requires shoes to the height of this complexity. Unlike other more explosive Latin dances or salsa, where the tempo dictates different shoes, here the priority goes to the controlled slide and at the reactivity. Your feet are your silent partners: if they are hampered, the feeling, the expression - and even the anchoring - are fully felt.

Social dance: between comfort and performance

In the evening or in social, you can easily chain several hours of non-stop dance. Comfort becomes vital to keep painless and preserve the quality of your sensations. Unsuitable shoes can break magic, cause bulbs, plantar pain or repeated slides. Choosing the right model is guaranteeing endurance and sustainable pleasure.

Sole, heel and flexibility: subtle balance

What sole favor to work on your anchoring?

There sole is the invisible heart of your West Coast shoes. Privileged from suede or rubber sole models, which offer just enough gliding to work pivots and swivels while maintaining the anchoring. Avoid too rigid soles that break your reception on the ground, or too slippery, which reduce your control.

• DAIM sole: ideal for parquet or smooth rooms, better absorption of movements.
• Rubber sole: adapted to intermediate surfaces, excellent longevity.
• Avoids the rubber (too catchy) or plastic (not very durable) soles.

Less heel for more connection

For social dances and the West Coast in particular, opts for moderate, stable, even dishes: 2 to 5 cm are largely enough. A heel too high will unbalance you, brake your step and reduce your anchoring - this famous "Grounding" which makes the magic of the West Coast. The "Practice" or "Social Shoes" models are perfect if you are looking for the perfect balance between technical realization and night comfort.

Flexibility, key for irresistible swivels

Why does flexibility allow you to better interpret music?

Realize swivels Expressive, pivot without tense the ankle ... all the musicality is invited when your shoes naturally fit the arch. Soft leather or satin rod offers the flexibility sought. You have to be able to point, arrange and unroll your foot as if you dancing barefoot, but with just enough support.

• Test the shoe: fold and stretch it in your hand. It must resist without being steep.
• Provide a short break -in period, but never accepts a totally inflexible model.

A tailor-made lacing for a perfect fit

Cross-briddle sandals, lace-up shoes or "T-bar" models guarantee a fine and adaptable support for each foot morphology. In social, a shoe that slides or tired the kick becomes your worst nightmare. Listen to your feelings, and adjust the lacing to avoid unnecessary friction or games.

The anchoring on the ground: the magic of the West Coast touch

Improve your grouping thanks to the right shoe

The West Coast is the poetry of the body weight: everything is played in contact with the ground. A suitable shoe allows you to feel each micro-variation, play on your anchoring and vibrate the connection with your partner. The soles that are too thick or depreciating cut this subtle dialogue. Take the time to focus on what you feel at the level of the test: do you feel the ground? Can you "press" to initiate your movements, effortless?

Long -term breathable materials

After several hours on the track, heat and humidity do not forgive. Privileged airy materials such as synthetic leather, mesh, or worked satin. A high -end West Coast social shoe will evacuate perspiration, keep your foot stable and healthy to the last song.

• Avoids low -end synthetic materials (too stifling, not very absorbent).
• Interviews your pairs regularly with a suitable brush to ensure hygiene and longevity.

Your ideal size: adjustment = performance

Never trust your city size blindly

Social shoe brands cut differently, and your foot works more in dance: it spreads, expands and needs to be well maintained. Systematically test your shoes in real conditions (naked foot, fine socks ...), and do not hesitate to try half-point above or below your usual reference.

Feel wrapped up, never compressed

The good fit is the one that never hurts you but lets the foot move back and forth either. At the end of the evening, swollen foot or not, you have to stay "glued to the ground" with the feeling of being one with your dance. Do not hesitate to test different contacts and shoe shapes: opening on the toes, variable width, more or less round tip.

Style, shine and personality: when the shoe becomes a partner

Let your creativity speak

Dancing in Social West Coast is daring to display your person without complex! Opt for brilliant colors, brilliant details, or a unique design that reveals your energy. Do you hesitate between discretion and audacity? Remember: a shoe in your image will give you an additional dose of insurance with each step.

• An original pattern or a metallic shine captures light and attracts looks.
• Take care of your favorite pairs: hire them for each special evening!

Choose several pairs for more freedom

Having two or three suitable models allows you to alternate depending on the room, mood and style (casual, glamorous or classic). Are you dancing all night? Provide a second pair in your bag to relaunch comfort when the need arises. On Salsanueva Shop, Discover the Special collection West Coast Swing Shoes And imagine your next crush!

Current errors to avoid absolutely

Too large, too small, too slippery: the test of fire

Here are the main traps to avoid when you choose your West Coast social shoes:

• Ignore the test in store or online exchange: fitting remains a compulsory step
• Favor aesthetics at all costs to the detriment of comfort or maintenance
• Underestimate the importance of the grip under the foot: think about it for each evening
• Neglect the maintenance (regular brushing and renewal of the soles)

Run your shoe well before a big evening

A new shoe never proves fully in the first minute. Give him some practicing sessions at home, tame it on parquet or linoleum, and feel the differences in sliding. It was by testing that the lasting thunderbolt is born!

When and how to replace your West Coast shoes?

Recognize signs of fatigue

The hours accumulate, the sole wears out, the maintenance flanches? These are the first signals to start thinking about a new pair. A dance shoe has a variable life expectancy according to your style and your frequency of practice, but never neglects the signs of weakness: wear of the heel, no smoothed pivot, weakened couture ...

• Remember to also check cleanliness and general condition (hygiene = pleasure to dance!)
• Do not wait for the break: anticipate and renew your pairs before the big evening!

Take advantage of it to evolve and reinvent yourself

Changing shoes is also opening the door to a more mature dance, new sensations and technical developments. Dare to explore different models, dares the novelty: each pair can take you further in your expression and in shared pleasure on the track.

Where to buy: bet on quality and expertise

Favor passionate specialists

On Salsanueva Shop, We select each model with the requirement of seasoned dancers, in direct connection with the returns of our West Coast community in Paris. The quality of the materials, the care of the finishes and the choice of recognized brands are essential for your next pair to become your ally in the evening. Also discover our Maintenance guide dedicated to dance shoes To prolong magic!

Test, exchange, be advised

You doubt between two sizes, do you want to be sure of the ideal model? Take advantage of our passionate customer service, and do not hesitate to exchange before or after purchase. In store, online or during our special events in Paris, our team is heart to share their expertise to help you dance better, longer, and in a style that looks like you.

FAQ - Frequent questions

What is the difference between West Coast social shoes and classical dance shoes?

Social West Coast shoes are designed to offer a perfect balance between controlled slide, flexibility of the stem and good foot support on various and more linear rhythms, unlike the often more rigid classic dance shoes, with thick or high heels, suitable for another type of technique.

Should we absolutely choose heel shoes to dance the West Coast Swing?

No, a low or medium heel (2 to 5 cm) is perfectly enough for the West Coast. Some very stable models are even flat. The main thing is to ensure stability and anchoring rather than height, for better connection to the ground and optimal social comfort.

How do I know if my shoes are suitable for swivels?

Test them by making a few pivots and swivels: if you can turn without hanging or "dropping out" your axis, and the sole accompanies the movement without braking or sliding excessively, you are on the right track. Always favors flexibility and lightness in the choice of rod and sole.

How long does an average of an average west coast last a pair of social shoes?

It all depends on the intensity of your practice! For a dancer or an active evening dancer each week, generally has 8 to 12 months before seeing significant wear, especially in the sole and foot maintenance. Interview them carefully to prolong their lives.

Can we use the same shoes for the West Coast and other social dances?

Certain shoes, including flexible models with suede sole or rubber, are also suitable for other social dances such as Bachata, Kizomba or Slow salsa. But the West Coast Swing has its requirements in terms of sliding and anchoring: if you dance several styles, plans to have a dedicated pair for each atmosphere!

How to properly maintain my West Coast social shoes?

Brush regularly the sole with an adapted accessory, let them ventilate after each use, and uses a slightly damp soft cloth for the top (rubber or satin). Consult our specialized blog for other maintenance tips.

What are the signs that indicate it's time to change shoes?

Excessive wear and tear of the sole (too smooth pivotal point), a loss of support or new pains are essential signs. A good reflex: changes before discomfort became a bad habit!

Discover our models of CWest Coast bulls available on our online store, thoughts for demanding dancers.