In general, shoes with solid soles are more suitable than the ones with split soles, because they provide better arch support and can be fitted with orthotics for those who have high arches or suffer from flat feet. The height of the shoes is a matter of personal preference – while some enthusiasts prefer the greater flexibility of movement provided by the low cut shoes, others feel more comfortable with the extra support for the feet and ankles provided by the mid cut shoes.
Although some beginners start practicing Zumba in regular running shoes and sneakers, they must know that the grip and traction of the running shoes is not suitable for the Zumba dances and moves, which require easier twisting of the feet and body.
It is a fact, that different people have different tastes and that some people find particular models more comfortable than others, but in general there are several features which you should be looking for when you go shopping.
The characteristics of the best Zumba shoes
COMFORT
The first main feature of the best shoes for Zumba is comfort, the same feature one look for in a pair of parkour or running shoes. Just as with any other sport or activity, it is very important that your feet feel comfortable during the intensive workouts, so that you can perform better, and in order to avoid soreness, blistering and other damage to the feet.
LIGHTNESS
The perfect pair for wearing while practicing Zumba must be lightweight in order to not further strain your feet and body, and to allow you ease of movements.But when looking for trainers which are lightweight, this doesn’t necessarily mean to choose footwear without enough stability. It is a good idea to choose a pair which has wider soles, to keep those feet and ankles safe while dancing, turning and jumping.
TOE BOX LARGE ENOUGH
Also, it is a good idea to pick a pair with larger toe boxes, in order to improve your dance moves by allowing your toes to stretch freely which training.
BREATHABILITY
Remember to always look for training footwear which offer better breathability, because the feet will become quite sweaty fast during the class, and you don’t want them to feel uncomfortable, get blistered or feel sore and slippery. This is why, it is important to pick a pair which will keep the feet comfortable and dry even during the most strenuous classes.
PIVOT POINT ensures easier twisting
You can look for training shoes which feature a pivot point on their soles for easier twisting on the carpeting of the gym, because this will keep the knees protected during the intensive dancing, jumping and turning exercises. Remember though that shoes with pivot points on their soles will be more slippery, and while they will be great for workouts on carpeting, they can be very slippery on polished floors. This is why you should choose your zumba sneakers in accordance to the location of your classes as well.
EXTRA CUSHIONING AND SUPPORT
If your classes are held on polished floors, then look for more of that extra cushioning and supportive shoes rather than the lightweight type of shoes suitable for carpets.
COLORFUL
Last but not least, if you have a choice, you should also choose a pair in the fun colors and designs you like, because Zumba is about fun and color.
Popular brands of Zumba shoes
In conclusion, when looking for the best shoes for Zumba, you should first take a look at the popular brands, and see the models they are offering, because many of them design shoes especially for Zumba.
Some of the popular names of producers of the best Zumba shoes include:
Bloch who is known as a professional dancewear producer and offers shiny and stunning shoes which fit perfectly and are great for dancing and Zumba; Capezio is another dance shoe maker, known for the comfortable shoes they make and the boxed toe designs; Ryka dance is a producer specializing in the making of fitness sneakers for women only; and Nike, who everyone knows, is a leader in the athletic gear industry. Unsurprisingly, Nike has created some great, lightweight and beautifully designed shoes which are suitable for Zumba classes. When looking at them, pay attention to their basketball shoes too – they make a great gift for your significant other
So, whichever pair you choose for wearing at your classes, remember that the goal is to have fun, feel great and keep that body in the best shape possible, but remember that the shoes are an important factor for all that to become possible. So choose wisely!
