Different styles of dance require different shoes, such as tap shoes for tap dancing and pointe shoes for ballet. Jazz shoes come in various styles and materials, with good arch support and flexibility being important. Wetting the soles can help with slipperiness.
Dancers wear shoes designed to support their feet and allow them to perform the movements used in a particular style of dance. Although modern dance is often performed barefoot, tap dancers wear tap shoes with special sound-enhancing plates, ballet dancers wear pointe shoes so they can stand on the balls of their feet, and jazz dancers they wear jazz shoes.
There are many types of jazz shoes available, and they can be made of leather or canvas. Leather shoes last longer, but canvas shoes tend to be cheaper. The soles are usually made of leather, although some styles have rubber pads on the toe and heel or a hardened toe cap for brief toe-off elevations. Split soles are especially flexible. They have a small heel, unlike ballet shoes. Traditional jazz shoes are closed with laces that can be tightened for a snug fit, but slip-on types are available. Some have a flex panel built into the side of the shoe, offering greater flexibility for the dancer.
There are many styles of jazz shoes: the jazz sandal, the jazz boot, the jazz sneaker, etc. The color is usually black or tan. Costume performances may require a particular shoe style or add decoration to the shoe.
As with all dance shoes, fit is important in these shoes. Make sure the shoes have good arch support and feel light and springy on your feet. Check to make sure it is possible to bend and flex your feet. Try doing a few laps before buying new ones.
Beginning dancers should check with their teacher before purchasing jazz shoes, as many teachers prefer a specific type. Street shoes should not be worn on a dance floor, and dance shoes should not be worn in the street, as they could drag on the sand making the floor unsafe.
The new jazz shoes are sometimes too slippery. Dancers solve the problem by wetting the soles before dancing. Most dancers use water, but some prefer soft drinks. Some dancers spray the soles of the shoes with hairspray, but while that gives an immediately sticky surface, it makes the soles even more slippery later.
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