I am just beginning to learn Ballroom but have a little problem. I cannot find any appropriate mens shoes that are non-leather.

I'm sure I'm not the first to look for synthetic shoes so I'm hoping someone out there will be able to help me with my little quest.

Any suggestions ?

By asking for synthetic...are you talking about the soles or the upper? For a good pair of dance shoes the soles should be suede or chrome leather, but the upper can be made of anything. There are several options, one of the popular ones right now is an upper made of lycra, you can also find canvas.

Supadance 800-888-5429, International 800-745-4758, Werner Kern 800-354-3101, Freed 800-433-5541, Dance Naturals 619-756-4819, Elegance 818-788-3216...these are just a few manufacturers that can send you a brochure of all styles and options!

Happy shoe hunting!
Larinda

I subsequently found that the Bleyer BoogieWoogie was part leather. However, the Patent Rock and Roll is indeed synthetic.

That said, I have ended up with a pair of
Stacy Adams Patent Concords. They are 100% synthetic and seem to slide o.k. for me. Then again I'm only a beginner maybe as I progress I'll need something better. However, as I'm not progressing very fast I think I'll be o.k. for some time to come

regards
Rob

The Bleyers might be a little too grippy for ballroom. On the other hand, it depends what you're looking for, and the type of floor you dance on.

Dear All,
Thanks for the all the replies. I have contacted both Supadance and Capezio directly and they both tell me that ALL of their shoes are leather based; even the canvas dansneakers

That said, I have discovered that the Bleyer Patent BoogieWoogie Swing shoe is indeed 100% synthetic.

The question I now have is, does anyone have any comment about the suitability of a swing shoe for Ballroom ? Anything I really need to look out for; remember I'm a beginner and don't have a lot of experience to draw on when choosing shoes.

best regards
Rob

Clarification on the "gym" or sneaker type shoes -- they're jazz shoes. I think Gamba makes a sneaker, and that's the brand that Royal Impressions carries. However, I've also seen them by Capezio, Bloch and Kaepa. Though most ballroom suppliers don't carry them, they're available from almost any store that supplies jazz/tap/ballet/modern stuff. I use Discount Dance Supply in California (www.discountdance.com). I have the Capezios, and use them occasionally for practice (as a lady who competes in three inch heels, I don't do a lot of practice in flat shoes, but they come in handy every so often). They would be very comfortable for social dancing, and might do OK for someone who is just starting out. They would at least work better for dancing than either dress shoes or regular sneakers.

Also, they *do* indeed make dancesneakers in non-leather materials. Capezio has a canvas sneaker and the Bloch ones are made of synthetic leather/neoprene.

Vanessa

Robw,
If you think the patent leather shoes being sold today for men are made out of leather, then I have a bridge to sell you. The suede soles and the inner soles are leather but the rest is strictly plastic. All you will have to do is remove these and you have a man-made product. Made from petroleum based products. Supadance has shoes for street and dance which have what looks like non-leather soles. Buy the simulated allegator and remove the inners.
Those gym shoe type dance shoes are actually ballet shoes.

I have seen a couple of instructors wear a black sneaker type dance shoes. It really looks like basketball sneakers, uppers and sole, and it is available only in a store that specializes ballroom dance shoes. They seem comfortable with it during "practice" but I've never seen them using it in showcase, studio socials, or competition. The name of the store is Royal Impressions and their tel. no. is (614)463-1080. I hope it suits your need.

Hi Larinda,
Actually I'm looking for completely non-leather shoes - uppers and soles. Herein
lies my problem

I appreciate that leather soles are better for dancing but I prefer not to wear leather.

thanks for replying
Rob

There are two things I wanted to mention on this topic. First, I believe that it's suede soles that are best for dancing, not leather. Second, I think it's going to be very difficult to find non-leather dance shoes because it's pretty standard to have either plain leather or patent leather shoes. You may be able to find them, but I think it will be a tough search. Good luck.

------------------
James Marshall
marshall@astro.umd.edu
http://www.astro.umd.edu/~marshall