Quick answer: For a dance competition, women wear closed-toe ballroom shoes for Standard and Smooth and open-toe Latin sandals for Latin and Rhythm, usually in flesh or tan satin, often with rhinestones. Pick a heel you can control through every round, break the shoes in for two to three weeks before the event, and never wear a brand-new pair on competition day.
This guide covers what competition dance shoes look like for each style, which heel height suits your level, how to match rhinestones and colour to your dress and skin tone, and what to pack in your shoe bag. You can browse our rhinestone dance shoes while you read.
What are dance competition shoes?
Competition shoes are the pair you save for the floor. They follow the same construction as any good ballroom or Latin shoe, with a suede sole, a flexible arch and a secure strap, but the upper is dressier: satin instead of leather or canvas, and often a layer of crystals. Satin photographs well and matches costumes, but it marks easily, which is why most dancers keep a second, plainer pair for lessons.
The main rule is simple. Closed toe means ballroom. Open toe means Latin. Judges expect to see that split, and the shoe design supports the technique of each style.
Practice shoes vs competition shoes
| Practice shoes | Competition shoes | |
|---|---|---|
| Upper | Leather, canvas, mesh | Satin, glitter, rhinestones |
| Heel | Lower, often Cuban | Your full performance height |
| When to wear | Lessons, long practice | Final rehearsals and the event |
| Lifespan | Worn hard, replaced often | Kept clean for the floor |
If you are still choosing a training pair, read our ballroom practice shoes guide.
Ballroom competition shoes (Standard and Smooth)
For Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep, women compete in closed-toe court shoes with an ankle strap or crossed straps. The closed toe protects the foot during heel leads and travelling figures, and a slightly lower, sturdier heel helps with rise and fall. Men wear black lace-up shoes with a low ballroom heel, usually patent leather for competition.
Browse our ballroom competition shoes for closed-toe styles in nude, tan, black and colours. A popular pick is a closed-toe shoe with a small panel of stones on the toe, which catches the light during sways without looking like stage wear.
Latin competition shoes (Latin and Rhythm)
For Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive, women wear open-toe sandals with a flared heel, a thin sole and straps that hold the foot over the ball. The open toe lets you point through the foot and grip the floor on Cuban motion. Rhythm dancers in American style follow the same pattern.
Look for a T-strap or crossed straps that stay put when you spin, and a heel you can stay on the balls of your feet in for a full round. Our Latin competition shoes come in seven heel heights, so you can match the shoe to your training heel. For more on Latin styles, see best Latin dance shoes.
What heel height should you compete in?
There is no single competition heel height. Wear the highest heel you can fully control in your fastest dance, and compete in the same height you train in. These are typical ranges, not rules:
| Dancer | Ballroom heel | Latin heel |
|---|---|---|
| Newcomer, bronze women | 2" to 2.5" | 2" to 2.5" |
| Silver, gold women | 2.5" | 2.5" to 3" |
| Open and pro women | 2.5" to 3" | 3" to 3.5" |
| Men | About 1" | About 1.5" |
Juvenile and junior categories often limit heel shapes, heights and costume decoration, and the limits vary by organisation. Check the current rulebook for your event (WDSF, NDCA or USA Dance) and ask your coach before buying. Our dance shoe heel heights guide explains each height in detail.
Rhinestone dance shoes: colour and sparkle
Most competitors choose a flesh, nude or tan shoe that is close to their skin or to their competition tan. It makes the leg look longer because the line runs unbroken to the floor. Coloured and black shoes are used too, mainly to match a dress.
| Your costume | Shoe colour that usually works |
|---|---|
| Any colour, fake tan | Tan or dark tan satin |
| Light skin, no tan | Flesh or nude satin |
| Black or dark dress | Black satin, or tan for a longer line |
| Bright single colour | Tan, or a matching coloured satin |
| Silver or gold stones on the dress | Silver or gold glitter, or rhinestone tan |
Rhinestones are common on adult competition shoes. Keep the sparkle in proportion to the dress: a heavily stoned Latin dress pairs well with a fully stoned sandal, while a simpler ballroom gown looks better with stones on the toe or straps only. Pair your shoes with our ballroom competition dresses or Latin competition dresses, and read our ballroom competition dress guide for colour advice.
When should you get new competition shoes?
- Four to six weeks out: order, so there is time to exchange a size or heel.
- Two to three weeks out: wear them for part of each lesson, then a full practice.
- The final week: one full run-through of every dance in the shoes and the dress.
- Competition day: wear the pair you broke in, not one fresh from the box.
Satin stretches a little, so the shoe should feel snug but not painful. Your heel should not lift out of the back when you rise.
Our picks for competition shoes
- Nude Rhinestone Pearls Closed Toe Ballroom Shoes: nude satin with crystals and pearls and crossed ankle straps, heel from 1.5" Cuban to 4".
- Tan Rhinestone Closed Toe Ballroom Shoes: tan satin with a stone-set mesh panel and a single ankle strap.
- Dark Purple Rhinestone Closed Toe Ballroom Shoes: starburst stones on the toe, a good second pair once you own a neutral.
- Flesh Satin Rhinestone T-Strap Latin Shoes: looped T-strap with stones up the centre of the foot and a studded flared heel.
- Dark Tan Rhinestone Latin Shoes: stone-lined straps across the toe and a fully covered flared heel.
- Black Rhinestone Peep Toe Latin Shoes: black stones over the whole upper with crossed ankle straps.
- Silver Rhinestone Samba Platform Shoes: glitter and crystals on a platform for samba shows, in 3" to 4" heels.
All of them have suede soles and padded insoles, and the satin styles come in seven heel heights. TTdancewear is Amazon's Choice with a money-back guarantee since 2012.
What customers say
"True to size, comfortable toe box, perfect for my medium wide feet, I performed in them the same night of the day I received them, and I did not have to brake them in, they were comfortable since the get go, heel very stable, and perfect height." — Sandra U., verified buyer of Silver Rhinestone Samba Platform Dance Shoes
"Love these shoes because they are comfortable from the moment i put them on." — Anonymous, verified buyer of Closed Toe Ballroom Dance Shoes Nude Rhinestone Pearls Waltz Shoes
"The shoes are beautiful and more importantly, very comfortable! The fast clip is genious and very convenient to put on and off." — Anonymous, verified buyer of Flesh Satin Rhinestone Pearls Ballroom Latin Salsa Dance Shoes
What to pack in your competition shoe bag
- A spare pair: a broken strap between rounds is common. If you dance both styles, pack both pairs.
- A wire sole brush: brush the suede between rounds so the nap grips evenly.
- Spare stones and glue: crystals can loosen on a long day.
- Heel protectors: for walking through the venue, removed before you dance.
- Tape and plasters: for hot spots on the toes and heels.
- A shoe bag: keep suede soles off car parks and hallways.
For the rest of your kit, see what to wear to your first ballroom competition, and our guide to cleaning dance shoes for aftercare.
FAQ
What shoes do you wear for a ballroom competition?
Women wear closed-toe ballroom shoes, usually flesh or tan satin with a 2" to 3" heel. Men wear black lace-up ballroom shoes with a heel of about 1 inch.
What shoes do you wear for a Latin competition?
Women wear open-toe Latin sandals with a flared heel, often 2.5" to 3.5". Men wear Latin shoes with a heel of about 1.5 inches.
Can you wear rhinestone dance shoes in competition?
Yes, at most adult events. Youth and some beginner categories can restrict costume decoration, so check the rulebook for your division first.
What colour dance shoes are best for competition?
Flesh, nude or tan, matched to your skin or your competition tan. It lengthens the leg line and works with any dress colour.
How long does it take to break in competition shoes?
Plan on two to three weeks of short sessions, then at least one full run-through before the event.
Can you use the same shoes for ballroom and Latin competitions?
Not for serious competition. Ballroom technique needs a closed toe and Latin technique needs an open toe and a higher heel, so most dancers who enter both styles own one pair of each. Read Latin vs ballroom dance shoes for the full comparison.