There is nothing more energizing than the blood-gushing pivoting, turning, twists, and turns of aerobic dance. And let’s not forget the happiness of tiny victories every time you master a dance move.
However, the struggles of after-class blisters and muscle stiffness is also real. But what makes it better is your dance shoes. Unfortunately, I heard it isn’t easy to find the right ones. So me being me, I went on the mission to find them.
After monthly testing and torturing the shoes to bring out their best, here I am presenting you a list of the best aerobic dance shoes that can keep up with the fast pace of dance movements.
And no, you aren’t a weirdo for asking for good looks too.
So roll up your sleeves; this is going to be a long ride ahead!
Best Aerobic Dance Shoes
- Ryka Women’s Influence Cross Trainer – Best Overall
- ASICS Women’s Gel-fit Sana 3 Cross-Trainer Shoe – Best for Fit
- Reebok Women’s Nano X1 Cross Trainer – Best Versatile
- APL: Athletic Propulsion Labs Women’s Techloom Pro Sneakers – Best for Advanced Features
- Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 8 Marble Running Shoe – Best Budget Friendly
Comparison Table For Best Aerobic Dance shoes
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Aerobic Dance shoes Product Reviews
I tried lots of shoes. Lots of them.
And each of them holds its unique features with special experiences. Some uplifted my day and made it to my favorites and some made it hard to go through each minute.
So here I’ve compiled my list of the top 5 best aerobic dance shoes that did wonders for me and the little grey area that you need to know to buy grabbing your own pair of dance sneakers.
1. Ryka Women’s Influence Cross Trainer – Best Overall
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Unlike your regular brands, Ryka is known for designing shoes specifically for women. Instead of sizing it down to fit a woman’s feet, Ryka goes the extra mile to meet your physical requirements. In fact, all of the brand’s design efforts lead to researching what women need to dance effortlessly in their shoes.
For starters, the distance and shape of women’s hips and knees are significant to men’s—and Ryka excels at bridging that.
All of their shoes have slighter narrower heels and broader forefoot to cater to women-specific curves.
That’s not it; the unique soles come with pivot points to help you swivel around and move without putting your delicate feet in danger. I personally liked the padded collar and advanced traction sole, which keeps your feet firmly planted on the ground.
Features
- Robust rubber sole
- Low-top arch
- It has a lace-up closure
- Dual-density foam
- 100% Fabric
- Direct Fuse layers for additional support
- High impact N-Gage EVA energy return
Pros
- Rest assured to get slip-free sole during advanced dance moves
- It fits your feet like a glove
- Reduces after-class pain from the knees and calves
- Easy to hold the balance in them
- The shoes come with great flexibility
Cons
- Frequent outdoor wear and tear can lessen its support over time.
2. ASICS Women’s Gel-fit Sana 3 Cross-Trainer Shoe – Best for Fit
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I tried Asics Women’s Gel-Fit Sana 3 Cross-Trainer Shoe after reading the raving reviews by major dancing enthusiasts. And I have to say this; it actually offers one of the best fits I’ve ever tried.
The superb cushioning and padding make it easier to move around on the studio floor without worrying about getting blisters whatsoever.
Features a criss-cross pattern; the shoe definitely supports your foot’s natural movement. Ever felt that your shoes are too rough or perhaps too slippery to glide without falling?
This Asics understands.
Therefore the brand is perfect for anyone looking for a lightweight and supportive option to rock any dance class. As for the comfort, it was no less than dancing on fluffy clouds.
In fact, this is what you will see most people raving about.
From the MONO SHOCK construction to the customized dancing feature, the shoe is made to offer the ultimate comfort at all costs.
That’s not even the best part. The shoes come with a sock sleeve which allows you to hit the studio without making you fiddle around with your sock drawer at 8 in the morning.
The only thing that can put you off is its low arch support. Sure, it’s great for dancing your heart out, but it may not be the best choice for other high-intensity activities, especially for people with significant pronation on their feet.
Features
- Rubber sole
- Perfect fit
- Synthetic-and-mesh
- 10.7 x 7.3 x 4.5 inches
- Weighs 6.08 Ounces
Pros
- The shoe is well known for its perfect fit
- Highly lightweight to wear
- It comes with a round and roomy toe box
- Comfortable
Cons
- It doesn’t provide enough ankle and lateral support
- Lacks traction
3. Reebok Women’s Nano X1 Cross Trainer – Best for Versatility
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Being a notoriously good dancing sneaker, Reebok needs no introduction. Supposedly, Reebok Women’s Nano X1 Cross Trainer is meant to work as an all-around workout shoe, but many dancers can’t get enough of the countless benefits it offers to their dance training.
I have researched and tested many shoes before stumbling upon Reebok. During my dance practice, I noticed the shoe actually did an incredible job at keeping my feet in place. The roomy toe box is also slightly lifted from the ground. This helps you pivot around and have better balance throughout the dance.
Thanks to the enhanced Floatride Energy Foam cushioning, you can now crush all your dancing goals this year. Another thing this shoe is known for is its unique ability to transition into any kind of shoe. So be it a hectic cardio workout or heavy weightlifting, the shoes are undeniably your best choice.
Features
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Synthetic-and-mesh
- 11.4 x 7.7 x 4.6 inches
- Weighs 1.45 Pounds
Pros
- It comes with an incredibly attractive design
- Lightweight and roomy to wear
- It lasts longer than your average shoes
- Good for stability
- Prevents foot sliding
Cons
- The socks aren’t of high quality.
4. APL: Athletic Propulsion Labs Women’s Techloom Pro Sneakers – Best for Advanced Features
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The APL Athletic Propulsion Labs Women’s Techloom Pro Sneakers are always on the news for one thing or the other, But what really gained its unbeatable recognition is its unique athletic ability to boost your dance performance.
The edge? It does it more fashionably.
The LOAD ‘N Launch and Propelium Technology created by the brand makes it one of the most high-performing shoes you can ever find out there. If I had to summarise my experience with APL, it would be unique. You know you are pampering your feet with something more luxurious than your average footwear, from the innovative features to premium quality texture.
As for the performance, the shoe is roomy enough to let your feet breathe during intense footwork and offer excellent cushioning to complement your performance.
This way, you can stay committed to your regular dance practice and look effortlessly stylish once you walk out of the studio. However, bear in mind that the shoes are narrow. Therefore, you may need to size up a little to suit your feet.
Features
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Made up of Fused knit
- Rubber soles
- Lace-up
Pros
- Have a beautiful, luscious look
- It comes with no shoestrings to improve safety
- Highly comfortable
- It offers a wide array of colors
- Raving reviews on the web
Cons
- Expensive
- Has reliably less cushioning, which can increase leg stiffness
5. Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 8 Marble Running Shoe – Best Budget Friendly
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If you are tight on a budget and don’t want to compromise with the quality of your dance performance, Under Armour is your best bet to go. Although it is not built for traveling long distances, it does a fantastic job of perfecting your dance routine.
The shoe is excellent for someone prime to leg stiffness, injuries, and sore feet that can completely ruin your motivation for the next day. With the advanced cushioning of Under Armour, you can now rest assured to stay over the edge with all your dance moves without breaking your leg (literally).
If you look up the brand, they are quite concerned about getting breathability right in all of their shoes. And based on my test, it was indeed the most breathable shoes I’ve ever tried.
This makes it a breeze to enjoy your dance classes to the fullest without coming back home with stinky, sweaty feet. Another impressive thing about the shoe is its advanced tech features, a durable leather overlay, an EVA sock liner, rubber outsole, and improved insoles to support your movement.
Lastly, the shallow and deep flex grooves featured between the forefoot and midfoot kept me flexible throughout the dance class.
Features
- EVA sock liner
- Packed with breathable materials
- 3-color digital print
- Solid rubber outsole
- 12.91 x 8.39 x 4.8 inches
- Weighs 1.59 Pounds
Pros
- Comfortable for all-day wear
- Light-weight
- It easily covers high impact zones
- Versatile
Cons
- Lacks arch support
- Not meat for athletic activities
Advantages of Wearing Aerobic Dance Shoes
Now that you are aware of the best aerobic dance shoes available on the market. But with that comes a whole new set of questions like, “why do you have to buy a $$$ shoe when I already have a couple collecting dust in my shoe rack? “
According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, if you carry out a certain type of exercise or activity more than three times a week, you’ve got to buy the right shoe for it. Why? Starting anything new is not easy. But getting your hands on specialized shoes can not only prevent hours of dreading in excruciating foot pain but can also boost your motivation.
Absorbs Impact
Activities like cardio and especially dance require many high-impact aerobics movements, whereas walking and cycling are slightly kinder to your body. Unfortunately, this means you run the risk of increased heart disease and muscle soreness more intense than any other workout during the dance.
Therefore, it is essential to invest in your health and buy dance-specific shoes designed to alleviate any physical issues with HIIT workouts.
Foot Injuries and Shoes
If you have ever worn improper dance footwork to your studio, you must know how uncomfortable it can make your entire journey. But this thing doesn’t just end with being uncomfortable. In most cases, most ankle fit or traction can lead to severe foot injuries, which will leave you in regret for the rest of your life.
Better Cushioning
Unlike your regular sneakers, aerobic dance shoes allow you to dance without worrying about “sticking” your feet to the floor and possibly damaging your knee. They also come with better cushioning to help you wrap your foot around during complex dance movements and improve overall performance.
Things to Consider Before Buying Aerobic Dance Shoes
If you are still here, you are willing to take the (right) decision and invest in a good pair of shoes.
So before you dive in headfirst and grab the first shoe you see, there are a few things you need to consider.
Here’s a list of them. Don’t forget to add them to your checklist!
Size
When it comes to buying aerobic dance shoes, it’s best to size up a little than size down. This is because, during high-impact training, your feet will eventually move an inch forward. So you should be able to wiggle your toes. Among the list mentioned above, ASICS Women’s Gel-fit Sana 3 Cross-Trainer Shoe offers the best fit.
Flexibility
Flexibility makes up the most crucial part of your dance sneakers. Sure safety is important, but we all want something that wouldn’t restrict our dance movements as well. Therefore look for shoes that allow easy pivot and offer the right amount of support and flexibility you need. Here, Reebok Women’s Nano X1 Cross Trainer excels at being the most flexible out of the rest.
Arched Feet (Underpronation)
No two feet are the same. For example, a foot with a high arch doesn’t roll inward during high-impact workouts. Instead, your hips and knees take on the pressure. Thus, if you have under pronation, aim for shoes with more cushioning and arch.
Aerobic Dance Shoes: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I do an Aerobic dance barefoot?
A lesser-known fact about dance is that you can actually reduce many foot injuries by simply incorporating barefoot work into your routine. However, the only thing you need to take care of is overdrying your feet, which is caused by hectic wear and tear.
Do Zumba shoes need to be broken in at all?
Although breaking in your Zumba shoes isn’t required, it is still suggested. You can do this by wearing your shoes and taking a stroll to the nearest park, or simply do light dance moves before you go all-in with the movement.
Can you wear running shoes for aerobics?
I recommend you avoid wearing running shoes for aerobics. This is because running shoes are designed to enhance lateral support. It can make your ankles prone to injury during dance movements.
So, What’s Next?
If you ever wear aerobic dance shoes (good ones), you will never want to wear your regular ones ever again. Period.
Regardless of your experience level in dancing, it is necessary to thoroughly research, weigh all the pros and cons, and find the best bet. If you ask me, Ryka Women’s Influence Cross Trainer was the total show stealer with its excellent overall performance that improved my dancing experience.
The good part, if you aren’t happy with the purchase, Amazon offers exchange/refund policies to make it a low-risk purchase for you. But if you happen to be satisfied with your dance shoes, I promise you this; you won’t be sorry about your investment.
So which one are you planning to buy?
