When selecting footwear for swing dancing, it is important that the shoes be comfortable enough to dance in all night long, that they be secure on your foot and protect your joints from damage and, of course, we want them to look stylish too.

Rubber soles, or any sole that will grip the floor, risks damage to your ankle and knee joints. Friction between you and the floor prevents your body rotating freely and puts pressure on your ankle and knee joints. Therefore most types of sports and athletic shoes are completely unsuitable for dancing.

Some hard plastic soles are suitable for dancing, but in time you may prefer to invest in a good pair of suede or leather-soled shoes.

Leather soles can be slippery, so it's tricky to get used to dancing in them at first. But they will force you to improve your balance and overall dancing skills, and they are generally the preferred choice of experienced dancers.

Suede is another option that isn't quite as slippery, but they are high maintenance. Suede is ideal on very "fast" floors e.g. on clean wooden ballroom floors or in dance studios. However, if you are more likely to be dancing in venues like bars or clubs, or places where drink is served, you will find that suede soles pick up all sorts of unpleasant residue from the floor and they will require regular cleaning using a stiff wire brush. You should avoid getting your suede-soled shoes wet, so change your shoes only after you arrive at the dance venue. Most dancers will do this anyway as dance shoes tend not to be as hard-wearing as regular street shoes.

A flat or low-heeled shoe is ideal for Lindy Hop; for Balboa, a mid-height heel is definitely preferable. Men will find that a leather-soled dress shoe will be ideal for both dances. Women may prefer a slightly higher (2-3") heel for dancing Balboa, but a modest-height heel of e.g. 1-2" would be a good compromise as an all-around dance shoe.

Here are some suggestions based on our own personal experiences ...

FOR THE DABBLER

When you are just starting out, any comfortable shoe that doesn't grip the floor will be just fine. Many people opt for the canvas sneakers with hard plastic soles that you can buy for a couple of euros in department stores such as Penneys or Dunnes. Experienced dancers who want to avoid damaging more expensive dance shoes may also choose these for dancing in less conventional venues, such as bars with poor-quality flooring, or when dancing outdoors.

FOR THE ENTHUSIAST

When you're ready to invest in a dedicated pair of dance shoes, there are many options available. You may be lucky enough to spot a suitable pair of shoes with a non-grip sole in one of the high-street stores. If the shoes you like have a rubber sole, some people opt to take them to a cobbler to have suede soles attached, or they buy the suede and do the job themselves. However, in our experience, it's better to buy a pair of shoes designed specifically for dancing because they tend to be more durable longer-term. 

Aris Allen shoes are a popular brand with dancers because they offer good value for money. They have a wide range of men's and ladies' styles, flat-soled and heeled shoes, casual and dressy, and with both suede and leather soles. If you require wider-fitting shoes, DanceJoy have some good options (but they offer both rubber-soled and suede-soled versions, so make sure you order the correct one!). For ladies, the character shoes by So Dança or Danschuz are a good all-round style that is suitable for both Lindy Bop and Balboa. These are available in Galway at Flanagan's Footwear in the Eyre Square Centre (downstairs beside the escalator near the car park). You may also find some genuine vintage shoes in great condition, and these are often ideal for dancing.

FOR THE FANATIC

You've decided that swing dancing is now an integral part of your life and/or you've become drawn in by swing-era fashion and consider a good pair of shoes an investment. 

Remix are the brand of choice with many swing dancers for both their build-quality and comfort, as well as their authentic vintage styling in both gents' and ladies' shoes. To avoid paying for shipping from the USA, you could order from the London-based store, Revival Retro. Stacy Adams is another brand that is popular with the menfolk, although almost any good-quality, leather-soled dress shoe is likely to be ideal. For Balboa, ladies may find that some ballroom or tango shoes (the ones with more sturdy heels rather than the spikey ones!) offer good options in terms of both style and comfort. You can also choose from a readymade selection or order customised dance shoes at Disc'n'roll.