Pair of Very Fine Dante men's ballroom dance shoes

As someone who fell in love with ballroom dance back in 2023, especially the smooth styles, having the right shoe can be the difference between a safe and enjoyable dance, and potentially hurting yourself on the dance floor. The Very Fine Dante Ballroom Dance Shoe is a staple shoe in the ballroom dance community for a reason; it’s comfortable, stable, and features a classic look.

What Very Fine Says About Their Shoes

Very Fine is known for producing reliable shoes, boasting that each pair is hand made. The Dante model is designed specifically for men for smooth styles. These shoes features the following standard characteristics.

  • Leather Upper Shoe: The Dante uses leather to balance wearability and durability.
  • Memory Foam Insole: The insole is made of memory foam, perfect for long days on the competition floor or at a dance-a-thon.
  • One Inch Heel: Featuring a standard one inch heel height for smooth dancing, this shoe provides a wide enough heel to settle your weight into for powerful heel leads and heel turns.
  • Arch Support: A built-in shank between the heel and the ball of the foot provides additional support for the arch of your foot.
  • Double Layer of Suede Soles: The suede bottom is the perfect material for the shoe to grip the floor when not matted, but still smooth enough for graceful glides across the floor. A double layer of suede under the ball of the foot offers the same grip and glide of a single layer, but with more cushioning for comfort.

Overall, the Dante has all the features a ballroom shoes should, while prioritizing comfort and stability.

What Dancers Say

Comfort (5/5)

Very Fine’s priorities for comfort and stability are appreciated by many dancers. Many reviews and reports comment specifically on the comfortability of these shoes. The memory foam insoles and the double-layered suede are the stars of the show for this shoe.

Support (5/5)

Dancers also report that the stability of the shoe is more than adequate. Both the one inch heel and the shank between the heel and ball of the foot lend to the overall stability of the shoe. During a powerful heel lead or swift heel turn, the shoe will hold up well.

Sizing (4/5)

Many dancers report that the sizing of this shoe tends to run a bit large. Additionally, the closure’s design is a double-edge sword when it comes to sizing. Since the edges sit flush to each other, there’s very little room to further tighten your shoes by pulling the laces tighter. Because the leather will naturally stretch over time, there’s not much you can do to keep the upper parts of the shoe from becoming too loose. When considering your purchase, you may want to go down a half or full size.

Sizing Tip: If you are between sizes, choose the smaller side. Your dance shoes may feel snug at first, but once the leather stretches around your foot, your shoes will fit much better.

Longevity (4/5)

The other edge of the closure’s design is that because the edges sit flush to each other, there is less strain on the leather when tightening your laces. This slows down how long it takes for the leather to stretch. However, when the leather does inevitably stretch, there is little you can do further tighten your shoes.

Style (4/5)

The Dante shoes are a classic for a reason. They feature a solid design that matches with most costumes and outfits. While they won’t stand out in a crowd, dancers appreciate that these shoes take some of the stress of choosing the right style out of their decision-making process.

Final Verdict

The Very Fine Dante Ballroom Dance Shoe is a solid choice for beginners who are looking for comfort and stability without worrying about being the most stylish on the dance floor. As long as you pick the right size, these shoes can last you until you’re no longer a beginner. Even then, you may find yourself coming back to these shoes time and time again.

The left shoe of a Very Fine Dante men's ballroom dance shoes

Are you ready to slip into Very Fine’s Dante Men’s Ballroom Dance Shoe? Pick them up over on Amazon, where some sizes can be found for less than Very Fine’s own website.

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