Pair of Very Fine Dancesport Zephy men's ballroom shoes

One of my favorite pairs of shoes right now is a two-tone, black and white design, similar to the Zephyrs. They’ve lasted me about a year at this point and still going strong. After a year, the leather has stretched, but that isn’t a problem at all because the open-lace design allows me to cinch the shoe tighter, more than compensating for the stretch. The white exterior has become scuffed and dirty, which is unavoidable with white shoes. These are all features that the Zephyrs share and should be taken into account when making a purchase. In this review, you’ll learn what makes the Zephyrs so great, and the areas they could improve.

What Very Fine Says About the Zephyr

  • Suede Sole: This suede sole gives you the right mix of grip and slide on wood floors.
  • Leather Inside: The lining uses real leather to give your feet a smooth feel while you dance.
  • Arch Support: A built-in shank adds balance to provide arch support.
  • Cushioned Padding: Extra built-in pads protect your feet from hard wear and shock.
  • One-Inch Heel: The low heel keeps your balance safe and steady.
  • Man-Made Upper: The outside features a black and white look made from micro fiber.

Manufactoruer claims about the Very Fine Dancesport Zephy men's ballroom shoes

What Dancers Say

Comfort (3/5)

The thin insole padding flattens down fast during the first few weeks of wear. The real leather inside molds to the shape of your foot over time. However, the micro-fiber outer layer limits how much the upper can stretch. The thin insole is a clear area for improvement; a thicker foam pad would provide additional comfort during long dance sessions.

Support (4/5)

The built-in shank sits between the heel and toe to give solid arch support. The wide one inch heel keeps your weight steady during fast turns and heel leads. While the side walls feel thin, the open laces keep your feet locked in. A thicker side wall provides more support for the sides of your shoe.

Sizing (4/5)

These shoes fit true to length but run a bit wide. The good news is the open-lace design lets you pull the sides tight for a better fit. This is especially important when the uppers stretch.

Pro Tip: Learn how the different closures help with sizing and longevity in our guide to dance shoe closures.

Longevity (4/5)

The inner leather layer will stretch as you use the shoes. Even then, you can use the open laces to tighten the fit and fix the slack. The suede sole will eventually wear thin, but can easily be replaced.

Style (4.5/5)

The high-contrast black and white look creates a classic vintage style. Perforations along the seams add a clean visual texture to the panels. While the white panels scuff easily, the design stands out on the competition floor.

Final Verdict

Right shoe of a pair of Very Fine Dancesport Zephy men's ballroom shoes

The Zephyr is a good shoe overall. It’s adequate for long periods of dance, though your feet may become sore given the thin cushioning of the insole. It may be worth sizing your shoes up and inserting your own insole. The open lace design is more than adequate to accomodate wide feet and off-the-shelf insoles. This same closure design will ensure that you can continue to tighten these shoes well after the break-in period and the leather stretches. The two-tone design is classy and will make you stand out on the floor. Over time, though, the micro-fiber exterior will become scuffed and dirty. At this point, these shoes can transition into a great practice shoe that will last you a very long time.

Are you ready to turn heads on the floor? Find the Very Fine Zephyr on Amazon.

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