Shuffle is a unique type of dance that first appeared in the 80s in Australia. It combines several styles at once, and its distinguishing feature is the movements that imitate the “shuffling” of the feet. Most often, dancers perform in comfortable sneakers equipped with neon LED lights. Although the latter is not a mandatory feature, comfort should be given special attention. So, here are the main qualities that the best shoes for shuffling have.
1. Flat Soles
Many street styles call for specific dance shoes. For some, even the presence of high heels is a must. Shuffle is the complete opposite. The flatter the soles of your sneakers and trainers, the better. Leave footwear with curly soles for other styles (like hip-hop). To make perfect glides and slides and be able to spin in one place without difficulty, you need maximum contact with the floor surface.
2. Durability
Compared to many other dance styles, shuffling looks relatively relaxed (at first glance). Despite it, you definitely want to have a pair of reliable and durable shoes to be ready for any, even the most difficult, foot movements. Dance sneakers can be made of:
- leather;
- canvas/cotton;
- PU leather.
Buy leather products whenever possible, as they are the most durable yet require little maintenance. It is good if your trainers are equipped with a padded toe; thanks to this feature, you will not experience unnecessary stress when rotating or standing on your toes.
3. Foot Support
Any dance movement is a serious burden on your legs. You should not allow your favorite activity to turn into torment due to improperly selected footwear. That is why you need to make sure that the shoes you buy have sufficient cushioning, provide arch support, and fix your ankles. Athletic shoes have all these properties. If they also have perfectly flat soles, then you can safely buy them for shuffling. You will surely be comfortable while protecting your feet and knees from injury due to severe vibrations.
4. Lacing
All professional dancers agree that slip-on trainers are absolutely not suitable for active dance styles. If you are considering shuffling shoes, always opt for those with lacing. It allows you to tighten the shoes just enough so that they fit snugly around the foot. This way, you reduce the risk of twisting your legs. If you have wide feet, you can add some volume with laces. And in general, lacing allows you to adjust the shoes as they wear out, which cannot be done with slip-on sneakers.
5. LED Lighting
It is far from the essential item that you need to consider when looking for the right shoes for shuffling. But you want to look stylish, right? A neon tape around the soles perfectly complements your outfit and attracts viewers’ attention. Moreover, such detail has already become a distinctive feature of this dance direction. Thanks to it, watching dancers in low light is even more exciting. And if you’re planning a group performance, you can use neon lights to emphasize your synchronized dance in absolute darkness.
Light up Dance Floor With LED Sneakers
Style and design play an essential role in street dancing. Shuffle is associated with clubs, nightlife, and neon lighting. Pick up sneakers that match the overall vibe of the event to fit into the crowd. Although this style has specific trends, nothing prevents you from dancing in any comfortable sneakers with appropriate soles. Get the right size and make sure the shoe is flexible enough so that you can easily perform all the moves, twists, and slides.
How do you feel about shuffling? What sneakers do you dance in? If you have a favorite model you can recommend to readers, tell them about it in the comments!