Shoe FAQ Shoe FAQ 1. The shoes worn in ballrooms are different from the shoes you are used to wearing. The most important difference is in the sole.
Most shoes have a rubber or sometimes leather sole.
Ballroom shoes have a thin suede sole. The thinness allows the dancer to have a more direct contact, and therefore, better feel of, the floor. The suede allows the dancers to both glide freely and yet retain some grip on wooden ballroom floors. The other main difference is in men's shoes. Unlike regular dress shoes, ballroom shoes tend to be more flexible, allowing the foot to bend more easily.