Like ballet shoes, jazz shoes must fit accurately in order to serve the dancer properly. Jazz shoes should feel snug on the foot, similar to how a sock may feel. Over time, jazz shoes will naturally mold to the shape of the foot.
While the jazz shoes should feel firm on the feet, it is important to recognize if the shoes are too tight. If the shoe is hurting the side of your feet, that is a good indicator that the shoe is too narrow. If toes are bending, curling or overlapping when a jazz shoe is worn, that indicates the dancer needs to try a bigger size. While you should expect a dancer’s toes to squeeze together due to the design of a jazz shoe, all the toes should be able to rest flat on the ground.
If there is extra material in the shoe, especially near the toes, then the jazz shoe may be too large. Jazz shoes that are too large can cause uncomfortable rubbing on the feet. For more information on sizing and conversion charts, visit our BLOCH US size guide.
Jazz shoes should be durable without compromising comfort. We recommend that dancers visit one of our Bloch stores for a professional fitting by our highly trained staff to avoid potential injury caused by an ill-fitting shoe. Bloch store locations can be found on our store locator page. Our guide on What To Expect When You Visit a Bloch Store will ensure you’re completely prepared for your leap into the dance world.