What Are The Best Shoes For Zumba?

If are you struggling with your zumba class due to knee and ankle pain whenever you do those zumba dance workouts, then, most probably, you are not wearing good shoes for zumba.

Zumba participants do a lot of jumping and run the risk of rolling their ankles.

On the one hand, wearing regular sneakers or training shoes for zumba may not be the safest choice for cardio fitness class such as zumba and, on the other hand, dance shoes are also not the right shoes for zumba because they are unstable and can cause foot and knee pain.

So, what are the best shoes for zumba then? Let´s see the most important criteria on choosing zumba shoes.

How to Choose Zumba Shoes

If you don´t know what type of shoe to buy for your zumba class and struggling to understand what the differences of dance fitness shoes versus running shoes versus cross training shoes are, here are the most important tips and criteria to help you choose the right shoes for zumba.

Many people think that dance shoes are good for zumba because they are smooth underneath so they can move and jump around more easily but dance shoes are not stable and supportive enough, and therefore they can cause heel, foot and even hip and back pain.

So, what you need is a high impact shoe that has little friction underneath so you can pivot and not put excessive stress on your ankles and hips but at the same time be stable enough and fairly firm on the heel so it prevents your ankle from rolling and your foot does not twist too easily.

Normal cross training type of shoes or athletic shoes normally have too much catch on the bottom and you may have difficulty in pivoting, which can cause problems to your knees, heels and hips. Nevertheless, today there are athletic shoes that have a flatter less rubber traction bottom, so it all depends on the shoe.

The right shoe for zumba must also have a lot of support and cushioning. If you have picked a shoe that is suitable for zumba but does not have enough cushioning, you can buy a good quality orthotic insert to add to it, which is something that a lot of zumba teachers do to their zumba shoes. That way, you will have all the support you need when bouncing around on the dance floor and prevent pain.

Another feature of good zumba shoes is that they are bendable and lightweight so it is easier for you to perform all zumba dance workouts comfortably and easily.

In addition, as feet swell during zumba, you may want to order half size bigger than normal. The shoes should also be made of good quality breathable materials that keep your feet dry and free of unpleasant odor. Of course, they should feel good individually on your own feet and be very comfortable.

After looking at the most important criteria to choose suitable shoes for zumba classes, let´s have a look now at some of the best shoes for zumba for men and women reviews.

Zumba Shoes For Women Reviews

Ryka Women’s Influence Cross Training Shoe

This brand offers some nice high impact studio shoes that are great for zumba. Ryka Influence cross training shoe for women is a very comfortable high impact shoe with a pivot point and it has a relatively flat and smooth bottom that is great for zumba. It is also very durable and lightweight.

Users review that this shoe is perfect for zumba as well as dance aerobics because it helps them do high impact moves such as kicks and jumps more easily and without any knee or other type of pain. It fits perfect and has a lot of room for the toes while also feeling comfortable on heel.

In addition, these shoes are very stable, which prevents accidentally rolling your foot. Finally, they have a great style and come in some great bright colours that look energetic.

Ryka Women’s Vida RZX Cross-Training Shoe

This is another high performance shoe for women offered by Ryka which has some characteristics that make it perfect for zumba.

Ryka Vida RZX cross training shoe features an anatomical footbed that is precision return and cushioned. This light footwear is supportive, stable and flexible. The pivot point on the bottom helps you transit from one move to another easily and the shoe does not slip even on humid wooden floors.

Users love this footwear for zumba because it is nicely padded, very comfortable, durable and good quality. It has strong support, great structure and fit. It does not mark up the floor or make any squeaky noises. Finally, it is stylish and people with high arches do also recommend it.

Zumba Women’s Fly Fusion Athletic Dance Workout Sneakers

This zumba women´s workout sneaker is a shock absorbing and supportive footwear that is specifically designed for zumba.

It has a flexible fit and features a breathable mesh, a compressed eva midsole with lightweight cushioning and a z-slide that makes it easier for you to slide nicely on any surface.

Users review that these lightweight zumba shoes let them pivot well and glide, preventing any slipping as well as knee pain or injury.

They also feel very comfortable and the cushioning is great as well. Besides, they are durable and smooth but few users have found that the arch support was not adequate for them.

Zumba Shoes For Men Reviews

Compared to women’s shoes, there are not many options of men’s shoes that are made specifically for zumba or any other dance aerobic workouts, so you need to check independently the features of training shoes for men in order to decide whether they are good for zumba as well.

We have done the hard work for you and here are two of the best zumba shoes for men:

Nike Men’s Free-RN Flyknit 2017 Running Shoe

Nike Free-RN Flyknit 2017 running shoe for men has a foot hugging fit and features an incredibly flexible sole that expands and contracts with every push-off and landing for a natural feel when you exercise.

There is also a breathable top and the Flywore cables combined with the laces makes these shoes more stable. This lightweight footwear is supportive for the toes while on the outside it feels stretchy. The interior is smooth while the heel is rounded.

All of the above characteristics make this product for men a good choice for zumba workouts.

Champion Men’s Gusto Cross Trainer

These Champion men´s trainers have some features that make them a good option for zumba classes. First, they are lightweight and have a padded memory foam insole. They are breathable and feature soft lining, a padded collar and a non-marking bottom.

Users find them super lightweight, breathable, comfortable, well made and stylish. The memory foam feels great and they are very soft on the inside. They also fit well and they are cheap although they look more expensive than their cost.

According to some users, they may not be durable enough if you are planning to do a lot of physical exercise wearing them. In addition, they are supportive but for high impact workouts, you will probably need orthotic inserts. Finally, they may be a bit slippery on wet surfaces.

All in all, finding the best shoes for zumba is a must if you want to enjoy your zumba sessions free of pain and injuries as well as improve your zumba dance performance.