best shoes for dancing hip hop

Maybe you went to an event, or perhaps you saw a video online of people performing cool dance moves. Maybe your friend showed you a cool move. So, naturally, now you want to learn how to dance hip hop. But the problem is you do not know where to start. Well, the very obvious first step would be finding a good place to practice the moves without feeling awkward. So after you a place to practice hip-hop which could be anywhere from your garage to even a dance studio, you need to get a nice pair of hip hop shoes! Choosing the right shoes for any type of dancing is quite essential, and when it comes to hip hop dancing, that is even more important! So what are the best shoes for dancing hip hop? Let’s find out!

What is Hip Hop Dance?

It is a unique form of street dancing, which is typically done with hip-hop songs and beats. But to understand what hip hop dance is, you need to understand what significance does hip hop holds in the first place. Hip-hop is not just a way of singing or dancing. It is rather a culture or way of life, originating from the minority communities in the USA, such as the black people and Latino peoples.

History of hip hop dance

It has taken the world by storm in later years, but it all began back to 1973. it was just another average summer day in the Bronx, New York. DJ Kool Herc, who is credited as the creator of hip-hop music, was playing around a whole new idea for his DJ gigs. He figured out that a specific part of his songs make people dance like crazy, which was primarily the drum beats. Then he added lots of stuff to it, and it eventually came to be known as hip hop. But these new types of party songs were meant for performing street dance with the whole community and thus born the hip-hop dance. It was known as break dancing at the beginning.

Unisex

Women’s Jazz Shoes Lace-up Sneakers

This Women’s Jazz Shoes Lace-up Sneakers from slow man is a unique piece of creation for all the hip-hop enthusiasts. Because though it is explicitly made for women, but surprisingly it works well for the males as well. Why should it not? This shoe is excellent for first-time dancers and even for seasoned veterans. It’s lightweight, breathable, and comfortable with its superb insoles. The sole is dense but surprisingly flexible too. So that makes this Jazz Shoes Lace-up Sneakers quite great for stomping, sliding, shoe trick, and all the other cool hip hop dance moves you can think of. It is very well suited for performing b-boying and krumping and one of the most versatile sneakers for hip hop dance

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Top Features

• Breathable materials
• affordable
• Rubber soles

Pros

• Great for performing various different types of dances
• Made with breathable materials to ensure no odor
• Good traction during the dance
• Provides a snug fit for better support

Cons

• It is not water

It is a great unisex model you can get for you and your partner to learn and do all sort of hip-hop dance move like a proper pair!

Women

Capezio Women’s DS11 Fierce Dansneaker

Women’s DS11 Fierce Dansneaker from Capezio might look bulky at first look, but they’re much lighter than they seem. It is a very lightweight dancing shoe, and you will feel very comfortable to wear around during your hip hop dance classes. It has a fantastic breathable mesh upper. The upper is going to give you excellent breathability and also provide you the great feel of keeping your feet protected as well. There is the interior with adequate cushioning in the footbed, which provides superior ankle support. IDS11 Fierce Dansneaker is designed with a sole split design, and the polyurethane outsole ensures excellent durability. It has built-in a flex point so you can feel where you’re lifting your feet.

Top features

• Padded tongue
• Removable footbed
• Polyester cotton laces

Pros

It is very lightweight

High quality and breathable upper

Excellent heel and ankle support

cons

A bit costly

Capezio Women’s DS11 Fierce Dansneaker has a thick sole and premium leather upper, which is perfect for anyone to glide, jook, turf, stomp, or hit a stick toe spin.

Adidas Originals Women’s Superstar Sneaker

Adidas Originals Women’s Superstar Sneaker is one of the most iconic sneakers out there, and it is one of the Best sneakers for hip hop dance you can ever try. It is an excellent alternative to the more cumbersome dance sneakers if you’re looking for something a little lighter. It is sturdy in construction and deceptively lightweight. But best of all, cushiony with a comfortable foam sole, making it a standout shoe for sliding, spinning, and staying on your toes. It is almost as if this shoe feels like you are wearing a feather because of how comfortable it is. the rubber sole of Adidas Originals Women’s Superstar Sneaker is quite durable, and the mesh lining in it ensures better breathability

Top features

Made with leather

Classic design

Includes mesh lining

Pros

Comes with rubber soles

Insoles are removable

Provides an excellent fit for women

Cons

A bit costly

Overall it is a comfortable women’s sneaker for dancing hip hop. If you like a classy touch to differentiate you in the dance, do get this one!

Adult Split-Sole Sneaker T8000

Adult Split-Sole Sneaker T8000 from Theatricals is an excellent dance sneaker for women, which is affordable and also quite comfortable as well. It has a leather upper combined with mesh, which ensures great breathability and better air circulation as well. It is designed to provide added stability around at the toe and around the cuff to increase balance during the dance moves. But best of all, it takes just a few minutes to get used to these dance sneakers. The laces are simplistic, yet they somehow make the shoe look better! The split sole design has a lot of cushioning, and it never feels unstable at any point of usage

Top features

Split sole design

Padded collars included

Leather made upper

Pros

Very affordable

Added stability

Provides support for Achilles

cons

The design is too plain.

Men

Capezio Canvas Dance Sneaker

Capezio Canvas Dance Sneaker is something you are never to regret purchasing. If you have to get some affordable but high-quality dance shoes, you can trust this split sole sneaker that is specifically made for dancing men. Once you try it, you will instantly see how easily they move on your heels. This canvas dance sneaker from Capezio is quite flexible and very soft as well. But the best thing about it is that even if it’s soaking wet inside of it, you’re not going to lose your stability! Also, you’re getting tons of support due to its excellent design. It provides added support to the ankle and also the knees as well. Capezio Canvas Dance Sneaker will help you feel better more confident as it can help you feel good about yourself

Top features

Available in two colors

Split sole design

The sole is synthetic

Pros

Very comfortable to wear

Provides support to ankle and knee

Affordable and lightweight

Cons

Plain and simple design

It is one of the most affordable hip hop dance shoes for man you can get out there. The design may be a bit plain for you, but considering the quality and support it provides, it is certainly worth a try.

Nike Men’s Air Force 1 Low Sneaker

Nike Men’s Air Force 1 Low Sneaker is one of the most popular sneakers from Nike, and they work quite well for hip hop dance as well. Even though they are not marketed as a hip hop dance shoe, there are quite a few reasons that make them one of the best street shoes for dancers. First of all, they are very comfortable as there’s a lot of padding on this. It has a pretty thick sole so these shoes but it is very comfortable as well. The padded collar and the laces in Nike Men’s Air Force 1 gives a better lockdown onto your feet. Best of all, you’ll have a better time shifting your weight from heel to toe with the extra lockdown. But make sure to stay light on your feet, and you’ll be feeling like the coolest person on the dance floor.

Top features

The sole is made off rubber

Classic design

Better padding

Pros

Excellent design

Great for anything from dancing to any athletic activities

Provides great support and stability

Cons

It can get dirty very easily along with the laces.

Kids-

Capezio Fierce DS11C Dance Sneaker

Are you looking for a great pair of hip hop dance shoes for your kid’s dance class? Simply get him/her another excellent dance shoe for Capezio, the Fierce DS11C Dance Sneaker. Why? Well, firstly, it is well designed for maximum toe flexibility, which is necessary for kids who are just picking the dance classes. This dance sneaker will ensure great lockdown around the feet and provide solid ankle support. It is versatile and can be used for a variety of different dance activities like hip hop, breakdance, or even Zumba! They’re comfortable to wear for the kids as it is lightweight. Capezio Fierce DS11C Dance Sneaker will feel quite comfortable on your kid’s foot, and they will be able to move around and even pivot quite comfortably. So it is quite great for hip hop dance when you need to twist and turn.

Top feature

Removable footbed

Padded collar

built-in flex points

Pros

Provides had a lot of good lateral support

Added stability around the ankles

Very lightweight

Con

Bit costly

STELLE Leather Jazz Slip-On Dance Shoes for Girls Boys Toddler Kid

This Leather Jazz Slip-On Dance Shoes from STELLE has all the top-quality features you want in dance shoes for your kid. Most importantly, you’ll love the cost, which is quite low for the quality it provides. It comes with a sleek, low-profile design with high-quality uppers that are soft and supple yet very durable. The flexible sole gives incredible freedom of movement complemented by a textured outsole. The outsole provides excellent traction without slowing you down. It will provide you with exceptional comfort that is typically reserved for higher-priced shoes most of the time. A super-absorbent cotton lining and foam padded insole give it a softer top line, and there are neoprene arch panels for added support.

Top features

Neoprene stretch arch insert

Synthetic sole

The split sole

Pros

It provides a snug fits for the kid’s feet.

No sweat dancing as it keeps the feet dry

Helps the kids to learn better balance

Cons

The lining can be a bit problematic.

This is a very comfortable and cost-effective Dance Shoes for kids you can get. It is made and designed for excellent balance for the kids who are picking up new dance moves.

What to look in a pair of hip hop shoes

When it comes to buying the best hip hop shoes, it can sometimes seem as tricky as buying something bigger like a bike!. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in these, and the smoothness of your movement depends almost entirely on it. So here a few things to look for in a pair of hip hop shoes

It should be well cushioned.

The well-cushioned shoe is excellent for absorbing impact, perfect for practicing or performing your dance moves every day. So do pick one that is well cushioned as it will help to keep you injury-free and in one piece.

It should be lightweight.

You want to pick some lightweight shoes for hip hop dancing because it will give you that edge during the dance. Because when performing delicate moves of hip-hop, carrying an extra 174 grams per foot can and will make a big difference.

Price

Although it does come down to what works for you and how much you want to spend, don’t make the mistake of trying to get something that is not up to the standard. Buying a good pair of hip hop shoes can sometimes seem like a significant investment. But if you get a cheap one and you find out toes are poking out, it is waste of money as well.

It should fit nicely.

You always want to make sure you have a gentle yet firm fitting. Especially make sure that it provides your heel has the right amount of arch support. Make sure the shoe is relatively soft to allow for elongation and expansion. It should also have the right amount of torque as well

Capezio Toddler/Little Kid Jr.Tyette N625C Tap Shoe

This tap dance shoe from Capezio is well-cushioned, so it feels good on your kid’s foot. There is something you might like about them that provides arch support as well. It is quite necessary when practicing tap dancing or just tapping. But best of all, it sounds pretty good. It is designed specifically to give round sound, which is a signature feature of Capezio tap shoes. There comes a synthetic sole here, and the teel creates a rounder sound, which is more like a bell ringing. This tap shoe fit around the entire toe quite well, and the micro-poly lining and print cotton sock lining is very comfortable.

Top features

Very Glossy

Removable ribbon tie

Padded footbed.

Pros

Very affordable

Provides a fuller and rounder tap sound

Available for toddlers as well

Cons

Cant be used outside.

FAQ

Why do you need specialized shoes for hip hop?

It will help you to get a much smoother and better movement during dancing and ensure better stability. As hip hop dancing requires utmost balance and acrobatic skills, not having a specialized shoe for hip-hop will only set you out for embarrassment.

How important is the shape of your feet for the right hip hop dance shoe?

It is important for the long term health of you and your feet. Because if you don’t know much about the shape of your feet and hence do not get the right feet, it will make you prone to developing problems like acute heel pain.

What clothes to wear for hip hop?

Although there is not a single head and fast rules about clothing for hip hop dance, you can generally wear anything a bit baggy.

Can you wear running shoes for hip hop dancing?

Well, you can use the running shoes for hip hop dance. But the problem is if it does

not have enough traction and arch support to support you during dancing, then it can seriously compromise your stability.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for your next dance shoes, do consider getting one from our list of best shoes for dancing hip hop. We have chosen them keeping a few things in mind, which are the support, style, affordability these shoes provide. We also considered whether they are suitable for dancing or not. You can go for other shoes, but do keep in mind that choosing the wrong shoe for dancing will only make your or your kid suffer as you are likely to see your feet swell.