How does one measure the heel height of dance shoes?

Many European dance shoe manufacturers – including well-known brands – only measure the actual heel part. As a rule, the heel tips and the insole are not included in the labelled heel height.

This means: A heel labelled as 6cm may be slightly higher in total height. The labelled heel height is primarily intended for comparison within the same brand.

It is therefore not worth directly comparing the centimetre measurements given by different manufacturers.

Why do two pairs of 7cm dance shoes feel different?

The actual strain on the foot depends not only on the measured height, but also on:

• the shape of the heel (flared or slim)
  
  
• the construction of the shoe
  
  
• the flexibility of the sole
  
  
• the manufacturer’s last shape
  
  
• the position of the heel beneath the foot

A well-designed dance shoe with a 7cm heel can therefore feel significantly more comfortable than an ordinary street shoe of the same height.

What is the correct heel height?

The following heel heights are recommended as a guide:

Our advice

The right heel height is always a personal choice. Height, foot shape, balance, dance experience and personal comfort play a much greater role than the sheer number of centimetres.

That’s why we at Veryfine Switzerland are happy to offer you personalised advice. At our shop in Zurich, you can compare different heel heights side by side and find out which height suits your dancing style and your feet best.

After all, the best dancing shoe isn’t the one with the highest heel – it’s the one in which you feel confident, elegant and comfortable for hours on end.