The salsa world is enormous. Millions of people dance it worldwide, from New York to Lagos to Amsterdam to Buenos Aires. And yet when it comes to shoes, there's still so much confusion about what actually works on the salsa dance floor. Let us clear it up.

Sole First, Always

The most important feature of a salsa dance shoe is the sole. You need a sole that lets you spin freely but doesn't send you skidding. Brushed leather soles are the gold standard - they give that perfect combination of slide and grip that makes pirouettes feel effortless and walking feel controlled. Suede soles are another excellent option. What you do not want: rubber soles that grab the floor and kill your spins, or slippery plastic soles that give you zero control.

Open or Closed Toe?

Personal preference plays a role here, but open-toe designs are enormously popular in the salsa world - they're cooler (literally, when you're dancing hard), they look spectacular, and they feel less constricting during a long evening. Many of our most popular Lisadore and Comme il Faut models are open-toe. That said, a beautifully made closed-toe shoe is timeless and works on any dance floor.

Straps and Security

For salsa, you want your shoe to stay firmly on your foot during fast turns and footwork. Double round straps, t-straps and ankle bands are all excellent for this. Anything that lets the shoe flap around or your heel slip out is a disaster waiting to happen - and not just for aesthetics.

What We'd Recommend

Any Lisadore or Comme il Faut model with an open toe, double strap and brushed leather sole is going to be fantastic for salsa. Browse our collection - we have heels from 5.5 cm to 9.5 cm and new models arriving from Buenos Aires every month. When you find a pair you love, don't wait around. These sell fast.