Best Heels for Dance Class: What I Look for as a Professional Dancer
One of the most common questions I hear from dancers entering the heels dance world is:
“What heels should I actually buy for dance class?”
And my first answer is always the same: Not every high heel is a dance heel.
A shoe can look incredible for dinner and still be completely wrong for choreography, turns, weight transfers, floorwork and hours of dance rehearsal.
If you're investing in your first pair of heels for dance class — or replacing a pair you've outgrown technically — here is what I look for in the best shoes for heels dance class.
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SIDELINESECRETS
1. Look for actual dance heels
Fashion heels are primarily designed around appearance. Dance heels need to account for movement.
You are walking, turning, dropping levels, changing directions and repeatedly transferring your weight through your feet. You therefore want a shoe designed for dancers rather than simply grabbing your favorite pair of night-out heels. Real high heels for dancing — true heels dance shoes — are built to move with you.
This is one reason we highly recommend Burju dance heels.
Their heels collections are made specifically with dancers and movement in mind, and they offer different heel heights, soles and boot styles depending on your needs.
SHOP: Our pro recommended Burju dance heels
2. Beginners: pay attention to ankle support
When you're learning heels technique, you don't need another variable making your life harder.
Your ankles are already learning a different weight placement and your body is adapting to working at an elevated angle.
That's why I like a lace-up boot or bootie heel for dancers who want more structure around the ankle.
A secure boot won't magically give you good technique — you still have to build strength, but it can give your foot and ankle a more secure environment while you're learning.
Burju styles I would look at first
Sierra — lace-up, open-toe ankle boot
Sofiya — lace-up, open-toe ankle boot
Tempest — lace-up mesh ankle boot
Fierra — stretch Lycra sock-style ankle boot
Shop our favorite Burju heels dance boots
3. What heel height should a beginner dancer wear?
You do not win an award for immediately putting yourself in the tallest heel you can find.
Control wins.
For Burju's current heels training guidance, their beginner range focuses heavily on approximately 3 to 3.5 inches.
Your goal should be to develop:
clean weight placement
stable walks
controlled transitions
strong ankles
articulation through the foot
confidence moving without gripping for your life
Once you can do those things, changing heel height becomes much easier.
4. Boot vs. sandal
For most dancers entering heels class, we lean toward a boot first.
A boot provides more material around the foot and ankle and usually feels more secure.
An open dance sandal can be beautiful for performance, Latin styles and certain choreography, but if your main goal is learning commercial heels choreography, a lace-up ankle boot is extremely versatile.
If you already have strong heels technique, your choice can become much more stylistic.
5. Open toe vs. closed toe
This comes down partly to preference.
Open-toe dance boots are extremely common because they allow the front of the foot more freedom while still giving you the structure of a boot.
Closed-toe boots can create a completely different performance look and may make sense for specific choreography or costumes.
For your first pair, versatility matters more than building an entire shoe closet.
Black open-toe ankle boots are difficult to beat.
6. Street sole vs. suede sole
Consider where you actually dance.
If you're only dancing on appropriate studio floors, a dance-floor sole can feel fantastic.
If you're filming in studios, practicing in different spaces, performing on varied surfaces or attending commercial classes in multiple locations, a street sole may give you more flexibility.
Never assume every studio floor is identical.
7. Fit should feel secure
Your foot shouldn't be swimming around inside the shoe.
At the same time, cutting off circulation is not the goal.
You want a secure fit that allows you to articulate through your foot without excessive movement inside the shoe.
If you're between sizes, check the manufacturer's fitting guidance rather than automatically buying your normal fashion-shoe size.
My beginner dance heels formula
If one of my friends said:
“I'm starting heels class next week. Just tell me what to buy.”
I'd tell her to start here:
Simple.
You can get adventurous later.
Our Burju dance boot picks
Soft/stretchy boot option: Aadijay
Statement mesh option: Jezabel
What NOT to wear to heels class
I would avoid starting in:
loose pumps
heels your foot slides out of
extremely high platforms
shoes with damaged heel tips
heels that already hurt while simply standing
a random club shoe solely because it looks cute
Technique matters more than the Instagram picture, dancers!
Final advice
Buying proper heels is step one.
Learning how to use them is what matters.
Take beginner classes. Build ankle strength. Learn how your weight transfers. Practice walks before trying tricks. Record yourself. Give yourself time.
A beautiful shoe helps.
A trained dancer makes the shoe look beautiful.
→SHOP OUR PICKS FOR BEST-SELLING DANCE HEELS
FAQ
What are the best heels for beginner dance class?
A secure dance-specific ankle boot in a manageable heel height is a strong starting point.
Can you wear regular heels to heels class?
Some instructors allow them, but a purpose-built dance shoe is generally a much better tool for repeated movement.
Are boots better for heels dance?
Boots are extremely popular because of their secure feel and ankle coverage.
How high should my first dance heels be?
Start at a height you can genuinely control. Burju currently features 3–3.5-inch options heavily in its beginner guidance.
What should I wear to heels class?
Wear dance heels you can control (a lace-up ankle boot is a great first pair), clothes you can move freely in, and knee pads if the choreography includes floorwork.