Suede Sole
Intermediate Level
Going deeper — techniques and nuances for experienced dancers
The brushed leather sole on dance shoes that provides the ideal balance of grip and slide on a dance floor — the feature that makes a dance shoe a dance shoe.
Intermediate focus
Maintain your soles. A wire suede brush removes the compressed dirt and debris that make suede soles lose their texture. Brush before every session — it takes thirty seconds and makes a noticeable difference. If your soles feel slippery, they're dirty. If they feel sticky, the suede is worn through and the shoes need resoling or replacing.
Tips
- •Buy a wire suede brush and keep it in your dance bag. Brush your soles before every class and social. It's the highest-ROI maintenance habit.
- •If your venue has a very fast (slippery) floor, lightly scuff your soles with sandpaper. If it's very slow (sticky), a fresh brush makes the suede smoother.
- •When your suede sole becomes smooth and shiny, it's past brushing — the suede nap is gone. Get the shoes resoled or replace them.
Common mistakes
- •Walking outdoors in suede-soled shoes and destroying the surface
- •Never brushing the sole and wondering why turns have become difficult
- •Assuming all dance shoes have suede soles — always check before buying
Practice drill
Examine the soles of your dance shoes right now. Run your thumb across the suede. Does it feel rough and textured (good) or smooth and compressed (needs brushing or replacement)? Brush them thoroughly, then test the difference at your next session. You'll feel the improvement in every turn.