Top 5 Best Jazz Shoes

If you are looking at jazz shoes, you’ll find that there are lots of different options out there. Some are very simple and not that expensive.  Others are more expensive, even though they are simple, and then there are plenty out there that just seem, well, way overpriced.

So how do you know which are the best jazz shoes to buy? You’ll want to consider the overall quality of the shoe, the fit, and how the shoe looks(you want a shoe that shows off your assets, i.e. your beautiful feet and arches).

You’ll also want to consider function–does the jazz shoe allow you to do what you want to do most effectively?  Does it help you control your movement and provide stability while still looking great?

The answer to these questions might come down to your own personal preference and you might just have to try a couple of pairs to find what you like. Below we have made a shortlist of our top jazz shoes that you might want to try.

I wish my daughter had tried some of these pairs a few years back.  We didn’t even know some of these options existed when she was just starting out.  One day I went a little early to pick up my daughter from jazz class and noticed that she was dancing in an old pair of ballet slippers. 

I was a little annoyed because I had just bought her a new pair of basic black jazz shoes a couple of weeks before and I thought that maybe she had already lost one of the new jazz shoes or something.

As soon as she came out of class, I asked her why she wasn’t wearing her new jazz shoes and she told me it was because she could turn better in the ballet slippers. 

My daughter is a natural turner and her jazz shoes, in her words, were too “sticky” which made it more difficult to do multiple turns. My daughter’s teacher who was also leaving class overheard our little conversation and recommended that we look for a jazz shoe with a suede front sole.

She explained that the suede in the front part of the shoe would be more slippery, like her ballet slipper, and that it would allow her to turn better. The majority of jazz shoes have a sole made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) which is a rubber-like polymer that is flexible, soft and provides good traction.

Best Jazz Shoes to Buy

However, if your dancing requires you to do multiple turns, you might prefer something that has a “less sticky” front sole, but still has the “stickiness” or traction on the heel for stopping and stability. For my daughter, having a shoe that “felt right” and allowed her to turn the way she wanted to make all of the difference.

The shoe my daughter’s teacher recommended, is the Block Pulse listed as #1 below.  However, as I mentioned above, there are lots of different options out there. All of the shoes in our top 5 are great jazz shoes and are reasonable in price, but keep in mind that it might just come down to personal preference and type of dancing you will be doing in the shoe.

#1 – Bloch Pulse

In our opinion, this is the best jazz shoe that is leather, split-Sole jazz shoe that comes in black and tan. This shoe makes your foot look beautiful with pleat detail that accentuates your arch. 

Unlike other jazz shoes, the Pulse has a low profile heel(which helps with stopping) and has a suede front sole that is more smooth, helping the dancer to turn more easily.  This shoe completely molds to the foot and you can really feel the floor beneath you, offering more control.

#2 – Bloch Super Jazz

We like this shoe because it is leather with elastic on the top and on the sides at the instep for a comfortable fit. It comes in black, tan and taupe colors and has a split sole which makes the foot look beautiful when pointed.  Both the front sole and the heel or back sole are rubber for good grip. The lining is 100% cotton so it will breathe.

#3 – Capezio Women’s Economy Jazz Slip-On

This is another great option available in black or caramel.  This is another split sole shoe that is leather with neoprene stretch fabric on the arch and sides of the foot adding additional support and stretches to fit the foot perfectly.  This jazz shoe also has an absorbent cotton lining and a foam padded insole. At the heel, the padded, rubber EVA sole can provide Achilles relief. The front sole is also EVA for traction.

#4 – Bloch Neo-Flex Jazz Shoe

The Block Neo-Flex shoe comes in tan or black leather and has a matching neoprene insert to hug the arch.  The insert provides support and air conditioning for your feet. The cotton lining also helps to wick away moisture.  The split sole has rubber heel and forefoot pads for comfort and grip.

#5 – Capezio Women’s Show Stopper Jazz Dance Shoe

This Capezio women’s shoe is 100% leather and comes in black or caramel.  It is a split-sole design with an EVA heel and rubber front sole.  The top of the shoe has a mesh/elastic V-insert for a beautiful fit. The sides of the shoe are also a little lower than some other jazz shoes.

All of the shoes listed above are made by two of the most trusted and reputable companies in the dance shoe business so you know that they are all top quality shoes. 

They are also all beautifully designed to not only provide great functionality but will also showcase your feet and extend your beautiful lines. They are also designed to fit the foot in the most effective way, but the exact fit will come down to your own preference. 

Deciding on the Best Jazz Shoes for You

Keep in mind that all of these leather shoes are designed to stretch and mold to your feet, so they should be snug, especially when you first get them. Our top 5 list for best jazz shoes will definitely give you some great options so give a couple of these shoes a try–you might just find that one will be your favorite.