Best Workout Shoes For Zumba 2019 reviewed and rated
“Men I may not know, but shoes, shoes I know…”
Learn how to pick the best workout shoes for Zumba, plus our best Zumba shoes review
So you found a cool Zumba class. Finally – a good aerobic activity that actually gets you as involves dancing and not just running or jumping from side to side like a kangaroo. You got yourself a wicked professional Zumba instructor that makes you wanna fly so high to the sound of salsa, cumbia, merengue and any other upcoming semi latino hit. Carlos Vivas is being played, Daddy Yankee, Maluma, tremendous Shakira and the list goes on and on. Life is just happening, and you are on fire!
The calories go off, fat is being burnt, bones density is getting firmer and healthier, stress is flying out of the window with every twist and turn and you are working out for real and doesn’t even feel its a workout but one big party, Until… ouch… what is that pain? Back? Knee? Ankle? “Oh no, where is this coming from?” and especially why on earth does it come after finding your meant to be of all times workout class?
Zumba, when done properly is the best aerobic workout in the universe. Especially as it never feels like a workout but as a huge unforgettable fiesta. We just love Zumba and love the added value of fitness it brings with it but alongside this whole greatness comes a very significant variable to consider: choosing wisely the best workout shoes for the occasion of Zumba class, exactly as picking the right ballet shoes, jogging shoes or even wedding shoes. Same same but different – the pick of a zumba shoe is a big deal mostly cause our body deserves it and also cause we like it. Shoes are fun!
Workout shoes for Zumba are highly important matter to handle as Zumba is still a fitness program that involves high intensity of leg-back work and as such very important to have the best shoes possible for that type of activity.
So how do we do it? How do we pick the ultimate shoe for our needs?
The best place to start from is to define one’s current physical status, workouts quantity and intensity, studio quality and structure, use of insole foot support and of course personal taste and needs.
So let’s explore those – step by step 🙂
1. Objectively define to yourself “how healthy am I, what is my orthopedic needs”
Go to your physician, sit with your trainer and objectively ask yourself what are your current physical limitations, is it the knee? The back? Or maybe nothing.
whatever it is remember that almost every condition is treatable and can be improved, by doing so in the right effort scale, with a positive “yes I can” attitude and the right shoes.
Once you have defined your current physical status you can be more accurate towards your Zumba right shoes.
2. Your workouts quantity and intensity
How often do you train in general and how many Zumba classes in specifics?
what is the workouts intensity?
Do you tend to jump a lot?
Are you sweating and finish Zumba class completely wet Or just warm feeling?
Through class do you find it hard to catch your breath or just slightly breathy?
All those factors can also help understand if you need intense shock-absorbent soles or rather semi nature flexible sole for example.
3. Studio quality and structure
A very important point to take into consideration. The type of floor we train on has a direct effect of our legs, back and honestly all our body. A wooden-parquet dancing studio floor is considered ideal for Zumba workout as the wood is soft and flex and that way provides one’s ability to have natural shock absorber better – less pressure on our ankles, knees, lower back and even neck.
Once we have that type of floor we’ll be able to play a bit with the range of shoe design in favor of our personal taste as the floor is playing an active partner in our muscles, bones protection.
However, if the floor is concrete or stiff of any sort we’ll need to consider more firm workout shoes that can absorb shocks better.
4. Use of insole foot support
If you’re already using one and feel comfortable with, then good for you! Please take under consideration a wider workout shoe as the insole takes space and some shoes design are not built to contain it.
5. Personal taste and needs
Obviously, we can’t wear what we detest. Wearing shoes and outfits we love and feel good in, makes us train better and that is a well-known fact, at least in my athletic active life.
Loving your shoes makes you just wanna get in them more often and maybe even train better. When you look good you feel good and us humans might tend to forget what is being said or done, but rarely how ones make us feel… same with shoes. The exact same.
So what does the current market has to offer us? We’ve checked and came up with the followings best workout shoes for Zumba:
Reebok Women’s Hayasu Training Shoe
Excellent shoe! Flex sole with shock absorption, slide mechanism for bounce and turn, high ankle protective shoe, comfortable and lightweight.
Great studio shoes Reebok has. I somehow work with their studio shoes in the past few years and am very content with their sole technology and high ankle protective semi-boot train shoes. Yes, they have renewed the design in the past year or so and still experimental to me but nevertheless, the sense of breathable, flexy and ankle wrapped semi boot design gives your feet a place to call home-hugging and nurturing.
Fun shoe. I would less recommend it to Zumba dancers with orthopedic problems and in need of massive shock absorptions despite the substantial advantage in flex sole in terms of natural foot movement and all.
When back-knees pain involves on a regular basis our body needs above all something that can soften shocks- and for that… firmer shoe, please. Other than that excellent show to try.
Why yes:
- Stretchy upper part – fits perfectly
- Reinforcing mesh – for higher durability
- Rubber sole – perfect for studio use
- Very breathable
Why maybe no:
- Not the highest level of shock absorption exists in the current market
- maybe a little bigger than what you would expect
Recommended for all wide movement range lovers, who wish to give extra ankle support in their fitness dancing while absorbing shocks pretty nicely.
Nike free – Nike Women’s Free Tr Flyknit 3 Training Shoe
Ok guys, lovely mid height shoe, most comfy and very user friendly. The thing I love most is the “closer to nature” as possible mechanism this shoe sole has to offer.
Ideal shoe for Zumba trainees who are already in some shape and doesn’t have too many physical issues, less for orthopedic challenged and for those who train with insoles as this is a narrow semi-foot shoe-so better check prior purchase that the orthopedic insole actually fits in.
Why yes:
- Flexible
- Rubber sole
- Lightweight
- Breathing materials
- Advanced Auxetic tri-star outsole pattern expands and contracts with each movement to help disperse pressure
Why maybe no:
- Questionable durability
- The sole might not be so stable for twisting
- low impact absorption
- Might be too narrow for insole.
Recommended for strong abdomen nature walk feel free lovers
Zumba fitness shoes – Zumba Women’s Air Classic Athletic Dance Workout with Max Impact Protection Sneaker Shoe
Zumba shoe, pretty and cool. My happy color dancer shoes. Zumba is love and whenever I see this dancing icon Zumba trademark I get all lovey dovey in general. High workout shoes for Zumba with dance oriented goodies added.
Why yes:
- Featuring air technology for maximum impact protection.
- Semi breathable with some mash parts
- Featuring Z-Slide technology to glide on any surface, so no more need for dance socks.
- Shock absorbing midsole providing plenty of mid arch support to keep you dancing comfortably.
- Dance oriented
Why maybe no:
- Not breathable as other training shoes
- A little bulky
Recommended for high workout shoe lovers, ankle protector and insole users as relatively wide.
Zumba Women’s Energy Boom High Top Dance Workout Sneakers Enhanced Comfort Support
High workout shoe, and what a beauty ha? The latest call of fashion and style. Pretty much similar to previous shoe, good for ankle protection, firm shoes that will last for long, the rumor says insoles goes well in those too so for those who want added shock absorber and orthopedic support this might do the trick. A massive shoe so less for delicate workout shoe lovers who care for movement accuracy.
Why yes:
- Easy Glide: Featuring Z-Slide technology to glide on any surface, so no more need for dance socks
- Rebound Insole: High rebound PU removable insole, easily replaceable with various insole types
- Adjustable Band and Lightweight Rubber Sole
- High durability – made of Leather and Synthetic
Why maybe no:
- Not breathable at all
- No high impact support.
Recommended for fashion and style lovers that could use a firm shoe to work with and can be fitted most probably with insole (check with your orthopedic advisor prior purchase).
Bloch Dance Women’s Canvas Boost Split Sole Dance Sneaker
The classic Low ankle dancers shoe. Cute shoe, very resilient, high shock absorption and will most likely live long after us thanks to its massive structure. Low structure shoe, not suitable for everyone – you need to love the style in order to fall in love with the shoe.
Why yes:
- High arc support
- Dance oriented
- High shock absorption
- Split sole
- Durable – fabric and textile
- odor/mildew resistant
Why maybe no:
- Low shoe without ankle support
- Not very connected to ground feeling
- Specific studio shoe
Recommended for high jumpers, feet low arch structure as lifting and for you out there that seek the
ASICS Gel-Cumulus 20 Marathon Pack Women’s Running Shoe
When a good reputation shoe is brought up to the table I immediately think of ASICS brand as trained with them for years as a young athlete. Those shoes exist for years and brought a lot of happy customers back to shop it.
The GEL technology also proved itself as effective and comfy. All in all a good trustable, High impact shock absorber, aesthetic design shoe and most probably wide enough to contain orthopedic insole if required in some designs.
Great for outdoors and indoors wide range of activities such as running, walking, cross training, intervals and of course aerobics like Zumba workout.
Why yes:
- 75% mesh for high air flow out of the shoe
- I.G.S (IMPACT GUIDANCE SYSTEM) TECHNOLOGY – very good impact absorption
- bounce back system – helps with long periods of training
- Full impact absorption – heel to toe
- Primum materials – high durability
Why maybe no:
- Narrower than old designs so might less fit wide feet trainees
- A bit pricey in comparison to
Recommended for everyone in general as not too bulky nor too gentle. Standard users, insole users, and people that workout in a wide range of sports activities in addition to Zumba.
adidas Women’s Alphabounce Beyond
Word on the streets is that it’s a good shoe. Very pretty, breathable, semi high ankle protector so might be less ideal for those of us who want max protection on twists and turns as the ankle can still be a bit loose there.
Might be slightly bulky but not to the extent of not being able to dance with it but rather for those who are more the FREE shoes type less gets there butterfly movement sense with those.
Great fro multiple activities. All in all thumb up for that one too.
Why yes:
- shoes offer flexibility and versatility, with premium cushioning
- High bounce feedback
- Very light weight
- High amount of ventilation
- Stretchy materials
Why maybe no:
- A lot of fabric might result in low durability – potentially often wear and tear
- Might less fit for insole users
Recommended for a wide range of users, medium firm sole lovers and perhaps less for insole users.
Ryka Women’s Tenacious Cross-Trainer Shoe
That one I like to call the Tank dancing shoes.
These shoes seems to be designed for those of less delicate movers but a more hip hop heavy movements oriented workout.
Could fit greatly for ultra gentle injury tendency feet dancers as very massive and protective with the addition of massive high ankle shoe design. A true bone protector this one is.
Also, pretty good for twist and turn movements as owns a pivot design outsole.
Important to understand that this lady is 100% synthetic which means that it is less breathable than its other classmates and perhaps warming the feet quicker for better or worse.
Why yes:
- Light weight
- Breathable mesh
- Direct Fuse layers provide support while Velcro strap over midfoot gives her a secure fit
- Dance oriented – Rubber outsole with pivot design offers traction and allows for easy transitions from one dance move to the next
Why maybe no:
- Synthetic – might not feel nice on the skin and will get bad odor after some time
- Bulky
- Not enough support for impacts
Recommended for sensitive ankle dancers, relatively firmer movers, partial heat and more of a massive shoes lover.
Like all good things that come to an end, this mini Zumba shoe journey had come to its temporary end as well. I feel satisfied and wiser myself in the aerobic workout shoe department. A new creation was made and am so happy about it.
If you have found my exploration and inputs useful and made you happy too kindly share this happiness with others so that we could all continue dancing forever with a huge smile on our faces and minimum physical discomfort.
Remember –