It’s a bit of a moment, isn’t it? You’ve watched the videos, maybe borrowed a pair in class, and now you’re about to get your own. The heels that’ll take you from those nervous first walks as you cling to the pole, to feeling like a total baddie as you flow and glide in your choreo. But before you hit ‘add to cart’, let’s chat about what to expect, how to choose, and how to keep them looking (and feeling) their best.

Before we get going, let’s have a quick chat about the options on offer. Boots will generally give you a bit more ankle support, which can be really reassuring, especially if you’re still building confidence or working on higher impact moves. Materials make a difference here too: PVC boots can help you stick to the pole (sometimes a little too well, so just be aware of that), whereas suede can have the opposite effect and feel quite slippy if you’re trying to do anything up the pole. Boots are also great for things like kips and drops because they keep your toes covered and protected. Just bear in mind, if you like to drop it low in your pole routines, or use a lot of ankle mobility, this can put a fair bit of strain on the shoe/platform connection in boots.

Here's a few of our staple fabrics for black boots but don't worry there's plenty more colour where that came from. 

We're not quite done, yet. Our boots don’t stop at the calf - they go the full nine yards.

Whilst these may not be a boot you'd consider for your first ever pair of heels (or maybe they are...who are we to stop you!) they're certainly one for the vision board! Thigh High Boots create an instantly commanding look. Pre-warning, these jaw-droppers will restrict your movement more so than calf-high boots or stilettos, but they’re a blessing for up-the-pole tricks, giving you extra grip through the thighs and providing extra knee protection for floorwork.

OR get the best of both worlds with an Over-the-Knee style - all the fierceness of a Thigh High Boot whilst still having full knee-bending freedom - designed with a low-back cut to provide back-of-the knee grip access.

Stilletos (which you may have also heard as been referred to as sandals), on the other hand, aren’t quite as supportive but they give you much more freedom through your feet and ankles, which is ideal for things like edgework, allowing more intricate ankle movements without putting strain on the shoes. What they lack in coverage and ankle support in comparison to boots, they make up for in their capacity to help strengthen and condition your ankles and feet over time. They also expose more skin, so if you’re used to climbing and gripping in barefoot classes, you’ll likely find it easier to translate that into your dancing in sandals. 

Along with different colours and heights, you can also pick between clear and coloured straps!

Now, let me hold your hand. I’m going to say something that might sting a tiny bit at first: your heels are not going to stay looking brand new, sadly. They’re just not supposed to. You wouldn’t expect your gym trainers or football boots to stay box-fresh after a few sessions, and your heels are no different. They’re designed to move with you and to take a bit of impact. That first scuff might hurt your soul a little, but there’s something quite special about looking at a banged up pair of heels - they’ve been through a lot with you, and they’re proof of your true love of all things flow, basework and tricks. That being said, there are ways to show your babies a little love and keep them fresh for longer. Let’s get into it.

If you’re not quite emotionally ready for that first scrape, this is where shoe protectors come in. They take most of the hits so your heels don’t have to, and can be a bit of a lifesaver depending on what style you’re wearing and how you like to dance. Think of them as a little extra layer between your shoes and whatever the studio floor decides to throw at you. In terms of picking the right protectors for you, the fabric shoe protectors are better suited to materials such as suede - if you put fabric ones on plastic material like PVC they can go flying off when you’re flowing. The plastic material protectors are better suited to your PVC/hard plastic shoes as they hold on that little bit tighter and aren’t as slippy.

If you feel a little stuck on picking a protector, check out the Shoe Protector section on the PJ site and pick the ones that match your brand, size and style of shoe (there’s more corresponding colourways that match than you might realise - there’s a lot more than there used to be when I bought my first shoes 8 years ago!). Make sure when you make your pick that you choose the right one for your specific shoe - you don’t want to accidentally buy a protector intended for an 8inch heel when you’re rocking your cute 7inches!

So, you’ve got your shoes, and you’ve got your protectors. But what about the actual environment you’re dancing in? Not all studio floors are created equally, and some spaces have wood, whilst some might be a little more unforgiving. Concrete finishes, slightly rough surfaces, even certain laminates can be way harsher on your shoes than you expect. If you’ve ever wondered why one pair got battered way faster than another, this could be why. It’s also the reason so many dancers end up with a ‘training pair’ and a ‘special occasion pair’. Your old faithfuls take the brunt of tricks and learning new things, while your fresher pairs stay tucked away for performances, photoshoots, or the days you’re feeling extra - because realistically? Most of us are not out here babying our heels mid-combo. As much as they are pretty, they are there to do a job after all.

But if you have your pair that you truly can’t bear to see bashed up - you don’t have to always buy new. PoleJunkie:Preloved is our re-sale platform where you can buy brilliant, preloved items, meaning you get a discount on pole specific brands and products in exchange for giving a new home to apparel that still has life left in it. Sign up today, shop your faves for less and discover second-hand heels perfect for training in.

So we’ve had our reality check out of the way: let’s talk about what you do when those shoes start looking a little worn. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t mean their time is up. Honestly, this is where things get fun. A few scuffs can be touched up if you’re feeling crafty (yes, people really do colour them in), laces can be swapped out for ribbons, and older boots can be completely reworked to match a new performance look or photoshoot theme. If you’re anything like me and have a drawer full of stickers that you can never decide on where to use, they’re great for covering up imperfections on your shoes! Ultimately, it’s less about keeping them perfect, and more about giving them a second life that fits where you’re at in your dance.

And if it’s a functional issue rather than just cosmetic, don’t forget that some parts can be replaced. Ankle straps and laces, for example, can wear out over time, especially if they’re getting a lot of use, but that doesn’t mean the whole shoe is done. A quick switch can make a pair feel secure and wearable again without starting from scratch. Replacement ankle straps are a cost effective way to get a little more life out of your stilettos. You cut off the old, original unusable straps on your shoe, and then pop your replacement ankle straps on like stirrups, and you’re good to go! Similarly, you can swap out your old laces for new ones, whether you're looking to colour match or add a tonal contrast to your look!

Now, let’s talk about something that comes up all the time: fit. If you’ve ever tried on a pair of heels and thought ‘how do people dance in these?’, you are absolutely not alone. The truth is, there isn’t one perfect shoe that works for everybody. Different brands, styles, and even materials can feel completely different depending on your foot shape. Here at Pole Junkie HQ, we hear it all. Some dancers with narrower feet prefer a tighter front and feel more held in, while others find that same fit too restrictive to point their toes. On the flip side, a wider fit can feel more comfortable for some, but less secure for others. Even things like how the ankle strap sits or how quickly the material softens can change the experience from one person to the next.

It’s not about one being ‘better’ than the other, it’s about what works for you. If you’re between sizes, have wider feet, narrower feet, or just feel like nothing quite fits right on the first try, it’s worth experimenting a little to find your sweet spot. A slightly wider fit can feel a lot more comfortable (particularly if you’ve got wider or flatter feet) and some dancers say it even feels lighter and easier to move in. But for those with narrower feet, that extra space can mean sliding forward or feeling like you’re not as secure as you’d like, especially in stilettos.

And then there’s the in-between experience, which a lot of pole dancers relate to. A shoe might feel perfect in one area but not quite in another, snug in the front but a little loose at the top, or secure around the ankle but not quite holding the foot the way you expected. You might find yourself adjusting how you strap in, playing with sizing, or realising a certain style just works better for your foot than another. It’s also worth noting that materials can behave differently over time. Some soften and stretch more quickly, which can be great if you want that ‘broken in’ feel, but less ideal if you need a really snug fit to feel supported.

All of this is completely normal. It’s not about one brand being better than another - it’s about figuring out what works for your feet and your movement, and how you like your shoes to feel when you dance. After checking in with the ambassador team here at PJ and asking their preferences, everyone came back with a totally different answer. One common piece of feedback however, was that Hella Heels come up a little more narrow so work better for those with narrower feet/ankles, or if you want to go for a Hella Heels shoe, but have average to wider feet, we'd recommend sizing up. 

Now, because PJ is an online store, we know it’s not always as simple as just trying a few pairs on and seeing what sticks. So here are a couple of things that can really help when you’re choosing. First, have a think about how your feet usually behave in your regular, day to day shoes: do you normally size up or down? Do straps tend to dig in, or do you find yourself wishing things were a bit tighter? That can give you a really good starting point. It’s also worth paying attention to the materials and style you’re going for, as some will naturally feel snugger or looser than others straight out of the box. If you’re stuck between sizes, it can be helpful to think about how you want the shoe to feel when you dance: super secure and tight, or a little more relaxed and flexible? And if you’re still unsure, don’t forget our customer service team are always on hand to talk things through with you before you order - sometimes a quick chat can save a lot of back and forth.

In terms of a real world example on how to find the right fit for you, here’s a real world example: for me personally, I’m a size 5.5 in regular shoes - I size down to a size 5 in stilletos (you want that ‘second skin’ feeling for sandals), whereas I’ll go for a 6 in boots (gotta leave room for socks). Whilst it isn’t a total absolute rule, I find a lot of my pole friends and students operate on the same system.

So, before we round things off - let’s talk about finding the right height shoe as a beginner. There’s a lot of talk about this online, and a lot of people feel differently. A lot of people start their heels classes with 6 or 7 inch height heels - and that’s really normal. It’s a nice way to get started with a slightly less intimidating height label, and a lot of people feel really secure here. That being said - it usually won’t take you long to level up out of that size once you’ve got some heels experience under your belt. A lot of dancers prefer an 8 inch heel because it makes certain moves more accessible on the pole - particularly more advanced techniques like pointe work and edgework. If you go straight for 8 inch heels, you’re not wrong in doing so. Not everyone can afford to constantly buy new heels, and you’ve got to make the purchase that’s right for you.

From my own experience (hi, I’m Lottie, I teach pole both at my studio and providing workshops around the UK, and perform/compete regularly, so trust me, my heels get put through their paces), if you’re really worried about wear and want a pair that’s going to stay looking fresher for longer without relying too heavily on protectors, I always come back to the Pleaser Premium clear sandals. Because they’re see-through, there’s no coating or colour to scuff or peel away, so they hold that ‘just out the box’ look way longer than most other pairs I’ve worn. The premium straps are also a bit softer, which makes them feel more comfortable and, in my experience, a little less prone to snapping over time. If longevity is high on your priority list, they’re such a solid choice. And, I love that with the fact they’re clear, they go with absolutely everything!

But whatever you go for: your pole heels aren’t just something you wear, they become part of your training. They’re there for you when you run the choreo 20 times to get the perfect video, they support you on the days where you’ve booked 3 back to back classes, they travel with you to photoshoots and workshops. So no, they might not stay pristine. But they will end up telling the story of how far you’ve come - and don’t you think that’s pretty cool?