What are pole dancing shoes, and do I need to wear them?
Pole dancing shoes, also known as ‘stripper heels’ - or you might know them by the name ‘pleasers’, after the popular brand of the same name - are platform stilettos that have been worn by strippers and sex workers for decades, though have recently become popularised and adopted by the wider pole community. They vary in heel height and are traditionally used to draw attention to their wearer by lengthening the leg and accentuating the curves of the body. As well as having an aesthetic function, the shoes are worn to amplify choreography, allowing dancers to float ethereally on their tiptoes, practice edgework and pirouette with grace. Safety also comes into play - heels, particularly boots, provide protective padding for flips, tricks and kips!
Before we get started, a little PSA: you absolutely do not need to wear pole dancing shoes to practice pole dance. If you’re a barefoot babe, you do you. There are plenty of pole tricks, moves and pathways that can’t be done in heels, and vice-versa. It all depends on how you want to, or are able to, move. This being said, if you do want to learn about choosing the right shoe for you, read on.
Get in loser, we’re going (shoe) shopping
1. Boots or sandals?
Many styles of boot are lace-up with a zipper on the side. This makes them easy to take on and off and gives their wearer control over tightness. Boots are known to offer more ankle support and stability than sandals do, making them a popular choice for beginners. As standard, boots cushion you from your toe - unless you opt for a peep-toe boot, of course - to your mid-shin. This means you’ll be far less likely to catch a case of the wobbles when you wear ‘em, and you’ll also be much safer in any attempt to kip or perform other hardstyle movements, as mentioned earlier.
On the other hand - or should we say, foot? See what we did there? - what sandals lack in coverage and ankle support in comparison to boots, they make up for in their unique capacity to help strengthen and condition your ankles and feet over time. Their lack of coverage also means the skin of your foot and ankle is left bare, which can be useful for pole climbs and other tricks that require skin grip. As such, if you’re a newbie, you might find it helpful to start off in sandals, despite the temptation to play it safe with a sturdy pair of boots. That way, you can build a solid foundation for later down the line.
At the end of the day, the pair you purchase totally depends on what kind of dancer you are or are interested in becoming. Fascinated by edgework and hypnotic flow? Sandals are the way to go in order to fashion a base for your, well, basework. More interested in flips and heel-bangs? Boots are probably a better, not to mention safer, bet.
2. We say ‘heels!’ you say, ‘how high!?’
Here at PJ we stock heels in 6-,7-,8- and 9-inches. It can be daunting trying to figure out what heel height is right for you, since what works for you won’t necessarily be what works for other dancers. We got you.
It sounds simple but as a general rule of thumb - or . . . toe? OK, sorry! - the newer you are to dancing in heels, the shorter your heel height should be. This is because the higher your heels are, the higher your centre of balance will be and the more likely it is that you’ll find the shoes hard to walk in, never mind dancing and performing death-defying tricks in them! This is especially true for beginner dancers. Easing in with a pair of 6 - or 7-inchers is a sensible, sure choice, then, before moving up to an 8” or a 9”. Or maybe you’d rather jump straight in the deep end with a higher heel right away. Think about what’s going get you the more bang for your buck, babe.
3. Devil's in the Details
The structure of your shoe matters. With a sandal heel, one of the most important structural decisions to make is the type of strap you want - this isn’t merely an aesthetic choice either. A thick, clear sandal strap offers far more support than a jelly strap, for instance. Pick a clear strap for more ankle support, and a thin, jelly strap for more foot flexibility and ankle strengthening opportunity.
With a boot, when we talk structure, we’re mainly talking length - and hey, different strokes for different folks! The standard boot comes up to about mid-shin level, so if you’re looking for your first pair, this is probably the way to go. Our best-selling Matte Black Pleaser Boots from Pleaser USA are a great example.
Not only are they drop dead gorgeous, but they have strong built-in knee protection. Get yourself a pair and slither around on the floor to your heart’s content!
Another option, for if you really want to feel badass, is a thigh-high model. To ooze sex appeal and make everybody jealous – or maybe a little flustered. Check out these Patent Thigh High Pleaser Boots featuring the most gorgeous buckle details.
4. Material, girl!
Last and certainly not least, it’s material, baby. There really are so many choices here. With a sandal shoe, the material you choose is more about aesthetic than practicality. You could go old school with a solid block colour or, if you’re feeling adventurous, opt for an eye-catching chrome or glitter style. You could even play Cinderella with a glass-look, clear platform. You shall go to the ball!
With boots, things are slightly more complicated. Material choice here dictates how the shoe actually performs:
Patent
Patent boots are great because they’re hot and practical. They’re brilliant at helping with pole grip because help you stick to the pole, literally. Ideal for trick-heavy routines, pole photoshoots (for when you need to stay in the same position for a little longer than you’d like to get the perfect shot! We’ve all been there) and really for anyone who feels they benefit from extra grip.
Another feature of patent material is that it stretches over time, which means that though you might find your fresh new pair of kicks rigid or stiff at first, they will mould to the shape of your feet as your wear them more often. Hella Heels LipKit boots are a shining (and shiny!) example:
Matte
Matte is a bit more understated than patent, but an absolute classic. Matte material boots are less rigid, ideal for when you need a pair to wear right away for a performance. They don’t need the same time to mould to your foot. They’re also not as sticky, so while they aren’t optimal for those who want a little more grip in their kicks, they do allow for more ease of movement up and around the pole.
Suede
Hopefully we’ve helped you feel less overwhelmed by all the many particulars involved in choosing the right shoe for you. After all, we’ve broken it all down for you, how good are we!? When the time comes, you will still have to break your new shoes IN though, babe. Sorry*
Kisses! And don’t forget your shoe protectors. *Unless you shop PJ preloved, of course. Shop some well-loved, well-worn heels here.
Xoxo PJ
