In this Guide
Zumba is one of the best activities you can do to stay fit! It’s fast, furious, and fun! As you dance your socks off, you burn fat, increase your agility, and build leg and core strength.
But if you don’t have the right shoes, you could end up really feeling the pain after class, and not in a good way! The key to getting all the benefits of the workout without getting hurt is to wear proper shoes.
Great Zumba shoes have hard outsoles that can take a beating, with spin points or smooth sections to help you make fast turns. They give you lots of support and cushion, and they have breathable uppers to keep your feet from overheating.
So, which ones make the grade? We’ve put together this guide to show you all our favorite Zumba shoes! We’ve written our own in-depth reviews of each pair, as well as a handy guide to finding the best ones for you!
Let’s get right down to it with a look at our Top Three!
Best on a Budget |
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Best Quality |
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Best Zumba Shoes Reviews
- RYKA Women’s Influence Cross Training Shoe
- Zumba Women’s Fly Print Dance Shoe
- Zumba Women’s Energy Rush Dance Shoe
- ASICS Women’s GEL-Fit Sana Cross-Training Shoe
- RYKA Women’s Tenacity Dance Training Sneaker
- Reebok Women’s Hayasu Training Shoe
1. Ryka Women’s Influence Cross Training Shoe
These Ryka’s are a very affordable choice for Zumba. They’re technically cross-training shoes, but we think they’re ideal for dance classes! In fact, they’re very popular among instructors! They’re springy, supportive, and have a built-in turn point. If you need to be thrifty with your Zumba shoes but don’t want to skimp on quality, these are our budget recommendation!
Pros:
These are super affordable shoes! They’re usually available for well under $75, which is very cheap for dance shoes with this many features.
They best aspect of these shoes is their stability, especially considering the price. Stability is a huge requirement for Zumba shoes, to keep your feet safe from rolling. These have sturdy rubber soles which don’t wobble, or allow too much lateral rolling. They’re a lot better than other cheap shoes when it comes to making side to side moves!
That’s thanks to a medial plate built into the soles for stability. It prevents too much lateral flex in the soles, while allowing the shoes to flex lengthwise.
They have rubber soles which are non-marking. One standout feature of the Ryka soles is that even though these are labeled as cross-training shoes, they have spin points built into the ball of the foot. That makes twists, pivots, and turns much easier, while leaving the rest of the soles with their grippy rubber. It’s a feature you don’t usually see on shoes this inexpensiveinexpensive!
Ryka is a company specifically aimed at creating anatomical designs for women, by women. It really shows with these Influence’s! Compared to men’s shoes with a similar profile, the heels are narrower, and the toe boxes have some extra room. That helps them stay in place on women’s heels, while leaving some room for your toes to expand up front!
They have a decent amount of arch support built in, and it won’t wear down! Most Zumba shoes at this price have either very little arch support, or cheap support which quickly wears down and becomes useless. These should have more than enough for anyone with low to moderate arches.
They’re mostly mesh, so they’re very light to wear. They stay quite cool, as well. We didn’t find any complaints about sweat with these!
Most buyers who liked them said they were comfortable out of the box and didn’t need to be broken in. So, if they’ll work for you, you’ll know straight off. If they don’t feel right out of the box, you know immediately to switch them for something else!
If you have a higher arch profile or use specific orthotics, you can swap out the insoles.
Cons:
They don’t last all that long. Some people found they could only get about 6 months of solid use out of these. They tend to come apart at the seams sooner than other (more expensive) dance shoes.
They don’t have very much support or cushion. They have moderate arch support, but there really isn’t much padding, especially under the ball of the foot. If you have a specific foot condition or need, like plantar fasciitis or metatarsalgia, you’ll want to look at one of our more expensive picks.
The Influence’s have good lateral support, but not as much as the hip-hop style shoes. They aren’t quite as stable as shoes with completely flat soles.
They run a bit small, so most buyers agreed you should order a size up!
2. Zumba Women’s Fly Print Dance Shoe
These shoes are from the Zumba brand itself! So, you can be sure they’re packed with all the key features you need to hit the dance floor! They’re a similar profile to the Ryka’s, but they’re even better in the comfort department. We think they’re a better budget choice for people who prefer a softer pair of shoes.
Pros:
They’re a low-profile sneaker like the Ryka’s, but unlike those Influence’s, they’re built solely for Zumba! They have synthetic soles which are harder and smoother on the bottom than other sneakers, which makes them more of a specific dance shoe than the Influence’s. They have similar lateral stability too, thanks to the density of the soles.
Like the Ryka’s, they have pivot points built into the ball of the sole. You can use them for making pivots, spins, and other sliding moves where the rest of the soles would stick. Overall, reviewers loved how easily they could move in these, whether it was from side to side or in a spin.
They have breathable mesh uppers which wick heat and moisture away from your feet. They’re just as airy as the Ryka’s, and reviewers loved how the laces stretch further down the toe than most other sneakers. That extra lacing range keeps things feeling more secure.
They’re super lightweight, too! Reviewers said they never felt like the Fly Print’s were dragging them down through class.
If you like low-profile dance shoes like these, but know you need more padding than you get with the Ryka’s, these should be right up your alley! They have an EVA midsole for bouncy and durable cushion, plus extra lightweight cushioning in the insole. Between the two layers, you get a lot more springiness and bounce than the Influence’s provide.
We think these also have better ankle support. The Influence’s have pretty good lateral stability, but the heels can slip around a bit more easily. These feel much more secure at the back, which protects your ankles as you move.
They come in lots of fun style options. There are a number of patterns, prints, and solid colors, all with contrast lacing and detailing. These Fly Print’s are sure to win you some compliments!
Cons:
Like the Ryka’s, these aren’t very long-lasting. They tend to start falling apart within a year or so.
While they have more padding than the Ryka’s, they don’t have as much as shoes like the Asic’s or Reebok’s below. So, we wouldn’t recommend them to anyone with chronic foot issues or those who find that they get sore easily without lots of padding
They’re also not strong in the arch support department. There’s a moderate arch mound, but we wouldn’t recommend the Fly Print’s to anyone who needs a firmer, more prominent arch mound.
3. Zumba Women’s Energy Rush Dance Shoe
These Zumba-branded shoes are our budget picks for people who want something bigger and more like a hip-hop shoe. They have wide, flat soles for great stability, and some extra length in the heel for ankles stability! We think they’re much more comfortable than either the Influence’s or the Fly Print’s, as long as you like a high-top shoe.
Pros:
They have all the key features we love about the Fly Print’s. These Energy Rush’s have non-marking synthetic outsoles that are harder than average. They move around easily, without feeling slippery. At the ball of the foot, they have pivot points to help you make smooth turns, slides, and pivots. The uppers are made of breathable mesh, and they keep you both cool and dry through class.
Where these stand out, apart from their more hip-hop looks, is the padding department! They have a lot more cushioning than the two low-profile shoes we’ve just looked at. That’s thanks to a few different factors:
First, there’s a rubber sole on top of the synthetic outsole. So, you get the springiness of rubber but the non-marking, non-stick qualities of synthetic materials all in one package!
Second, these have a deeper footbed than the Fly Print’s, which simply leaves more room for padding! They have a similar EVA midsole and lightweight, padded insole, only each component is slightly deeper. The result is a shoe that feels much better when you’re making landings.
They have better durability than our other budget recommendations, too! They cost about the same as the Fly Print’s but they’ll easily last you longer than a year. They’re simply better made, and the thick soles stand up to wear and tear longer.
They come endorsed by teachers! Lots of professional Zumba teachers use them, and say they’re more than capable of making it through several classes in the same day without feeling uncomfortable.
The higher profile of these shoes makes them very secure around the ankles, as well as through the midfoot. The mesh uppers are reinforced all over by a web of synthetic strapping. The heels also feature stability webbing and reinforcements to prevent ankle rolling, and a rigid heel to prevent torsion.
The wide bases help, too! These have a wider, flatter sole profile than the Fly Print’s, so they feel better for making jump moves and other agility steps.
They’re still relatively affordable. As with the two recommendations above, these can usually be found for less than $75.
Cons:
They can be a bit bulky. They’re hip-hop shoes, so they stretch up and over your ankles. They’ve got thicker, wider soles, and they’re heavier than the Fly Print’s or Influence’s, too. All in all, they can feel less agile at first, until you get used to the size and weight.
They run a bit small. We’d recommend ordering a half size or full size up!
They have moderate arch support, but nothing too substantial. If you find you need lots of arch support, you’d want to use these with an orthotic or other insert.
Even the best Zumba-branded shoes don’t have as deep of cushioning or as springy a sole material as you’ll find on the more expensive Reebok’s or Asics’.
4. ASICS Women’s GEL-Fit Sana Cross-Training Shoe
These Asics’ aren’t technically dance shoes. They’re cross-trainers, but we think they’re ideal for Zumba classes as well! They’re a great pair of shoes for ladies who want one shoe to wear to both dance class and to the gym. We love how lightweight and flexible they are!
Pros:
They’re super light, thanks to the mesh uppers gel cushioning pockets. These come the closest of our recommendations to feeling like “nothing” on your feet. A lot of reviewers compared them to slippers, only with the springiness and support of gym shoes. They’re ideal for dancers who like to feel free and unencumbered. They’re lighter than any of the styles we’ve reviewed above!
The mesh uppers are reinforced with webbing, especially around the heels. It’s a smart system, which looks a bit like a woven basket. Since the straps interlace and fit closely together, more structured at the heel than the Energy Rush’s, even though those shoes are a higher-profile style.
They have a lot more bounce in their soles than the Energy Rush’s, Fly Print’s, or Influence’s.
Even though they’re springy, their relatively low profile keeps you close to the ground. So, you never feel like you’re wobbling around on top of the cushioning! The low profile is good for weight lifting and agility work outside the Zumba studio, too!
In addition to the springiness you get from the rubber sole material, these also have gel cushioning in the heels to give you even more energy return! We love gel cushioning because it’s super light, and never wears out. It’s a great feature of Asics running shoes which we’re thrilled to see in a dance-ready style! The gel pockets are enough to make them comfortable on cardio machines, too.
The rubber soles have a moderate grip that’s tactile enough to keep you secure, but with enough smoothness to allow you to glide and turn. It’s all rubber, but there are specific traction points in the outsole which you can work around to get more freedom on the dance floor. They’re harder soles than other Asics styles, which makes them smoother for the most part. You don’t have to worry about marks, either, because they won’t leave any.
Both the mesh and the uppers are very flexible and maneuverable. The sock fit contracts and expands with you as needed to maintain a secure fit, while giving you a huge range of motion. There’s really no move you can’t do with these shoes!
The factory insoles have basic arch support and extra cushioning. You can also remove them if you want to use orthotics or other custom inserts.
lighter than the Ryka’s or Zumba brand shoes
They’re a lot cheaper than other Asics shoes, which usually cost well over $100. These are available for well under $100!
Cons:
They’re not super durable. Some people had issues with fraying thread, or holes starting to form in the mesh. Most of those buyers had tried to use these for CrossFit or other more intense workouts, which puts more strain on the uppers than Zumba classes. The soles stand up very well, though.
They’re slip-on/sock-fit shoes, so there’s not much room to adjust. They fit right up close to your feet, like a sock or a slipper. We think that’s nice for dancing, since your soles always stay lined up under your feet. However, some people just don’t like the snug fit you get with shoes like these. They can expand with your feet through the class, but there’s not much leeway to tighten or loosen with the laces.
These don’t have a lot of structure at the sides. You might find your feet shift around slightly.
There’s also not a lot of arch support. These have some basic mounds, but nothing very intense.
5. RYKA Women’s Tenacity Dance Training Sneaker
These Ryka’s aren’t perfect, but we think they’re a fantastic platform to dance in. What do we mean? Well, they’re phenomenal in almost every way, and they’re easy to perfect with an replacement insole! They have great soles, a flexible but supportive fit, and excellent durability. All they’re lacking is solid arch support, and a bit of extra cushion. If you’re looking for a high-top, hip-hop shoe for Zumba, these are the best we’ve found.
Pros:
They’re super stable and supportive in the ankles. The Ryka’s have reinforcements around the back and sides of the ankles, and a sole that promotes a clean strike. They don’t produce any wobble in your landing or your gait, and they feel much more structured than the high-top Zumba-brand shoes above.
They have a nice wide platform, like other high-tops, but they have curved toes and a lifted midsection which makes them more agile than other hip-hop style shoes. These are much more flexible for lunging and twisting moves, and they simply feel less bulky.
The soles are a synthetic material, which gives you a nice, smooth surface to move on without feeling slippery. They have pivot points in the soles for turning and sliding, and the rest of the shoes have just enough grip to keep you in control.
They’re a lot more flexible and breathable than they look! These Ryka’s have the profile of a standard hip-hop shoe, but they flex much more easily at the mid foot, and they have lots of mesh along the uppers. It’s reinforced with strapping across the top, but still gives you a very airy feel.
They’re much more durable than the other Ryka’s we’ve reviewed. We couldn’t find any complaints about durability with these, while it was a main complaint from buyers who went for the Influence’s!
These are designed for female feet, like the Ryka Influence’s. They have wider toe boxes to let your feet expand, and narrow heels to keep you from slipping around in the back.
Instructors are big fans of these shoes, which is the ultimate qualification of a great Zumba shoe! They love the Tenacity’s because they can take a serious beating and still feel structured and supportive. Several instructors said they’d taken these to all-day training sessions and had no issues whatsoever!
Cons:
The insoles aren’t great. We think these shoes are fantastic shells, with durable soles and stable, secure uppers. However, they really do need to be supplemented with a more supportive insole. Unless you’re comfortable dancing in flat soles and only moderate cushioning, you’ll want to add an insole with a stronger arch support and a deeper bed of cushion. Pronators or people prone to plantar fasciitis should definitely not use these with the factory insoles.
They’re not as springy as the Asics. They have some basic cushion in the outsoles and midsoles, but while they absorb impact, they don’t return much energy to you.
As with most high-top shoes, they’re a bit heavy. They’ll take some getting used to, if you haven’t danced in high-tops before.
They run a bit big, so you may want to order a half-size down.
6. Reebok Women’s Hayasu Training Shoe
These Reebok’s are our ultimate pick for Zumba! They’re a perfect balance between agility and stability. They stay cool, secure, and springy all through your class, and they last a long time. We don’t think there’s anything to dislike here, and that’s rare in a Zumba shoe!
Pros:
These have a snug but flexible sock fit, a lot like the Asic’s we looked at above. They have mesh uppers, reinforced with webbing, and flexible soles which move easily with the uppers to support your feet as you move. You can adjust the fit with the laces, but in general they fit close to your feet.
We think they’re the best sock-fit Zumba shoes we’ve found! Unlike the Asic’s, they never feel like you’re sliding around or less than secure. They don’t stretch out over time or loose their elasticity, and they’re also not restrictive on the top of the foot.
They also have a molded ortholite footbed on the bottom of the sockliners. Ortholite material is what’s used in running and hiking shoes to provide springy and resilient cushioning. Here, it gives you the best support and cushion in any Zumba shoes we’ve reviewed!
They’re some of the only Zumba shoes we don’t think anyone will need inserts for! Even people with flat feet said the arch support was enough to be comfortable.
They have a nice roomy toe box to keep your feet comfortable until the end of class. They’re roomy without feeling too loose, or insecure.
These have super springy soles that give you lots of energy return as you step. They’re all rubber, with lots of natural bounce to absorb impact and propel you across the floor. The soles work together with the sock liner to protect your feet and joints.
The soles also have a pivot point under the ball of the foot, like most of our recommendations. They have relatively hard rubber outsoles, too, so there’s a nice mixture of mobility and traction. Reviewers said these were fantastic to move in! They said they never felt unsure of their footing, but at the same time, had no issues with sticking to the floor!
They also feel more secure than the Asics for side-to-side movements. That’s because they have a slightly rolled-up sole around the sides, with a totally flat strike across the width of the foot. These also have sturdier reinforcements around the ankles, and across the top of the lacing area. They don’t allow the sliding sensation you can sometimes feel with other sock-fit shoes.
You can wear them for all your other exercise! These are stable and solid enough for squats and lifts, and they also have more than enough cushion to handle the treadmill or the agility boxes.
They’re super durable! These Reebok’s are made from thicker mesh than Asics. It’s still breathable, and we have no complaints about sweating in these. However, they don’t tear easily, and they’re much better than the Asics over a few months of use! Since the soles aren’t laminated, they hold up better too!
Cons:
They run slightly large. You’ll probably want to order a half-size or full size down.
The laces are very smooth, and some people found they came undone during class. These are some you’ll want to double knot!
The only real downside we can see with these shoes is the price. They can easily cost $100, if not $150. That’s a big chunk of change for Zumba shoes. However, these can last twice or three times as long as other Zumba shoes, and they’re so versatile that they give you great value for money. We’d recommend them to any dedicated dancer, but probably not to someone who just wants to try out a class or two for the first time.
Conclusion
So, which of these shoes should you go for?
If you’re starting out, the Ryka Influence’s, Zumba Fly Print’s, and Zumba Energy Rush’s are all close to the same price.
If you’re the sort of dancer who prefers stability and structure, the Ryka Influence’s will be for you! They’re the cheapest of the bunch, but they’re great for keeping your footing secure. The two big downsides are the lack of deep cushioning and the poor durability.
If you like the freedom and lightness of low-top shoes like the Ryka’s but know you need more cushion, you’ll be well-advised to choose the Zumba Fly Print’s. They have some extra padding in the footbeds, and a bit more arch support too. However, they’re still pretty poor in the durability department, and they’re not as deeply cushioned as our more expensive recommendations.
If you like high-top dance shoes, or simply want the deepest cushion for your money, the Energy Rush’s are the best budget choice for you. They’re more durable than the other two budget picks, and they give you better padding. They’re a bit clunky compared to the Ryka Tenacity’s, though.
The Asics are a good value pick if you want one shoe for Zumba and the rest of your exercise routine. They’re great all-around shoes, even if they don’t have a specific pivot point like our dance-specific picks. We also think they’re the springiest, most agile Zumba shoes you can get for under $100. The major downside with these is their mixed durability record. They’re also not as stable for lateral movement as the Reebok’s.
The Ryka Tenacity’s are the best high-top shoes we’ve found for Zumba. So, if you like the extra ankle stability and support that higher-profile shoes offer, these are our recommendation to you! They can last for years, and they’re super secure. You’ll definitely need to add a replacement insole, though.
For the best overall performance and comfort, look no further than the Reebok’s! The Hayasu’s give you the airiness and light weight of the Asics’, but with a lot better durability and stability. They’re springy, supportive and resilient. We can’t think of anything we dislike about them! So, as long as you can afford them, we think any dedicated Zumba-goer owes it to herself to get them!
Buying Guide
Traction
One of the biggest differences between shopping for Zumba shoes and shopping for cross-training or athletic shoes is that you don’t want the grippiest shoes in the world for the dance floor! Running and training shoes are usually super grippy, so they don’t give you the sliding, pivoting range of movement you need in Zumba class. We recommend looking for Zumba shoes that have relatively hard rubber or synthetic soles, with moderate grip. Best of all is a shoe that has moderate grip throughout the foot, and a smooth pivot point under the ball of the foot! These pivot points give you a much better range of movement without you having to have a completely slippery sole.
Stability
All the fast, tricky steps you’ll have to complete in Zumba class are great for building strength and agility. However, if you don’t have stable shoes to step with, you can put your ankles at serious risk. So, you want to look for shoes which have relatively stiff soles, or lateral motion control. Torsion plates or rigid midsoles can be good for keeping shoes from rolling to the sides. You should also go for soles which are flat all the way across, instead of being rounded to the sides. Another key place to look for stability is the ankles. You’ll want reinforcements around the back and sides of the shoe’s heel, as well as a fairly solid sole that promotes an even strike.
Fit
There are two types of fit to choose between when it comes to Zumba shoes. One is the looser, more open hip-hop shoe. These fit a bit less snugly, and are more like an agile boot. They leave a bit of wiggle room, and you’ll adjust them with laces or straps. Or, you could choose a sock-fit, sneaker-style shoe, which has a stretch mesh upper. These fit snugly and securely, and they don’t usually need laces at all. Some people find them restrictive, though, and they don’t offer much of a range for adjustment. You can choose which style you prefer.
Whichever type of fit you end up choosing, make sure you get a shoe that has a narrow heel, and a wide toe box. You need a narrow heel to keep your ankles in place. Wide toe boxes accommodate for the natural swelling your feet will take on as you get toward the end of class. Both features are important in either a lace-up or sock-fit shoe!
Breathability
As with any exercise shoes, you want your Zumba kicks to keep you cool! Look for plenty of mesh through the uppers. Make sure it’s reinforced, though, or you could run into tears!
Support
Zumba can be hard on the feet, like any kind of intense exercise. We recommend some level of arch support for any dancers. You can judge how much is appropriate based on your foot profile. If you have high arches, you’ll probably find that most Zumba shoes can’t support your arches. In that case, you’ll almost certainly want to use an aftermarket insole. If you have normal to low arches, you may be able to use the factory insoles. Having an appropriate amount of arch support will protect your arch tissue, and keep chronic issues like plantar fasciitis at bay, so be sure to find shoes that suit your arches!
Cushion
As with running and jumping in cross-training programs, Zumba classes are a high-impact activity. You need shoes that have lots of cushion to protect your feet and your joints. Look for rubber soles, EVA midsole cushioning, and padded insoles. Some Zumba shoes also have gel pockets or other cushioning features specifically in the ball or heel of the foot, which is ideal for sticking your landings comfortably.
Durability
Zumba takes a toll on your body, so you can imagine what it’s doing to your shoes! One of the biggest challenges of shopping for Zumba shoes is finding a pair that will last more than a few months. Avoid any mesh shoes that don’t have reinforcement webbing in the uppers! It’s also a good call to stay away from laminated soles when possible. The more reinforcements you can find in the uppers, and the fewer seams you can find in the soles, the more durable your shoes will be!
Cost
Price isn’t always indicative of quality when it comes to clothing and shoes. Thankfully, when it comes to Zumba shoes, you really do get what you pay for! We suggest paying at least $50 for even your first pair. If you’re dancing regularly, and can afford it, we think it’s a good idea to spring for something in the $75-$150 range. The more you pay, the longer your shoes will last. You’ll also find that you start to see better cushioning and support as you go up the price ladder.
What’s Next
To check current prices for any of our recommendations, or to see more details about a given pair of shoes, just click on the links in its review to see it on Amazon!
Want more of our expert footwear reviews and recommendations? Head to our home page, where you’ll find links to all our other guides!
