Ballroom Connection

Best place to buy dance shoes and apparel. Best customer service.
I couldn’t be happier with my choices and experience.
Thanks so much.

I needed ballroom shoes, but am located in Santa Barbara where there are few options for ballroom dance apparel/​shoes. At first, I was quite skeptical with ordering dance shoes online… But I had no choice.
I talked to Chris over the phone and he was super helpful with giving me recommendations for shoes and it was overall a quite positive experience. I just received the shoes in a timely manner, and they fit perfectly! Thanks Ballroom Connection!!!

I made the trek from Marin to Ballroom Connection for Salsa and Ballroom dance shoes yesterday, and I’m so happy I did! I’ve been taking classes for a while, but without any real understanding of the importance of the proper shoe for each type of dance. Stephanie explained the purpose of closed toe for Ballroom (heel-​driven dances) which are structured differently from latin shoes (for pointed toe work). As an expert competitive balllroom dancer herself– I so appreciated her tips on posture/​hold! Talking with Stephanie was so enlightening and I found 2 perfect pairs of shoes, as well as some gorgeous fishnet tights. SO much better than buying shoes on the internet –Stephanie is a gem!!!

They have quite a selection of shoes, but I wish they had even more, not for style but because each shoe fits a particular foot shape, so after you rule out the styles that hurt your feet, there aren’t that many left to choose from, if any. Thankfully, they had a pair I could wear without pain.
The guy helping me brought out MANY styles of shoes, and went back for a different size, even though he didn’t agree that I needed a half size larger. I liked that he left me alone to test the shoes, instead of hovering. He helped a few other people while I was trying shoes on, and he was helpful with their questions.

Came in here for my first pair of dance shoes. Stephanie was super patient and helpful as I tried on all different brands of shoes (they all fit differently, but you need to find the right fit). I found a beautiful pair of heels, with a 20% discount. Score!
Overall, I could not be happier with my experience and my purchase, and I’m sure I’ll be back as get better at dancing.

This is by far the best place for your ballroom needs in the bay area! One of my buddies forgot his shoes at a competition they were vendoring at, and they were nice enough to lend one of their displays to him for the competition! 5 stars and 5 thumbs up!

After having my last pair of training heels stolen, I decided to get a pair of heels from an actual shoe store. I did a lot of research on locations and decided to drive over to Sunnyvale.
I came in with an idea of what I was looking for and the sales association brought out exactly what I asked for. After trying a couple pairs on, I decided to change the heel height. 2 shoes later, I walked out with a pair of Ray Rose. The service was great. Very knowledgeable about the products. Glad I made the trip.
Tip: They say your size should be foot length. I would suggest that you also take into account you forefoot shape. I’ve got a wider forefoot and a couple of the pairs the associate brought out were to narrow in the forefoot. There’s a difference between snuggle and secure, and too tight. Don’t get talked into a shoe that’s too tight.

My boyfriend and I went in to get our first pair of dancing shoes. We started taking salsa lessons and wanted appropriate footwear. The process was very smooth and I felt comfortable trusting the store employees with what they thought was best for us. We are super happy with our purchases and will return when the time comes!

I just went in for my first pair of salsa shoes. Christine helped me and was as sweet as can be. She totally found a beautiful pair that I am super happy with and didn’t try to upsell me at all! it ended up being less than I expected ($ 65, before tax).
I was the only person in the store when I came in, but even after another customer entered, she was so completely attentive to me until I had found what I wanted. Really 5 stars.
I’ll definitely be coming back to feed my latin dance addiction — Christine and the shoes in stock are great! :)

I went to Ballroom Connection to buy my first pair of dancing shoes. The owner was very nice and took her time to explain the different kinds of shoes to help me find one that fits my needs. She was not pushy in giving her recommendations, but rather gave me the different shoes to try to help me make my own decisions. She even answered questions from me and other customers about dancing best practices, etc. The only downside is the high price, but I was glad to get this in-​person service. If I had bought online, I would not have bought the right shoes.
However, I do wish that the prices would be clearly listed on the shoes instead of having to ask a staff member each time. The only shoe prices I got were $ 25 for Jazz shoes and $ 65 for practice shoes.

There was a time when I never thought I would buy dance shoes. When that changed, I was very glad that I went to Ballroom Connection. They have a variation of shoes, clothing, and music to choose from to advance my dance career. I will come back here for business. Staff was very helpful and patient. I tried every pair they brought out and am very happy with my selection.

As a competitive ballroom latin dancer, I can tell you it is one of the biggest essentials to have the perfect shoe that fits YOUR feet. My feet are pretty wide and I tend to be really picky with how the heels look, so finding shoes that I actually like and fit well in is difficult. Stephanie has managed to please me every single time! She can also custom order shoes for you from the best brands of available. My trust in shoes lies with her!

Came in for the first time to look for a new pair of dance shoe. Been ballroom dancing for 15 year. Stephanie the owner was great and very knowledgable. Ask me some question and bought out a pair of shoe from the back room. It was exactly what I was looking for. It was a perfect fit and very comfortable but the best thing was that the price was so reasonable. I was expect to pay more for those shoe. I am one happy customer. Thank you Stephanie !.

I danced ballroom dancing for two years competitively. I highly recommend this place to buy any of your dancing shoes for international dances or social dances. They have a variety of selection. Chris helped me and he is very knowledgable and friendly. With 7 years of dancing experience, Chris definitely knows what shoes work for you. Stephine has 20 years of dancing experience and she has the best taste of shoes. If you come here, you can trust you will leave happy:)

What a disappointment! I drove all the way to Sunnyvale because of the ratings and because I wanted to buy a pair of shoes in person after trying them on. The shop is tiny, with a limited selection lining the walls. The saleswoman was busy fitting a man for slacks and didn’t nod or acknowledge me, so I looked around. After a wait it was my turn, and I told her I wanted to purchace a «lower heel» ballroom shoe and held up a strappy satin sandal style with about a two inch heel as an example. I know my size is an issue because I wear a european 42, so realized they might not have the exact shoe I wanted. The woman said she might only have closed shoes, however when i opened the two boxes she handed me I found both pairs to be oxford style with stumpy, broad 1″ heels… not even remotely graceful and unsuitable to wear with a dress or gown.
At this point a second saleswoman sailed in from her break, coffee in hand, and came to help since a friend had arrived for the first one. I told her I was looking for a graceful ballroom shoe and that by «lower heel» I meant something in the two inch range… again walking over to the pretty, strappy 2″ sample and holding it up, but also again acknowledging my size «problem.» She looked pained and said they could order something… which defeats the whole point of shopping in person. Not even a «gee, sorry we can’t help.» And while I know full well my feet are not petite, they managed to make me feel like some sort of freak of nature. I would not recommend this place to anybody with feet over a size 9… if at all.

This was my first time buying a pair of ballroom heels and the instant I walked in I was serviced immediately. The two ladies who work there both participated in collegiate ballroom dance competitions so they knew what type of heels would be more commonly seen on the dance floor and would be better to dance in while keeping it within my price range. They helped me find the perfect fit for my feet and kept it fairly reasonable in terms of price. ($ 84 after tax for open toe latin heels with heel protectors and a brush) Now I bought a fairly cheap pair of heels but I know they sell plenty of other, better and more expensive brands. They also have beautiful argentine dance shoes (which I may be coming back for later). I definitely recommend getting a pair of heels from here, especially if it’s your first time.

I am in Stanford’s Social Dance I class, and our instructor (Richard Powers) listed this store as his first recommendation for beginner practice shoes.
The attendant had extensive answers to all my questions. They were out of stock in the exact size I was looking for, but they do accept exchanges within two weeks of purchase.
Pros: helpful staff, reasonable prices (at least for low-​end)
Cons: weird hours

When I first started ballroom dancing, my coach at that time always bought shoes online and recommended me a site to do so as well. After I grew more accustomed to dancing, I felt that my Supadance standard shoes weren’t that comfortable for me. I finally went to Ballroom Connection and tried on various shoes in person to find a pair of dance shoes that actually fit me. It makes a HUGE difference to try shoes in person compared to ordering online. I find that the Ray Rose brand is great for my high arch and small heel but it’s definitely not for everyone so I recommend trying the different brands they carry to find what is right for your feet. They even carry AIDA now for the more competitive Latin dancers.
Overall, great selection of dance shoes and very helpful staff!

I am a professional ballroom dance instructor and former United States Rhythm Champion. This location is where I have bought my shoes and other teaching supplies since the very first day of my career and is where I have sent dozens of happy students during those years.
One of the best things Ballroom Connection has going for it is Stephanie herself. She is very knowledgeable and connected to the ballroom community in the greater Bay Area. She provides good information as far as how the shoe should fit, what kind of shoe you should have, the difference between brands, and much more.
When coming in, I would recommend letting her know who your instructor is and where you are taking lessons. This already will give her an idea of what your needs are better than you may realize and as a result, she will give you your best options. As someone who is also very connected to much of the ballroom community, I can tell that those who did not have the most optimal of experiences may not have enough initial information before coming in, leaving them unable to appreciate and understand what the store has to offer.
Shoes come in all shapes, sizes, widths, heel heights (especially for women), and even colors. Besides fashion purposes, these details change what the shoe is made for (Latin versus Ballroom, Social versus competitive, beginner versus experienced). Want to try out social dancing? Great. Stephanie will bring out comfortable and flexible brands with low-​heels in the color of your choice. Need a pair of competitive dance shoes? Out come the skin-​toned, higher-​heeled, form-​fitting shoes. Yes, your first pair of shoes will be uncomfortable no matter what. You get used to it, I promise. Yes, you will probably need a shoe brush. Overall, this good base of knowledge has made it easy to put my trust in Stephanie to take care of all of my students.
As far as brands go, you will especially find a large selection of Go Go Dance, which are not really my favorite, but make a good choice for beginners, and Stephanie’s which I usually encourage students with long-​term goals to invest in. Ballroom dancing tends to be pricy in general and being thrifty with the shoes get you nowhere as you need to see this as an investment (would you give your racehorse crappy horseshoes?) Stephanie’s are my go-​to choice for beginners as they’re more well-​made compared to their Go Go counterparts and in the more recent years, have started to be more creative with their designs, bringing them closer to par with the European brands you may find.
For serious competitive dancers, you are in luck. Ballroom Connection carries some of my recommended brands, including Ray Rose, and more recently, Aida’s, which used to be very difficult to obtain. These two brands are particularly unique for being more accommodating towards those with different needs (e.g. wide feet, different heels, a darker finish, etc). Other European brands such as Supadance and Internationals can also be found here, but the aforementioned two are my personal recommendations.
The small practice floor is definitely a nice bonus as it lets you try out the shoe on actual floor. Remember, you need these shoes to do more than just look pretty on your feet. You can also find other supplies, such as dance manuals (which teachers use for their certification exams), DVDs (these tend to pricey anywhere you look. I also would recommend using the DVDs to supplement private lessons versus replacing them. I promise you, that never works. You need someone to give you feedback if you don’t know what you’re doing and a DVD can’t do that), practice skirts and pants, and more.
For people who plan on coming in for the first time, have your instructor give you information on the shoe you need. Assuming that they are knowledgeable enough, they should tell you exactly what to look for in detail, thus making your trip and experience and optimal one. Can’t remember it? Write it down. Hope this review helps. As I stated, dozens and dozens of students over the years and every single one of them has had their needs satisfied.

Just bought my first pair of salsa shoes today. Had a wonderful experience, they were so helpful at Ballroom Connection. I don’t know anything about salsa shoes and they helped me pick out a perfect pair, so comfortable plus they informed me about what to look for, and how to treat my shoes. I even added my name to a wait list for some nice going out shoes. I highly recommend Ballroom Connection for anyone buying shoes, especially newbies! Happy Shopping!

Was recommended as a place to go to for dance shoes.
I have been interested in buying some salsa ballroom shoes for some time now and am glad I chose this place to visit.
The two ladies who helped me were as informative as a book, patient while I made up my mind and helpful in terms of what to look for, what style to choose, correct fit etc.
As a first timer they also took into consideration my price point. I originally picked out the most expensive shoe (not surprising) but one of the girls suggested I try a less expensive pair as my first. Very considerate since most sales people would not have talked me out of it.
Can’t wait to have to get another pair so i can come here. Definitely recommending this place to my 2 other salsa buddies.

This place was recommended to me as a place to buy shoes for salsa dancing. I could not have been happier with the service, knowledgeable staff or my shoes. Since this was my first pair of dancing shoes, the gentleman in the store explained all the basics to me, very patiently and helped me determine which pair fit my feet the best. Then he added additional holes — without my asking — because he «wanted to be sure they fit me perfectly.»
As an added bonus, the shoes were only half the price I expected. I could not be happier with this place! Definitely my go to from now on!

This is a great place to shop for dancing shoes. Also, the owner Stephanie is extremely helpful and knowledgeable about dance resources in the bay area!

I came all the way from San Francisco to buy some Latin dance shoes, because I couldn’t find anything like Ballroom Connection in my area. The guy working there, who is a professional dancer, was super helpful. He clearly understands dancing and shoes and helped me not only find but decide on what would work best for me, taking the time to explain all my options and the pros and cons of different shoes. He wasn’t pushy at all and allowed me the time I needed to make a decision. They have a great selection too!

A friend recommended that I check out Ballroom Connection for shoes for my wedding. I’m a trained dancer (although not in ballroom), and I have super-​messed-​up feet. I need close-​toed, supportive, pretty shoes. Ballroom Connection definitely delivered!
I definitely suggest considering ballroom shoes for a wedding. They’ll be better to dance in and have more support (on the arch if you need, and the heel placement is better for balance).
I even went so far as to get custom shoes — purple kid leather please! They’re adorable and I’ve gotten lots of compliments from anyone who has seen them so far (in rehearsals and fittings only… so far!).
The staff was very sweet when I called with questions or came into the store. They are not at all pushy.

This weekend at Pacific Grand Ball, I purchased my 4^th pair of dance shoes from Ballroom Connection. I did not go there with the intension of making a purchase, but it just so happened that way because Stephanie (owner) was there, remembers me and my sister as clients, and introduced me to the new line of shoes she currently carries, Ray Rose. I was going to update my review, but came on to realize I never wrote her one! What a shame.
Let me just back up really quick. A few years back when my sisters and I first started learning how to dance, we Unilocaled a store that sold ballroom shoes and found Ballroom Connection. The location being so close to where we lived at that time was the store of choice. I remember meeting Stephanie for the first time there and she was just so helpful (despite the fact that we were beginners) in terms of explaining what we should look for in a pair of dance shoes that would best fit our needs and our feet for dancing. Being an experienced, competitive dancer herself, I was very appreciative of her suggestions. So, I bought my first pair of Stephanie Professionals (Latin) and have been dancing with the same pair, same design since then. I own 3 of the same pair for social dancing and competing (1 being a gift). Something I really appreciated was that Stephanie saw me try the shoes on and notice that even the farthest hole on the buckle didn’t seem to make the pair of shoes fit perfectly for me, she volunteered to punch a few extra holes for my buckle to make sure it would fit perfectly when I dance. As I always said, it’s always the little things that count for me. =)
Something I really like about ballroom connection is that they really care about their customers. They log the pair of shoes you buy so if you never needed to buy another pair to switch yours out and happen to forget which pair you own, they have the exact pair, heel height, color etc all on record and makes it a piece of cake for you to reorder (yes, when I bought my second pair, I forgot which ones were mine when I went to the store X_​X). Also, that was how my fiancée’s sister surprised me one Christmas with my exact pair of dance shoes (because I mentioned I wanted a back up pair for competitions just in case they break on me)!
This weekend, I was all dressed up (meaning inconvenient to kneel or squat =P) for PGB and saw Ballroom Connection’s table. Stephanie recognized us and chatted us up a little bit before kindly mentioning they carried Ray Rose now (which my sister recently bought). I showed interest in trying a pair on and Stephanie immediately got up and brought her chair over for me to sit down and try on the shoes. Very thoughtful so I wouldn’t have to kneel or squat. Again, her friendly, helpful demeanor was much appreciated, and after trying on the new brand, I decided to be brave and buy a different pair this time around. Who knows, I might end up permanently changing to the Ray Rose for my competition shoes! =)
Overall, the customer service here deserves 5 stars (Stephanie and her staff are all very helpful, friendly and approachable). The selection in shoes is now 5 stars. I will say that the shoes are not cheap. But then again, what do you expect? Ballroom dancing is not a cheap sport. =P I do recommend trying and movingaround/​dancing around in these shoes before buying them, because it is a pricey investment. The only downside, I wish they sold more of (in store) are practice wear. It’s hard to find nice practice skirts and/​or pants other than searching online. I’m the type of shopper that would prefer to see & feel the material, and be able to try it on for size before buying. For the time being, I will resort to online searching. But overall, I love this store and the services that Stephanie provides. I really haven’t gone anywhere else to get my ballroom shoes and would recommend beginners and pros to come here for their ballroom shoes.