How to Choose the Right Heels & Kneepads for Floorwork
Choosing the right dance heels and kneepads can make a big difference in how comfortable and fluid your floorwork feels!
This guide explores the main types, their differences, and shares tips to help pick the best option for your dance classes, plus example dance heel brands and online retailers for where to buy kneepads.
What Heels To Wear For Floorwork
Open-Toe vs Closed-Toe Heels
For floorwork choreography, both open and closed-toe heels work, though closed-toe style (like boots) can offer better protection during floor dives, slides and dynamic moves.
Suitable Footwear for Floorwork
Socks
If you're hesitant to wear heels, socks will help your feet slide on the floor. Over time, sitting back on the tops of your feet or ankles can get uncomfortable since there’s no structural support or cushioning so you might like to try layering padded socks underneath for comfort.
Ankle Boot Heels
Ankle boots are a great middle ground if you’re not ready to invest in branded dance heels. Avoid thin, strappy styles, as these can dig in or offer little support. Regular ankle boots aren’t designed to flex like dance-specific heels, so they can feel a bit stiffer, but they provide more foot protection than just socks.
Dance Heels
These are usually slim, flexible heels specifically designed for dancing. They often have slightly grippy soles, which may feel a bit more resistant during certain sliding moves in floorwork routines, but provide excellent stability for standing heels classes. If wearing an open-lace style, toeless padded socks can help prevent laces from digging into your skin.
Example brands: Heels for Queens | Vamp Heels
Platform Heels & Pole Boots
Platform or pole heels are great for FloorWerk classes since choreographies never involve standing or walking. Hard plastic platforms add a bit of weight to the ankles but can make sliding and floor-based moves smoother. Ankle straps and buckles on sandal-style heels may dig in or slightly restrict mobility, so platform boots are ideal for providing extra stability and protection.
Example retailers: Shoe Me | Hella Heels
Best Kneepads for Floorwork: Features & Styles
Dance Kneepads vs Sports Kneepads
Some kneepads designed for sports like volleyball or netball have a thicker, structured design or hard protective shell. While these are great for impact protection in sport, they can feel bulky for floorwork and may pinch behind the knee when kneeling or sliding across the floor.
Dance kneepads are usually made from softer, stretchier fabric that allows your knees to bend and move smoothly.
Gel vs Foam Padding
Kneepads with gel padding are often recommended for floorwork, as they tend to hold their shape longer than basic foam padding, which can compress over time with repetitive impact. Many dance brands offer slimline gel kneepads in black or nude tones, with anti-slip strips inside the band to keep them securely in place.
Some dance kneepads also use special engineered padding material designed to absorb force while remaining flexible during movement. These styles can provide extra cushioning for dancers with sensitive knees or practicing high-impact floorwork tricks, though they may feel slightly bulkier than slimline designs.
Soft Fabric vs Grippy Kneepad Styles
For floorwork, it’s best to choose soft fabric kneepad styles. Some variations with leather or grip panels are designed for pole dance grip, but on the floor they can make fluid transitions feel sticky.
Some Australian online retailers of dance kneepads:
You can also find similar kneepads on Amazon, or foam-padded styles at stores like Rebel Sport, though these may not last as long for floorwork.
Step Into Class With Confidence
Choosing the right heels and kneepads can make a big difference to how your floorwork movements feel, but there’s no one-size-fits-all. Feel free to experiment with different styles to see what works best for your body, comfort, and movement!
For more tips on getting ready for your FloorWerk class, check out this outfit guide on what to wear to dance class.
