The Best Cowboy Boots for Line Dancing
Headed to a line dance but not sure which boots to dance in? This guide can help you pick a pair of dancing boots that will keep you on the floor all night long.
If you’re gearing up for line dancing, finding appropriate Western footwear may be the most important part of your planning. You don’t have to wear cowboy boots to line dance, but you may enjoy the experience more if you look the part in well-fitting country dance boots. You need a comfortable and stylish pair, but there are other factors like heel material and shaft height to consider when selecting the right pair.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Line Dancing Boots: What’s the Difference? You may not always know in advance, but it’s helpful to have a sense of the surface you’ll be dancing on. If you’re at an indoor line dance, your boot selection will differ from a dance outside in the grass. Ideally, you’ll choose a boot with the right traction for each situation and environment.
What Kind of Boots are Best for Line Dancing?
Many line dances are held inside on a vinyl or wood dance floor. On a smooth surface, the choice between leather and rubber soles comes down to personal preference. Leather soles will help you glide across the dance floor, while rubber soles will provide comfort and traction to keep you on your feet all night long.
Our Picks: Women’s Casanova Western Boot and Men’s Futurity Showman Western Boot
Many modern cowboy boots, especially work boots, have rubber soles. If you know you’ll be dancing on concrete or outside on grass, a rubber sole will give you better traction and will help keep you from slipping. Boots from our Bantamweight collection are also a great option, as they are lightweight and flexible.
Our Picks: Women’s Heritage X Toe Elastic Wide Calf Western Boot and Men’s Sport Flying Proud Western Boot
Prioritize Fit
Dancing can be exhausting! You need your boot to perform during all of your effort and physical movement. The right pair of cowgirl boots or cowboy boots should feel comfortable and easy to wear all night. If you’re buying new boots, wear them for a few days to break them in before your first line dance.
The perfect line dancing boots should fit your foot with some wiggle room in the footbed but not so much that the boot slips at the heel or creates a gap at the top of your leg. Trying to dance in a boot that’s too big or heavy can lead to blisters or embarrassing slips on the dance floor and can be dangerous if you trip and sustain an injury.
Safety First
For both men and women, the heels on boots for line dancing should be fairly low—no more than a couple of inches. The higher the heel, the more difficult it will be to balance and shuffle on the dance floor, and the more likely you are to get hurt.
You can choose any shaft height and design of boot that you like for line dancing, but it’s most common to see dancers wearing boots with shafts that are 10 inches or more. Women’s ankle-cut booties are also cute and completely acceptable, and some wearers consider styles like the Dixon bootie to be the best boots for dancing. They look like cowboy boots and pair well with jeans or even with leggings in cold weather.
Our Picks: Women’s Belinda StretchFit Western Boot and Men’s Bench Made Bassett Cowboy Boot
Free Those Toes
Toe shape is one of the most fun and customizable parts of cowboy or cowgirl boots. Although boots with pointed toes are typical in Western-style dress boots, line dancers tend to forgo that trend and choose a boot style with more room in the toe box.
Square-toe boots give your toes plenty of space to move around in the boot without being cramped. Other shapes, like pointed and tapered toes, can certainly be worn while line dancing but don’t offer as much space and may be uncomfortable after being on your feet all night.
Our Picks: Women’s Circuit Rosewood Western Boot and Men’s Bench Made James Western Boot
Strut Your Stuff: How to Pick Fashionable Line Dancing Boots
Picking out a new pair of boots should be fun. n addition to being suitable for dancing, they should show off your personal style. Cowgirl and cowboy boot styles come in hundreds of colors, patterns, cuts, and designs; match them to your dancing outfit, or let them stand out and make a statement. Choose what works best for you as you pick out the perfect pair of line dancing boots so you can boogie all night.
FAQs About Line Dancing Boots: Answering Your Top Questions
What is the best heel height for line dancing?
The best heel height for line dancing is typically low—no more than one to two inches. A lower heel helps maintain balance and stability on the dance floor, so you can move comfortably and reduce the risk of tripping or slipping. Taller heels can make shuffling or performing more intricate moves harder, so it's best to keep the heel height minimal to avoid any discomfort or injury during dancing.
Can you line dance in rubber sole boots?
Yes, you can absolutely line dance in rubber sole boots! Rubber soles provide excellent traction, which can be especially beneficial if you're dancing outdoors or on a slippery surface like concrete or grass. While leather soles let you smoothly glide across a dance floor, rubber soles provide more stability and comfort, making them a good option for dancers looking for extra grip and long-lasting comfort.
Can you line dance without cowboy boots?
Yes, you can line dance without cowboy boots, but many dancers wear them for style and tradition. The most important factors are comfort, fit, and traction, so any footwear that meets those criteria can work for line dancing. Sneakers, for example, might be comfortable, but cowboy boots give you that authentic Western look and feel, enhancing the overall experience of line dancing.
