To come up with a score for fit of a shoe, we considered several factors, like the ones mentioned above, in addition to real customer reviews, to help boil down everything into one simple score. For example, Nike tends to make shoes that are true-to-size, meaning that you can buy a pair of 11s one year, and another pair of 11s next year in a different model, and they will usually still fit (unless your feet grown or shrank). A brand like Nike will most likely have a high score when it comes to fit, but the other variables in play, such as make, model and purpose, will also affect the overall score.

Consider that a running shoe, with its thicker midsole and synthetic sole, might fit differently than a flat shoe, with its thinner midsole and hypothetical leather sole. Each of these shoes, even if they are both from Nike, may have similar scores for trueness-to-size, but a size 11 in one might not be the same as an 11 in the other. What’s a reader to do in this case? You must also consider the purpose and type of shoe it is. Knowing what kind of shoe you are buying, and for what purpose, will help you make a better decision. A running shoe might run smaller than a flat because it has thicker materials, so read customer reviews as well to arrive at the best decision for fit, in addition to just our overall score.

At the end of the day, however, a higher score for the “fit” criterion will tend to mean that the shoe experiences a better trueness-to-size than a competing product; just don’t forget all the underlying factors that are baked into arriving at that single score! Finally, if you are looking for tips on how to identify your shoe size, check out this guide by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society.

Comfort and fit are crucial for dance shoes, meaning materials must be lightweight, flexible, and soft. The upper and soling materials may be the same, or different, depending on the style of shoe, and must be durable, in order to withstand long hours spent on the dance floor.

Here are the materials we recommend for dance shoes:

Leather
Leather is breathable and lightweight, allowing air to flow naturally around the foot. It has excellent moisture-absorbing properties, making it a great material for lining, while it’s resistance to abrasion are ideal for the upper and sole.

Canvas
This is a sturdy, woven material which is light and airy, making it a perfect upper material for dance shoes.

Rubber
Commonly seen, rubber is best used for the shoe sole, thanks to its moisture-resistant, anti-slip properties.

Suede
When it comes to soft Suede is an excellent material to be used on the sole of a dance shoe. Suede gives the perfect balance between slipperiness and grip for turns and twirls across the floor. Suede soles will need to be maintained by brushing the sole with a wire dance shoe brush from time-to-time, in order to up-keep their roughness.

That being said, we also have a few materials to avoid, as they do not contribute to the breathability, comfort and durability required to support a competent, skilled dancer.

Synthetics
Synthetics, such as polyester and acrylic, are less than desirable for dance shoes. They fail to absorb moisture; as well as, preventing air from freely flowing around the foot.

In general, a higher score on this criterion means the product in question is made from materials we judge to be better for a dancer's comfort, health and performance.

While style is often a matter of personal taste, we've checked thousands of online reviews to see what people are saying about each of the products on our list. Some things, such as sleek design, seamless construction and overall weight and shape of the shoe, were common likes or dislikes among buyers of each product.

To evaluate style, we considered everything from the design, color, shape, weight, lines and overall construction of the shoe in question. While no one wants to wear an uncomfortable shoe, they also don’t want a comfortable shoe to be ugly on the eyes. We’ve selected all of those on our top 10 to be not only stylish, but also comfortable, true-to-size, supportive and durable.

The higher the score on the “style” metric, the more fashionable we and the community of buyers we surveyed deemed the product to be.

Dancers often spend hours-a-day practicing and performing on hard surfaces, like tile or wood flooring. This puts the dancer at risk for a number of foot-related injuries, such as Anterior/Posterior Impingement Syndrome, Achilles Tendinitis and Metatarsalgia.

To reduce the risk of injury, a dancer should select a shoe which has a quality insole that will both absorb shock, as well as, conform to the shape of their foot. An insole with too much cushion will take up too much room in the shoe and can give an ungraceful appearance when the dancer performs, so we were conscious of this when deciding on our top 10 list.

We also considered that a firm insole will give good structure to a shoe and increase its stability and durability, but it will also increase the weight of the overall product and be less comfortable. A softer insole might be more comfortable, but that comes at the expense of stability and durability. We tried to balance these weights when evaluating our products, but each reader and wearer is different, so be aware of this trade-off.

Just about any shoe can be danced in but what sets a good dance shoe apart from the rest are the features it offers, which will aid the dancer in performing their best. Dependent on the type of dance style being performed, the dancer will require different features from their dance shoes. The following is a list of things to look for in a shoe based on the dance style.

Ballet
Ballet shoes are all about the ‘pointe.’ Pointe shoes are made up of several different parts; the shank, throat, vamp, toe box, and platform are the major components of any pointe ballet slipper. These components all serve an important part in aiding the dancer to achieve the most elegant pointe possible. Here's how:

• Shank: The rigid insole which gives support underneath the arch of the foot.
• Throat: The opening of the shoe.
• Vamp: The area of the shoe which covers the top part of the toes and the foot.
• Toe Box: The cup which holds the toes and ball of the foot.
• Platform: The bottom of the toe box where the dancer stands.

In order to determine the right pointe shoe, a number of factors will have to be taken into consideration and it is recommended that a dancer be professionally fitted for their pointe shoes.

Jazz/Tap
For tap dancing, the most important feature a shoe can offer is the taps, themselves. Different styles of taps will offer a unique sound; some will be lighter and tinier, while others will provide a deeper tap. Some of the most well-known taps are produced by leading manufacturers and offer a great distinction from one another.

Latin
A good shoe for Latin dancing will need to be comfortable, durable, and practical; while, also, helping add to the dancer’s graceful appearance.

Western/Line
Ideal shoes for western/line dancing are, of course, going to be cowboy boots. But not just any boot will do! In order to stay comfortable during long hours spent spinning and twirling across the dance floor, your boots will need to provide good ankle support, the right amount of slip, a flat or low heel and a secure fit.

Hip-Hop
Hip-hop dancers, unlike others, do not necessarily need shoes which are designed for dancing, any athletic shoe would be acceptable. However, looking stylish and remaining comfortable are two major factors when selecting a pair of shoes for hip-hop.

Stability and grip are important safety features which should be considered; as well as, ensuring that your shoes fit securely. Rubber is an excellent choice for an outsole for hip-hop dancing, due to its excellent grip and anti-skid properties.

Contemporary
Traditional shoes are not the best choice for contemporary dancers; instead, a foot glove is a much more appropriate choice. A foot glove protects the ball of the foot while providing anti-slip security at the same time of maintaining the desired barefoot esthetic.

Shoes that score higher on this criterion are more of a general shoe and may be able to be used for multiple purposes; however, bear in mind that shoes that score high on "versatility" may be so versatile, they cannot be used for specialized dance styles, like some of the ones we listed above.