Published on January 15th, 2025 | by Kirsten Borrink

5 Best Shoes for Zumba (Even if You Have Problem Feet) 2025

I’m not Latin, but I have a Latin heart. My soul is moved by Latin beats like bachata, cumbia, salsa and reggaeton. While I don’t consider myself a dancer, Zumba classes remain my favorite cardio exercise, even with rheumatoid arthritis. But which shoes for Zumba and other dance fitness classes are best for protecting the joints yet allow the feet and ankles to pivot well? I know that the Zumba company carries their own brand, but a little Reddit research leads me to believe these shoes are lacking the support needed for problem feet (you are welcome to dispute me in the comment section). After asking my Facebook followers and conducting my own deep dive into customer comments, I’ve rounded up the five best shoes for Zumba (and a pair of socks)!

“Great support and comfort for all dance moves.” – Ryka customer

Flexible, lightweight and supportive? With a pivot circle for easy-on-the-knee turns? That’s a hard combo to find, but it looks like Ryka is giving it their best effort! The No Limit cross trainer from Ryka features a generous toe box, snug fit at heel, moderate arch support and dense yet lightweight cushioning. Available in sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $119.95 from Ryka, Zappos and Amazon. Tip! For $30 less, you could try the Ryka Devotion Max trainer recommended by a Zumba instructor that commented on my Facebook post about comfortable shoes for Zumba.

“Wear these to Zumba class, 3x week. Really notice the difference that higher ankle support makes, especially when jumping and making quick turns. My 50+ year old, flat feet (with bunions) are very happy.” Nike customer

Do you need a little extra ankle support during your Zumba workouts? The Nike Free TR8’s bootie fit and fully attached tongue provide a snug, stable fit around the ankle. The rounded toe box is generous and the smooth sole allows for non-grippy pivots and slides. Find a pair in sizes 5-12 on sale for $66 at Nike. Also available through Amazon.

I was surprised to find out that Lululemon has expanded into the footwear realm! The Strongfeel is categorized as a strength-training shoe but I read reviews from Zumba dancers stating that although the shoe doesn’t have the pivot circle, they allow the shoes to move laterally without gripping–also mentioned was the lightweight feel, low-to-the-ground profile and good cushioning. Find a pair in sizes 5-12 for $69-128 from Lululemon. Tip: Take advantage of Lululemon’s 30-day trial!

“Love my shoes. I do Zumba and body conditioning and so far this shoes answer my prayers. No more pain!” Hoka customer

If you’re a fan of Hoka, but your cushy yet bulky Bondi running shoes feel unstable during Zumba, you may want to consider the streamlined Hoka Solimar with a lower stack height. Available in sizes 5-11 for $125 from Hoka, Zappos and Amazon.

This is the shoe that yours truly wears for Zumba class..and I have myriad problems with my feet: bunions, hammertoes, rheumatoid arthritis throughout the foot joints, past surgeries. Topo Athletic shoes give me the arch support I need while allowing my toes to spread out–no more painful bunions or numb toes. They even accommodate my custom orthotics (best to order up a half size) and I love the snug fit at the heel. Granted they are a running shoe and the tread is a little grippy, but I modify my Zumba workouts by limiting my turns and lateral movements. The Topo Magnifly 5 is available in sizes 6-12 for $135 from Topo Athletic, Zappos and Amazon.

Sometimes the best shoes for Zumba are the ones that are already in your closet. You love the support they offer, the fit and overall feel, yet they keep catching on the humid wood floor at the gym torquing your knees! The Dance Socks fit snugly over the your shoes covering the ball of foot in a smooth blend of nylon and spandex. Available for $14.99 from Amazon. They even make a sock that covers the whole foot for at-home workouts on carpet!

I would love to know what foot issues you have and which shoes for Zumba you wear? Leave a comment below or join us in the discussion over at Facebook!