The best Zumba shoes you can buy

Lightweight and flexible, the Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 with gel cushioning is quite comfortable for Zumba class.

The Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 seems to be built for Zumba. It has a breathable mesh upper for air ventilation, a "Rearfoot GEL" cushioning system that absorbs shock from the impacts of jumps, a midsole with a crisscross pattern for multidirectional bendability, and a rubber sole with the right amount of grip. People also like its stylish yet understated appearance in a selection of appealing (and "not wild) solid colors.

According to Sportsly, which rates the Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 as its third best model, the shoe's flexibility "promotes extreme articulation during Zumba dance classes." This flexibility also provides freedom of movement in non-Zumba activities like walking and light cross training.

WalkJogRun ranks the Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 within its top ten picks and says the "lightweight design [is] great for lateral motions." Add the Mono-Sock design (an elastic internal sleeve that replaces a traditional tongue, making the shoe easy to slip on and slip off), and you have a sneaker that fits comfortably like, well, a sock — in fact, some people skip wearing actual socks. This construction feels secure and snug but not too tight.

The trade-off of the lightweight and flexible Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 is a need for more support, particularly in the arch and the sides. Although Amazon reviewers describe wearing the shoes as "walking on baby clouds" and some feel they provide adequate support and cushioning, several say otherwise.

The Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 is ranked second highest on BestWomensWorkouts, third on Shrewd Fitness, and within the top ten picks on RunnerClick. Among more than 180 Amazon reviewers, this shoe has 4.1 stars out of 5.

Pros: Lightweight, flexible, comfortable

Cons: Needs more arch and side support

Buy the Asics Women's GEL-Fit Sana 3 on Amazon for $34.97 to $139.99 (price varies based on size and color)

The high-top Ryka Tenacity offers strong ankle and heel support along with stability and cushioning thanks to a springy insole.

Great for low-impact Zumba classes (like Zumba Gold, a low-intensity version designed for dancers who want routines that are easier on the joints), the Ryka Tenacity provides ample ankle support as well as comfort and security. Zumba Gold instructors recommend this model to students. BestWalkingFeet praises its heel support and describes "a molded, rigid heel reinforcement unit which keeps you from pronating too much to either side as you dance."

The Ryka Tenacity has a breathable synthetic mesh upper that adjusts with a lace-up front and Velcro strap across the midfoot for customizing a secure fit. The manufacturer boasts both a RE-ZORB footbed (which BestWalkingFeet describes as "bounc[ing] back and return[ing] the energy of each downward motion back up to your legs") that reenergizes dancers and a dual foam midsole engineering design to provide extra cushioning at forefoot pressure points.

What the Ryka Tenacity doesn't have is strong arch support. You can insert custom insoles with arch support, but some users dislike the extra expense and inconvenience. Nonetheless, the shoe's rubber outsole has a pivot point under the ball of the foot and the right amount of grip for dancing.

The Ryka Tenacity seems to run fairly true to size, although a few Amazon reviewers recommend sizing up by a half while BestWalkingFeet suggests sizing down a little bit. We recommend trying these on before you use it, or purchase from an online retailer with a good return policy like Zappos.

Of the more than 430 Amazon customers, 62% gave the Ryka Tenacity 5 stars. This model is the second-highest ranked Zumba shoe on RunnerClick, the fourth on Sportsly and BestWomensWorkouts, and sixth on BestWalkingFeet.

Pros: Comfortable, great ankle support, secure fit

Cons: Weak support for the arch (can add own insole, which isn't always convenient) and lateral movement

Buy Ryka Tenacity on Amazon for $29.95 to $84.95 (price varies based on size and color) Buy Ryka Tenacity on Zappos for $85.00

For women and men who demand bona fide dancewear, the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker provides maximum flexibility for Zumba movements and foot extensions in a well-constructed studio shoe.

Famous dancewear manufacturer Capezio makes the unisex Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker, which is perfect for Zumba enthusiasts, dance teachers, hip-hoppers, etc. Users love this well-padded yet lightweight and flexible shoe. Its sturdy upper is made of polyurethane nubuck, imitation suede, and mesh. This model also has a ventilated arch for breathability as well as a padded collar, tongue, and Achilles notch above the heel for comfort. The removable footbed, made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate, a man-made material often used running and hiking shoes), provides ample cushioning.

What's really special about the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker is that it's designed specifically for dancing. Zumba instructors state that it facilitates easy turning and pivoting without sacrificing stability. Excellent for changing direction, rotating, and executing lateral movements, this shoe has a non-marking, polyurethane sole split sole for maximum foot articulation and toe pointing; flex points and a spin spot under the ball of the foot for pirouettes; and a flat, boxed toe for executing toe stands.

The Dancerholic blog notes that the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker is "great for those with knee problems as they have built-in flexible points and a spin spot so you can move side-to-side without putting pressure on your knees." Several Amazon reviewers report switching to this shoe in order to avoid and/or eliminate aches and pain. Some users like the sole's grip (even for dancing on carpeting) while others find it a bit slippery for lunges, squats, and on non-carpeted floors.

People (especially those with wide feet) find the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker a bit narrow and that runs small. The manufacturer recommends women order one size up from their street-shoe size and men order two sizes up.

The Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker is one of the top picks on Dancerholic, RunnerClick, BestExerciseShoes, Shrewd Fitness, BodyTechReview, and ZumbaHQ. On Amazon, 52% of more than 600 reviewers gave it 5 stars.

Pros: Split sole allows full foot articulation and rotations, lightweight and flexible

Cons: Run a little narrow and small, can be slippery on wooden floors

Buy the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker on Amazon for $55.86 to $138.15 (price varies based on size) Buy the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker on Zappos for $68.50

The Nike Men's Free 5.0+ is lightweight, breathable, and flexible, and provides cushion for men starting out in Zumba.

Finding Zumba shoes for men is a bit like playing "Where's Waldo?" because unless shoe models are labeled as unisex or for men, you can assume they're likely for made for women. Nonetheless, there are good Zumba shoes for men out there, like the Capezio Rockit Dancesneaker described earlier and others by Capezio and dance brands like Bloch and Sansha. The best "mainstream" shoe we found after an exhaustive search is the Nike Men's Free 5.0+. It accommodates the male foot shape well and has features that make it appropriate for Zumba.

Fitness enthusiast and BodyTechReview founder Mark Brennan likes the Nike Men's Free 5.0+ for men trying Zumba because it's lightweight, flexible, and comfortable. The shoe's upper is made out of breathable mesh for releasing heat and evaporating sweat during an intense Zumba workout. The shoe also has a molded, cushioned footbed and arch support that adjusts to your foot and absorbs shock.

Its sleek look may appeal to men. Although marketed as a running shoe (which normally you shouldn't wear for Zumba), the Nike Men's Free 5.0+ has "decent" but not overly strong grip according to Amazon reviewers. Instead of heavy, deeply grooved treads often found on running shoes, this model features hexagonal flexible grooves on its minimal rubber sole, so it isn't too "grippy," which is important in executing twists, turns, and other Zumba moves.

The Nike Men's Free 5.0+ runs a bit small and wearers recommend ordering up a size.

One Amazon reviewer wrote that his pair of Nike Men's Free 5.0+ is "the absolute best Zumba shoes I have ever owned!" This model has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars among more than 1,400 Amazon reviewers.

Pros: Lightweight, flexible, not too "grippy," sleek and masculine appearance

Cons: Pricey, no pivot point, runs a bit small

Buy the Nike Men's Free 5.0+ on Amazon for $130