Essential Jig Shoe with Black Strap

Getting the right size in a new pair of jig shoes can feel tricky, especially if you are moving between styles or brands.

With over 30 years’ experience fitting dancers, we’ve created this guide to make the process as straightforward as possible — while sharing the expert tips that will help you avoid the common pitfalls.

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Jig Shoe Sizing at a Glance

• Always measure the foot length – don’t rely on trainer size, school shoes, or old pumps. Use the recommended measuring method for an accurate result.

• Measure both feet – and use the larger foot measurement when checking for sizing so there is room for your longest toe.

• Check the Sizing tab on the appropriate jig shoes page for the correct sizing chart.
  

• There’s no need to second guess — our size charts already take the style of jig shoe into account. Just measure your feet and match the result to the guide on the jig shoe page.
  
  Our standard jig shoes sizing (e.g. Essential, Fays Black Suede Soles, Rutherford Golds) aims to give about 4–5mm space at the toe.
  
  Ultra Light sizing  (e.g. Feather Flex) aims to give 0-4mm space at the toe. 
  
  

• Don’t buy too big – oversized jig shoes make trebles harder and can affect sound.
  

• Don’t buy far too small – although some advanced dancers prefer a very tight fit, buying multiple sizes down damages feet and overstretches the leather.
  
• Ask your teacher or a senior student in the class for advice if unsure.

Step 1: Measure the Length of Your Foot

This is the most reliable way to get the correct jig shoe size. Accuracy matters — there’s only a small difference between half sizes.

1. Place a sheet of plain A4 paper against a wall so that the edge of the paper touches the wall.
2. Put on the socks normally worn for dancing. Place the foot on the paper with the heel against the wall. (Double check the paper hasn’t slipped!)
   
   
3. Relax the foot and toes. Mark the paper at the longest point of the foot (you may need a helper for this).
4. Draw a straight line from the wall edge of the paper to the mark, then measure this distance with a ruler. This measurement is what you’ll use to select your size.
   

👉 Measure both feet – it’s common, especially in children, for one foot to be slightly longer than the other. We recommend ordering for the larger foot when buying jig shoes so no toes are squished.

We strongly advise not ordering based on:

• School shoes or trainers (sizing varies widely)

• Existing pumps or jig shoes (they stretch with wear, so the marked size is no longer accurate)

• The old method of drawing around the foot (it’s prone to error because the result depends on the thickness of the pen and the angle you draw at)

You should now have two measurements.

Length of Left Foot:

Length of Right Foot:

Step 2: Check the Size Chart

Go to the jig shoe page you’re interested in and open the Sizing tab (under the product photos).

• Look for the foot length closest to your measurement

• It probably won’t be exact – choose the nearest option

Example

If your largest foot measures 217mm and you want to buy the Essential jig shoe:

• Size 2 suggests a foot length of 215mm

• Size 2.5 suggests a foot length of 218mm

If your foot measurement is close to the next size then we usually suggest choosing the size above the measurement for a good fit. So in this example the dancer would choose size 2.5. 

However, some dancers may need to adjust the suggested size. If the dancer has wide feet, or is a championship level dancer then you could consider adjusting the size as below.

• Wider feet / high instep → go up half a size. If the foot is very wide, you may need to go up a full size. (If you’ve chosen a wide-fit model, then half a size extra is usually enough.)

• Advanced dancers → are usually looking at our more advanced models and typically know the fit they like in their preferred brand and style. Don't forget that we have already adjusted the sizing recommendations to reflect that these styles benefit from a close fitting (toes against the front leather) but some dancers prefer them even tighter, so feel free to go down half a size. We wouldn't recommend going down more than that as you risk permanently damaging your feet and damaging the shoes, shortening their lifespan. 

A Word of Caution: Don’t Buy Too Large

It may seem like a safe option to order bigger, but in reality it’s a false economy:

• • Jig shoes that are too big are difficult to dance and treble in.
    

  • They can be a trip hazard

Essential Jig Shoe Sizing Chart

Foot Measurement (mm)	Essential Jig Shoe Size
165	9 (childrens)
170	9.5 (childrens)
174	10 (childrens)
177	10.5 (childrens)
180	11 (childrens)
185	11.5 (childrens)
190	12 (childrens)
195	12.5 (childrens)
200	13 (childrens)
203	13.5 (childrens)
207	1
210	1.5
215	2
218	2.5
222	3
225	3.5
230	4
235	4.5
240	5
244	5.5
247	6
250	6.5
254	7 (adult)
259	7.5 (adult)
263	8 (adult)
267	8.5 (adult)
273	9 (adult)
276	9.5 (adult)
280	10 (adult)
283	10.5 (adult)
286	11 (adult)
290	12 (adult)

 

Please Note - Every dancer prefers their jig shoes to fit in a certain way. Some like them extra tight, others with a little room. Combine this with the fact that everyone's feet are unique in terms of width, length, arch type and height and you can see why jig shoe fitting can be difficult. Hence we only offer this sizing chart as a guide rather than a guaranteed fit. 

Buying a first pair of Irish dance jig shoes can feel confusing at first, especially with so many different styles, terms and fitting advice being discussed online.

Irish dance jig shoes are also commonly called hard shoes, heavy shoes, treble shoes or even Riverdance shoes. Don’t worry if you hear teachers or other parents using different names — they are all commonly used terms for the same type of shoe.

This guide explains what to look for in a first pair of jig shoes, how they should fit, how to break them in safely, and the most common beginner mistakes parents make when buying their first pair.

When Does My Child Need Jig Shoes?

Most beginners start Irish dancing in soft shoes (also called pumps, ghillies or reel shoes) before progressing into jig shoes later on.

Different schools vary slightly in their approach and timing, and teachers will normally advise when dancers are ready to begin hard shoe dancing.

Don’t worry if other dancers in the class already have jig shoes. Every dancer progresses at a different pace.

What Shoe Should a Beginner Go For?

Without question, we normally recommend the Essential Jig Shoe for beginner dancers.

The Essential Jig Shoe has been designed specifically for dancers starting their hard shoe journey and includes all the features beginners genuinely need without moving too early into ultra-light championship-level shoes.

It offers:

• Good support and stability for developing feet
• Properly balanced weight and sound
• Durable tips and heels
• Enough flexibility to begin breaking in naturally
• A comfortable and secure fit for class and early competition

Trusted by teachers, parents and Irish dance shops worldwide, it is designed to help beginners feel confident and comfortable during their first hard shoe classes.

What Makes a Good Beginner Jig Shoe?

A good beginner jig shoe is very different from an advanced championship-level shoe.

For beginners, the focus should normally be on:

• Support
• Stability
• Controlled flexibility
• Comfort
• Proper sound generation
• Correct technique development

Many parents understandably assume that lighter or softer shoes are automatically better, but beginner dancers are still developing strength, control and technique.

A proper beginner jig shoe should therefore feel supportive and structured rather than extremely soft or ultra-light straight away.

Well-designed beginner jig shoes also use quality tip and heel materials which help dancers produce clearer sounds without making the shoe unnecessarily heavy or tiring to dance in.

Can Beginners Go Straight Into Ultra-Light Jig Shoes?

For most beginners, we would not usually recommend moving straight into ultra-light models such as Feather Flex or other championship-style jig shoes.

Ultra-light shoes are generally designed for experienced dancers who already have developed foot strength, technique and control.

These lighter models rely heavily on the strength of the dancer’s foot for structure and support. New dancers often do not yet have the foot strength needed for this and may struggle to rise properly onto their toes in these styles.

This can make certain movements more difficult and may affect balance and stability while learning new hard shoe steps.

Beginner dancers normally benefit from having:

• More support
• More structure
• Greater stability
• Slightly firmer construction

As dancers progress and become technically stronger, many later move into lighter and more flexible styles.

Should First Jig Shoes Feel Tight?

Unlike pumps, beginner jig shoes should not usually feel extremely tight.

This often surprises parents who have already been through the pump fitting process.

A new pair of jig shoes should feel:

• Secure
• Supportive
• Snug around the heel
• Comfortable enough to move naturally

However, the toes should not be heavily curled or painfully compressed.

Most beginners benefit from having a small amount of room at the toe area rather than an extremely tight fit. This helps provide stability and allows the dancer’s foot to move correctly while learning rhythm work and clicks.

Why Are Jig Shoes So Heavy at First?

New jig shoes often feel much heavier than pumps at first.

This is completely normal.

Jig shoes contain reinforced structure along with specially shaped tips and heels designed to generate the sounds associated with Irish dancing.

Most dancers adjust to the weight surprisingly quickly as they build strength and confidence during class.

Can I Buy Them Slightly Bigger to Save Money?

No — we strongly recommend avoiding oversized jig shoes.

While it can be tempting to buy growing room, this is often a false economy.

If the shoes are too large:

• The ball of the foot may not sit in the correct place
• Sound generation can be affected
• Clicks and rhythm work become more difficult
• Stability and control can reduce
• The dancer may move around inside the shoe

Correct sound in Irish dancing depends heavily on proper foot placement within the shoe, so fit is extremely important.

A properly fitted beginner jig shoe should allow a little room at the toes without becoming oversized overall.

Can I Use School Shoe Size?

No — we strongly recommend measuring properly rather than relying on school shoe or trainer size.

Irish dance shoes fit very differently from normal footwear, and sizing can vary significantly between brands and styles.

Drawing around the foot is also often inaccurate and can easily add several millimetres of error.

Instead, we recommend carefully measuring the foot using our Irish dance sizing guide before ordering.

👉 Read our full Jig Shoe Sizing Guide

What Size Should I Go For?

We cover this in more detail in our fitting guide, but for first jig shoes we generally recommend following the measurements carefully rather than guessing based on age or normal footwear.

If you are between sizes on the size guide, we would normally recommend choosing the larger size for beginner jig shoes.

This helps avoid crushed toes while still maintaining a supportive fit.

Her Feet Are Different Lengths

This is completely normal in growing children and usually balances out naturally over time.

For beginner jig shoes, we recommend fitting for the larger foot to avoid pressure and discomfort on the toes.

If there is a more noticeable size difference between the feet (around 5mm or more), some dancers use an Ouch Pouch or similar toe protector on the smaller foot to help even the fit slightly.

What Width Should I Choose?

The Essential Jig Shoe comes in one standard width, but we find it suits most dancers very well unless the foot is particularly narrow or particularly wide.

If the dancer has a wider foot, many parents choose to go up half a size to create a little more room and comfort through the width of the shoe.

Do All Jig Shoes Sound the Same?

Definitely not.

While cheaper non-branded jig shoes may sometimes look similar online, the materials used inside the tips and heels can vary enormously.

Lower-quality materials often produce a flatter or duller sound and may also wear down more quickly.

Some heavier materials can generate strong sound but make the shoe much heavier and more tiring for beginner dancers.

With over 40 years of experience sourcing and developing Irish dance footwear, we understand how important it is to balance:

• Sound quality
• Weight
• Durability
• Comfort
• Flexibility

Getting the right balance helps beginners enjoy their first hard shoe classes while also developing proper technique and rhythm.

Why Do Jig Shoes Cost More Than Pumps?

Jig shoes are significantly more complex to manufacture than pumps.

The tips and heels are individually added and shaped by hand by trained technicians using specialist machinery.

This is a skilled and time-consuming process, which is why you may occasionally notice small variations in the finish between pairs.

The hardwearing materials used in quality Irish dance tips also require dedicated shaping machinery, with sanding bands and finishing equipment needing regular replacement during production.

The result is a highly specialised shoe designed specifically for Irish dancing performance, rhythm and durability.

How Long Does It Take to Break In Jig Shoes?

Breaking in jig shoes is a gradual process and varies from dancer to dancer.

The timeline depends on:

• How often the dancer attends class
• How much the shoes are worn
• The strength and build of the dancer
• How consistently the shoes are softened correctly

Generally, dancers attending multiple classes per week will break in their shoes more quickly than dancers attending occasionally.

Larger or stronger dancers may also soften the shoes faster naturally through dancing.

How Do You Break In Jig Shoes Safely?

We recommend gradually softening jig shoes using approved methods such as:

• Gently manually bending the soles
• Wearing the shoes while relaxing at home
• Allowing the leather to gradually shape to the foot naturally

This helps soften the shoes gradually while still maintaining the structure and support needed for Irish dancing.

We strongly recommend avoiding many of the quick-fix methods sometimes seen on TikTok and social media, including:

• Folding shoes completely in half under furniture
• Putting shoes in the freezer
• Using hairdryers or excessive heat
• Applying saddle oil or heavy oils to the leather
• Aggressive soaking or over-softening methods

While these tricks may sometimes appear online, they can damage the structure of the shoe, weaken the leather, shorten the lifespan of the jig shoes and invalidate any warranty on the shoes.

Why Do New Jig Shoes Feel Stiffer Than Second-Hand Ones?

This is extremely common.

Many dancers move into their first brand-new pair after previously borrowing or wearing second-hand jig shoes.

Second-hand shoes often feel much softer because another dancer has already broken them in over time.

The leather will already have stretched and shaped around somebody else’s foot, and the soles will have become naturally more flexible through regular dancing.

Brand-new jig shoes therefore often feel stiffer at first simply because the breaking-in process has not happened yet.

Don’t worry — in time, the new pair will usually become just as comfortable as the second-hand pair.

Should Beginners Use Second-Hand Jig Shoes?

Second-hand jig shoes can sometimes be useful for very early beginners or dancers trying hard shoes for the first time.

However, it is important to remember that second-hand shoes have usually already shaped around another dancer’s feet and may have:

• Reduced support
• Worn tips or heels
• Uneven shaping
• Softer structure

This can occasionally affect comfort, fit and technique development.

Many dancers therefore move into their own properly fitted pair once they begin progressing more seriously in hard shoe dancing.

My Teacher Said to Get a Pair With a Bubble Heel — What Is That?

The “bubble heel” refers to the curved shape found on the inside heel area of many jig shoes.

This shape helps dancers perform heel clicks more easily — one of the most satisfying but technically challenging movements in Irish dancing.

All of our jig shoes include the bubble heel design as standard.

My Child Says Their Jig Shoes Feel Slippy

This is very common with brand-new jig shoes, especially during the first few classes.

Dancing on carpet can sometimes make new tips feel more slippery while dancers are still learning balance and confidence in hard shoes.

Many dancers naturally become more comfortable as the shoes break in and they gain confidence with their first hard shoe steps.

For dancers who need a little extra grip during this stage, many parents use our Get A Grip spray to help reduce slipperiness on the tips and increase confidence while learning.

My Child Has Sensitive Feet or SEN Considerations

Some dancers naturally have more sensitive feet or sensory considerations when breaking in new jig shoes.

This is very common, and there are several ways to help improve comfort during the early breaking-in period.

Some dancers benefit from wearing:

• Ouch Pouches beneath their socks to protect the toes
• Heel booties to reduce friction and help prevent blisters

For dancers with SEN considerations, comfort and confidence should always remain an important part of the fitting process.

A slightly more gradual and supportive breaking-in approach is often very beneficial.

Common Beginner Jig Shoe Mistakes

Some of the most common mistakes we see with first jig shoes include:

• Buying shoes too large for growing room
• Choosing ultra-light championship shoes too early
• Assuming jig shoes should fit like pumps
• Using school shoe size instead of measuring properly
• Trying aggressive TikTok break-in hacks
• Buying very cheap non-specialist jig shoes
• Expecting brand-new shoes to feel like softened second-hand pairs

Avoiding these common mistakes can make the first hard shoe experience much more enjoyable for both dancers and parents.

What Happens If the Size Isn’t Quite Right?

Don’t worry — finding the correct jig shoe fit sometimes takes a little trial and error, especially for first-time dancers.

We have a very simple 30-day returns policy. Simply send the shoes back for a refund and order the new size online.

Many parents also choose to order two sizes to compare at home and return the pair that doesn’t fit. This is often the quickest and easiest way to achieve the correct fit without delaying classes or competitions.

Final Advice

Don’t panic if a first pair of jig shoes initially feels a little stiffer or heavier than expected. This is a completely normal part of moving into hard shoes.

The right beginner jig shoe should help dancers feel:

• Comfortable
• Supported
• Confident
• Excited to begin hard shoe dancing

Taking the time to choose the correct fit and break the shoes in properly can make a huge difference to both confidence and enjoyment during those important first hard shoe classes.