Best Pole Dancing Shoes: Independent Reviews & Buying Guides
Find the right pole dancing shoes for your experience, budget and style. We compare pole heels, boots and leading brands using manufacturer specs, sizing information and dancer reviews, checked by a dancer who trains in heels, with buying options for the US and UK.
Research-based, not lab-tested · How we research
New to pole heels? Start here
Four guides that answer the questions most beginners ask first.
What are the best pole dancing shoes?
Our picks are based on manufacturer specifications, available sizes, customer ratings, suitability for different levels and where you can buy them. We haven’t tested every shoe ourselves, so they reflect published product information and dancer experiences (how we research). Fit and comfort vary from dancer to dancer, so check each review’s sizing notes.
Pleaser Flamingo-808
- 8″ heel
- 4″ platform
- Sandal
Pleaser’s most-reviewed pole sandal, rated 4.9/5 from more than 2,300 reviews on pleasershoes.com. The 4″ platform keeps the pitch to about 4″, gentler than the heel height suggests.
Best for: intermediate and advanced dancers.
Pleaser Aspire-608
- 6″ heel
- 2¼” platform
- Sandal
Pleaser recommends its 6-inch Aspire line as the place to start. The taller platform gives a pitch of only about 3.75″, so the angle feels gentler. The Delight-608 is a cheaper alternative.
Best for: first-time pole shoe buyers.
Hella Heels Glitterati
- 7″ or 8″
- Vegan
- Sandal or boot
Hella’s glitter stilettos, from $110 in the US, with a cushioned insole and a smooth clear ankle strap for some pole grip. The chunkier Glitterati Xtra is for looks: Hella says it does not grip.
Best for: a statement finish and a padded footbed.
Hella Heels Wide Fit stilettos
- 7″ or 8″
- Wide Fit
- From $110 (US)
Hella’s Wide Fit shoes are wider in the foot and ankle, not the calf, and come in US 6 to 14. Wide-fit stiletto straps are roomier than standard fit.
Best for: wider feet and ankles.
Pleaser Delight-609
- 6″ heel
- 1.75″ platform
- Sandal
A 6-inch peep-toe stiletto with coloured straps and an adjustable ankle strap. Pleaser pole styles mostly run to US 14, which suits larger feet, including many men who train in pole.
Best for: bigger sizes or a 6-inch heel.
Pleaser Adore-708
- 7″ heel
- 2.75″ platform
- Sandal
Pleaser’s popular 7-inch clear-strap sandal, rated 4.9/5 from about 480 reviews on pleasershoes.com. The Adore-709 is the coloured-strap version.
Best for: stepping up from 6 inches.
Pleaser Adore-1020
- 7″ heel
- Lace-up + zip
- Ankle boot
Rated 4.8/5 from more than 1,400 reviews on pleasershoes.com. Reviewers say it runs slightly small. Tuck the laces in so they and the eyelets don’t scratch the pole.
Best for: ankle support and a performance look.
Hella Heels MilkSnake Boot
- 7″, 8″ or 9″
- About $160 (Hella US)
- Boot
A snake-print lace-up boot in three heel heights, $160 on Hella’s US store (October 2026). It has very few reviews so far, so it suits experienced dancers wanting a statement boot.
Best for: a statement boot with Hella’s padded fit.
How do you choose the right pole dancing shoes?
Three decisions matter more than brand or colour: the height of the heel and platform, whether you want sandals or boots, and how the shoe fits your foot.
What heel height should I start with?
Most beginners start with a 6- or 7-inch heel. The platform matters as much as the heel: the taller it is, the gentler the angle of your foot, so a 7-inch heel with a 2¾-inch platform puts your foot at roughly the angle of a 4¼-inch heel. Leave 8 inches until your ankles are stronger. Heel height guide
Should I buy sandals or boots?
Sandals are lighter, cooler and cheaper, and let your bare skin grip the pole. Boots support your ankles and protect your shins on climbs and floorwork. Many dancers end up owning one of each. Sandals vs boots
How should pole heels fit?
Snug, with your toes inside the platform and the ankle strap holding your heel. Pleaser makes whole sizes only, standard Hella Heels feel narrower, and boots often run small, so check each brand’s size chart. Sizing guide
Buying your first pair in five steps
Pick your brand
Pleaser suits most first pairs; Hella Heels costs more, and reviewers often call it plusher. Brand directory
Pick your store
Buy from a store that ships to you, with easy returns for an unworn pair. Store directory
Pole dancing shoe guides
Brands, styles, fit and where to buy.
Brands & reviews
Boots & styles
Fit & care
More pole dancing essentials
Can you trust these pole shoe guides?
Who checks the guides?
A dancer who trains in pole heels checks every guide, so hands-on knowledge shapes everything from pole-safety rules to fit.
Where does the information come from?
Brand size charts and specs, ratings from pleasershoes.com and retailers, and dancer reviews. Every guide lists its sources.
Do you test the shoes yourselves?
No. We don’t lab-test shoes, and we say so on every review. Prices are dated, and claims are backed by ratings or reviews.
Do you cover the UK as well as the US?
Yes. Every guide has buy buttons for both countries, plus store directories for Australia and Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best pole dancing shoes for beginners?
A 6- or 7-inch platform sandal with a secure ankle strap. Pleaser recommends its 6-inch Aspire line for beginners, and the Aspire-608 is rated 4.8 out of 5 on pleasershoes.com. See our beginner’s guide.
What heel height should beginners choose?
Most beginners start at 6 or 7 inches. Check the platform as well as the heel: a taller platform makes the angle of your foot gentler. Leave 8 inches until your ankles are stronger. See our heel height guide.
Is Pleaser or Hella Heels better?
Neither is better for everyone. Pleaser is cheaper, with more styles and sizes. Hella Heels costs more, reviewers often call it plusher, and standard Hella styles feel narrower than Pleaser. Many dancers start in Pleaser and add a Hella pair later. See our Pleaser vs Hella Heels comparison.
How should pole dancing shoes fit?
Snug, not tight. Your toes should sit inside the platform, the ankle strap should hold your heel firmly, and your foot should not slide. Pleaser makes whole sizes only, and boots often run small. See our sizing guide.
How much do pole dancing shoes cost?
Pleaser pole sandals cost about $47 to $80 at pleasershoes.com, and Hella Heels stilettos start at about $109 in the US (prices observed October to November 2026). In the UK, a Pleaser Aspire-608 is about £70. Boots cost more. See our guide to cheap pole shoes.
Where can I buy pole dancing shoes in the UK or USA?
In the US, buy from Pleaser USA, Hella Heels US or Shoecup. In the UK, try Hella Heels UK, Pole Junkie or Pole Dancing Shoes UK. Many pole studios also sell shoes. See our store directory.
Not sure where to start?
Our beginner’s guide walks you through heel height, sizing and your first pair, step by step.