Cheap Pole Dancing Shoes: Good Heels for Less
The best cheap pole shoe is the Pleaser Delight-608: a 6″ clear ankle-strap sandal that usually costs about $56 and is the pair most beginners start in. For under $50, check Pleaser’s sale section, where Adore, Delight and Flamingo styles often drop to $42–49, or buy second-hand on Poshmark, eBay or Mercari. Avoid unbranded lookalikes with thin straps or wobbly heels.
Budget pole shoes compared
Second-hand Pleasers
HeelAny
Typical US priceOften 30–50% off retail
NotesCheck soles, heels and straps
Price
HeelUsually lower
Typical US priceDelight-608 from about $47 at pleasershoes.com
Sizing
HeelOften EU or Chinese sizing; fit varies between listings
Typical US priceUS whole sizes with a published chart
Reviews
HeelUsually tens to a few hundred
Typical US pricePopular styles have thousands
Consistency
HeelCan change between batches
Typical US priceEstablished brand, in business since 1993
Returns
HeelAmazon returns usually apply; check the listing
Typical US price45 days on pleasershoes.com, or the retailer’s policy
Before you buy a budget pair
- Choose listings rated 4 stars or more from at least 50 ratings, and read the 1-star reviews for broken heels or straps.
- Check the size chart in centimetres and read what buyers say about fit.
- Avoid buckles, studs or metal on the inside of the leg; they can scratch the pole and you.
- Look for wide, firm ankle straps rather than thin, stretchy ones.
- For lace-up boots, tuck the laces in before you dance.
- Try them on carpet first so you can still return them.
What about SHEIN and Temu? Both sell very cheap platform heels, and both let you return your first item per order free. Quality and sizing vary from listing to listing, and SHEIN UK only refunds shoes that were tried on a soft, clean surface, so you can’t test them on the pole first. Compare them in our brand directory.
Buying second-hand pole shoes
Poshmark, eBay, Mercari, Depop and Vinted all have Pleaser listings, often 30–50% under retail. Before you buy:
- Ask for photos of the soles, heel attachment and straps.
- Walk away from cracked platforms, peeling patent or heels that look loose.
- Ask whether they were worn outdoors; many studios ask for indoor-only shoes.
- Check the model number so you know the heel and platform height.
Studio swap events and local pole groups are worth asking about too.
Pay through the app’s own checkout so you are covered. Depop Protection (UK, US and Australia) covers items that don’t arrive or are significantly not as described, if you paid through Depop and report it within 30 days of purchase. On Poshmark you need to open a case within 3 days of delivery, and a poor fit is not covered. Paying outside the app, by bank transfer or a PayPal payment to the seller, usually leaves you with no protection. Before wearing used heels, clean the footbed and straps with antibacterial wipes.
Red flags in cheap pole shoes
- Thin “jelly” straps that stretch and give no ankle support.
- Heels that wobble or are not firmly attached to the platform.
- Hard, slippery soles.
- No proper size chart, common with unbranded “Pleaser-style” lookalikes.
- Two-band slides with no ankle strap; they can come off mid-spin.
A snapped strap or loose heel in a spin can cause an injury, so it is worth paying a little more for a known brand.
When to find the best deals
Pleaser’s sale section changes constantly, and Hella Heels runs seasonal sales and a “Last Chance” section. Holiday sales such as Black Friday are common across the industry. Sign up for brand newsletters and check often, as sizes sell out quickly. Where to shop is covered in our where to buy guide.
Frequently asked questions
Are cheap Amazon pole heels any good?
Some are. Well-rated budget pairs on Amazon get 4.4 to 4.5 stars, and buyers praise comfort and value, but fit and quality vary more than with Pleaser. Choose listings with plenty of ratings, check the size chart in centimetres, and avoid buckles or metal that touches the pole.
Can I get good pole heels under $50?
Yes. Pleaser’s sale section regularly has Adore, Delight and Flamingo styles for about $42–49, and second-hand pairs on Poshmark, eBay and Mercari often sell for 30–50% under retail. The full-price Delight-608 is about $56.
What is the cheapest good pole shoe for beginners?
The Pleaser Delight-608, a 6″ clear ankle-strap sandal for about $56. For a few dollars more the Aspire-609 has a chunkier, more stable heel.
Are Ellie Shoes good for pole?
Ellie is a common budget alternative to Pleaser. Retailers say durability may not match higher-end brands and the fit runs narrower, so they suit occasional classes better than heavy training.
Is it safe to buy used pole shoes?
Usually, if you check them first. Ask for photos of the soles, heels and straps, avoid cracked platforms, peeling patent or loose heels, and ask whether they were worn outdoors.
What should I avoid in cheap pole shoes?
Thin straps, heels that wobble, slippery soles, two-band slides without an ankle strap and sellers with no proper size chart. A failure mid-spin can cause injury.
When do Pleasers go on sale?
Pleaser keeps a permanent sale section that changes often, and holiday sales like Black Friday are common. Check regularly, because popular sizes sell out fast.
Sources
- Pleaser: Sale (pleasershoes.com)
- Pleaser: Delight-608 (pleasershoes.com)
- Otherworld Shoes: Pole dancing shoe brands (otherworldshoes.com.au)
- Oh Foxy: Guide to pole heels (ohfoxy.com)
Pleaser model reviews
Delight-609 (6″) · Adore-708 (7″) · Flamingo-808 (8″)
Keep reading
Pole shoe brand directory · Beginners guide · Where to buy · Ellie Shoes review · Platform sandals