The Irish dance notebook
First class booked. Let’s find your first shoes.
There is something lovely about getting ready for a first Irish dancing class. Then the shoe names appear: pumps, ghillies, reel shoes, jig shoes, heavies… and suddenly the shopping list feels much less straightforward.
Whether you are buying for a child or starting Irish dance as an adult, this guide to Irish dancing shoes for beginners will help you understand the choices, decide what to buy first and leave the extras until you need them.
The quick answer
Which Irish dancing shoes should a beginner buy first?
Ask your teacher what is needed for the first class. Some schools allow suitable existing footwear for trial lessons. When specialist shoes are required, many beginners start with pumps or ghillies; boys may follow a different starter-shoe route. Buy hard shoes when your teacher introduces that work. Choose each pair using its own fit guidance rather than ordering both types in your everyday shoe size.
Your first shoe purchase at a glance
What shoes do you need for your first Irish dancing class?
Before placing an order, send your school a quick message. Some teachers welcome beginners in clean trainers or existing dance shoes for the first few lessons; others prefer the correct Irish dance footwear from the start.
Ask three simple questions: What can I wear to the trial class? Which shoe should I buy first? Are there any sock or uniform requirements? The answers give you a much more useful shopping list than another dancer’s kit bag.
Pumps, ghillies, reel shoes and hard shoes: what is the difference?
Irish step dancing includes light-shoe and hard-shoe work. The three shoe styles below help explain the names you will hear when shopping.
Pumps or ghillies: the lace-up soft shoes
Irish dance pumps and ghillies usually mean the same soft leather shoe, with laces crossing over the foot. You may also hear “light shoes” or “soft shoes”. They are traditionally worn for girls’ and women’s light-shoe dances.
Pumps have a flexible body without the sound-making tips and heels of jig shoes. A traditional beginner pump can be a useful first option, while other models offer split soles, shaped arches or additional cushioning. Ask which construction your teacher prefers.
Boys’ reel shoes: a separate light-shoe style
Boys’ and men’s reel shoes have a more enclosed upper, a flexible forefoot and a built-up heel. Performance versions can have heels designed for clicks. They are a distinct style from the open, lace-loop pump.
Starter requirements vary: some schools begin boys in pumps or suitable jazz shoes before introducing specialist reel shoes. Check with your teacher before choosing. “Soft-shoe dancing” does not mean every dancer needs the same shoe.
Hard shoes: also called jig, heavy or treble shoes
Irish dance hard shoes have specialised tips and heels that produce rhythmic sounds. They are used for hard-shoe dances and generally feel more structured than pumps, with a lace-up upper and often a securing strap.
“Hard shoes”, “jig shoes”, “heavy shoes” and “treble shoes” commonly refer to this category. The word “jig” can be confusing: a light jig and a treble jig do not use the same footwear.
When should a beginner buy hard shoes?
Buy them when your teacher says they are needed for class. There is no single age, term or number of lessons that suits every dancer. Schools introduce hard-shoe work at different stages.
A first hard shoe should suit the work you are learning. Beginner models commonly provide more structure than very soft, ultra-flexible performance shoes. Ask about the balance of support, flexibility and fit rather than choosing solely by the lightest weight or highest price.
What to buy first, and what can wait
A small, practical kit is enough to get started. Let the school’s requirements guide the order.
1. The right first shoes
Choose the teacher-recommended style and arrange a fit check. This is the purchase worth taking time over.
2. Suitable socks
Check the preferred style and colour. Wear those socks for the fitting so the shoes are assessed as you will use them.
3. A simple dance bag
Start with a bag you already own if it holds your shoes, water and spare socks. Add separate shoe storage when useful.
4. Extras when needed
Hard shoes, decorative buckles and competition accessories can follow when your teacher asks for them.
Poodle socks are familiar Irish dancewear, but they are not automatically required for every first lesson. Our dance socks guide explains the styles. For carrying everything, explore our dance bags and backpacks.
Beginner Irish dancing shoes to discuss with your teacher
These options illustrate different starting points within our range. Choose according to the class, the dancer’s feet and the individual model’s fit notes.
| Shoe | Where it fits in |
|---|---|
| Goleen Aisling GL32 pumps | A beginner soft-shoe option with a leather upper, traditional full leather sole and ghillie lacing. |
| Goleen Ember GL50 jig shoes | A first hard-shoe option with a structured full leather sole, Featherflexi insole and sound-making resin tip and heel components. |
| Antonio Pacelli Essential jig shoes | A beginner and primary-level hard shoe with a supportive suede sole, Leinster tips and heels, and a securing strap. |
For the current selection, browse our Irish dancing shoes collection. If you need a boys’ reel style or an unusual fit, ask about suitable options before ordering.
Check the fit of each shoe type separately
Measure both feet and use the chart for the exact model. An old pump size or everyday trainer size is not a reliable shortcut, and your pump and hard-shoe sizes may differ.
First hard shoes should hold the foot securely without forcing the toes into a tightly curled position. Pumps have their own fitting considerations, so use our Irish dance pump fitting guide for the detailed toe, heel and arch checks.
Keep the shoes unmarked while assessing the fit. For pumps, our step-by-step lacing guide helps with the traditional beginner layout; follow the maker’s instructions if your loops differ.
Four easy buying mistakes to avoid
- Buying both types before asking. Find out what the teacher wants for the next stage of learning.
- Choosing extra length for growing room. Have the current fit checked and reassess as feet grow.
- Copying another dancer’s model and size. Their foot shape, experience and preferences may be different.
- Assuming the most advanced shoe is the best first shoe. Compare construction and suitability for the class.
A second-hand pair can be worth considering when the fit and condition are suitable. Ask the teacher to check worn soles, heels, tips, straps and stretched uppers before committing to them.
A simple routine after the first class
Undo the laces before removing the shoes, then let them air before putting them away. Keep them away from direct heat and follow the model’s care instructions. New leather and soles may need time to settle through ordinary class use.
For new hard shoes, use the gradual introduction recommended by your teacher. Avoid soaking, heating or forcefully folding them to speed things up. If something pinches or rubs, check the fit rather than assuming it must be endured.
Beginner Irish dance shoes: your questions answered
Do beginners need pumps and hard shoes straight away?
Often, no. Many begin with light-shoe work and add hard shoes later. Ask your teacher which pair is needed now, particularly if the course introduces both styles early.
Are pumps and ghillies the same thing?
In Irish dance, these names usually describe the same lace-up soft shoe. Check that you are buying an Irish dance pump, as “ghillies” can also describe footwear for other dance traditions.
Can I wear trainers or ballet shoes to my first class?
Some schools allow them for introductory lessons. Ask first: suitable footwear depends on the teacher, the floor and the work being taught.
Are Irish hard shoes the same as tap shoes?
No. They have different construction and sound-making components. Do not buy tap shoes as a substitute unless your teacher specifically accepts them for a particular introductory class.
What should boys wear when starting Irish dancing?
Follow the school’s starter-shoe guidance. Some begin in pumps or suitable jazz shoes, then move into specialist boys’ reel shoes. Hard shoes are a separate purchase when required.
Can adult beginners wear beginner models?
Yes, where the size, shape and construction suit the dancer and class. Being an adult does not automatically mean you need an advanced competition shoe.
One good first pair. Plenty of dancing ahead.
Start with your teacher’s recommendation, take time over the fit and build your kit as you learn. The next pair can wait until the next step.
Explore Irish dancing shoes