I love using these shoes for zumba. I'm so much more in touch with the floor! I usually wear a size 7 shoe. I first ordered a size 8 leather pair. I like them and they're okay if my toe nails are at their shortest. I ordered a second pair, keeping the first also. This is the second pair which is canvas and a size 8.5. The fit on these is perfect, so I would say to buy 1.5 size larger. I definitely like dancing in them.