Dance party checklist: What to pack in your bag

The anticipation for the next Salsa night, an intensive Bachata weekend, or a big festival is huge. But if you want to dance until late at night, you quickly realize: the right preparation starts with packing. Nothing ruins the mood on the dance floor faster than a painful blister on your foot, a completely sweat-soaked shirt, or forgotten deodorant.

So that you can focus entirely on the music and your dance partners, we have put together the ultimate checklist for your dance party gear. With this practical guide, packing your dance party bag becomes child's play, ensuring you are well-prepared for every situation on the dance floor.

The heart of your equipment is, of course, your shoes. Depending on the dance style and location, you should choose the appropriate footwear. If you are, for example, attending a dance festival in Germany, you often don't know exactly what the venue floor is like beforehand. Therefore, the following social dance accessories should definitely be in your bag:

• The right dance shoes: It is best to pack a broken-in pair that you can be sure will remain comfortable even after hours.
• A shoe brush: Indispensable for shoes with chrome leather or suede soles to brush off dust and dirt from the dance floor right on the spot.
• Spare shoes: A flat pair of spare shoes or comfortable sneakers will save your evening if your feet get tired in your heels after all.

Dancing is a sport. After a few fast rounds of Salsa or Discofox, everyone starts to sweat. To keep a fresh feeling for yourself and your dance partners throughout the night, having enough change of clothes for dancing is an absolute game changer.

Pack at least one or two fresh tops. Lightweight shirts made of breathable materials or thin cotton take up hardly any space in your bag, but work wonders after you change. If you are preparing for a big event and writing your dance festival packing list, it is best to plan even more generously. A fresh shirt or a new top will immediately give you new energy for the second half of the night.

When social dancing, you naturally get very close. Good personal hygiene is therefore the most important unwritten rule at every social dance event. The following items should not be missing from your small toiletry bag:

• Deodorant or antiperspirant: For a quick refresh in between. Neutral scents that are not too overpowering are best.
• Oral hygiene: Chewing gum, mints, or a practical mouth spray ensure fresh breath before the next dance.
• Refreshing wipes: Ideal for quickly wiping your face, hands, and neck in the restroom.
• A small fan: The absolute lifesaver in hot, crowded dance halls. A few puffs of cool air often work wonders.

If you would like to arrange a meeting with like-minded people to try out your new gear, you can easily find a suitable partner online for the next dance party and conquer the dance floors of your city together with udansa.

Even with the best preparation, minor incidents can happen. A new pair of shoes might rub unexpectedly, or the sole might be more slippery than you thought. With a few small helpers in your bag, you are prepared for anything:

Blister plasters in various sizes are an absolute must. They immediately protect the affected area from further pressure and allow you to keep dancing pain-free. A small piece of sports tape also helps to tape up stressed areas on your toes in advance. A few safety pins have also saved many a torn piece of clothing or a loose start number at festivals. Pack these little things in a separate compartment of your bag so that you do not have to search for long in an emergency.

• Packed dance shoes for the right floor?
• At least one fresh change of shirt in your bag?
• Deodorant (without strong perfume) and refreshing wipes with you?
• Chewing gum, mints, or mouth spray ready to hand?
• Blister plasters and tape packed for emergencies?
• Small brush or comb for your hair with you?
• Fan tucked away for a quick cool-down in between?
• Reusable water bottle (if allowed) packed?
• Shoe brush for suede soles in your bag?
• Cash for admission or cloakroom with you?
• Hair ties or hair clips packed as a backup?