Ballet leg warmers cover the legs from ankle to knee or thigh and keep the muscles warm during and between exercises. Warm-up booties slip over ballet shoes and keep the feet and ankles warm. Both are warm-up accessories, not part of the examination uniform, and most serious dancers eventually own both.
Ballet Leg Warmers
Ballet leg warmers are long knitted tubes worn over tights, starting at the ankle and reaching the knee or above. They are pulled on before class and removed once the body is warm, usually after the barre section.
Why dancers use them
- Keep the calf and thigh muscles warm before class begins
- Reduce the risk of muscle strain in cold studios
- Standard kit at most dance schools for teen and adult students
What to look for
- Knitted ribbed fabric that holds its shape
- Long enough to cover the calf fully — short leg warmers slip down during movement
- Colour: black is standard and matches any leotard; pink is also traditional
Warm-Up Booties
Warm-up booties (also called dance booties or shoe warmers) are soft fleece or knitted covers that slip over the ballet shoe. They cover the foot and ankle and are removed before any work that requires feeling the floor through the sole of the shoe.
Why dancers use them
- Keep the feet warm at the start of class, especially in cold studios or in winter
- Protect the feet during floor stretches and exercises at the beginning of class
- Can be worn over pointe shoes during warm-up to keep the feet supple
What to look for
- Soft, flexible material that does not restrict the foot
- A grip sole or suede patch underneath to prevent slipping
- Easy to pull off quickly — teachers often ask students to remove them partway through the barre
Do You Need Both?
Most adult and teen dancers use both. Leg warmers are the more essential of the two for most class environments — cold legs are a more common problem than cold feet. Warm-up booties are especially valued by dancers who train in cold studios or who do a lot of floor work at the beginning of class.
Are They Part of the RAD Uniform?
No. Leg warmers and warm-up booties are warm-up accessories and are not part of the RAD examination uniform. They should be removed before an exam begins. Check with your teacher about whether they are allowed during graded class warm-ups — policies vary by school.
See our warm-up clothes guide for a full overview of what to wear before and after class, or browse our shop for current warm-up options.