Smooth shoes are not the same as rhythm shoes. They need to fit like a glove but they shouldn't hurt you. In latin your toes spill over the top in smooth they are closed and so they are alot harder to get just right.

Your feet shouldn't move around inside but they also shouldn't hurt. If you kick...which you will in smooth the shoe needs to not come off. It's one of those inbetween things.

You don't want a real high heel because of the way you use your feet in smooth. If the heel is too high you won't be able to do your heel leads correctly.

There is no preferred brand per say to compete in. Buy the shoe that is right for you. Don't even think about buying it until you try it on and dance around in it a little. There are a lot of brands...same ones you were looking at for rhythm. The point is to get the shoe for you....judges aren't checking out the name brands on your footwear. They don't have time. There are always too many couples on the floor to be bothered...your real focus and money is best directed on two or three other things.

1. Buy a great dress that really fits you and really makes you stand out. There are a ton of designers...no one is really preferred just buy one that is going to really work with your personality and the way you dance. If you don't catch anyones attention then it won't matter how well you dance.

2. Spend your money on lessons from a good instructor. I'm going to be brutal here...if your instructor doesn't know about shoes and hasn't been able to direct you to what you should be wearing he isn't who you should be dancing with. If he is going to charge you to compete with him or if you are an amateur couple being trained by a pro don't you think he should be more experienced than this? This is supposed to be his bread and butter...why doesn't he know this? Why isn't he telling you this? I don't mind helping...don't get me wrong. I just don't want you to get ripped off by someone who is unscrupulous.