Tango shoes: useful or just pretty?

[MadamSamba]

It's time I bought tango shoes, but I'm wondering if I should bother.

I have modern ballrom shoes, latin shoes, Bloch-type practice runners and shoes that I can tango in nicely, but it's definitely time to get a pair of "real" tango shoes.

The only thing is, unlike pointe shoes in ballet or leather-soled, super-flexible, supporting latin shoes, I can't figure out what the benefits of so-called tango shoes are.

You can spot one a mile away, of course, but is there something special about shoes made specifically for tango or are they just "prettier" than other high-heels?

Tango shoes don't strike me as markedly different from normal heels except that they look so darn good, as opposed to ballroom shoes or practice shoes for ballet, which are purpose-made and designed to support your foot depending on what style you're dancing.

I've visited a bunch of websites, but no one gives a substantial explanation of what the attraction/benefit of a shoe marked "tango shoe" is. Does anyone have any secret tango-shoe knowledge they're willing to share?

[dance-fanatic]

It's a good question that you are asking because I'd like to find that out myself too! From what I know, AT shoes are less "flexible" than ballroom shoes, and the the base is slightly thicker which gives a very good support. I have never tried on a pair of real AT shoes so I can't say, but I've heard from people who own real AT shoes that says the base give very good balance when they do swivel and other stuffs, but they said it just feels like latin shoes. I'd like to find out myself if anyone knows anything about it. Thanks! :)

[Cats]

I'm a guy, but I've a couple of the ladies I know discuss the point. The important thing about Tango shoes is the foot is almost completely covered. Unlike Ballroom where people are more separated, the men invade the followers dance space. In many moves, foot drags, Soccata's etc, the man's foot will land next to the womans. So after a full night of foot rubbing the ladies foot could get soar if it's not protected.

>^..^<

[DanceMentor]

I have found many "Argentine Tango" Shoes to be hard like street shoes, but smooth on the bottom. They are heavier than ballroom shoes, and less flexible. I have always questioned this, but I have talked to many people who defend the use of such shoes, saying things like:
1) In Argentina, people dance inside and outside
2) You are always on your toes, so it's good to have the hard sole
3) these are "authentic"

But I still don't understand why you wouldn't want something that is:
1) lightweight
2) flexible

[bordertangoman]

My first pair of shoes were a pair of leather soled shoes from an ordinary shoe shop (but not cheap). I later bought a pair of dance shoes which were slimmer and softer leather, also leather soled. I use the former more as I find they give better support of the arch especially if I'm dancing at a ball which might go on for five or six hours. The dance shoes bought were low heeled- as recommended by the shop but I have seen tango dancers use shoes with a Cuban heel.

That's a male perspective as I hadn't realised there were shoes made specifically for tango as opposed to other forms of dancing.

[nepheli]

hello there!
Can anyone in Melbourne, Australia please suggest a store where I can find tango shoes? Looking for something like this:
http://www.dancingshoes.com.au/images/natoli_caramel_main.jpg or http://www.dancingshoes.com.au/images/instep%20strap%20main%2036.jpg
These can be found in Sydney, but I can't locate anything in Melbourne (at least not online, yet)

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Larry in LA]

Try the following link.

22tangoshoes.com/home.html

I think this is one of those security-blanket subjects. If its REAL-LIVE TANGO SHOES I'll dance so much better.

As in all dance-shoe decisions, you need to keep in mind the requirements.

Comfortable!!! You're going spend a lot of time in them, on your feet, moving.

A sole that lets you pivot. Remember that Argentine tango moves involve a lot of 180-degree pivots (ochos, or figure eights). So the sole needs to be slick, but not too slick.

Enclosed toe. Even more important in tango than most other dances.

Everything else is frosting on the cake.

[twoleftpheeet]

Hi Nepheli

Try a site 'guaranteedfittangoshoes.com'. You will need to put the www. at the front. I am new to this site and just trying to follow the rules and regulations!

GuaranteedFit have their shoes made in Argentina. There are literally tens of designs (both male and female). They certainly look very good (understatement!). They are made to measure and if they dont't fit you get your money back. All sounds very good - I think I will try them out. They operate from Canada but ship worldwide. I spoke to them and they advise using Canadian Parcel Post to try to reduce tax and import duties.

Hope all this helps .... Bob

Dance first. Think later. It's the natural order. - Samuel Beckett

[Patapouf]

I'm in the process of getting a pair of tango shoes, I have some doubts about leather and suede soles. I have heard some people telling me that I should always choose leather sole to ease the swiveling and pivoting action in ArT. However, I've also heard some people saying that leather sole is not needed in the States since most dance floors are hard wood and suede sole is good enough, and that leather sole could be too slippery. However, in other countries/Buenos Aires where dance floors were sometimes concrete then we may need leather-soled shoes. Anyone has any opinion on this? Leather vs. suede soles?

[Larry in LA]

Leather on concrete. Either on wood.

Leather needs to be worn, that is abraded. Do a hundred ochos on concrete! This will take away dangerous slickness.

Suede is what I use. But get a coarse and a fine wire shoe brush to touch up the suede before you dance on it.

STAY AWAY FROM WETNESS! Both will screw up the soles of your shoes, especially suede.

[SDsalsaguy]

Hi Nepheli

Try a site 'guaranteedfittangoshoes.com'. You will need to put the www. at the front. I am new to this site and just trying to follow the rules and regulations!
Welcome to the Dance Forums twoleftpheeet, and thanks for following the guidelines! :D :D :D

[pygmalion]

Great tips, Larry in LA. Welcome. :D

So you break in leather versus suede shoes differently? How?

[Sagitta]

All the AT ladies that I talk to swear by having high heels, and if they do, for instance, salsa, their tango shoes have higher heels than salsa. Something to do with keeping themselves on their toes.

[Larry in LA]

Pygmalion says
> So you break in leather versus suede shoes differently? How?

Suede SOLES don't need breaking in, at least on the thin-soled dancing shoes that I buy.

The rest of the shoe is broken in by wearing them. It helps to spray on leather-stretching liquid on the places of maximum stress: the outside of the toes, the top of the heel-back, etc. Look at your well-worn shoes to identify what places your shoes normally need stretching.

[pygmalion]

Thanks, Larry. :D

[bordertangoman]

All the AT ladies that I talk to swear by having high heels, and if they do, for instance, salsa, their tango shoes have higher heels than salsa. Something to do with keeping themselves on their toes.

I don't necessarily agree. The ladies need to be able to be balanced on the ball and the big toe, which makes a little triangle. Keeping the heel off the ground for most of the time helps, but the height of the heel is of no bearing; if you're not used to it then it won't help.

[pygmalion]

If you're not used to it, I can only see it as a liability. Learning to balance on even low heels is tricky. I can only imagine what it's like to balance on those tango stilts! Four to five inches? Sheesh!

[Vince A]

. . . It helps to spray on leather-stretching liquid on the places of maximum stress: the outside of the toes, the top of the heel-back, etc. . . .
Great tip . . . I've always used the liquid "stretch," but only after the shoes were older and needed some stretching. I never though of spraying new shoes in order to get that stretchin advance. Thanks . . .

[bordertangoman]

http://w w w.22tangoshoes.com/

this one's for the ladies who still have space in their cupboards for more shoes!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

That would be me. :oops: :lol: :lol:

[bordertangoman]

That would be me. :oops: :lol: :lol:

I have been misquoted: what mischeivous person has been putting words in my mouth??

[blue]

I decided my only reasonably high heel shoes were not good for tango, and then I tried tango dancing in low heels. I found that walking backwards actually is quite a bit easier with heals... so I actually bought a pair of tango shoes. They look pretty neutral, black with a little dark brown - if I stop doing tango I think can use them as normal high heels.

The funny thing is, I bought shoes because I found my normal "high" heels (actually not that high) were to soft. When I walked backwards and put my heel down it did not feel stable, so my idea of buying tango shoes was high heels with a stable sole. Another lady though, was convinced that the problem with her shoes was that her heels were to thin. The heels of those I bought are thinner than those I discarded, so she thought I did a major mistake. I think not, since you have the major part of your weight on the front part of your foot anyhow... Time will show, I guess.

The woman selling the shoes led me through a few steps and ochos - she led well! and I bought the shoes. How clever sales person! :lol:

[Sagitta]

Many ladies swear by their high heels. And they like higher heels for tango then for salsa. :)

[bordertangoman]

Many ladies swear by their high heels. And they like higher heels for tango then for salsa. :)

I've been known to swear at ladies in high heels, especialy when its embedded in my calf. :wink:

[angelbaby]

:) :) :)

My new tango shoes are Diamants (again!). I was going to get red leather but someone had bought the ones they had (and this is a very small tango community so I WILL find that someone :twisted: ). So I bought (or rather my darling bought as he bought them for me for HIS birthday :? ) a simply gorgeous pair of black ones with a fabric that more than sparkles - it shoots off flames of light! My dancing feet look so...so...so....dazzling now 8) Cannot wait for the next Milonga (in 4 sleeps and on my darling's actually birthday so he can enjoy them too :wink: )

As in keeping with this topic - they are both beautiful and useful.

[hopelessly_addicted]

hello there!
Can anyone in Melbourne, Australia please suggest a store where I can find tango shoes?

Hi Nepheli! Have you tried Boyles? You could give them a call and ask if they've got any... (just google the shop name) The shop's got shoes for different styles of dancing when i went there last year..

[yola]

I'm in the process of getting a pair of tango shoes, I have some doubts about leather and suede soles. I have heard some people telling me that I should always choose leather sole to ease the swiveling and pivoting action in ArT. However, I've also heard some people saying that leather sole is not needed in the States since most dance floors are hard wood and suede sole is good enough, and that leather sole could be too slippery. However, in other countries/Buenos Aires where dance floors were sometimes concrete then we may need leather-soled shoes. Anyone has any opinion on this? Leather vs. suede soles?

I've been to argentina.. always went to milongas and practicas with at least two pair of shoes. leather and suede. you never know what kind of floor there will be.. and yes, i too learnt the hard way (ankles permanently my weak spots because of irritation in tendons...).

(btw: i do the same now when going to salsaclubs i don't know yet)

[pygmalion]

Leather or suede soles depending on the slickness of the floor? 8)

[maleva]

Hi all,

Here's my take on tango shoes vs. other dance shoes: in general not only do tango shoes have a certain 'look' (extra sexy and flashy because there is so much focus on fancy footwork in the dance!) but the heel is usually higher - 3" to 4". You wouldn't want to do salsa or swing in heels that high because of all the spins. There is no spinning in tango; instead the lady should almost always have her weight over the balls of her feet and stay forward towards her partner. A higher heel helps her do this. Also, when walking backwards, as the women mostly do in tango, the higher heel is always right there under her, actually giving extra stability I think.

You can dance tango in either suede or leather soles. Traditionally the soles of tango shoes were leather because its a folk dance, danced by grandmothers and shopworkers and waitresses and everyone in between, who would come to the milongas in their regular street shoes. (Even now, at some milongas in Argentina people come in the shoes they are going to dance in and it is even considered a bit gauche to change your shoes at your table.) Also, as was mentioned, often times argentine milongas are held in social clubs, cafeterias or even gymnasiums where the floors are tile or stone and suede soles are not good for these surfaces. (Plus they are not cushioned for the hard surfaces!) Now you can get tango shoes with suede on top of the leather sole, but its not the same as the really flexible suede soles that latin shoes have.

In the past tango shoes had a 1940's look and were usually closed toe. It is very, very stylish these days however to wear open toe sandal type shoes without stockings (even in the winter!). There are a few newer brands from argentina that are very popular and have really revolutionized tango shoes. Now they come in all kinds of crazy colors and fabrics. See a picture of a typical new style here:

http://www.cosmotango.com/Sebastian_y_Mariana.htm

But I say, wear whatever you like! If you can't do high heels or open toes, or prefer suede soles then get what you are comfortable in. Just because it's a 'tango shoe' does not mean it will make you dance tango bettter (although you may look the part more). However, I do think a 'dance shoe' will make you dance better than a 'street shoe'.

-Jennifer