Yet another tango shoe question: Practice shoes

[New in NY]

My low heeled Greta Floras just arrived. Love them! Going to dance around the house now -

 

[j_alexandra]

can I ask an ignorant newbie question, as long as I"m on a tango shoes thread?

what's the difference between tango shoes and just really beautiful shoes? Are they structured like ballroom shoes, with the steel shank etc?

TIA for any help

 

[Lilly_of_the_valley]

Steel shank, reinforced all the way inside out (some ordinary street shoes, it takes one milonga, at times, one tanda, to kill them). The materials do not stick to the floor and between themselves. The shoes are balanced , the heels positioned to encourage and make easy keeping weight forward, that is essential for tango dancing. The shoes are very stable. If the shoe is wobbling standing on its own, it will be very hard to dance in it. The shoes provide support for the feet, but at the same time are flexible. The sole is leather or suede.
There are some "ordinary" street shoes that qualify.

 

[j_alexandra]

Steel shank, reinforced all the way inside out (some ordinary street shoes, it takes one milonga, at times, one tanda, to kill them). The materials do not stick to the floor and between themselves. The shoes are balanced , the heels positioned to encourage and make easy keeping weight forward, that is essential for tango dancing. The shoes are very stable. If the shoe is wobbling standing on its own, it will be very hard to dance in it. The shoes provide support for the feet, but at the same time are flexible. The sole is leather or suede.
There are some "ordinary" street shoes that qualify.

Thank you -- this was very helpful.

 

[basicarita]

Thank you, everyone, for your tips here. Extremely helpful.

 

[Peaches]

Steel shank, reinforced all the way inside out (some ordinary street shoes, it takes one milonga, at times, one tanda, to kill them). The materials do not stick to the floor and between themselves. The shoes are balanced , the heels positioned to encourage and make easy keeping weight forward, that is essential for tango dancing. The shoes are very stable. If the shoe is wobbling standing on its own, it will be very hard to dance in it. The shoes provide support for the feet, but at the same time are flexible. The sole is leather or suede.
There are some "ordinary" street shoes that qualify.

Yup.

You could absolutely wear street shoes as AT shoes. But I have yet to find street shoes that combine being as lightweight and flexible as my AT ones, AND have a heel that is in a decent position, AND doesn't throw my weight to the inside or outside edge, AND is snug in all the right places and in the right ways. Oh, and of course the slippery sole.

If I could find those things in a street shoe, I'd be wearing them all the time. Instead, I find myself wearing my AT shoes as street shoes. They're comfy and they look good.

 

[Lilly_of_the_valley]

Yup.

You could absolutely wear street shoes as AT shoes. But I have yet to find street shoes that combine being as lightweight and flexible as my AT ones, AND have a heel that is in a decent position, AND doesn't throw my weight to the inside or outside edge, AND is snug in all the right places and in the right ways. Oh, and of course the slippery sole.

If I could find those things in a street shoe, I'd be wearing them all the time. Instead, I find myself wearing my AT shoes as street shoes. They're comfy and they look good.

I have a very similar experience. Granted, there are street shoes I am able to occasionally dance a few songs in, but shall I go for more, either my feet get upset, or the shoes, or both.