In any sport you need the correct equipment from the start to stand a chance of learning properly.

Perhaps a more accurate comparison is learning to play badminton with a tennis racket!

Once you’ve decided to commit to learning tango, there is footwear to consider.  Good shoes will increase your enjoyment, give you support, encourage correct posture and balance, reduce the risk of injury and improve your technique.

You can adapt ordinary shoes or trainers temporarily. These very useful Over Shoe Pivot Socks are ideal to get you started.  They’re a lot cheaper and quicker to acquire until you can find suitable dance shoes.  They’re very useful to keep in your bag or car.  A pair of old socks will do the trick too.

Choosing a Pair from your Wardrobe

Gentlemen – choose a lightweight pair, if possible where the sole doesn’t extend beyond the upper foot. Pointed shoes where the shoe which extends beyond the toes, however fashionable, are not ideal, as the extra unused shoe gets in the way. It’s often inevitably that you’ll step on your partner’s toes, especially in the first few weeks. Deliberately trying to avoid your lady’s toes often creates the ‘John Wayne’ walk!

Ladies – a heel would be more preferable, as you will need to elevate onto the ball of your feet.  Chose a pair that is fairly soft and if possible with some flexibility.  If you’re in flat shoes, you will have to elevate. Avoid wedge soles, platforms or slip on shoe that doesn’t hold your foot securely. Outdoor boots are not really appropriate.

Soles –leather or composite, if they’re rubber use the Over Sock or an old sock.

Choosing Your First Dance Shoes

Be under no illusion that there are specific tango shoes – it’s down to what works for the individual.  Suitable Tango dance shoes are often called ‘Salsa’, ‘Latin’ or ‘Ballroom Latin’.  What matters is they are comfortable, fit and support your feet and work for you technically.  Remember your first pair needs to be comfortable enough to do repetitive class work as well as social dancing.

Soles are a personal preference and the design of the manufacturer.  They range between suede, leather and composite.

Gentlemen – your shoes will come in a variety of widths, heels, with lace-up, velcro fastening or slip-on’s.  Avoid the split heel trainers with thick rubber soles as you will need to be able to feel your lady’s feet through your shoes.

Ladies – can choose between open toe or closed, variable heel heights and shapes.  The choice is yours, but balance and foot fatigue will be more of a challenge with unfamiliar higher heels, as a considerable amount of your dancing is walking backwards and pivoting.
There are Practice Shoes which are relatively cheap on the internet.  Some are called Greek Sandles’.  The Jazz Practice Shoe seen here – are  inexpensive, split soles and extremely soft and comfortable for Tango.

Personality

Choose shoes that you will feel good about wearing.  We have heard both men and women say that they are not a good enough dancer to wear colourful or decorative shoes.  This is nonsense, go for what you feel good about and what works for you. There’s an amazing and delightful choice out there.

Fit

Different manufacturers use their own characteristic ‘lasts’, and it’s important to find which brands suit your foot. Your outdoor shoe size is only a guide.  The shoe should fit snug around the whole foot to prevent it moving within the shoe.

Ladies – your foot should not lift out of your shoe when you rise up onto tip-toe.  With open toe shoes your toes should not hang over the edge.  Ideally the shoe should have a strap around the ankle or across the arch of the foot, or both. This will ensure the foot is retained inside the shoe.

Heels

Gentlemen – these range from flat to what Argentinians call ‘talon frances’, similar to a ‘cowboy’ heel.

Ladies – Heels can range from pencil-points to flared or cuban heels.  Height ranges can be between one and six inches.  Don’t be beguiled by high stilettos.  If this is your first pair of dance shoes and you’re not used to high heels, buy what feels more comfortable to you now.  You can always grow into higher heels as you gain experience and confidence.

This may be your first pair of shoes, but they won’t be your last!

When you begin to dance a regularly, one pair of shoes may not be enough.   To relieve foot fatigue, change into other dance shoes as the event progresses.

Shopping

Occasionally you see a Milonga advertise a shoe sale at their event. Always worth a visit.

UK accessible shops sell:
Roch Valley, sometimes known as RVs
Supadance
International
Katz
Bloch
Werner Kern (German designed / Italian made)
Heavenly Dance Shoes (Watford – made to measure)

Milongas tend to sell:
Madame Pivot (Italian)
Balenceo
Comme il Faut
Darcos
and others

Maintenance

Don’t use your dance shoes outdoors.  Check the soles before / after use.  Polished or dirty floors deposit a sticky black substance on the soles, which needs to be carefully removed.  Do this gently – attacking suede soles with a harsh wire brush will wear out your shoes within months.

Every pair of shoes will come with a fabric shoe bag.  Use this to protect the shoes from damage.

Carry a small bottle of talc or better still silicone for sticky floors, that you can discretely use – often the organiser will put a sprinkling of talc on the floor in a corner.

If your shoes have patent leather don’t forget your silicone sponge – or Vaseline.  Either of these products will stop the shoes sticking together as they touch.

Don’t get caught out without dance shoes.  When you’ve more than one pair, it’s a good idea is to keep a spare pair in your car at all times.