Tango dance is one the most popular partner dances that emphasize the vibrant and playful style of movement, rich expressions, improvisation and requires close connection and passion between dancers. If you have been learning to dance the Tango for some time and are still planning to pursue this passionate dance regularly, investing in a good pair of dance shoes would be worthwhile. This article will cover the best recommendations for Tango shoes for beginners.
Being an absolute beginner myself, I know how it feels not knowing the importance of having proper shoes for dancing.
Finding the perfect fit tango shoe can be an arduous task no matter where you are in your tango journey. So let’s focus on the key things to look out for when choosing your Tango dance shoes.
How Should Tango Dance Shoes Fit
The fit of Tango dance shoes should be comfortable and snug enough. It means that shoes should not be too tight or too loose. If your dance shoes are too tight, they will hurt your feet, and you won’t be able to dance and enjoy your evening. On the other hand, you could hurt yourself if your shoes are too loose. You could twist your ankle and hurt yourself or your partner.
Simply put, the Tango shoes should fit like a glove. Depending on your foot, you might need to size down or size up because Tango shoes are not the same are regular shoes.
You don’t want much room between the end of the shoes and the end of your toe when purchasing Tango shoes, and your toes should be very close to the edge of the shoe.
I will mention many brands below that have a size chart that you could follow when determining what shoe size to pick. It would be beneficial to measure your feet before purchasing the shoes.
Higher heels look very lovely, but if you are a beginner, I would not suggest getting a pair of dance shoes with very high heels. Choosing proper heel height is especially important if this is your first pair of Tango dance shoes. The best option would be low-height heels until you spend more time dancing and develop a better balance.
However, if you wear heels regularly, such as work or shopping, you could opt for medium-height heels. You could get a pair of Tango dance shoes with higher heels once you are more comfortable dancing and your balance improves. Remember, safety first. The last thing you would want to do is twist your ankle, which could cause you health issues for a couple of weeks.
An accident like this is preventable but could cause you to feel bitter towards Tango dancing, resulting in you quitting learning this incredible dance.
There is an open and closed heel style in Tango shoes. Open heel means that the material does not support the back of your foot, whereas a closed heel has material at the end of your foot, which provides extra support while dancing the Tango.
Both heel styles look lovely, but I would suggest purchasing dance shoes with closed heels as a beginner because they provide extra support while Tango dancing. However, if you have narrow feet, like me, the open heel shoe style would be more beneficial because an open back heel can give a little more space to adjust if you need to size down.
Comfort is essential when choosing your first pair of Tango dance shoes. For your first pair of Tango dance shoes, choose shoes that will look after your feet, not shoes that look good for your eyes. I will give you great recommendations for Tango shoes a little bit later in this article that will be comfortable and stylish.
The prettiest shoes I have are sitting in my closet and have never been worn. And do you know why? It is because they are not comfortable at all to wear. Learn from my mistakes and save some money. 🙂
Can I Wear Tango Shoes Outside?
Tango shoes are made of suede or leather soles. These soles are made for dancing because they are flexible and provide less traction on the dance floor. Therefore, they are not meant to be worn outside where the surfaces are uneven, dirty, and moist, and this could damage your Tango dance shoes very quickly.
If you wear your Tango dance shoes outside, they will lose the grip that gives traction on the dance floor.
Some Tango dance shoes brands are hybrid (you could wear them outside and outside).
Suede soles are more sensitive to moisture than leather soles are. Leather soles Tango shoes should be your choice if you think you will be dancing outside as well.
It would be best if you always carried your dance shoes in a shoe bag and put them on when you get to the dance studio or dance event you are going to. This will ensure the longevity of your shoes.
Purchasing a pair of good Tango dance shoes is very important because it will protect your feet and joints, so you better take good care of your shoes.
Best Tango Dance Shoes For Women
Recommendation # 1
Very Fine Gabriella’s Tango Dance Shoes
This pair of Tango dance shoes have a classic look and have everything you need as a beginner. The heel high is ideal for beginners at only 2.5 inches. These dance shoes have suede soles that are perfectly balanced for grip and slide when needed.
There are three more reasons why these shoes are perfect for beginners:
- They have stable heels that allow more stability and better balance while dancing.
- Arch support provides even more stability and has a carbon steel shank that maximizes support. This will allow you to dance all night long without wearing out your feet.
- They have built-in padding that provides extra comfort to your entire feet, which is very beneficial, especially if you are dancing for a longer time.
These dance shoes excel in comfort, style, and quality.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Recommendation # 2
Very Fine Women’s Elektra Latin Salsa Tango
These shoes would be an excellent choice for someone who has just started learning Tango dancing. These dance shoes are incredibly comfortable, flexible, and provide support.
Memory foam cushioning absorbs the impact of your body weight, keeping your feet feeling good even if you are dancing for many hours.
Elektra Tango shoes come with full arch support made of lightweight, high carbon steel. Also, these shoes are equipped with stability heels that are designed to centralize balance and distribute weight to prevent slipping and wobbling.
Elektra Tango shoes have authentic suede soles that are perfectly balanced, providing the proper grip and slide.
These shoes come in a nude color, which will make your legs look longer while dancing on the dance floor.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Recommendation # 3
TTdancwear Women Tango Dance Shoes
Tango is a very passionate dance, and why not match its dynamic by wearing the most vibrant shoe color- red. You will stand out from the crowd wearing these shoes. If you are don’t want to get the red color shoes because it is too bright, then there are other color options such as black, nude, and tan.
These shoes are highly suitable for beginners because they are very comfortable, flexible, and lightweight. These shoes are very affordable, so you won’t break a bank if you decide to purchase these shoes.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Recommendation # 4
Very Fine Gabriella Women’s Tango Dance Shoes
You will look stunning dancing in these shoes. This pair of Tango dance shoes are exquisite and will complement dance styles such as Tango. The heel of 2.5 inches is ideal high for a beginner to feel very comfortable on the dance floor.
Gabriella Ballroom shoes have a high-quality suede sole that provides the proper amount of traction and glides effortlessly on the dance floor, which is the quality we look for in Tango.
The stability heel is designed to improve balance, which is very important for someone just starting to learn Tango dancing. These shoes are hand-made of hypoallergenic materials and perfectly tailored to any dancer’s needs.
They also have built-in padding that provides extra support, cushioning and comfort.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Recommendation # 5
Very Fine Women’s Delphine Tango Dance Shoes
These stunning shoes would be an ideal choice for a night out dancing. All you need is a simple black dress that shapes your body and these flashy but still elegant and gorgeous pair of shoes. You will look your best and will feel your best without a doubt.
Delphine shoes will attract attention whether you are on or off the dance floor. This pair of shoes check off all qualities you are looking for in dance shoes. They are very comfortable, stable, flexible, and made of very high-quality material.
The suede soles will allow you to glide across the dance floor while providing enough traction when needed effortlessly.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Best Tango Dance Shoes For Men
Recommendation # 1
Very Fine Men’s Wide Adrian Tango Shoes
I am recommending these shoes as choice number one because they will not disappoint with quality, comfort, its classic style, and most importantly, with its purpose, which is dancing.
The entire sole is covered with suede, which will allow you to glide easily on the dance floor while providing just the right amount of traction. Please do not wear these shoes outside. Suede soles are meant only for dancing and nothing else. Check out here why you should not wear dance shoes outside.
Wide feet construction can finally feel comfortable dancing with extra width in the ball of the foot and toe box while still looking stylish. The Adrian comes with superior arch support and internal cushioning for a premium comfort feel and is constructed with blister prevention in mind and breathability.
This pair of dance shoes come with arch support made of lightweight, high carbon steel, and also they have built-in foot cushioning for added comfort when dancing.
Whether you are new to dancing or have been dancing for a while, this pair of shoes is worth an investment because they will serve you well for many years to come.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Recommendation # 2
Diamant Men’s Ballroom Dance Shoes
Although these shoes have a casual look, they would be an excellent choice for Ballroom or Latin dance such as Tango. This pair of shoes is made of the highest quality out there, which is leather. They will last you many years to come so this pair of shoes is definitely worth the investment. These dance shoes are in Germany and are 100% leather.
What makes these shoes suitable for dancing is the suede sole.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Recommendation # 3
Although these shoes are not actually dance shoes, they would be an excellent choice for Tango dancing anyways. They are dressy enough so you can wear them during dance practice or when going out.
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Recommendation # 4
Men Capezio Social Dance Shoes
Capezio dance shoes never fail with their quality, style, and comfort whether you are looking for women’s or men’s dance shoes. These shoes are highly recommended to beginner social dancers.
Their 1-inch heel dance shoes are the perfect shoe for any man beginning learning Tango or any other social dance or needing a lightweight shoe for the dance floor.
These shoes feature a soft padded insole and firm heel counter, and a suede heel for the right amount of traction.
Capezio dance shoes are very supportive yet highly flexible for all Tango moves you need to perform on the dance floor.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Recommendation # 5
Very Fine Men’s Dance Tango Dance Shoes
These men’s dances are ideal for all kinds of social dances, including Tango.
The minimal heel is essential for highly durable performance and has an added shock absorption layer. The Dante shoes are equipped with full arch support made of lightweight, high carbon steel.
The double authentic suede soles provide maximum comfort and performance and are hand-stitched with high durability crimson thread. And finally, the memory foam sole distributes weight equally and absorbs impact to keep your feet feeling great so that you can dance all night long.
Click here to check the price on Amazon.
Final Words
Owning a good pair of dance shoes can make a huge difference when it comes to performance on the dance floor and comfort level. Comfortable, high quality, and stylish dance shoes are essential items for Tango dancing. Choosing a good pair of dance shoes can sometimes be challenging, so my goal in this article was to recommend the Tango dance shoes for beginners. I equally care about the style, comfort, and quality, and I can assure you that these choices will not lack in any of these three categories.
Happy Dancing!
