How to Choose Tango Shoes?

We get this question from our students a lot, and it always makes us very happy as it shows interest and engagement. In this post, we share a few tips to consider before purchasing. Once you know how to choose tango shoes, we’ll show you where you can try on shoes in Munich before buying them (which we highly recommend). Check the next post.

Sole

It’s very important to wear shoes that allow pivoting. The best if the shoes have leather or suede soles. What also matters is that the sole is flexible and allows your foot to roll on the floor (in other words, to push the floor). Leaders as well as followers should pay attention to this.

Size

Once these criteria have been met, the shoe must fit your foot. Since tango shoes are usually made of leather, they might become slightly looser after some time. Consider that when buying, they shouldn’t be loose already at the moment when you buy them.

Unconventional size

If you find your feet to be wider or slimmer than ‘usual’, you should look for brands that offer different shapes. (Madame Pivot, Regina, Odile have more widths available), or you might consider ordering custom-made shoes.

Heel

Followers, I would like to remind you that wearing high heels is not necessary when dancing tango. But if you’re choosing to make sure that there are many heel types available. Starting from very flat (great new models from Tangolera and Regina with only 1 cm heel, pic. 5), through a 4 cm block heel (Tangolera, pic. 2), 7 cm thicker and more stable heel (Rallies model from Madame Pivot), and all kinds of popular stiletto heels (from 7 to even 11 cm high). If you are just starting out and are not comfortable with a 9 cm stiletto, choose a lower heel and work your way up. (pic. 8 🙂 )

Closed / open heel

There are two types of heel cages: open and enclosed. As long as the rest of the shoe fits properly, both are secure (provided you’re comfortable with the style).

Practice shoes

Apart from a pair of high heels, you might want to have also a pair of practice shoes for practicas, or classes. You will find them in the offer of many tango shoe brands in the derby shape (pic. 7, from Regina) or dance sneakers (some of the latter come also with leather or suede soles! e.g. Rumpf, pic. 6).