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Buying Guide Questions

What makes a good tap dancing shoe?

The most basic consideration when buying tap dancing shoes is the noise. When selecting tap dancing shoes, it is just as important to take into consideration the way they sound as how they look and feel.

No squeaking noise

It is normal that the typical tap dancing shoes will not give you enough grip when you are dancing. For any beginner, they’ll find out on their first lesson that they won’t be able to perform the necessary tap dancing moves when your shoes have really good grip on the floor. Also, rubber soles will make noise when you perform. Tap dancing shoes differ according to the number of screws attached to the taps. The screws may be adjusted, to produce various sounds even with the same number of screws in a pair of tap shoes. Because of this, many tap dancers often loosen or tighten the screws so they may adjust the sound produced by their taps. There are three main types of taps namely, TeleTone, DuoTone and Supertone. However, the TeleTone taps are the most popular. The TeleTone taps are attached with three screws. Tap dancing shoes having three screw on each shoe are the most common. But after dancing for some time, tap dancers develop a personal preference to tap dance shoes determined by specific tap sounds. So it is necessary that when you are shopping for tap dancing shoes, you must adhere to the type of screw configuration you want based on your needs and personal experience.

Comfort and the Right Fit

The overall comfort and fit are extremely important when buying tap dance shoes because tap sounds will not be clear and precise if your tap shoes don’t fit perfectly. It is necessary that the shoes fit right. It is also important to keep in mind that sizes of tap dance shoes may be quite different than that of street shoe sizes. As rule of thumb, the fit of your tap dancing shoe should be snug. There should be no extra space which can stop you from making the right move. Also, it should not be a smaller size either that hurts your feet every time you move. With frequent use, most tap shoes will stretch and allow more room for the dancer's feet. If you are going to use tap dancing shoes made of leather, you can expect the material to stretch over time. This means that if you are using shoes that are too big, you may have to change your dance shoes prematurely. For this reason, it's important that dancers err on the side of too small rather than too large. Style of the shoe will also dictate your comfort. A lot of tap dancing shoes have heels. This kind of tap dancing shoe can make you dance up on your toes. For the more experienced tap dancers, it is a good idea to invest in tap dance shoes that have heels. On the other hand, if you really don’t want to exert that much effort, you can always stick to flats.

Support and Ergonomics

Tap dancing takes it’s toll on the feet. Having a supportive and comfortable sole will do wonders in keeping your feet from injuries. It is important that the shoes can support your weight. No matter how aesthetically appealing the shoe is, the lack of support can lead to injuries that can keep you out of practice. One tip that you can get from the pros is to not go crazy on the heels of your shoes. Though high heel tap shoes look so good with different attires, you shouldn’t stick with it if it already causes you to not have a good balance. It is a good idea that you only take high heel tap shoes if you already developed the needed proficiency and muscle strength required in tap dancing. Generally, the soles are thick and supportive in tap shoes. A solution is needed to be made for their lack of flexibility. In order to fix this, split soles have now been incorporated to allow some flex in the area between the split, giving the best of both worlds. Also, insoles play a large part in the overall structural comfortability. A shoe that is firmly structured will be stable but lacks the cushioning needed to be on your feet for extended periods of time. This is why an insole that is cushioned is critical. Custom orthotics can also be utilized for specialized or additional comfort.

What is the Overall Build and Design of Tap Dancing Shoes?

It is important for you to look at the specific components of the design. For example, the stitches on the leather cut upper will indicate whether the tap shoe will have more flex or if it has more durability. The more stitches there are, the more it will give a stronger hold but it would really cut back on the flexibility of the upper. This in particular is known to be a point of concern to tap dancers. Another component that is equally important but also hinders the flexibility is a toe cage-like build. This extra material on the toe box would help prevent strain caused by the constant tapping of the toes on the ground as done in tap dancing. The final component that makes up the upper build is what is known as the topline. This part is the rim line of the shoe. Some dancers will have a lower top line, while others have an elevated line. An elevated line means there is much better ankle stability, while a lower line enables greater flexibility in the ankle region. You may also check out the back of the topline, it is slightly cut out to compensate for the Achilles tendon. Also included occasionally in tap shoes is top line padding. Consider all of these features and you are almost ready to pick a perfect pair of tap shoes for yourself. When looking for tap dancing shoes, you are more likely to find Oxfords. The Oxford design is the most common, but you can find other styles as well. Know that these tap dancing shoes are available in a variety of shapes, styles, and colors. Most shoes for tap dance are made of four materials namely, leather, canvas, plastic and wood. The materials used and the shape of the shoes depend on the age and level of expertise of the dancer. Apart from Oxfords, tap dancers also choose between Mary Janes, pointe and split-sole jazz tap shoes.

Mary Jane Style

The Mary Jane style tap shoes with the classic single ribbon on top of the foot are the most popular for the beginners and young tap dancers. They look great and the young girls are all very proud wearing them.

Oxford Style

Meanwhile, more experienced tappers typically opt for flat leather Oxford tap shoes or Oxfords with heels. Oxford style tap shoes usually produced louder and deeper sounds. Also, you can expect it to be more articulate for quick tapping. Heeled ones promote cleaner leg lines and lighter sounds.

Split-sole and Pointe Style 

The split-sole tap shoes allow dancers to double tap and to generate more clicks per beat. No, not all tap shoes are created equal, and choosing the right pair is an important step in developing your style as an artist. The proper tap shoe should be matched to a dancer based on the dancer’s physicality and musicality. In other words, dancers should choose their tap shoes based on how hard or how much they dance and what notes they wish to incorporate into their musical palate.  Special attention should be paid to the quality of the materials used to build the shoe, the actual construction of the shoe, and the durability of the shoe.

Standard, Double or Thick Soles

Tap shoes having double soles tap much louder due to the added weight. To add, having twice the thickness, the sole is also much more durable. You may either go with leather or plastic soles. But if you know what you are doing, you may add layers to the sole. This can be done by yourself to get the perfect thickness and weight that you want. Screws have even been known to be used to fix the tap onto shoes with very thick soles to prevent constant loosening.

How do you choose the Right Upper Fabric for Tap Dancing Shoes?

The upper fabric will affect the aesthetics of your tap dancing shoes, and also your overall performance. There are a lot of upper fabrics that you can choose from. Despite several materials being used regularly in tap dancing shoes, leather has to be the most practical to be the build of your tap shoe. Leather is one of the best options that you can go for. Leather caught on specifically because it is strong and fold up to a lot of use-and-abuse. It is known not only for its durability but also comfort and aesthetics. Leather gives you a classic look while it softens with age. It also conforms to the shape of your feet as you use the leather shoes. The leather, typically will be  cow skin, which is also naturally water resistant. Another leather type that is commonly used is the goat skin which performs close to cowhide. Some of the highest grade tap shoes can be found in goat skin leather. It is advised that you go with the hardest material you can get your tap shoe in. The stiff leather will take longer to break in. Apart from that, it will last much longer than soft leather. Patent leather is also widely used as it creates a shine like no other type of leather that is appealing to some tap dancers. It is important to note that leather can be a bit expensive. One of the best alternatives to leather is PVC. It offers the same leather look but offers a cheaper price point. A lot of parents choose PVC for their children trying tap dancing. It makes a great entry-level shoe especially if you are still not sure if you are going to love the art or not. But if you are going to choose this material, keep in mind that it may restrict your performance since it is known for rigidity. It is also not suited for high impact movements.

What types of Materials are used in the Taps?

If these are going to be your first tap shoes, and you are not yet familiar with taps, they are the component of a tap dancing shoe that sits under the forefoot. Taps make contact with the ground and is what is responsible for the tapping sounds you get with these shoes. Leather used to be the first material used for the taps. However, it was found that metal worked so much better and and produced taps louder without exerting as much force. You may also find wood taps, but we do recommend that you go with metal taps. The best metal for the taps will be lightweight aluminum. Make sure you do not get those cheap steel knockoffs as they will be much heavier and are typically flimsy.

Removable taps

There are some tap dancing shoes that have removable taps. This is a preferred option for many of the professional tap dancers. In fact, it can help give you the right tone that you want for your performance. It can give you a high tone, tiny tones, and even low and deep tone depending on what is needed in your performance. The good thing about tap shoes that have removable taps is that you can also choose to replace the tap if it becomes worn out during practice or performance. Taps vary from sizes to shapes depending on the dancer’s own preference. However, if you will ask the pros, you want a shoe that offers interchangeable taps when you are really used to the movements of tap dancing.

How much are average Tap Dancing Shoes?

Of course, everybody wants the best bang for their buck. You want to compare the price of tap shoes before buying one. However, always remember that the cheapest isn’t always the best option for you, some of the best tap dancing shoes can go upwards to $150!

Conclusion

From the price to its functionality, these are things that you need to consider carefully. By following these considerations, you’ll be able to find the right one that fits your needs and preference. When choosing tap shoes, it is very important that you find a style and fit that's as snug as possible without being painful or uncomfortable. Tap shoes should always fit snugly, with very little space in the toe box. Buying tap dancing shoes can be a bit complicated. Make sure to wear the same type of socks or stockings that you wear when you are dancing, and bring along any special inserts or inner soles you use as well. Related Shoe Topics to Check Out:

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