Sunday 14 October 2012

Tango shoes and Conversion Tables


From http://www.verytango.com/tango-dance-shoes.html

Structure of tango shoes
If a thing is worth knowing, it is worth knowing well. Hence a few minutes should be spent around what makes a tango shoe:

  • All shoes have four components: an upper (the part that covers the feet), an insole (the part that touches our feet), an outsole (the part at the bottom of the shoes) and a heel
  • The heel is attached to the outsole by glue and nails
  • In between the insole and the outsole, there is a shank (a piece of metal) to support the arch (the shank is shorter in tango shoes than in ballroom shoes, to provide extra flexibility)
  • There is normally some padding on the top of the insole - however for tango shoes this padding is thicker than normal shoes, to provide extra comfort
  • The insole is attached to the outsole using rubber cement - however for tango shoes this is further reinforced with nails to provide structural stability
Buying good tango shoes
Buying good tango shoes is as much a science as an art form. The following tips might help:

  • It goes without saying that tango shoes should be the right size, and professionally fitted - and make sure that your feet are not swollen at the time of purchase
  • Before paying, make sure that the shoes are balanced - you will often be on only one foot, so ensure that you test each shoe individually by standing on one foot and ensure you still feel secure and grounded
  • Followers: tango shoes should be tested by walking backwards!!!! That's how you will be using them, remember
  • Another test is pivoting - ensure the shoes hold well
  • Followers: choose the height of the heel well; beginners may not want to start with a heel that is too high
  • Leads: there are two heights for tango shoes heels - generally beginners should start with the lower height (ballroom)
  • The shoes should be close fitting without cutting your circulation, or causing cramps (which can be caused by particularly high heels)
  • The single most important test is to ensure that you do not slide inside the shoe
  • The sole should be made of material that allows easy turning - too much traction, particularly during pivots, may induce serious injury (more on soles below)
  • Normal shoes are not appropriate for dancing, hence correct tango shoes should be used for classes, practicas and milongas
  • Followers: for classes, you may want to purchase closed toe shoes for better protection
  • You should have a carry bag for convenience and protection of tango shoes
  • If you like especially rigid shoes, there are inserts available (which often come with high quality shoes) that distribute support across the foot arch, as tango shoes are actually made without a rigid bridge to provide flexibility
  • Insoles can also be used for two reasons: if your shoes are slightly too big, and also to provide greater comfort and bounce
  • Tango shoes themselves are normally either leather or suede: leather tends to be stronger, suede tends to be more flexible (other types of uppers are discussed below)
  • Followers: the heel needs to be situated squarely under the heel of the foot
  • Followers: with higher shoes, your feet tend to slip forward so shoes should have good padding to the ball of the foot and toes
Women's Tango Shoe Size Conversion
      US      Spain & ItalyOther EuropeUK & Aust  Inches      cm    
433.53528 5/1621
4.53435.52.58 1/221.5
5353638 11/1622
5.535.5373.58 13/1622.5
63637.54923
6.536.5384.59 3/1623.5
7373959 5/1623.5
7.537.539.55.59 1/224
8384069 11/1624.5
8.538.540.56.59 13/1625
9394171025.5
9.540427.510 3/1626
104142.5810 5/1626.5
10.541.542.58.510 1/226.5
114243910 11/1627
11.542.5449.510 13/1627.5
124344.5101128
134510.511 5/1628.5
1445.51111 11/1629.5
154611.51230.5
1646.51212 1/231.5

Men's Tango Shoe Size Conversion

    US    EuropeUK & Aust  Inches      cm    
436.53.58 15/1622
4.53749 1/1622.5
537.54.59 1/423
5.53859 1/423.5
638.55.59 5/1624
6.53969 1/224
7406.59 11/1624.5
7.54179 13/1625
841.57.51025.5
8.542810 3/1626
9438.510 5/1626.5
9.543.5910 1/227
10449.510 11/1627.5
10.544.51010 13/1628
114510.51128.5
11.5461111 3/1629
1246.511.511 5/1629.5
134812.511 11/1630
1449.513.51230.5
1550.514.512 5/1631
165215.512 1/231.5

Tango Shoe Soles
There are three types of soles:

  • Suede soles: for very smooth floors, as suede will offer better grip
  • Leather soles: for normal dance floors
  • Rubber soles: for slippery floors (porcelain, marble, some types of hardwood) - generally should be avoided, as it can be dangerous if grips too much
  • Some shoes will actually have interchangeable soles for different types of floors
  • The sole should not stick out beyond the shoe (making a rim)
Tango Shoe Uppers
Uppers can be made of many materials:

  • Leather: stronger, long-lasting, but it also softens well and stretches molding itself to the foot
  • Suede: very stretchable, and hence is probably the most comfortable, not as long-lasting as leather
  • chrom / mara: feels like suede, shimmers, very easily stretchable
  • Velvet: very delicate, and does not stretch much

No comments:

Post a Comment