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 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
| US | Spain & Italy | Other Europe | UK & Aust | Inches | cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 33.5 | 35 | 2 | 8 5/16 | 21 |
| 4.5 | 34 | 35.5 | 2.5 | 8 1/2 | 21.5 |
| 5 | 35 | 36 | 3 | 8 11/16 | 22 |
| 5.5 | 35.5 | 37 | 3.5 | 8 13/16 | 22.5 |
| 6 | 36 | 37.5 | 4 | 9 | 23 |
| 6.5 | 36.5 | 38 | 4.5 | 9 3/16 | 23.5 |
| 7 | 37 | 39 | 5 | 9 5/16 | 23.5 |
| 7.5 | 37.5 | 39.5 | 5.5 | 9 1/2 | 24 |
| 8 | 38 | 40 | 6 | 9 11/16 | 24.5 |
| 8.5 | 38.5 | 40.5 | 6.5 | 9 13/16 | 25 |
| 9 | 39 | 41 | 7 | 10 | 25.5 |
| 9.5 | 40 | 42 | 7.5 | 10 3/16 | 26 |
| 10 | 41 | 42.5 | 8 | 10 5/16 | 26.5 |
| 10.5 | 41.5 | 42.5 | 8.5 | 10 1/2 | 26.5 |
| 11 | 42 | 43 | 9 | 10 11/16 | 27 |
| 11.5 | 42.5 | 44 | 9.5 | 10 13/16 | 27.5 |
| 12 | 43 | 44.5 | 10 | 11 | 28 |
| 13 | 45 | 10.5 | 11 5/16 | 28.5 | |
| 14 | 45.5 | 11 | 11 11/16 | 29.5 | |
| 15 | 46 | 11.5 | 12 | 30.5 | |
| 16 | 46.5 | 12 | 12 1/2 | 31.5 |
Men's Tango Shoe Size Conversion
| US | Europe | UK & Aust | Inches | cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 36.5 | 3.5 | 8 15/16 | 22 |
| 4.5 | 37 | 4 | 9 1/16 | 22.5 |
| 5 | 37.5 | 4.5 | 9 1/4 | 23 |
| 5.5 | 38 | 5 | 9 1/4 | 23.5 |
| 6 | 38.5 | 5.5 | 9 5/16 | 24 |
| 6.5 | 39 | 6 | 9 1/2 | 24 |
| 7 | 40 | 6.5 | 9 11/16 | 24.5 |
| 7.5 | 41 | 7 | 9 13/16 | 25 |
| 8 | 41.5 | 7.5 | 10 | 25.5 |
| 8.5 | 42 | 8 | 10 3/16 | 26 |
| 9 | 43 | 8.5 | 10 5/16 | 26.5 |
| 9.5 | 43.5 | 9 | 10 1/2 | 27 |
| 10 | 44 | 9.5 | 10 11/16 | 27.5 |
| 10.5 | 44.5 | 10 | 10 13/16 | 28 |
| 11 | 45 | 10.5 | 11 | 28.5 |
| 11.5 | 46 | 11 | 11 3/16 | 29 |
| 12 | 46.5 | 11.5 | 11 5/16 | 29.5 |
| 13 | 48 | 12.5 | 11 11/16 | 30 |
| 14 | 49.5 | 13.5 | 12 | 30.5 |
| 15 | 50.5 | 14.5 | 12 5/16 | 31 |
| 16 | 52 | 15.5 | 12 1/2 | 31.5 |
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)
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
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