Choosing the right tap shoes is crucial for any tap dancer, and for ladies, the options are vast and varied. As a professional in the dance industry, I’ve had the opportunity to try out numerous brands and styles of flat tap shoes. Today, I’m sharing my personal experiences and opinions to guide you in finding your perfect pair of Ladies Tap Dancing Shoes. If you’re also interested in recommendations for your students, or insights from tap shoe expert Matt at Dancing Fair in Minnesota, you might find my earlier discussions on these topics helpful (refer to Episode 022, Episodes 023 and Episode 024). And don’t forget to check back next week when I delve into the world of high heel tap shoes.
Remember, ladies tap dancing shoes are more than just footwear; they are an instrument. Personal preference is paramount. For context, I wear a U.S. women’s size 7.5 or European 38, have a high arch, and a regular foot width. Let’s explore some popular professional flat tap shoe brands for ladies.
Capezio K360s
The Fit: For me, the fit of Capezio K360s isn’t ideal around the heel. The shoe doesn’t sit snugly at the back, which I find uncomfortable. To remedy this, I had to insert a heel liner to push my foot forward for a more secure fit. On the positive side, they are very lightweight, even with added customizations, which is a bonus if you prefer lighter ladies tap dancing shoes.
The Sound: I appreciate the crisp sound that K360s produce. The taps offer a clean and clear tone, which is essential for intricate tap rhythms.
Customization: Capezio offers a wide array of customization options for ladies tap dancing shoes. From various color choices to ankle cuts, including the boot style popularized by Savion Glover in Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk, personalization is extensive. However, custom options can significantly increase the price.
The Price: Fully customized K360s can easily exceed $500. While investing in quality ladies tap dancing shoes is important, especially for professionals, durability is a key factor. Unfortunately, the current quality of K360s seems to be a concern. Many dancers report needing new pairs every 6 to 12 months, which raises questions about their longevity.
Other Thoughts: My main concern with K360s is the perceived decline in quality. Older pairs, like one I owned as a teenager built by Pete from the Capezio Times Square store, were significantly more durable. It seems a factory change has impacted the shoe’s construction. Issues like stitching coming undone and leather detaching from the sole are increasingly common complaints among fellow dancers and students. However, opinions are divided; some dancers remain loyal to K360s and swear by their performance.
Customer Service: Capezio’s customer service can be inconsistent. High employee turnover, common in stores employing dancers, can lead to complications with custom orders. If issues arise, resolving them can be time-consuming, sometimes delaying orders for months.
Miller & Bens
For many years, Miller & Bens were my preferred choice for ladies tap dancing shoes. While not my ultimate favorite, they felt like the best available option at the time. Among their flat tap shoe line, I’ve used the Jazz Tap Master, Triple Threats, and SporTaps.
The Fit: The Jazz Tap Master and Triple Threats offer a traditional, snug oxford fit, common in many ladies tap dancing shoes. The SporTap, however, provides a more relaxed and comfortable fit. A crucial tip for any Miller & Ben shoe: use a heel liner or moleskin. The initial softness of the heel leather is deceptive; it can quickly cause blisters and discomfort. Weight-wise, the Triple Threat is the heaviest due to extra build-up. Generally, Miller & Bens are on the heavier side compared to other brands, but the weight distribution feels balanced across the foot.
The Sound: Some dancers find the sound of Miller & Bens to be somewhat clunky. Personally, I appreciate a deep, bassy, and substantial sound, so I find their sound profile appealing.
Customization: Miller & Bens excel in customization, offering perhaps the widest range of color options for ladies tap dancing shoes. Beyond standard colors, they also feature unique exotic prints, allowing for truly personalized style.
The Price: Priced slightly over $300 with taps installed and custom leather, Miller & Bens offer a reasonable price point for customized, professional ladies tap dancing shoes.
Other Thoughts: A significant aspect of Miller & Bens ladies tap dancing shoes is the notorious break-in period. They are known for being extremely stiff initially, especially models with black leather. The steel shank in the sole contributes to this stiffness. The break-in process can be so challenging that some of my students, who wear my shoe size, have asked me to help break in their new pairs! While I could typically break in a pair within two weeks, some dancers struggle for years to achieve flexibility in these shoes. However, the payoff is exceptional durability. My first pair from 15 years ago is still in excellent condition, highlighting their longevity.
Customer Service: On the customer service front, Avi and Ofer at Miller & Bens are highly reliable. They are responsive and helpful in resolving queries or issues, providing excellent support for their ladies tap dancing shoes.
Ruben Sanchez Dance Wear
Ruben Sanchez offers a line of ladies tap dancing shoes that are particularly popular in Europe. During a teaching engagement in Taiwan, I had the chance to try them.
The Fit: The ankle cut wasn’t ideal for my foot shape. It felt too high and rubbed uncomfortably against my ankle bone. However, fit is subjective, and many dancers may find them perfectly comfortable.
The Sound: The sound produced was lighter and gentler than I typically prefer. I tend to favor a more robust and resonant sound in my ladies tap dancing shoes.
Customization: I admire the design aesthetic of Ruben Sanchez shoes, especially the wing tip detail, which looks elegant on stage. Their recent introduction of vegan leather is commendable and reflects a forward-thinking approach. Their online configurator is impressive, allowing easy customization of leather, sole, laces, and eyelets. They also offer embroidery or vinyl printing for personalization, adding names, inspirational text, or logos to your ladies tap dancing shoes.
The Price: Customized pairs with taps range from 380 to 500 euros, placing them in a higher price bracket.
Other Thoughts: Ruben Sanchez is a great option, particularly for European dancers, who may find it easier to order within Europe. However, ordering online requires careful attention to sizing. Incorrect sizing is a common issue with online shoe purchases, and like most tap shoe companies, returns or refunds for incorrectly sized custom orders are generally not offered. Trying ladies tap dancing shoes in person before ordering, especially custom pairs, is always recommended.
Jason Samuels Smith Tap Shoe by Bloch
Jason Samuels Smith gifted me a pair of these shoes years ago, and they remain one of the two styles I consistently recommend to my students looking for quality ladies tap dancing shoes.
The Fit: They are notably comfortable, ranking among the most comfortable ladies tap dancing shoes available.
The Sound: The sound is substantial and heavy. JSams are easily recognizable by the weight in the toe. However, this front-heavy design is also why I personally stopped wearing them. The weight distribution caused knee discomfort for me.
Customization: Customization options are limited with JSams, but the available colors, including yellow gold, rose gold, platinum, black patent leather, white patent leather, and basic black or white leather, are stylish. Jason is reportedly working on introducing more customization options, which would be a welcome addition for ladies tap dancing shoes.
The Price: They are very affordable, typically under $200, making them an excellent recommendation for students seeking professional ladies tap dancing shoes, especially those who are still growing and may need to replace shoes more frequently.
Other Thoughts: JSams are ready to wear right out of the box, with no additional costs for tap installation. This convenience is a significant advantage.
So Danca
Let’s talk about So Danca, a brand whose name I still stumble over when pronouncing!
The Fit: They feel comfortable and breathable. The construction allows for good air circulation, which is appreciated during long dance sessions.
The Sound: The sound tends to be lighter, which may appeal to some dancers, although I personally prefer a more robust and heavier sound from my ladies tap dancing shoes.
Customization: The heart detail on So Danca shoes is iconic and visually distinctive. They offer diverse designs, including plaid, denim, and suede, providing numerous style choices for ladies tap dancing shoes.
The Price: A basic black pair with the signature red heart costs just over $200. Information on custom leather pricing isn’t readily available on their website.
Other Thoughts: The upward curve of the toe is a key feature of So Danca shoes. While no tap shoe is perfectly flat, the pronounced upward curve of the toe in So Danca shoes was a personal drawback for me in terms of feel and connection to the floor. However, many dancers appreciate this design.
Matteo Grounded Sole (GS1)
And finally, my personal favorite among ladies tap dancing shoes… the Matteo Grounded Sole, or GS1.
The Fit: Compared to any other ladies tap dancing shoes I’ve tried, the GS1 feels like a slipper. It combines a strong sole with a soft insole, offering both support and exceptional comfort—a rare combination in tap shoes. They are remarkably lightweight, which took some adjustment after wearing heavier Miller & Bens. The attention to detail is evident, including a padded rim around the ankle for extra comfort.
The Sound: The sound is clean, clear, and crisp, with a lighter heel sound compared to other options. The taps resonate beautifully, allowing for nuanced and articulate footwork.
Customization: Matt at Matteo offers extensive customization. He provides leather swatches to choose from, ensuring accurate color selection beyond unreliable computer screens. He also sends a trial pair for fitting before finalizing custom orders, a practice I believe should be standard across all ladies tap dancing shoe vendors. This ensures a perfect fit before a significant investment.
Customer Service: The customer service is exceptional—truly top-notch. As a small business driven by passion, Matteo provides unparalleled support and dedication to their craft.
The Price: A black pair costs $170, plus tap installation. Custom shoes are $250, plus tap installation. Boots are $300, plus tap installation, available in full or ankle boot cuts.
Side Note: It’s important to mention that I have no affiliation with Matteo and receive no compensation for promoting their ladies tap dancing shoes. My endorsement is solely based on my genuine belief in the product’s quality and performance.
What’s Your Favorite Shoe?
I’m eager to hear about your experiences! What are your favorite ladies tap dancing shoes? Have you tried any of the shoes listed? Are there other brands you prefer? Share your thoughts in the comments below or in the iTapOnline Community Facebook Group. I always respond!
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