Tap dance has evolved over the years despite the energy and spunk required to hit the floor and captivate an audience.
As far as tap dancing is concerned, age is just a number, as more people in their 50s and 60s are finding this dance style too appealing to ignore.
The resultant effect is the need for a dance shoe that serves many purposes while producing the right sounds to prompt the audience into giving a standing ovation.
In effect, you need to put your comfort and balance in mind – whether as adults or kids when going for a tap dance shoe fitting.
Having your concerns in mind gave rise to this extensive research, which has produced the 7 best tap dance shoes for 2022.
Although it wasn’t easy getting a winner out of the 7 best tap shoes highlighted, Bloch Dance Women’s Tap-Flex Leather Tap Shoe ranks high with unique features which are suitable and make it attractive for starters and professionals.
Read this article to get the needed tips to pick the best dance shoes for yourself and the dance enthusiast in your household.
Best Tap Shoes
1. Bloch Dance Women’s Tap-Flex Leather Tap Shoe
To enjoy tap dancing, you need fabulous shoes with stunning flexibility that can give the needed support your frame requires while dishing out those great moves and taps.
The Bloch Dance Women’s Tap-Flex Leather Tap Shoe serves this purpose. It comes with the complete leather split sole, which allows for great movement without fear of falling or slipping on one’s face during a tap session.
This wonderful sounding tap shoe is an excellent choice for tap dancers with wide or narrow feet. It masterfully accommodates both.
You definitely can’t ignore the myriad of excellent reviews online praising its sterling quality and uniqueness when compared to others.
Top Features
- Soft leather lining
- Non-slip balance pad
- Fresh tap plates with soundboards
- Thick leather outsole
- Zero break-in time
Pros
- It is a unisex product
- Flexible sole to provide the needed support
- It stretches well which makes it fit all feet shape
- More cushion in the lining for protection against friction
- It produces good sounds and tone during tapping
Cons
- Not suitable for toe stands dance step
- It does not come with shoelace despite being pricey
If you want to enjoy tap dancing as a starter, Bloch Dance Women’s Tap-Flex Leather Tap Shoe comes recommended as one of the best tap shoes for beginners.
2. Bloch Dance Women’s Jason Samuels Smith Professional Leather Tap Shoe
Anyone looking for sturdiness and strength will not go wrong with the Bloch Dance Women’s Jason Samuels Smith Professional Leather Tap Shoe as it gives balance and makes you graceful while showing off your tapping skills on stage.
The sound output is second to none and pleasant to the ears of the audience, which makes it one of the best sounding shoes in the market and distinguishes it from ordinary girl shoes.
With it’s inner cushioning around the ankle, the comfort of the dancer is already anticipated to prevent soreness, which will adversely affect the delivery of the tap dancer.
A dancer with a competitive spirit will enjoy adding this to their prized collection of dancing shoes.
Top Features
- 100% pure leather
- Adjustable taps
- Short break in time
- Deep sounding taps
- Strong and Sturdy
Pros
- Comfortable due to extra pads in it
- The heel stacking makes it durable
- Metal bonds to make the screws not to get loose
- Use of High-quality steel between tap and leather outsole to produce great sounds
Cons
- Misshapen rubbers
- Not advisable for beginners because of the stacked heels
- Size not exact so recommended to go a step up your regular size
It is worth every cent you spend to have a pair of this piece of handcraft from Bloch, a company well-known as a masterpiece creator of all times.
Bloch sure does meet the needs of different types of dancers, from Waltz to Salsa, and of course, tap dancing.
For lovers of Salsa, Take a Look at 7 Best Salsa Dance Shoes
3. Capezio Riff Slip-On Tap Shoe
Capezio Riff Slip-On Tap Shoe is an excellent choice for dancers who want to do away with tying and untying of shoelaces. It is a great tap dancing shoe feature that allows for fast changes of shoes between dance styles in a production number.
The ease of slipping on and off is also a major attraction that has made it one of the best tap shoes for beginners.
You can enjoy a lot of flexibility and freedom from discomfort as it comes with a foam footbed and a non-slip sock lining. This lining competes favorably with those among the best non-slip shoes ever made.
Both male and female professional dancers can enjoy peddling their craft when they put on this great work of art made with quality, balance, and the dancer’s comfort as the core values of its production.
The quality of materials used in producing the best tap shoes generally determines the number of years it would last. Capezio Riff made with synthetic materials, and it is sure to last for a while. It sure does qualify as one of the best durable shoes in the market.
Top Features
- Lightweight
- 1″ heel
- Ankle-high tap shoes
- Synthetic split-sole
- Strong toe box
- Full leather upper part
Pros
- A great choice for people with narrow feet
- Micro-fiber lining and gore insert to provide comfort
- Flexible arch to ensure great fittings
- Comes with the taps attached
- Stretchable leather to fit all
- It serves as a regular shoe with the tap taken off
Cons
- The size usually runs small
Capezio Riff Slip-On Tap Shoe is an excellent choice for parents looking for alternatives to normal everyday children’s shoes, which kids might use to dance.
Due to the stretchable leather, which gives them room to grow in with time, kids who want to tap dance would love this. As an added advantage, its durable nature ensures that it is cost-effective in the long run.
4. Theatricals Adult Neoprene Insert Tap Shoes T9100
o dancer enjoys dancing with high heel shoes as it is prone to go off balance and, many times, leads to sprained ankles.
The best choice of tap dance shoes for beginners remains sturdy but flexible shoes that work like everyday low heels shoes. This is the main feature of Theatricals Adult Neoprene Insert Tap Shoes T9100.
Dance Supply Company, the manufacturers, produces quality shoes at a premium value, thereby giving you a great fit with assurances of durability too.
Theatricals Adult Neoprene Insert Tap Shoes T9100 is, no doubt, one of the best sounding tap shoes that are great for beginners. It is, no doubt, a hit for those with wide feet who care much about their high arch and swelling feet.
Although made for adult females, adult males and children likewise take pleasure in adding it to their collections of great shoes for having fun on the dance floor.
Top Features
- Synthetic upper leather
- Framed taps with a sounding board
- Traction free rubber patch
- Unisex
Pros
- It is cheap and this makes it affordable for all
- Synthetic upper leather that is stretchable and allows for a great fitting
Cons
- It is not a slip toe tap shoe
- It has a strong polish-like smell
- Bad screwing works
- No arch support
If you love to tap dance for recreational purposes, then Theatricals Adult Neoprene Insert Tap Shoes T9100 is the best tap dancing shoe for you as you don’t need to break the bank for it even though the warranty says it will serve you well.
5. DanceNwear Youth/Adult Applause Black and White Spectator Tap Shoe
The Applause steadily worked its way into the list of the very best tap dance shoes. The Applause is merely great, and it’s no surprise that it is receiving great reviews due to its lightweight and natural conformity to the foot of the wearer.
You can’t but fall in love with the aesthetic and color of what has become one of the best professional tap dancing shoes offered in black and white.
It is unisex and in a class of its own due to its price, which attracts attention to the quality of materials used in its production.
Top Features
- Pricey brand
- 100% leather
- Leather and Rubber sole
- 3/4″ heels
Pros
- Soft leather around the area which allows the toes to move
- An adjustable tap that produces great sounds
- Foam cushioned footbed for balance
- It can also serve as regular shoes with the tap removed
Cons
- Sizing is not accurate, which gives room for many return purchases before getting the right size.
Are you a teenager (or adult) in need of a shoe to impress? Put on DanceNwear Youth/Adult Applause Black and White Spectator Tap Shoe and turn heads to your feet.
This is an opportunity to get familiar with the size conversion chart to avoid size mix-up and end time-wasting.
For youths and teens: The 8 Best Shoes for Teens in 2022
6. Capezio Tap Jr. Footlight
From the selections of the 7 best tap dancing shoes, this is the first to have a buckle just like a favorite for of salsa dancers.
With this safety measure in place, you don’t need to get worried about your shoe slipping off during intense performances.
With the heels wrapped in leather material to prevent traction, you are sure of stability while tap dancing.
Since people who suffer from plantar fasciitis require orthotics to achieve the right comfort, Capezio Tap Jr, Footlight comes in handy; you don’t need that extra because it works.
Aerobic enthusiasts in need of the best sounding tap shoes will find this useful just as those interested in tap dancing for fun purposes would find it alluring too.
Top Features
- Non- slip and mid-cut heels
- Soft leather upper sole
- Lower and rounder vamp
- Padded foam insole with arch support
Pros
- It has a microfiber lining to absorb moisture
- It has a notch to protect persons with Achilles’ feet
- The medium width is suitable for narrow feet
Cons
- Buckle does not last long
- Does not come with toe taps
- Slippery lining
If you want an everyday shoe that will serve you for tap dancing, ballroom dancing, jazzercise workout, and the occasional shoe to wear on your graduation or to work, Capezio Tap Jr. Footlight comes highly recommended.
Ballroom Dance Enthusiast Look Upon at 7 Best Ballroom Dance Shoes
7. Soft Leather Split Sole Jazz Tap
It looks so much like a regular dress shoe, and yet buying it is cheap since the tap sole can later serve dual purposes with the removal of the taps.
The soft leather used makes to make the incredible Soft Leather Split Sole Jazz Tap is highly comfortable for the tap dancer during and after breathtaking performances.
No wonder it made the list of best tap shoes for beginners, given that it accommodates their feet without any hassles as it is stretchable.
It is a high-quality shoe that is suitable for almost all dance styles, even pointe, due to the flexibility of the sole split design, which is pointe.
Top Features
- A soft split sole design
- Absorbable cotton lining
- 3/8″ heel
- Strengthened toe box
Pros
- Long lasting due to the quality of materials used
- Soft upper leather for a silhouette snug fit
- Adjustable taps on the leather sole
- Available for male and female
- Great for toe stand steps due to its reinforced toe box
Cons
- Small sizing
Being a pricey shoe, it gives the customers the needed comfort needed if the right size is purchased.
You are sure of giving a stellar performance considering that Soft Leather Split Sole Jazz Tap is flexible and has a pointed shape, which makes it a great choice among best professional tap shoes.
If you are interested in Pointe ballet and require other shoes than this, click here.
What to Look Out for Before Buying Tap Shoes
Style
Figuring out the style of tap shoes to buy is as important as deciding to start tap-dancing itself.
The style will depend on if you are starting out, an intermediate, or already a professional. This is important because shoes designed for all these may not serve the same purpose even though they have similar features.
The materials used in making tap shoes include canvas, wood, leather, or plastics. These are parameters to determine the best style suitable for tap dancers depending on the level of expertise.
They should have straps and buckles to secure the feet to ensure support and safety while advanced dancers can use the slip-on and those with heels and pointes.
Fit
A tap dancer is only as good as the fitness level of his or her tap dancing shoes.
A well-fitted shoe will allow for balance, and great support needed to deliver during a dance session. With the intensity of performances at times, ill-fitted shoes are calling for a disastrous outing.
The proper fitting allows for the right sound, which explains why you need to get the right size for the shape of your feet.
Having the right fit also ensures you are comfortable and not in pain while dancing.
Use
Tap Dance shoes are not restricted to only tap dancing.
If you love to dance to Salsa, Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, etc., choose your favorite pair from this array of dancing shoes, grab a partner, and give a sizzling performance whether in the comfort of your home, club or front of an audience on stage.
Little wonder dance pros or instructors insist that quality must be the standard for choosing the best professional tap shoes.
Heel & Toe
Putting on heels gives poise and add gait to the walk and posture of the wearer.
Yet, in selecting any out of the best tap dancing shoes for beginners, shoes with high heels should not be a priority as you need to get the required techniques for balancing while tap dancing.
Great toe support is essential for tap dancers to reduce injuries to the toes during performances and while breaking in into a new shoe. This is why you must look out for shoes made with soft leather.
Support
The needed support for tap shoes is a factor of the quality of sole used in its manufacture. This can be thick or thin, depending on the material used.
The thickness of the outsole and also the length of the screw used to fix the taps to give the necessary support affects the weight.
To get more flexibility while dancing, you can choose split or full soles made with leather or suede when making your purchases.
Durability
Durability and longevity are determined by the quality of materials used in production, the level of expertise of the dancer, and also the frequency of usage.
All the factors mentioned above should be considered when buying shoes generally, but especially for getting the best tap dance shoes for a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How do I select tap shoes?
A. Making it easy to get the best tap dance shoes is the reason for this intensive research that conducted into finding a pair of tap dance shoes.
The job is now easier for you with these reviews that you know that the best tap dance shoes for beginners and professionals have their unique features.
Specifically, you will need to consider the intensity of your routines, your foot shape, the type of heel you want, the price, quality of materials, and also the fit.
These are worthy parameters when selecting the best pair of tap dance shoes to buy from the several manufacturers available.
Q. Is it essential to use Tap shoes for Tap dance?
A. Some tap dancers often wonder why it is necessary to spend money acquiring tap shoes when it looks like regular shoes.
Well, regular shoes won’t produce the melodic sounds which differentiate tap dance from other dances.
You can only achieve this by buying a shoe that has the right tap attached to it with the numbers and quality of screws.
It is an expense that cannot disappear no matter how hard you try because, without this feature, the pleasure will be missing out.
Q. How do I make my tap shoes last?
A. The durability of your tap shoes is a measure of how well you use and also care for it.
Like your regular shoes, it must receive proper attention before, during, and after use by following these tips:
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth and air dry after use to prevent dampness, especially for leather shoes.
- It is a must to keep it in good form by repairing any damage noticed on any part of the tap shoes.
- You can sprinkle some baking powder in the shoes to get rid of foot odors or make sure you are always putting on protective soles.
- Always check the taps to ensure that the screws are not falling off. Screw back any loose one and if glued, ensuring it is not coming off unglued.
Proper care of your tap shoes will prevent needless buying of new ones.
Q. Do I need heels in my tap shoes?
A. It is lovely to tap in heels, especially for Broadway-style tap, but you have to ensure you are buying a sturdy and strong heel that won’t break while performing a balancing act.
Starters should ensure their ankles and feet are strong enough to give stable balance while on heels with particular attention to children and teens.
The key is to ensure you feel comfortable and confident when wearing heels to give a sterling delivery.
There are dance steps that are best done while putting on your flat tap shoes, especially the rhythm Style Tap, Toe Stands, and Side shuffle. Female Tap dancing shoes with heels go very well with a partner decked in a tuxedo style jacket and shoes rocking the dance on the floor.
It is worthy to note. Also, that bodyweight is well distributed in flats.
Conclusion
Owning a pair of great tap shoes ranks high for every lover of tap dancing, which is why they are always on the lookout for a pair that fits the picture.
You will also want to buy shoes that give you the posture needed to execute your moves without losing balance.
The above list of tap dance shoes will reduce the stress of going in circles when about to make this great decision.
With the variants of shapes, styles, colors, and texture of materials of the best tap shoes made by the different manufacturers, you can’t afford to miss finding the one that fits you and make you keep tapping your feet on the dance floor.