Tap Shoe Recommendations Based By Levels - A Guide

As a beginner, intermediate, or advanced tapper, picking the right tap shoes can be difficult. Tap dancing is all about skill, and tap dancing + tap shoes = bring those skills to life. Follow this guide for an idea of what your next pair of tap shoes should look like! But before you buy, ask your studio if you are going to need any specific style of tap shoes, as some studios require a certain color and style. 

Beginners—You don’t know whether you are going to commit to the dance, so don’t splurge on $200 tap shoes you might never wear! When you’re just starting to tap dance, it's more important to get the correct foot motions and sounds. 

To get those steps down, I recommend an affordable full-sole tap shoe that supports your foot comfortably. With just starting tap, beginner (and sometimes advanced!) tappers struggle with balance. A heel that isn’t too tall and laces will help support your feet. 

You can get any tap shoe like this at your local Walmart, Target, or even dance store for under $20. 

Here are some of my online recommendations for beginners: 

The Balera Beginner Tap Shoes B60 & Capezio Jr. Tyette Tap Shoe

The benefit of these tap shoes is that it's actually quite affordable, being just around 20-30 USD. The heel isn’t too tall at all and it has padded support for the ankle; great shoe for a starter. 

The one con I see with these shoes is that the laces are made up of silk. This could cause them to untie mid-dance and other problems like tripping over them. I have tried dancing with silk laces before, as long as the laces are tied securely then there shouldn’t be a problem with them. 

The Capezio Buckled Mary Jane OR Any buckled Mary Jane Shoe:

The Mary Janes are a great shoe for starters. The heel isn't tall and the buckle ensures that your shoe won't fall off when tapping. Capezio shoes, in my opinion, have great sounds.

The only fault I find is the price. Spending close to 50 USD for a pair of your first tap shoes isn't reasonable but if you know that you are going to use them (A LOT) then it might be worth the purchase. 

Tic Tac Toe Tap Shoes (Capezio) OR Oxford Style tap shoes:

In all honesty, I really enjoy tapping in Oxford-style tap shoes. It hugs your feet with protection and allows you to make crisper sounds! Oxford-style shoes come with laces so you can adjust the tightness accordingly. 

Again, the prices for these (especially Capezio) are not very affordable/beginner-friendly. Depending on the ones you get, they usually range from 35-50 USD, which I think is a lot. You can always find cheaper ones online. 

You can find any Mary Jane Tap Shoe online for a cheaper price!

Intermediate - If you are an intermediate, you know enough tap steps to be able to get an upgrade from your classic Oxford or Mary Jane shoes. You should be looking for shoes that have either a split sole (to help further develop skills) or a full sole, paying close attention to the way a shoe feels and sounds. Intermediate tap shoes can be more costly than beginner. A good pair (not saying all) usually ranges from 80-110 USD. 

I recommend checking out your local dance store for a more accurate feel with these shoes or asking your dance teacher/studio. 

If you're unable to, that's why I’m here! Here are some of my recommendations for intermediate tap shoes:

Tap Flex Leather Tap Shoe (Split Sole): 

I am a fan of split sole taps of intermediates. Bloch's Tap Flex Leather Tap Shoes provide you with loud taps (Bloch’s Shockwave) and leather that can allow you to move your feet freely. The heel is a little taller than your regular Mary Janes and it has a piece of rubber to prevent slips. These shoes have a lightweight feeling to them because there is not much of a sole. 

The cons I see with these shoes are that the leather can be quite thin and can hurt your toes if you are doing a step incorrectly. Another problem that may occur is not getting enough support. The shoes have a split sole which means that there isn't much of a sole to give your feet support. This could be both beneficial and a problem. 

Cadence Tap Shoe (Full Sole)(Capezio):

These shoes are lightweight which puts less stress on your feet and helps you go faster when you dance. It comes with laces that can help with securing your feet. The tap shoes come with a rubber sole that prevents slips when dancing. The full sole, compared to the split sole, provides more support to your feet. 

The one issue is the light padding. It can hurt your feet if you are not careful and can be more prone to the shocks you might feel when tapping. 

Advance - As an advanced tap dancer, you are skilled enough for more showy, loud, and better-quality dance shoes. The price range for most advanced tap shoes is 100-500 USD, depending on the style, sounds, and quality you want. 

Here are some of my recommendations: 

Capezio’s Roxy Tap Shoe:

This shoe comes with such a gorgeous yet subtle design and thick black laces that really secure your feet. The sole is a full sole and stitched in for extra support which is needed for a lot of advanced tap moves. The leather is quite thick and it protects your toes. The sounds are from their signature Tele Tone taps.

Many advanced shoes are quite heavy and less flexible. But to be able to dance in shoes like these, a great amount of skill is required. I don't necessarily think that this is a flaw but it will definitely take a while to adjust. 

Bloch JSams:

JSams are the number one shoe for more student tappers (in my opinion). They are ready-made and come in various colors as well as being under 300 USD. They last a while (I’ve heard 12 years!) and they provide lots of support to your feet. The sounds are loud and the shoes have laces to secure you in. The break-in period is not long at all which allows you to be more comfortable in the shoes. 

However, many people don't like the sound of JSams. Depending on your sound preference, these shoes could be too high. Like all high-quality tap shoes, these are heavy and less flexible. 

Miller and Bens TT or JTMS: 

Miller and Bens come with so many options and designs to choose from, they’re even customizable. A lot of people like the sounds of these shoes. They have full sole support for your feet and an outer that really snugs you in. 

The cons are that it's quite costly. These shoes are not very affordable. Another thing is that the Triple Threats are heavy because of all the added support. This can be both beneficial and a problem for dancers wearing these shoes.