Best Tap Shoes for Beginners

 Best Tap Shoes for Beginners 


When you are first starting any style of dance, it can get overwhelming to figure out where to start. As someone who is just starting out tap, you are not sure whether or not if you want to commit to buying a crazy expensive pair of shoes just yet. For most beginner tap dancers, I would start by buying a satisfactory pair of good tap shoes. However, there are various kinds of tap shoes that are out there and available for dancers to buy. So which one is the best for you? In this post, I will talk about different beginner-friendly tap shoes that are worth buying and the specifics of each of them. 

Starting with the Capezio Downtown tap shoe, which features a full sole and laces (if you are unsure about split vs. full sole, read my post about it!). These tap shoes were one of my early pairs, back when I was just starting. Depending on the type of class and style of tap you are learning, the full sole this shoe features can be beneficial. 

Capezio Essential Tap shoe has very similar features to the Downtown tap shoe, except for the way they are on your feet. The Essential Tap shoe has a Velcro strap instead of the classic laces. This makes it easy for wearing and removal, especially for quick costume changes. You will find that the more advanced your tap shoe becomes, the harder it is to put on!

The Balera Beginner Tap Shoes B60 & Capezio Jr. Tyette Tap Shoe are extremely affordable, just around 20 to 30 dollars. The heels for these kinds are not too tall, making them better support for your feet and easier to dance around in. The ankle part of the shoe features padded support, which makes the whole dancing experience comfortable. However, a small problem that may occur with these shoes are the silk laces. This could cause them to untie during fast-paced dancing or extended wear. I have tried dancing with silk laces before; as long as the laces are tied well, there shouldn't be much of a problem with them. 

The Capezio Buckled Mary Jane, or any buckled Mary Jane shoe, is a great option for starters. Like most shoes you will find featured in this blog for beginners, the heel isn’t tall. This helps with adjusting to the new tap moves and adding less stress on your ankles. The 

Buckle clasps ensure that your shoe will stay secure while you're tapping. Capezio is a reputable brand for tap shoes, so I recommend them for quality. However, depending on what brand you purchase, these shoes can be quite costly for your first pair. You might be spending around 50 dollars, which might be worth the purchase to some people. 

Tic Tac Toe Tap Shoes (Capezio) or Oxford-style tap shoes are honestly one of my favorite tap shoes. I really enjoy dancing in this specific style! The materials hug your feet and give them protection. The sounds for these shoes are also some of my favorites. The Oxford-style shoes come with laces so you can adjust the tightness easily. Again, the price for these (especially Capezio) is not very affordable/beginner friendly. Depending on the ones you get, they usually range from 35-50 USD. 

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