Some thoughts on getting well heeled – for men
Richard is the organiser of the Menuda Milonga. Well worth a visit and always attracts a really good level of dancer.
When I read the article on Tango Hub by Lynn (some thoughts on getting well-heeled), I spoke to TH about the fact that nobody ever writes about shoes for us leaders. I groaned as it dawned on me that I had my hand up.
It can take a leader longer to buy that first pair of tango shoes. Perhaps because shoes for leaders aren’t seen as important, or because men (assuming the leader in this case is a man) aren’t meant to think, talk or ever consider shoes. And nobody ever seems to write about it, or reflect on how a good pair of shoes for leading can make such a difference.
My own experience was one of wearing trainers for the first 6 months and adding duct tape to the soles to give them a bit of slide. It worked to a degree, but I’d rather dance in socks now than in anything but a pair of shoes designed for the job.
When it comes to shoes for leaders, there’s little choice compared to the vast array of offerings for ladies, but making the right choice can make a difference.
I’ve seen leaders in all types of shoes. Smart ballroom type shoes, fabric tango shoes, trainers with ground down converted soles, soft leather dance shoes, dance trainers and even Dr. Martins (really!). So what should be considered when buying a pair of shoes for leading?
Feeling the floor
Most shoes designed for dancing for leaders have a thin sole. There’s a reason for this. You can feel the floor. If you can’t feel the floor though the sole of your shoes as a leader, then you’re probably going to change weight or step in a less delicate way. Imagine trying to pick up an egg with boxing gloves on. The amount of pressure that you feel being applied is diluted. Pick up your egg with a pair of marigolds and it’s a different story. A few leaders, especially ladies that lead sometimes wear dance trainers (such as bloch). In my view, these aren’t as suitable as the springy sole can cause a bouncing step which resonates through the dance.
Staying at the bottom
Staying with the bottom of the shoe there’s really only one thing to avoid and that’s rubber. Trainers that are designed to be street wear and lots of dance trainers have a rubber sole. Whilst the dance trainers are probably a better option than regular trainers, street trainers won’t allow you to turn with the fluidity of a leather or suede sole. Plus there is the danger that if you stick whilst turning, you’re more likely to hurt a knee as the body turns and the feet stick.
Which sole to choose
Leather or suede? Personally, I prefer suede though I know a lot of leaders prefer leather. It’s really a personal preference. In my view though suede soles are more adaptable to different conditions.
Of course, you can wear leather bottom shoes out for a night out, but I like to keep my dance shoes for dancing in. A leather sole can be pretty fast (slippery) on a good dance floor, and even though this makes turns easy, some grip is still needed to get energy into a step and I like to feel the control of having some grip when I need it. Suede soles can also be treated after each night of dancing with a wire brush (about a fiver on ebay) which brings up the fluffy feel again. If you’re dancing on a sticky floor, then don’t brush them and they will soon flatten into a more leather-like bottom. On a slippery floor? Just brush up the bottom to give yourself a bit of extra grip.
An important aspect to consider is the split sole. This allows the shoe to bend neatly in the centre. Split sole shoes usually have a rubber heel and the stepping part of the foot will be leather or suede. The centre under the arch of the foot is then just covered with material and makes the shoes really flexible.
Men have heels too
Dance shoes for men do come with different heel sizes too. Some prefer a very flat shoe; whist the other extreme offers an almost Cuban heel. Complete flats can seem comfy but a small heel will help to slightly angle the body forward.
Which material
The material that you choose for a pair of tango shoes will partly dictate the style. Hard leather shoes, typically more formal, can look very smart but are less flexible. They also have one major disadvantage. The last thing any leader wants to do is to hurt a follower. I’m sure all leaders at one time or another have committed the sin of treading on toes. Buy a pair of very smart, but very hard shoes and you’re unlikely to be dancing a second tanda in the arms of your follower if (god forbid) your foot gets that little too close to hers. Especially if she’s wearing a beautiful open toe number. Stick to soft leather or a fabric and leather / fabric and suede upper combination and if you do get too close, the touch will hardly be noticeable (unless you dive in to steps like an England scrum half).
Style
The most popular styles for shoes are single colour ones. Black usually. Some of the two-colour shoes can look pretty smart too. Just buy what reflects you in terms of style.
How many pairs?
As a leader, you probably won’t need more than two pairs. When I buy another pair, I simply retire my current pair to being a practice pair and keep the new ones for milongas. Depending on the shoes you buy they should last too. The most delicate are probably the soft, fabric combination uppers but even with very regular dancing they should last you a couple of years.
With all this said though, just like tango shoes for ladies the most important thing is that you feel comfortable. One local leader who has danced for around 7 years recently invested in a new pair of shoes. He’s told me they are “magic shoes” for the difference they make.
