Latin Shoes Vs Argentine Tango Shoes – What’s The Difference?

If you have been following our blog, you might have noticed that we refer to our shoes as Argentine tango shoes, but some of you are probably wondering, well how are they different from other Latin and Ballroom dance shoes? Is this something I should be concerned about when purchasing?

At the core, Latin dancing and Argentine Tango are not the same thing. Latin dancing encompasses styles like salsa and bachata. And, although there is a version of tango within Ballroom (often known as American Style Tango and International Style Tango), Argentine Tango is separate to these styles. Therefore, the main difference between what a dancer needs in the shoes depends on the style of dance she is undertaking.

It would be worth to write a blog post about the differences between Latin, Ballroom, Argentine Tango and their social and competition styles but for now, we’ll keep it simple. So bear with us 😉

Latin dancing is fast, nimble and in a competition context judges will look for pointed feet and certain poses. For this reason, Latin shoes need to be hyper flexible. Normally you can bend the whole sole of the shoe backwards. In Argentine tango there are more pauses and still moments where your whole body weight is only on one leg. Slow controlled movements that require a dance shoe that really support your feet. Comfort and stability are also key here.

When it comes to how the shoes are made, Latin shoes often have suede soles to help with flexibility, as well as synthetic uppers made of satin. Tango shoes (at least ours!) are primarily made from leather, the soles as well as the uppers and lining. We favour this material as it’s more breathable and comfortable on the skin.

So, can you dance tango in Latin shoes? Honestly, it’s not ideal. Of course, you can always start out with Latin shoes, but after a few months you will need a more supportive shoe that allows you to perform all of the moves.

Finally, in terms of price, you will find that Latin shoes can be found very cheaply whereas tango shoes tend to be more expensive. This is mainly due to three things: the cost of the materials used (synthetic vs leather), where the shoes are produced (for example, Europe vs countries with cheaper labour) and the finishes, the craftmanship in the shoes.

Our Argentine tango shoes have been specifically designed to the demands of the dance. To this aim, we invested time in the development process to strike a balance between flexibility and comfort and support and stability. Each shoe is created with a tango dancer in mind and how she will feel and look while wearing the shoe. It is then expertly crafted in Spain with the help of a meticulously chosen manufacturer to ensure the highest of quality.

We do all this so you can be sure the shoes will feel great while dancing. Do you need help finding the perfect shoe within our range? You can read more here: Tips to choose the right fit tango shoes

If you are looking for Argentine Tango Shoes in London or the UK, the best place to find them is by booking a private fitting at our studio in Central London. For more details and bookings go here.