Two shoes can have the same heel height and sole and still feel completely different. The difference is in the straps.
Women’s tango shoes are mostly about securing the foot. When the shoe moves, you lose balance in pivots and start clenching your toes. Here’s how the main styles compare.
Open toe vs closed toe
The open-toe sandal is the classic tango look, and it has a fun history. Comme il Faut‘s founder Alicia Muñiz says that when she started, open-toed tango shoes were “completely new” (Travel Life Magazine).
TangoLife London’s follower shoe guide sums up the trade-offs:
- Open toe: elegant, lets your toes spread and grip naturally, but can be less comfortable if the shoe is slightly too big, and your toes are exposed to the occasional (gentle) step.
- Closed toe: more protection, warmer in winter, and often more familiar for dancers coming from regular heels.
Both are perfectly appropriate at any milonga.
Open heel vs closed heel
- Closed heel: the back of the foot is held by the shoe. Many beginners feel more secure.
- Open heel (sling or strap): lighter and more forgiving if your foot is between sizes or particularly narrow or wide, but the strap must be firm.
The straps that matter
- Ankle strap: the most common. It should be snug enough that your heel doesn’t lift when you rise. Elastic inserts add comfort.
- T-strap: distributes hold over the instep and is very secure for narrow feet.
- Criss-cross straps: beautiful and adjustable, but check that no buckle presses on a bone.
A secure fastening is one of Tangonaut‘s core checks: make sure the shoe has a good fastening system, such as a strap or elastic band (heel-height guide).
The steel inside
Strap security only matters if the shoe itself is stable. Alicia Muñiz described to AFP an almost indestructible steel wire inserted into the soles and a strong strap as essential, and said: “The soul of the shoe is the arch” (AFP feature on Comme il Faut, via Kuwait Times). Ask about the shank and arch when you buy.
“The soul of the shoe is the arch.”
Alicia Muñiz, founder of Comme il Faut, speaking to AFP
Comfort add-ons
Toe spreaders, heel protectors and even small sparkling stickers on the outsole that flash during voleos all appear in Dimitris Bronowski’s The Tango Follower’s Feet. It’s a short, fun read.
Quick fitting test
- Fasten the straps on a middle hole.
- Rise onto the balls of your feet five times. Your heel shouldn’t lift out.
- Do a slow ocho on a smooth floor. Nothing should twist or pinch.
- Stand still for two minutes. Any strap that cuts in now will cut deeper by midnight.
Pair this with finding your heel height and how a tango shoe should fit. Read the complete guide to tango shoes and clothes for women for the full picture.
Find a store: see our guides to tango shoes in small sizes (35–36), tango shoes in large sizes (41+), tango stores by country & city.
Find your favourite strap style
Compare open-toe, closed and T-strap models across makers, and see what you like.