Full sole tap shoes have a continuous base material on the underside of the shoes. The full, hard soles ensure correct foot and ankle support for dancers. What is a split sole tap shoe? Tap shoes should be durable without compromising comfort. For more information on sizing and conversion charts, visit our BLOCH size guide. How Can I Make my Tap Shoes Less Slippery? Tap shoes should stay pretty clean, especially as they’ll only be worn indoors. However, you might occasionally notice scruffs or marks, which will mean you want to clean your shoes.

The elastic strap or straps on a ballet shoe should hold the shoe onto your foot securely. It should not dig into the top of the foot or ankle uncomfortably, impact the foot’s circulation or prevent you from pointing and flexing. Split sole tap shoes are similar to split sole jazz shoes – but with taps attached. Split sole tap shoes are flexible because the base, or underside, of the shoe does not have continuous material. Instead, there is a gap in material under the arch of the foot. Tap Shoe Fastening Slip on tap shoes All styles of tap shoes are specifically designed to meet the range of needs, material preferences, dance styles and foot sizes of different dancers. Tap shoe styles include the Mary Jane, Oxford, character heels and boots, which all feature different materials and shoe elements. Listed below are common tap shoe soles and fastenings, as well as information on what functionality you can expect with each shoe. Tap Shoe Soles What is a full sole tap shoe? From the anatomy of tap shoes to choosing the most comfortable size, here is our guide to tap shoes. What is a Tap Shoe Made of? At BLOCH, our ballet shoes come in four different widths, A, B, C and D, so you can adapt your footwear to your size. A is the narrowest fit, while D is the widest. Our size guidelines are based on a medium foot width, so if you have wider feet, we’d recommend sizing up by a half size.Like all dance shoes, ballet shoes must fit accurately to serve the dancer properly. Ballet shoes should feel snug on the foot without compromising comfort. If you are purchasing children’s ballet shoes or beginner ballet shoes, a full sole shoe with a durable material is a great place to start. For example, full sole ballet shoes in leather will provide a beginner with a solid foundation for improving foot strength. The Children’s Arise Leather Ballet shoes are an introductory full sole design, perfect for young girls and boys beginning their dance journey. The Ladies Arise Leather Ballet Shoes are also ideal for new dancers.

When choosing a pair of BLOCH ballet shoes, we strongly recommend visiting a local retailer with knowledge of BLOCH ballet shoes. If that’s not possible, please get in touch for fitting advice. Whether you’re choosing your first or twentieth pair of ballet shoes, there are important considerations to make when determining which sole, style, colour and material will make the perfect pair for you.The anatomy and materials that make up a tap shoe are designed to provide the perfect tap sound while accommodating the tap dancer. Although there are many different variations of the tap shoe, common tap shoe components are listed below. Heel If the ballet shoe is hurting the side of your feet, that is a good indicator that the shoe is too narrow. If toes are bending, curling or overlapping when a ballet shoe is worn, that indicates the dancer needs to try a bigger size. If there is extra material in the shoe, especially near the toes, then the shoes may be too large. Enhanced compression arch – supportive and designed to hug the dancer’s foot, the compression arch shows-off a dancer’s foot line If you intend to wear pointe shoes with your booties, we recommend that you take the next size up from your normal shoe size. The topline of a tap shoe is the edge that runs along the opening of the shoe. Like the heel, the topline can vary depending on the style of the tap shoe and preference of the dancer. For example, a lower topline means the shoe will not come up as high, allowing for more ankle flexibility. A higher topline will keep the ankle more stable. Taps

A full sole ballet shoe doesn’t allow for much flexibility since the base of the shoe is coated in one layer of material. However, this style shoe includes more resistance beneath the arch of the foot. If you are a beginner in ballet or looking for a ballet shoe that is sturdy, the full sole style is a favourable choice. If you’re measuring the width of your foot for ballet shoes, measure at the widest point. This is usually where the toes meet the foot. In some cases, tap shoes may feel slippery because the dance floor is slippery. If you think that the dance floor you are dancing on could be the reason your tap shoes feel slippery, it’s important to speak to your instructor or a studio representative. Dirty, dusty, wet or waxy floors can feel slippery to dance on. Try Rosin spray There is a diverse collection of ballet shoe styles in the dance world. All styles are specifically designed to meet a range of needs, material preferences, skill levels and foot sizes of different dancers. Ballet shoes are often offered in split sole or full sole options. We recommend consulting your dance teacher regarding which ballet shoe is best for you or your child, as they can offer insight into the material and sole that is best suited for their dance level, as well as any colour preferences.As the innovation leader in ballet shoes for nearly a century, BLOCH understands the importance of a high-quality, durable and beautifully-crafted ballet shoe. This is why we still make all our pointe shoes by hand, and we continue the tradition of listening to dancers, understanding what they want and what they need. Listed below are additional tips to make your existing tap shoes feel less slippery. Break the shoes out safely While tap shoes should feel firm on the feet, it is important to recognise if the shoes are too tight. If the shoe is hurting the side of your feet, that is a good indicator that the shoe is too narrow. If toes are bending, curling or overlapping when the shoe is worn, that indicates the dancer needs to try a bigger size.

The size ballet shoe you will need varies greatly from brand, style, material and more. In addition, foot shape, width and length of toes can change how a ballet shoe fits each individual. Bloch tap shoes are perfectly designed and customised to provide for any age and proficiency level. With Kashmir lining and AAA-grade leather available, Bloch tap shoes are the go-to for tap dancing professionals and students alike, thanks to their quality, comfort and – most importantly – sound!Neo-Flex Slip On is a split sole shoe featuring a sleek low profile silhouette for the most flattering profile in jazz. Crafted from specifically developed soft, durable leather with a new low profile heel to get that closer-to-the-floor feeling. Over time, you may notice the tap on your tap shoe loosening. This is often nothing to worry about – taps attached with screws are designed to loosen slightly over time, which helps create a clearer sound when you dance. Full sole ballet shoes have a continuous sole on the underside of the shoe. The sole typically is leather, canvas or suede. Choosing a full sole ballet shoe style will allow the dancer to build strength and muscle, as the style is very structured. Bloch’s BEST SELLING Warm Up Booties! In new tie dye print, Bloch’s booties offer a stylish and innovative way of keeping your feet warm, ready and prepared in between classes and rehearsals, a must-have for every dancer! Warm-up booties were designed by BLOCH Stars and former American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancers Irina Dvorovenko and Max Beloserkovsky. Mix and match your prints for a unique dance style! To reduce slipping, apply Bloch non-slip professional rosin spray to the soles of your shoe to increase traction against the floor. The product can be used on a variety of dance shoes, adding friction between the shoe and the floor and increasing the grip of the feet. Bloch rosin spray can also be used to secure ribbon and clothing. Ask an expert