If your dancer has just started jazz, tap or contemporary, the shoe list from the studio can feel like a puzzle. Each style asks for something a little different, and the fit rules are not the same as ballet. Take a breath: it is simpler than it looks once you know what each shoe is for. Here is how we talk it through at the counter.
Jazz shoes
Jazz shoes let the foot point and articulate while still gripping the floor for turns and slides. They come as slip-on (with a stretchy elastic gusset across the top) or lace-up, and most are split sole, which means the sole is in two pieces so the arch can flex and show a lovely line.
- Slip-on styles are quick for little ones and for fast changes backstage.
- Lace-up styles give a more adjustable, snug hold for older dancers.
- Colour is usually tan or black: check your studio's uniform note.
Jazz shoes should feel snug, like a firm sock, with toes flat and reaching the end but not curled. A little stretch across the top is normal.
Tap shoes
Tap shoes have metal plates (taps) at the toe and heel that make the sound, so a secure fit matters even more: a loose shoe steals the crispness from every step. They fasten with a buckle or a lace, and beginners often start with a buckle for ease.
Buy tap shoes to fit snugly now, because the upper softens and loosens with wear. If there is too much room on day one, they will slide by concert time. Toes should reach the end with no pinching, and the heel should stay put when your dancer rises.
Contemporary and lyrical
This is the one that surprises parents, because often there is no shoe at all. Many studios dance contemporary and lyrical in bare feet. Others ask for foot thongs, also called half soles, foot undies or dance paws: little pads that cover the ball of the foot and slip over the middle toes, leaving the heel bare.
Foot thongs protect the ball of the foot from friction and floor burn while still letting the dancer feel the ground and turn freely. They come in tan to blend with the skin. Whether your studio wants bare feet or foot thongs really does vary, so please check with the teacher before you buy.
You will find these in our contemporary and lyrical range, and spare pads and grip aids sit in foot and shoe accessories.
When your dancer does more than one style
Plenty of children do jazz and tap, or all three, and the good news is you do not double up on everything. Here is a simple way to sort it.
- List the styles from the timetable. Write down each class your dancer is enrolled in this term.
- Match a shoe to each. Jazz needs jazz shoes, tap needs tap shoes, contemporary and lyrical need foot thongs or bare feet.
- Check the uniform note. Studios specify slip-on or lace-up, and tan or black. When in doubt, ask the teacher.
- Come in for a fit. Bring the timetable and we will size each pair together in one visit.
If your dancer also does ballet, the fit rules there are different again. Our guide on how ballet shoes should fit walks you through it.
Bring the class timetable and we will fit every pair in one friendly visit.
Shop jazz and tap shoes Browse contemporary and lyricalFrequently asked questions
What shoes do you need for jazz?
Jazz shoes, usually split sole, in either slip-on or lace-up. They should fit snugly like a firm sock, with toes flat and reaching the end. Check your studio for tan or black.
What shoes do you need for tap?
Tap shoes with metal taps at the toe and heel, fastened with a buckle or a lace. Fit them snugly, because the upper loosens with wear, so a little extra room now becomes a lot later.
Do you need shoes for contemporary or lyrical?
Often not. Many studios dance these barefoot, while others ask for foot thongs (half soles) that cover the ball of the foot. It varies by studio, so please check with the teacher first.
What are foot thongs (half soles)?
They are small pads that cover the ball of the foot and hook over the middle toes, leaving the heel bare. They protect against floor friction while letting the dancer feel the ground and turn freely.
How should jazz shoes fit?
Snug and secure, with the toes flat and just reaching the end, and no gap at the heel when your dancer rises. A little stretch across the top is normal, but the shoe should not slide.
