Tappy Feet - the best tap shoe I have found so far (Bloch Split Sole Tap Shoes)

Member Name: kayo

Product:	Bloch Split Sole Tap Shoes
Date:	22/05/09 (219 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Soft, comfy, mega-flexible and sound great too.

Disadvantages: Low heel might not suit everyone and non slip sole area will wear off eventually.

I teach tap dancing and when my old shoes eventually fell apart I had to look for something else. Not my favourite task, as dance shoes are a very personal thing and getting used to a new pair can take a while. I knew that I wanted something decent, and whilst basic, "entry level" tap shoes (usually canvas or PVC with a metal tap riveted to the toe area only) start from around £15, I needed something that offered more. I eventually decided on the Tapflex Split Sole tap shoes made by well respected manufacturer Bloch at a cost of £35.99 and I have not been disappointed.

The shoes have a low heel and are made from thick black leather which is very soft and smooth to the touch. The sole is split, which means that the arch of your foot does not have a hard sole underneath it, just the soft leather. This dramatically increases the flexibility and comfort of the shoes with the added advantage that you can point your toes in a way not possible with a full, hard sole. The inner lining is made of something called "Kashmir" - a man made fabric which wicks moisture away from the skin and reduces rubbing. The sole has a non-slip rubber area covering the ball of the foot, to increase grip.

The taps themselves are Bloch's own "shockwave" make. They come already attached to the shoes, are made of metal alloy and are screwed to a base plate, which in turn is attached to the heel and toe of the shoe. Compared with thin, cheap aluminium riveted taps this is a massive improvement. The sound is fuller, richer and louder. The screw fixings allow you to adjust the distance between the tap and the base plate, to ensure the best sound depending on the hardness of the dance floor.

The comfort level of this shoe is superior. For me, they didn't need "wearing in" and from the moment I first put them on, they moulded perfectly to my foot. It would be perfectly possible to wear these shoes without the need for tights or socks - the comfort level is that good. Having been used to a slightly higher heel before, it did take a little while to adjust to the new angle, and I missed a few beats at first but this was a minor inconvenience, easily rectified with practice.

I ordered my tap shoes online, which can sometimes be a bit hit or miss, because dance shoe sizing does not always correspond with usual shoe size. However on this occasion there was no problem, I just ordered my usual size and the fit was fine.

Conclusion:
These tap shoes offer excellent value for money. They are not the cheapest, but if you are looking for shoes that are well made, sound great and offer superior comfort levels, then you can't go far wrong with the Tapflex.

Summary: A great value, well made tap shoe, suitable for beginners and experts alike.