Flamenco shoes are a type of shoe worn to perform dances to the very popular Spanish Flamenco music style that has delighted Spanish audiences for centuries. Flamenco shoes usually refer to women’s shoes, because in most of Flamenco dances, men more properly wear boots. What make these shoes special are the nails in the heels and toes. These allow the dancers to use their feet as percussive instruments that complement and enhance the music being played.

If you’re first starting Flamenco dance lessons, you may not need Flamenco shoes right away. Most companies that teach Flamenco dance to beginners merely recommend that you dance in a sturdy shoe. Since Flamenco shoes are almost always high-heeled, a good jazz or ballroom dance shoe can usually get you started in the right direction. Yet if you continue with dancing, it’s vital to get the appropriate shoes, since so much of dancing depends on using the nails and taps as rhythm, and these require specific technique.

The typical Flamenco shoe, most often available in black or red, looks very much like a woman’s high-heeled jazz shoe. The shoe has a sturdy heel of about an inch to two inches (2.54-5.08 cm). Essentially the heel of the shoe provides almost total support underneath the heel of the foot. It’s very important that this heel be durable, since one of the common problems with Flamenco shoes is the heel breaking off if the dance becomes too vigorous.

Commonly, the shoe looks much like a pump with a roomy and rounded toe box, and has a strap over the top of the foot to keep the shoe securely in place. Fancier flamenco shoes may have ties instead of a strap, and some even have ties that cross the foot, then lace up above the ankle. Unless you are using the shoes for a special costume, usually the best early choice is a pair of black flamenco shoes with a simple ankle strap. You may want to choose a strap that is slightly elasticized for securer hold to the foot.

While you can certainly purchase flamenco shoes in the US, many people prefer to get their shoes from Spanish makers, where the shoes are often at least partially handmade or custom made. Surprisingly, even handmade flamenco shoes are not terribly expensive, though shipping can be. The average pair ordered from Spain tends to cost between 80-100 US dollars (USD). Having a good pair of flamenco shoes, if you are a dedicated dancer, can make all the difference in the world, since the stamping and foot movements of flamenco dance can be hard on the feet.

You’ll find a number of places to order flamenco shoes and flamenco boots on the Internet. You may want to consult with your dance instructor regarding the best brands. Teachers of flamenco dance are often most knowledgeable about the types of shoes that will provide you the longest wear and best comfort as you dance.