If ever there was a unique dance that required a truly unique shoe, it’s clogging. Clogging shoes are, in a lot of ways what makes clogging be clogging. Choosing the right pair of clogging shoes is one of the most important steps you’ll take in learning your dance.
In this article, we’re looking at what makes a great pair of clogging shoes and then taking a look at the top 5 clogging shoes available in 2024!
What Are Good Clogging Shoes?
In theory, any shoe with a strong enough sole can be adapted into a clogging shoe with the fixing of taps. However, clogging shoes have special characteristics engineered specifically to suit this style of dance.
Clogging Shoes Have a Double Tap
Unlike single tapped tap shoes, the unique percussion of the clogging dance comes from the double taps on the soles of the shoes. Typically, clogging shoes have two taps on the toe and two on the heel. This is the main difference between clogging shoes and tap shoes.
Some shoes come with clogging taps already attached, although many are designed to have separately bought taps attached. Taps are either nailed on or glued in place, and your choice of which will depend on the type of tap you’re buying and the type of shoe you’re wanting to fit it to.
There are a number of different types of clogging taps available, each suiting a different dance style as well as a dance floor surface.
Buck Taps are hard taps made with a flange, an extra piece of metal to protect the toe during buck steps.
Bell Taps are strong but lightweight taps with a rounded toe and produce a crisp metallic sound. They are easy to wear on studio floors but are not suitable for dancing on rough surfaces such as concrete.
Liberty Bell taps are light steel round toe taps without holes in the floor plate. Like the Bell Tap, the Liberty tap is easy on the dance floor.
Clogging Shoes Need Sturdy Construction
There is a lot of heavy and often aggressive footwork involved in this dance so your shoes need to be built tough. From the under sole to the upper, clogging shoes need to be built with hard wearing material, preferably with reinforced stitching. Leather uppers are preferable.
Clogging Shoes Need A Hard Sole
Same as with other dancing shoes, such as swing shoes, for example, your clogging shoes need a hard sole. The soles of your shoes are going to take quite the beating and need to be strong enough to face up to the challenge.
The sole also needs to be strong enough to anchor your taps, especially if you’re opting for nail on taps. Most modern clogging shoes are made with heavy duty rubber or leather soles, swing shoes, though some are made from wood.
A split sole is also important as this allows for flexibility in the foot movement, but perhaps more importantly, it facilitates the different striking patterns between the heel and the toe during the dance.
Some clogging shoes are also designed with soundboards built into the sole to help amplify the percussive sounds of the taps.
Clogging Shoes Need A Heavy Based Heel
A heavy based heel is part of a good split sole clogging shoe. Ideally, the clogging shoe heel should be stacked, meaning they should be built of layers of heavy duty material. A lot of stacked heel shoes are made of hard rubber, though some incorporate wood and others use reinforced leather. The heel should be low and wide.
Clogging Shoes Need A Snug Fit
During your dance, your clogging shoe needs to move as an extension of your foot so a close fit is important. This is not only important for the execution of your dance steps but also for the health and safety of your feet. Most formal clogging shoes will be lace up shoes and whichever lacing system your shoe has, it should close the shoe securely across your forefoot.
If your foot slides inside your shoe, your shoe is too big. However, while you do want a close fit, you’re not going to want to cram your foot inside a too small shoe as this can also be a serious injury risk. Remember when fitting shoes, leather uppers will stretch where synthetic materials will more or less stay the same size.
Clogging Shoes Need Good Impact Resistance
A hard rubber or leather sole will provide some level of impact resistance, but you’re also going to look for a clogging shoe with some extra degree of padding and support. Some shoes are also made with a reinforced toe box for toe stands.
The best clogging shoes are lined with shock absorbing fabric cushioning. Preferably, choose a shoe that also incorporates moisture absorbing material into the shoe’s lining to help keep your feet dry, cool and healthy.
Difference Between Men’s and Women’s Clogging Shoes
While clogging taps are the same for men and women, there are a few marginal differences between shoes for men and women.
Men will typically wear a sturdy Oxford style shoe while women have far more variation in shoe style, and some women also dance in Oxfords.
A man’s clogging shoe may also have a slightly lower heel than a woman’s and also be an all round heavier shoe.
Top 5 Clogging Shoes Reviewed in 2024
Choosing the best clogging shoe for your dance needs involves a lot of personal preference, matching your dance shoe to your dance style and the unique shape of your foot.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on good clogging shoes, with numerous discount options available. Used shoes are also a good choice for many dancers. Just knowing what to looking for is an important step in choosing the right pair of clogging shoes for your preferences.
Now we’ve covered the basics of good clogging shoes, let’s look at some great examples of the best ones available right now in 2024!
Lace up tap shoes from Theatrical
These high quality men’s tap shoes from Theatrical can be easily adapted to fit your clogging taps. They are not only sharp-looking clogging shoes, but they are also built with the sturdiest material: an all-leather upper and a compacted hard layer sole with a heavy duty heel.
This is a hand stitched shoe and is available in black with the heel approximately 1 inch.
Pros – Durable leather construction and true to size.
Cons – More of a tap shoe than a clogging shoe, but can be used for clogging.
Dance Class Women’s Split Sole Oxford
This Oxford style women’s clogging shoe from Dance Class features a synthetic upper with reinforced stitching, and a sturdy yet flexible rubber split sole with a 0.75” stacked heel.
This clogging shoe is also lined with a soft fabric interior to provide additional cushioning as well as moisture control. The padded collar and tongue also ensure a secure fit.
Available in black. This shoe does not come with built-in taps.
Pros – cushioned lining
Cons – Synthetic Upper may be prone to cracking after wear.
Dance Class Little Kid Big Kid
For kids, you can’t look past these Little Kid Big Kid clogging shoes from Dance Class. With an all-leather upper and a combined leather and rubber sole, and a durable stacked heel, these kids’ clogging shoes are built to last. They are also fitted with a tough toe box.
Dance Class has fitted these shoes with a moisture absorbent terry cloth lining as well as a cushioned insole for maximum impact resistance.
Little Kid Big Kids are available for both little and big kids with children’s sizes from toddler and up, and a medium width.
Pros – high-quality leather uppers. Built-in toe box.
Cons – Taps need to be bought separately.
Dance Class Women’s Full Sole Oxford
If you’re looking for a cheap pair of clogging shoes, these women’s full soled Oxfords are a worthy consideration. They are made with a durable synthetic upper and hardwearing rubber sole with stacked heels. These shoes are also fully lined to provide optimal comfort.
Available in white, the elongated cut of the shoe is perfect for elegant toe-pointing execution.
Pros – Inexpensive.
Cons – Synthetic upper not as durable or comfortable as leather shoes.
Capezio Xtreme
Capezio is one of the leading manufacturers of dance shoes, and this Women’s Xtreme Tap shoe firmly lives up to the brand’s reputation.
Featuring an all leather upper with a durable synthetic sole and hard wearing stacked heels, these Xtreme tap shoes will treat your feet right step after step.
They are lined with a soft polyester cotton moisture controlling fabric that is also treated with anti-microbial agents to ensure your feet stay dry and healthy. They also come with a cushioned insole constructed from durable pigskin and moisture absorbing foam.
These shoes are fitted with Teletone toe and heel taps, though can be easily refitted with your choice of clogging taps. The taps are mounted on a spring steel soundboard for extra percussive resonation, and an additional steel plate between the insole ad the outsole provides that extra bit of security to keep your taps where they should be,
Capezio Xtreme Tap shoes are available in Black, Caramel and Tan. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes that run true to street shoe sizes.
Pros – In-built soundboard. Moisture controlling anti-microbial lining.
Cons – Soft toe doesn’t allow for toe stands.
FAQ
How to pick the right shoe size?
This is the most frequently asked question! We recommend picking the size of your street shoe or even a half size larger. Based on our experience, adding an insole or another pair of socks is much easier than being disappointed with tight clogging shoes.
What is the difference between a regular clogging tap and a buck tap?
Clogging shoes with buck taps have a steel flange on the toe to provide more sound by hitting toes on the floor. Also, it protects the toe of the shoe. If you are a beginner, either a regular clogging tap or a buck tap will work!
Where did clogging dance come from?
The origins of clogging began in the Appalachian Mountains, which makes it truly American dance. Nowadays, people in the US and around the globe enjoy clogging.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s a lot of things to keep in mind when buying your clogging shoes. Double tap, sturdy construction, hard sole – everything is important.
From kids to men’s and women’s clogging shoes, the choices are easy when you know what to look for. Whatever style you’re setting your feet to, there’s a pair of clogging shoes out there to suit your rhythms.
We hope this guide will help you make your choice and pick the best pair!