Introducing Our New Barefoot Latin & Tango Dance Shoes: Natural Movement And Weight Control

We started out as swing dancers ourselves, struggling to find dance shoes that didn’t hurt our feet. Most standard models were too narrow, too stiff, or just not right for the kind of fast, expressive dancing we loved. That’s what led us to create Harlem Shoes - a place where shoes are custom-made for dancers, by dancers.

From Swing… to Barefoot Swing

As we worked closely with swing dancers all over the world, we noticed a pattern. Many of them had non-standard feet, foot pain, or were simply used to wearing barefoot or minimalist shoes in everyday life. Even though we are modifying our classic models by adding extra space in the toe area for better comfort we realised that it's not enough for some very special and delicate feet. 

That’s how the idea of the Barefoot Swing Dance Shoe line was born. With wide toe boxes, zero drop heel and softest uppers for maximum comfort. And very soon they became an instant favorite among dancers who wanted more freedom and less restriction on the dance floor. 

...And Then Dancers from Other Styles Started Asking Too

Something surprising happened. Latin and Tango dancers began contacting us. We've received a lot of messages like:

“I love what you’re doing with barefoot shoes. Can you make something like that for Tango?”

“I dance salsa, and I can’t wear regular heels. Do you have a barefoot version with a suede sole?”

And we realized that there’s nothing like this on the market. While barefoot shoes exist for walking or fitness, there was almost no barefoot dance footwear for dancers outside the swing world, especially not for elegant styles like Latin and Tango.
 

Why Barefoot Shoes for Latin and Tango?

Latin and Tango dancers know that the great shoes should provide them the opportunity to dance with the footwork precision, connection with the floor and don't limit their expression. But most traditional dance shoes come with trade-offs like tight toes, sore arches, or heels that throw off your balance, so after hours of dancing brings pain and discomfort. 

Our barefoot Latin & Tango models are designed to change that!

Here’s how:

• Wide toe boxes let your toes spread naturally, improving balance and posture. No cramping, no compression.

• Flexible suede sole for smooth pivots, strong floor connection, and elegant gliding in both Latin and Tango styles.

• Different heel options from zero-drop (completely flat) up to 6 (!) cm heels. All of them can support your technique without harming foot alignment.

• Fully Customizable. As always, each pair is handcrafted based on your exact measurements. We adjust for bunions, wide or narrow feet, and even different left/right sizes. You choose heel, color, leather, and sole type.

We designed these shoes to support natural movement, but we never forget about the elegance of Latin and Tango shoe styles. These shoes are soft, flexible, and minimalist, yet beautiful, with options to suit both social dancers and stage performers. From classic black to rich burgundy, you can choose from over 50 shades and materials, from natural suede to vegan leather. Your shoes will be graceful and functional. This is a big step (literally) toward healthier movement, more grounded connection, and shoes that feel like part of your body.

Ready to Try? Every pair is handmade in our Istanbul workshop. After placing your order, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the measurement process and help you design your perfect fit.
 

We started Harlem Shoes because we couldn’t find the shoes we needed. Now, with our community’s help, we’re making the shoes that dancers everywhere have been waiting for.

The Harlem Shoes Team