Capezio Girls 3800 Tap Shoe Mary Jane Flats Review
The Capezio Girls 3800 Tap Shoe is specifically designed for young dancers just starting their journey into the world of tap dancing. With a stylish Mary Jane silhouette, this shoe combines comfort and functionality to support your little one's dance endeavors.
The adjustable strap design allows for a custom fit, ensuring that the shoe stays comfortably in place as they move and groove. Inside, a foam footbed provides cushioning, helping to keep them light on their feet while they practice their routines. Additionally, the rubber patch on the sole offers a non-slip grip, providing added stability on various surfaces.
Founded by Salvatore Capezio in 1887, Capezio has a rich history in crafting high-quality dance footwear that meets the needs of dancers worldwide. Their dedication to innovation and quality is evident in shoes like the 3800, which exemplify their commitment to supporting dancers of all ages.
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Features
- Adjustable Mary Jane strap for a secure fit
- Attached taps at heel and toe for authentic sound
- Removable clip-on bow at toe adds a cute touch
- Shock-absorbing foam insole for comfort
Pros
- Stylish design suitable for young girls
- Customizable fit with adjustable strap
- Lightweight and comfortable for prolonged wear
- Good grip for safety during dance
Cons
- Limited color options available
- May require breaking in initially
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Capezio 3800 | Bloch Bunnyhop | Sansha Taps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 100% Man Made | Leather | Canvas |
| Adjustable Strap | Yes | No | Yes |
| Foam Insole | Yes | No | Yes |
| Slip Resistant Sole | Yes | Yes | No |
Detailed Review
The Capezio Girls 3800 Tap Shoe excels in several key areas that make it a top choice for beginner tap dancers. First and foremost, the design of the shoe is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical. The Mary Jane style appeals to many parents and young dancers alike, making them perfect for both classes and performances.
When it comes to comfort, the foam footbed plays a crucial role. It absorbs shocks, allowing your child to dance longer without discomfort. Moreover, the customizable fit provided by the adjustable strap ensures that the shoe remains securely in place, reducing the chances of any slips or falls during practice sessions.
In terms of performance, the attached taps at both the heel and toe produce a delightful sound, encouraging your dancer to focus on rhythm and timing from an early age. The rubber patch on the sole aids in providing traction, which is essential for maintaining balance while learning new steps.
However, potential buyers should consider that some children may find the shoes somewhat stiff at first, requiring a brief break-in period. Also, while the color selection is somewhat limited, the classic caramel shade is versatile enough to match most dance outfits.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Design | 4.5/5 | Stylish and appealing Mary Jane style. |
| Comfort | 4/5 | Cushioned foam insole offers good comfort for beginners. |
| Performance | 4.5/5 | Well-sounding taps provide excellent auditory feedback. |
| Durability | 4/5 | Made from quality materials, though slight break-in required. |
| Value for Money | 4/5 | Reasonably priced for beginner tap shoes from a reputable brand. |
User Reviews
My kid actually enjoys wearing these because of the comfort level. They're also adorable with removable and replaceable bowtie clips. They continue to be a big hit in the tan color as it seems to be pretty unique.
We were looking for so long to find a wide fit tap shoes and none of them were good fits. This is the first pair that firs perfectly. Leather is so soft but high quality. I would definatelly recommend this shoes.
High quality! Nice dance shoes!
The Capezio brand has always spoken for itself and these are no exceptions. The sizing fits exactly as my toddler's every day shoes - no surprises there which I appreciated so much when ordering online. The quality is great and we were just able to pass them down from my oldest to my youngest without compromising on the look - they survived a four year old who likes to perform at the dance studio AND our kitchen, daily. Will continue to splurge on the Capezio brand
I read through all of the reviews before purchasing these tap shoes. Many people noted that the shoes ran very small and to go up 1 to 2 sizes. People even noted that going up 1.5 sizes were a perfect fit, with no room to grow. I printed off a shoe size measuring foot from Amazon and measured my 3 year old daughter and then went up 2 sizes since my daughter actually will not be taking a tap class until summer, but she wanted a pair of tap shoes to practice/play in now. She was an 8.5 per my measurement. I ordered a 10.5 medium. These are waaay too big for her. You can see the cracks of her toes and her toes almost look like they are going to come out the top of the shoe. I worry about her twisting her ankle in the shoes since they are too big and tap shoes can be slippery, especially on our ceramic tile floor. It is also very difficult for her to tap in them because she cannot bend her foot since they are so large. She wants to wear them, so I really have to tighten the Velcro strap down. She will grow into them eventually, but I am going to purchase another pair 1 size smaller (which is 1 size up from her measured foot size), which I anticipate will still be a little big according to how big this pair is, but with some room to grow. She is petite and does not have "thick" feet, so I went with the medium and they seem fine width wise.I normally do not like to buy shoes online because it is so hard to get the fit right the first time. I did order these online for a couple of reasons: 1. They were so much cheaper than ordering directly from Capezio ($42) 2. Our closest dance store is approx. 30 minutes away and they tried to tell me that this shoe is not made in black patent leather, despite me telling them that they are and that I had seen them on both Amazon and the Capezio website. They told me that they had the tan and they were the same price as the Capezio website. I considered going over there just to try the tan on for sizing, but who knows if they would have had medium and wide width and several sizes in stock.I would definitely purchase these shoes again. I love the Velcro strap as my daughter can easily put them on herself. If you have a dance store near to your home, I would take a trip over and try them on for size since it seems like the reviews are all over the board, unless you don't mind making returns. In our case, I could have purchased her current shoe size and they would have probably been a perfect fit, but with little growing room. I would recommend going up 1 size per our experience.
I highly recommend ordering Wide for normal width feet, but the length is normal.My daughter is turning 4 soon, and wears 10.5 regular width runners from Geox (with some room still at the toe). I read the reviews advising to order 1 or 1.5 sizes up, as these Capezio tap shoes seem to run small and narrow. So I ordered 11.5W and thank goodness I ordered wide, as they are the correct width on her feet and will do nicely (with socks) to tap dance class. In hindsight, she would have been fine with 10.5W or 11W instead of 11.5W, but now these shoes will last for 1 more year if she chooses to keep up with tap.Great quality and great price (I got them for $26.99 for 11.5W but for some other sizes, they were as much as $36 or more).They're just like the picture. They also come with detachable clip-on bows. I ordered the black shiny ones, and she LOVED them. Our tap dance studio suggested attire is black tights or black tight fitting shorts, and black leotards (long or short sleeve) for tap class.
These shoes are fantastic! So cute and perfect for dance classes and recital. They come as shown and with a little bow you can optionally clip on. They seem much more sturdy than your typical cheap tap shoe and I expect them to last for a while. Based on other reviews saying you need to order a half size up, I decided to order a whole size up to leave growing room. I was a little worried about it but glad I did. Half sized up would be a perfect fit and a whole size insured me these will last through the fall but aren't too big for her now. It's a perfect fit and I also LOVE the velcro closure, the ribbons on regular tap shoes always come undone! My daughter wears a true size 7.5 but the recommended 8 (for growing room) in stride rite shoes. So I ordered the 8.5 and they're great.
My daughter finds these shoes so beyond comfy, and the fit of these is great! 10 out of 10! I’ll be definitely buying again when she grows out of the size!