Flamenco shoes are the most important item of your Flamenco gear. They protect your feet and offer the best sound for the least amount of effort. However, they can be pricey. Semi-professional shoes can be found for about $50-80 a pair, good professional shoes can cost upwards of $200. If you just want to try Flamenco, take a few classes and discover if that's something you'd like to seriously get into, don't rush in to buy expensive shoes for your class. Beginners can wear comfortable sturdy street shoes with covered toes and chunky heels. Short boots or even cowboy boots (for men) would work fine. Tennis shoes do not work well as Flamenco shoes substitute, they absorb all sound, they are too "grippy" on the floor and are too stiff.