Pointe Shoes Buying Guide

Young ballet dancers are often surprised by the amount of preparation work and training they must do before they can graduate to pointe.   It can be rigorous, but it's a great feeling when you finally get the blessing of your instructor to give pointe a go.

With anything new, buying a first pair of pointe shoes  can be a little daunting.  Vamp?  Box?  Shank?  What type of shoe is the correct shoe for a beginner?  What is best for the individual foot?  There are so many choices.  Read this buying guide for an introduction to finding the shoe that fits.  And remember, pointe shoes are a very personal decision, so if you are ordering them online, make sure you either know exactly what you want or can buy and return several pairs of shoes after trying them on.

A Few "Pointers"...

  • Children should not start working en pointe until at least age 11 because:
    • Their feet have yet to stop growing.
    • Putting extra pressure on sensitive foot bones can damage the bone structure and deform the foot.
    • Before beginning Pointe technique, a dancer must develop appropriate balance and strength in the legs as well as in their core (hips, stomach, and back) to avoid injury.
    • Undeveloped foot muscles and limited or improper technique can add to a dancer's chance of injury.
    • Never buy or wear pointe shoes  until an instructor says it is time.
  • Consult with the ballet instructor about what shoes would be best, if you have never bought pointe shoes before. He or she may have recommendations based on your (or your child's) dance style, strengths and weaknesses.
  • Never buy shoes without trying them on first.
  • Remember that the shank will break in as you continue to wear your shoes. While a soft shank may feel comfortable initially, it will not sufficiently support the beginner's arch.

How to Fit Pointe Shoes

  • Go to a store that has a variety of shoes.
  • Try on several pairs from the various lines by different manufacturers.
  • While in the store also try out different forms of padding, such as toe gels,  foam pads,  wool,  etc. Make sure that you are wearing TIGHTS while trying these different types of padding because some slip and move around when matched with tights, which can make them uncomfortable and cause more pain than comfort.
  • Each pair you try on you should dance in (WITH A BARRE). Do some relevés, élevés, échappés, and a few small jumps. See which shoes are the easiest to roll through, balance on, which ones pinch, and which ones adapt most comfortably to the length of your toes versus the length of your foot.
  • If you are a beginner buy a few different types of shoes for your first pointe shoe purchase to see what you like best. Use a different pair each class period to compare and contrast. The next time you go to buy shoes you can select another few pairs from different manufacturers and see how they compare.
  • As your feet grow and change, and your technique becomes stronger, you will want to experiment with different brands and features.

Features to Consider

  • Shank Strength
    • Unless you have very strong feet, a medium shank will suffice.
    • For practice and class always go for a lighter shank so that you can practice rolling through your feet and feeling the floor.
    • For rehearsal, get a strong shank so that it holds up longer.
  • Vamp Shape and Length
    • Shape is usually coined as U- or V-styles.
    • This is a matter of comfort, personal preference and aesthetics.
    • People with shorter toes will usually want a shorter vamp.
    • Wide feet are slenderized with V-shaped vamps, but they may prove to be uncomfortable.
    • U-shaped vamps are comfy especially if you have bunions.
    • Make sure you can pinch up to 5mm of material at the heel when the foot is in en pointe position, but without applying weight.
  • Full and Split-Sole Styles
    • Split-sole pointe shoes  are particularly new to the pointe shoe market.
    • Advanced dancers will probably prefer split-soles because they hug the arch of the foot to create a more aesthetically pleasing line.
    • Split-soles are much more flexible and allow for more control when rolling through the toes.
  • Platform and Toe Box Size
    • If you are a beginner, chances are that you will want a larger platform for balance.
    • Toe box size varies from brand to brand. Choose according to the width of your foot (at the toes) and to comfort.
  • Canvas or Satin
    • Satin shoes are the most common.
    • Satin is shiny and pretty and can be powdered to reduce sheen for performance, if needed.
    • Usually satin is very slippery so you may want to cut off the material on the toe for practice and rehearsal.
    • Canvas shoes are less common and usually not good for performance (the costume department or the ballet mistress will let you know of course).
    • Canvas is good for rehearsal and practice.
    • A typically canvas brand is Sansha. 

Choosing by Brand

Choosing by brand is only recommended once you know your size and the style you prefer.
 
Capezio Bloch Grishko Sansha 

Gaynor Minden 

 
Related Products

Tights 

Slippers 

Leotards 

Ribbons and elastics 

Toe Shoe Pads 

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