| Pointe shoes, in many ways, can be considered | | | | includes a V-shaped vamp and ¾ shank for |
| an extension of the dancer. Designed for | | | | greater flexibility. |
| pleasing aesthetics as well as function, | | | | |
| these shoes typically have a short lifespan, | | | | Grishko Pointe Shoes |
| but enable the dancer to move with incredible | | | | |
| grace and strength. | | | | The line of Grishko Pointe shoes features |
| | | | Eleve and Releve models. The Eleve include |
| The most critical feature of any pointe shoe | | | | the Ulanova I and II. These shoes are |
| is how well it fits. Proper fit safeguards | | | | intended for dancers instructed to roll up on |
| the dancer's feet, ankles and legs and makes | | | | pointe. You can find out more about dancing |
| en pointe work possible. This is especially | | | | en pointe at Ulanova I has a medium height |
| important for younger dancers, as proper bone | | | | vamp and versatile box for dancers with toes |
| development can be impaired by incorrectly | | | | of an even or slightly varied length. Ulanova |
| fitting shoes. There are a number of brands | | | | II has a deep vamp and is best suited for |
| and styles available, and no single type is | | | | dancers with longer toes or narrow feet. |
| built for every dancer. A dancer's | | | | |
| experience, shape of the foot and strength | | | | The Releve styles, Fouette and Vaganova, are |
| should be considered in finding the best | | | | designed to accommodate the Russian-style of |
| shoe. | | | | springing on point. The Vaganova has a deep |
| | | | vamp and tapered box. This style is |
| Bloch Pointe Shoes | | | | particularly suited for dancers with a |
| | | | flexible arch, longer toes or narrow feet. |
| The Bloch pointe shoe is available in | | | | The Fouette has a broad box and wide platform |
| different styles including Sylphide, Sonata, | | | | best suited for dancers with shorter toes or |
| Suprima, Serenade, Aspiration, Concerta, | | | | wider feet. |
| Triomphe, and Alpha ¾ Sole. Beginner | | | | |
| dancers will be suited to the Sylphide, | | | | Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes |
| Sonata, or Suprima. The Sylphide has broader | | | | |
| widths than other Bloch pointe shoes and | | | | Gaynor Mindon Pointe shoes differ from many |
| helps beginners with untrained feet roll up | | | | brands. While manufacturers commonly feature |
| onto pointe more easily. | | | | a variety of styles, Gaynor Mindon instead |
| | | | designs shoes over six fitting options; |
| The Suprima will feel comfortable to | | | | shank, vamp, heel, regular fit, sleek fit and |
| beginners and advanced students as it | | | | size. So many variations can feel confusing, |
| provides good flexibility while maintaining | | | | but the benefit of this brand is that dancers |
| good arch support. Note that some Bloch | | | | essentially custom fit their shoes. The |
| pointe shoes have the narrower box shape and | | | | entire line is designed to minimize the shock |
| snug heel which is not suited to a "fleshy" | | | | of impact and comfortably fit every type of |
| foot. Shoes such as the Aspiration and Alpha | | | | foot. Shank options run from flexible/little |
| pointe shoe are designed with the advanced | | | | support to hard/ample support. In order from |
| student in mind. These shoes offer better | | | | flexible to hard shanks, options are |
| arch flexibility but should not be worn if | | | | Pianissimo, Featherflex , Supple, Extraflex |
| you do not have strong feet and ankles. | | | | and Hard. Vamp options include Regular, Deep |
| | | | and Sleek. |
| Capezio Pointe Shoes | | | | |
| | | | A deep vamp is best for dancers with |
| Capezio Pointe Shoes includes several styles, | | | | pronounced arches, while the sleek vamp is |
| each intended for specific needs. The | | | | best for feet wider along the ball and |
| original Glissé features a hard shank, | | | | narrower towards the heel. High, Regular, Low |
| broad toe-box and a U-shaped vamp to allow | | | | and Sleek heels are available. Choosing |
| dancers to roll up to pointe comfortably. The | | | | between them is a mainly a matter of comfort. |
| Glissé ES offers the same, but with a | | | | The Regular and Narrow fit shoes differ only |
| harder shank. The Glissé Pro and Pro ES | | | | in width, but less heel and vamp options are |
| are intended for more experienced dancers and | | | | available with Narrow Fit shoes. |
| feature a lower side and back height, with a | | | | |
| medium and hard shank respectively. The | | | | Suffolk Pointe Shoes |
| shankless Demi Soft is based on the Glissé | | | | |
| design, and intended for pre-pointe students. | | | | Suffolk Pointe shoes includes the Solo, which |
| | | | features a slightly tapered box and longer |
| The Plié style is best suited for dancers | | | | vamp. It is available with a range of shoe |
| needing a vamp that extends beyond the toe. | | | | types, Standard insole, Hard insole or Light |
| Plié I offers a medium shank, and Plié | | | | insole. All but Light feature a standard box |
| II features a harder #5 shank. The Tendu | | | | which provides uniform support appropriate |
| style offers a medium shank and boasts a | | | | for most dancers. The Light version is a |
| quick break-in time. Tendu II has a broader | | | | flexible choice designed to help dancers go |
| box and wider platform. Both Aerial and | | | | on pointe more easily. Hard insoles are |
| Pavlowa shoes feature a Russian-styled | | | | available with either a full or ¾ shank, |
| tapered box. The Aerial is best to support | | | | so dancers have the choice of greater |
| high arches, while the Pavlowa offers a | | | | flexibility along with ample support. No |
| harder shank, longer vamp and heel height. | | | | matter the variation, the Solo Pointe shoe |
| The Contempora is an American-style | | | | features a low profile to provide comfort |
| wide-platform shoe with a longer vamp and | | | | throughout the metatarsal area without |
| lower heel. | | | | sacrificing support or function. |
| | | | |
| Freed Pointe Shoes | | | | How do you choose? |
| | | | |
| Freed Pointe shoes are available in the | | | | There is not one shoe that overall is |
| Classic, Studio and Studio Pro styles. The | | | | considered better than every other shoe. It |
| various lines are designed for a specific | | | | really is a matter of individually fitting |
| level of dancer, as well as their physical | | | | the right shoe to your foot. Be wary of other |
| requirements. The handcrafted Classic is | | | | dancers recommendations because your feet |
| particularly designed for the needs of the | | | | will differ from theirs, and their shoes may |
| experienced or professional dancer. It | | | | feel very uncomfortable on you. You now know |
| features a deep, round vamp, but those | | | | the major brands of pointe shoes and their |
| needing more support will favor the deep | | | | different characteristics. You should have a |
| V-cut vamp and stronger insole of the Classic | | | | good understanding of which style of shoe and |
| Wing Block. | | | | which brand will fit best on your feet. I |
| | | | recommend finding a good retail dance store |
| The Studio line is intended for the younger | | | | with a good shoe fitter. Get them to take you |
| dancer and offers extra support. The Studio | | | | through the process of fitting different |
| II style features a wider platform and lower | | | | shoes and working out which shoe will best |
| profile than the original. The Studio Pro is | | | | fit your feet. |
| also designed for the younger dancer, but it | | | | |