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