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Article #149: How to Choose the Right Pointe Shoe for Ballet Dancing

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






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