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