How To Buy Ballet Pointe Shoes

Buying ballet pointe shoes needs to result in the most carefully researched and best fitting shoes you have ever bought in your life. There are multiple planes of measurement and many factors to consider to ensure you have a custom fit for maximum performance. Buying online is fast and economical, but never recommended for the first shoe with a new manufacturer. Be sure you are fitted at a dance shop for pointe shoes when you change brands or alter your toe padding. And be sure to try the pointe shoes on while wearing the padding you intend to dance with, as the pads may require you to buy a half size up to accommodate.

For beginners on pointe, you may wish to start with a soft shank. The shank is the hard leather-like stripping that's attached to the outer bottom of the shoe. Shanks also come in extra soft, but for an adult dancer or a teenager that is not bone thin, the extra soft shank will not give you healthy support for your metatarsal. A medium shank is good for dancers with strong feet that can easily lift up and roll onto the box. And hard shanks are reserved for expert dancers that have technique to lift their body weight up and out of the shoe. You will see little progress in your dance class if the shank is a constant battle to overcome. So, be sure it’s stiff enough to support your weight, but does not give you any grief at the barre.

The next factor is the type of pointe toe you want to express. A square box may make the best rehearsal shoe, but you also want to be adroit with a tapered edge for that elongated and lithe look on stage. The best way to gain expertise in both is to alternate them regularly. Grishko makes an excellent square box with their popular Elite model. This shoe is quiet and lightweight and provides maximum performance with jumps. The sturdy box and short vamp are ideal for landing and working with quick footwork at the barre.
Finally, you might have a preference with the vamp for maximum comfort in the toes. The longer vamp works best for dancers who have a second toe larger than the first, or for dancers who want a little extra height en-pointe. Medium vamps are the most popular choice and will accommodate most types of feet. And the short vamp is a great head start for beginners, as it is easier to make the roll or jump to pointe.