How to select and fit your Pointe Shoes for your Ballet Dancing

Fitting your Pointe Shoes for your ballet dancing is very important and you can afford to be very fussy here. Your pointe shoe is your tool of trade for your ballet dancing and is more important than your costume, as it is considered to be an extension of your body. It is an essential piece to take your ballet dancing to the next level.

Choosing the right pointe shoe allows you full artistic expression, and the wrong shoe or fit can not only injure you, but throw your ballet dancing completely off. So you must be very precise with the fit as it is important to dance correctly and comfortably, and your long term safety depends on your choice.

Dancers do not as many assume need to be in constant pain. With the proper fitting shoes, the human body will do well on pointe, providing the body is properly aligned and all the muscles are engaged correctly. With modern technology today, foot problems such as bunions can be totally avoided correctly fitting shoes.

Pointe shoes all look very alike to the eye, and this is how it should be, so everyone on the stage can look alike, but there are a lot of variations in the components of the shoe that you don’t see. Shanks range in flexibility, boxes come in different shapes, and vamps can be deep or shallow. Sides of the shoe can be cut high or low, and heels may be so low that extra elastics are needed to keep the shoes on.

When picking out your pointe shoes for your ballet dancing, take the following into consideration:

1.Choose a store where the staff is knowledgeable and experienced in fitting your pointe shoe. Make sure that the shop has many different brands for you to try. Do not order your first pair of pointe shoes by mail order, you need to check on the fit.

2.Make sure that your toe nails are short prior to your fitting.

3.Allow plenty of time for your fitting, don’t rush in and out.

4.Make sure that the assistant who helps you is up to date on pointe shoe accessories such as toe pads, gel pads and tapes that can improve your comfort. Try on as many different shoes as you can to find the best fit.

5.Before sewing on the ribbons and elastics, let your teacher check the shoe for you, as she knows your foot almost as well as you do.

With the correct fit and shoe for your foot, your Ballet Dancing will blossom for many years to come.

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