1. KUKOME-SHOP Satin Ballet Pointe Shoes
2. Capezio Women’s 197-Plie II Pointe Shoe
3. Smartodoors Ballet Pointe Shoes
4. Bezioner Ballet Pointe Shoes
5. WENDYWU Professional Ballet Slipper Dance Shoe
6. Wendy Wu Women’s Ballet Shoes
7. Bloch Women’s Serenade Pointe Ballet Flats
8. MSMAX Women’s Pointe Shoes
9. Capezio Ava Pointe Shoe
10. Grishko 2007 – Medium Shank
Pointe Shoe Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of Pointe Shoes
Ballet dancers are challenged physically and mentally at every practice so the last thing they need is to be wearing something as distracting as uncomfortable Pointe shoes. We put together our selection with a few key factors in mind.
Brand – There are hundreds, if not thousands of different manufacturers of Pointe shoes, but not all of them understand the needs of ballet dancers. We chose brands that specialize in footwear for dancers so you can be certain of keeping your feet safe and comfortable, even during the rigors of practicing and performing.
Price – Serious ballet dancers can go through quite a lot of Pointe shoes so price is important. We’ve chosen a selection of shoes in different prices to suit every budget with some being suitable for professionals as well.
Reviews – Ballet dancers can be highly critical of Pointe shoes and rightfully so. At an advanced level, they spend a lot of time in these shoes so comfort and performance are a must. We chose our selection after reading reviews from dancers who have been satisfied with their Pointe shoes so that you too, can ensure the best shoes are on your feet.
Features To Look For In Pointe Shoes
Size – Pointe shoes aren’t made like regular shoes and generally don’t fit like regular shoes either. In most cases, it is recommended you get a size bigger than your normal street shoes. However, the fit should be snug, without being overly restrictive.
Fit – Pointe shoes should fit quite snugly with the toes touching the tip of the shoes with just the tiniest amount of wiggle room within the box of the shoe.
Adjustability – While Pointe shoes must fit properly, the dancer should be able to adjust them as needed. That’s why most have elastic drawstrings and ribbons to make adjusting the shoes a simple task. Some of the toe boxes of Pointe shoes have removable gel inserts so if you aren’t planning on doing a lot of Pointe practice, you can remove the inserts and insert them again as needed.
Midsole – The midsole of Pointe shoes is often referred to as the shank and this should be quite stiff and press tightly and securely along the bottom of the foot.
Pointe Shoe FAQ
Q: What are pointe shoes?
A: Pointe shoes are a specific type of footwear worn by ballet dancers, in particular for Pointe work. Pointe work is when a dancer is in a position of supporting all of their weight on the tips of their toes. For this reason, Pointe shoes usually have a box shaped toe to facilitate this technique.
Q: How do I break-in pointe shoes?
A: Like all shoes, Pointe shoes need a little breaking in before the dancer will deem them comfortable. Ballet dancers like their Pointe shoes to be comfortable from the first time they wear them so they have a few steps to break them in. Firstly, place your Pointe shoes on the floor and step on the toe box with your heel. This will reduce the stiffness of the Pointe’s toe box. The next step is to bend the shank, or midsole. Do this several times to improve the flexibility of the shoes. You can then put them on your feet and walk around in a demi-pointe position to loosen them up further before trying a full Pointe technique.
Q: Is there a left and a right pointe shoe?
A: Brand new Pointe shoes don’t actually come in a left and right shoe but will conform to the dancer’s feet after being worn a few times. For this reason, it is a good idea to label your Pointe shoes as left or right so that each shoe will mold to the shape of either of your feet. Once you allow each shoe to do this, you will have a very comfortable pair of Pointe shoes you can dance to your heart’s content with.
