Be Fitted in Pointe Shoes
Please do not go en pointe without a certified instructor.
Fitting pointe shoes can be a tricky and overwhelming task. Having an experienced fitter is helpful, but ultimately the dancer decides which shoe is best. It is important to know how they are supposed to fit
Steps
- Slide the pointe straight onto your foot.
- Stand up and check if your toes touch the end. This may feel uncomfortable, but the shoe is required to fit just right in the length, to prevent blistering.
- Check if any toes are overlapping. If so, the pointe shoe is too narrow. If you can easily slip a finger underneath the drawstring, the shoe is too wide.
- Place one foot in the pointe position. There should be a small amount of fabric that you can pinch up at the heel(about 1/2 inch), although it should not be baggy.
- Check that the shoe fits securely, if you feel any pressure tell the fitter, or if it feels too loose try to address this.
- Pointe and flex your feet to ensure that the heel is not painfully tight.
- You should JUST touch the end of the shoe. If you feel your toes pushing at the end, the shoe is too short. If your toes are just touching, that should be fine. Get in to first position and do a plie, if your toes still are not crushed against the end, but just touch, the length is probably fine.
- Make sure your foot is properly supported when you go "up" in the shoe. If your foot slides down in the shoe, it isn't fitting you properly. You should be able to feel the support from the box when en pointe. Most stores will have a barre for support when you try the shoe.
Tips
- If you are going to wear any kind of toe pad in the shoe, make sure you try on your shoes with the pad. You will need to use the pad during the fitting to ensure a proper fit.
- If the drawstring has to be pulled way up in order for all the steps to be completed, the shoe is too big. It should fit fine, without even touching it.
- Remember: Pointe shoes will not be comfortable when you first try them on. Every shoe needs to be properly broken in, and the first time you try them on, they will probably feel strange. Most good fitters in a store can help you, and always show your shoes to your teacher before sewing on your ribbons or elastics. Your teacher can give you a second opinion that you won't want to ignore. You want them to support the width, so you will feel the block around all your toes, you will feel your big toe at the end of the shoe, and the back of the shoe feels low on your heel, this is so there is no pressure on your Achilles tendon.
- Even if you think you've found a pair that fit, try on a few others. You may find one even better for your foot, and comparing different fits can help you get a better understanding for how they should feel.
- Try different styles and brands to find the best fit for you.
- Use pre pointe before you go on stage.
- You may want to try on several brands to see which one feels most comfortable.
- There are lots of different brands. San and Grishko glass are good for low arched, wide feet. Though Sansha can work for all sizes and although uncomfortable at times, Sansha (Ovation 603 3/4) strengthen your feet as well as looking great on stage or even just rehearsing.
- When trying on pointe shoes make sure they are tight but snug.
Warnings
- Putting the shoe on crookedly could cause your foot to look unattractive, make it feel uncomfortable or even, in the most severe cases, cause permanent damage to your foot and/or ankle.
- When you go up on full pointe, the heel of the shoe may slip off. This does not mean it is too long. Once you sew on ribbons and the elastic the problem will be fixed. Pay close attention too if you are slipping down in the shoe. If you are, the shoe is too big, which could cause problems such as bad blisters if danced on.
- Before wearing your pointe shoes, you must clip your toenails all the way down; if you don't, your toenails will turn black and fall off.
- Pointe dancing should only be attempted with the permission of a fully experienced instructor.
- You will need to smooth your callouses on your feet or they will end up cracking and bleeding.
Things You'll Need
- Properly cut toenails
- Toe pads, ask the fitter for a recommendation.
- Tights (Convertible tights are best)
