New dancers get confused when they think of buying a pair of pointe shoes for their rehearsal or even attempting en pointe for the first time.
The dance performance of a ballet dancer is directly linked to the fitting of a shoe. If you found the right pointe shoes for yourself, you can save yourself from foot injuries, pain, and discomfort by wearing pointe shoes.
Whether you want to buy pointe shoes for training or going en pointe, you need to have at least the right size of pointe shoes to meet your goals.
There are lots of fears, stories of pain, and complications involved in getting the perfect pointe shoes for dance. You need to be careful in your selection when buying ballet dance shoes.
Especially first-time buyers get into a dilemma of confusion and trust when they start looking for pointe shoes for themselves. So, they need guidance either from seniors or their dance teachers.
In case you are not satisfied with the guidance of your seniors or teachers, you can search online for information to make up your mind. Once you gather all information, you can make your first purchase.
Before you can start, you need to get fitted for your first pair of pointe shoes. Here’s a quick guide on how to do just that.
Things To Do Before Buying Your Pointe Shoes
The primary step is to identify your foot type as selecting pointe shoes is a bit different than regular shoes and you have to think of a lot of things before buying one for yourself.
We all have different feet. Some have wide feet, others have narrow feet with varying sizes of toes. So, the size of the pointe shoe will vary from person to person.
Your foot size and shape will decide the type of pointe shoe that fits you. We are going to educate on pointe shoe fittings.
In this article, we will share here how you can decide the size of a pointe shoe for yourself based on parts of pointe shoes.
If you don’t have time to read this long article and don’t have enough time, we advise you not to mess with pointe shoe fitting and go to a professional shoe fitter who can save you time but you have to spend more.
Pointe Shoe Fitter
Just take the services of a professional fitter by charging his fee. A professional fitter understands pointe shoe fittings and he can save you time by recommending a few options to pick one for yourself.
A professional fitter to get your first pair of shoes. The fitter will look at the shape of your foot and determine which style of shoe will work best for you.
They will also ask about your level of experience and what kind of dancing you’ll be doing (such as ballet, modern, etc.). Based on all of this information, they will select several pairs of shoes for you to try on.
Pointe Shoe Fitting Guidelines
1. Determine your foot size
Start by measuring your foot. You will need to know the length and width of your foot in order to find the right size pointe shoe.
2. Fitting of Toe Box
It is important that the toe box of your pointe shoe fits snugly around your toes. You should have enough room to wiggle your toes, but the toe box should not be too loose or too tight.
The toes of your foot should fit the toe box to avoid pain and injury to your feet. The toe box is primarily divided into four different categories illustrated below:
3. Check The Vamp Height And Length
The vamp is the part of the pointe shoe that covers the top of your foot. It should be long enough to cover your toes, but not so long that it rubs against your ankle.
4. Check The Shank Length
The shank is the part of the shoe that supports your arch. It should be long enough to provide support, but not so long that it makes the shoe difficult to dance in.
5. Check The Heel Height
The heel should be too high or too low. It should be just high enough to keep the shoe in place on your foot.
6. Length Of The Wings
The wings are the two flaps of fabric on either side of the pointe shoe. They should be long enough to cover your toes and keep the shoe in place, but not so long that they impede your movement.
7. Width and Length of Shoe
Be mindful of the width of the shoe as well as the length. You want a shoe that fits snugly but doesn’t pinch your foot or slide around when you dance.
8. Comfort and Fit
When trying on shoes, it’s important to pay attention to two things: comfort and fit. The shoes should feel comfortable when you walk around in them, but they should also fit snugly enough that they won’t fall off when you’re dancing.
If they’re too loose, they’ll be dangerous; if they’re too tight, they’ll be uncomfortable and make it difficult to dance properly. Once you’ve found a pair that feels good and fits well congratulations—you’ve just bought your first pair of pointe shoes!
9. Different Brands of Shoes
Try on different brands and styles of pointe shoes until you find one that feels comfortable and looks good on your foot. Every dancer’s feet are different, so it may take some time to find the perfect pair of shoes for you.
Conclusion
Just remember to take your time, ask lots of questions, and listen to the advice of the professionals who are helping you. With a little bit of effort, you’ll be ready to start dancing en pointe in no time at all. Follow the link for the detailed sizing guide on pointe shoes.
Now that you know how to fit pointe shoes, it’s time to start shopping! Remember to take your time trying on different pairs of shoes until you find the perfect ones for you. Once you have found your perfect pair of shoes, it’s time to start dancing!