Pointe Shoe Fitting: A Guide to Getting the Right Pointe Shoe
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Key Takeaways
- The ideal pointe shoe fit requires three key steps: correctly aligning the length, ensuring the proper width, and matching the shoe profile.
- Pointe shoes should feel snug on the foot when you first purchase them, because they will stretch and loosen over time.
- Matching all components of the shoe, including the box shape, crown, and shank strength, to the anatomy of your foot helps provide support, create a beautiful line, and prevent injury or pain.
When you perform regularly, having the right garments and equipment is essential to delivering your best every time. Pointe shoes are key parts of any dancer’s wardrobe, and they need to fit correctly, or else you risk pain, bunions, toe bruising, and serious injuries.
Understanding the three core fundamentals of pointe shoe fitting, and how to customize them for your unique foot, can mean the difference between dancing with confidence and struggling through pain.
Pointe Shoe Core Fundamentals: Length, Width, and Profile
Step 1: Ensure the Correct Length and Shank Alignment
Think of the shank as your shoe’s backbone – it must align perfectly with your heel to provide the support you need for every performance. The length is critical and the shank must align with the position of the heel, because if the shoe is overly long the shank will shoot past the heel. If it’s too short, the shank will hit underneath the heel.
When a dancer is in the plié position, they will be able to tell that their shoe’s length is correct when the toes barely touch the end of the shoe without jamming.
Step 2: Identifying the Ideal Width
The width of a pointe shoe is crucial during performance. You really want the Goldilocks zone of being "just right," with a snug hold on your foot.
❌ TOO WIDE – The foot will sink in the shoe, leading to the big toe curling, blisters, and bunions
❌ TOO NARROW – The foot will bulge, making it difficult to appropriately feel the floor
✅ JUST RIGHT – A firm, snug hold that supports without constricting
Step 3: Checking the Profile
The profile of the shoe is determined by the thickness of the foot, and shoes that have an incorrect profile can impede proper movement while dancing, even if the length and width are accurate.
You want to avoid a profile that is too high, since it can result in instability, while an incorrect profile can prevent a dancer from getting over the box.
For an ideal fit: The mouth of your pointe shoe should lie flat against the top of the foot without any bulging or extra space.
Beyond the Basics: Customizing the Fit for Your Unique Foot
Every dancer has some variability in their anatomy, with unique toe shapes, arch flexibility, arch height, foot dimensions, and more. For the best pointe shoe fitting, these aspects should be taken into account and supported through customizations.
Select a Box Shape Based on Toes
The box shape of your pointe shoe will be determined by the shape of your toes. Selecting the right box shape is crucial, and keep in mind that some dancers’ left and right feet may feature differences and require different boxes.
| TOE SHAPE | BOX SHAPE NEEDED |
|---|---|
| One long toe with successive toes tapering | Tapered |
| More gradually tapering toes | Slightly tapered |
| Non-tapered toes | Square |
Choose Shank Strength
A dancer’s arch type and foot strength impacts the support required by the shank.
- High arches → Often require a harder shank
- Low arches → Need a softer shank
⚠️ Be careful: When dancers have shanks that are too hard it can be difficult to get over the box, while overly soft shanks can make achieving en pointe problematic.
Determine the Correct Vamp Length
The vamp length helps to support the foot and facilitates proper movement.
❌ Vamps Too Long – Make it difficult to get over the box
❌ Vamps Too Short – Cause the dancer to roll over the shoe
Key insight: Toe length also often impacts vamp length, with short toes needing short vamps and long toes needing long vamps.
Common Pointe Shoe Fitting Questions Answered
What is a disappearing heel and how does it affect pointe shoe choice?
A disappearing heel occurs when the dancer’s heel tucks up underneath the shoe when they go en pointe or into relevé. Dancers with this type of heel will need to select a shoe with a low or tapered heel design.
How does foot compression influence a pointe shoe’s fit?
If your foot compresses easily, it will more likely conform to the shape of your pointe shoe. If the shoe is too narrow, though, your foot might expand vertically and you will require extra support from a longer vamp.
If I get blisters, could it be because my pointe shoes are too wide?
Yes, blisters can be the result of shoes that are too wide since your feet may be moving too freely and rubbing against the material within the shoe.
Get Expert Assistance to Ensure the Perfect Fit
When it comes to your performances, comfort, and safety, you don’t want to take risks. Having properly fitted pointe shoes is vital, so you should work with experts to ensure there’s no surprises when you walk out on the stage.
At Movement Connection, our entire team is comprised of dancers with extensive performance experience, and our staff is trained and certified by Bloch, RP, Gaynor Minden, Nikolay, So Danca and Suffolk for fitting pointe shoes. With decades of combined experience, we understand the unique needs of every dancer because we’ve been in your shoes – literally.