Comments on: How to Fit Pointe Shoes

on 5/31/2008 One of the best file centers is Megaupload! For a proper search and downloading use http://megauploadfiles.com/

on 9/20/2007 Has anyone heard of PointeShoeGlue? One of the dancers at my summer intensive had a bottle and it works great. Better than jet glue. I can't find it in the stores but you can order online. They even have a myspace account with a lot of dancers.

on 5/27/2007 although your "how to" is very knowlagable, as a dancer myself, you should leave the fitting up to the professional at the dance stores.

on 4/27/2007 I highly recommend that one not only look at the shape of their feet but also evaluate their feet in 6D. Does the person have low arches/flat feet, average, or high arch/instep? Does the person have a thick, thin, or average thickness feet? Does the person have any physical/medical reasons to require the use of spacers? And so on. All of this makes differences between the best pointes shape, style, cut, and even shank needs. Hard shanks are not neccarily best or even good for newpointees. Some are better with redboards and others not.

I recommend for all my dancers The Pointe Book (http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=dancinghomesc-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=087127261X&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr ).


Sincerely,
Ms. Pointe
http://DancingHomeschool.com
director@dancinghomeschool.com
Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Technologist, & Advisor

on 2/23/2007 Quote: "Pointe shoes - I have only been doing pointe work for a couple of weeks now. In our dance school we are not allowed medical tape or padding of any kind. It's very hard work, but this is making our feet a lot stronger and now I can hardly feel any pain."

I COMPLETELY agree with you. Good for your school! Dancing without toe pads or tape can be a wonderful thing. It may seem harsh but it helps SO much.
Toe pads can be incredibly bulky. They sometimes leave inches of padding between you and your best friend(the floor). This can be very dangerous. Also, the advantage of comfort spoils us!
Without all the extra padding or tape you will become much more disciplined, that's a plus! ;) IT encourages you to get ALL THE WAY on pointe and over your arches. It won't even seem like a big deal after a while. It just becomes routine. I find it very rewarding and I love the results!
Keep dancing--it's worth it. Never give up a dream...EVER! =)

on 1/3/2007 toe shoe is simply and older name for pointe shoes.
you should ALWAYS be fitted at a store by some one who knows what they are doing as long as your feet are growing/changing. also check them with your teacher.

on 12/30/2006 dancebabe9008 -
There are many manuals and dictionaries of classical ballet that refer to "toe shoes". Just because dancers at ABT or NYCB call something by a certain name, doesn't mean it's the "only proper name."

on 12/16/2006 Not all POINTE SHOES will be 1 1/2-3 sizes smaller. Some will be a couple sizes bigger. Always check the manufactor's fitting guide- or consult with a profeshional.

on 12/12/2006 The only proper name for pointe shoes, is pointe shoes. They are severely mistaken to be known as toe shoes. Go to any professional ballet company, such as NYCB or ABT and they will call them "pointe shoes".

on 8/18/2006 Do not fit your first (or second) pair of pointe shoes without the assistance of your teacher or at least a trained fitter! After saying that, I also will say don't buy Capezio pointe shoes, there may be a lot of styles, but these shoes don't last and are not as well made as some other shoes.

on 8/8/2006 You should be able to slide your heel into your shoe only using your finger--No shoe horns. If you cannot put your pointe shoe on with your finger sliding in at the heels, it is a tight fit, and may rub and later give you a blister on your heel.

on 8/8/2006 I have only been doing pointe work for a couple of weeks now. In our dance school we are not allowed medical tape or padding of any kind. It's very hard work, but this is making our feet a lot stronger and now I can hardly feel any pain.

on 6/30/2006 I have been doing pointe for about 2 years already and have been getting some shocking blisters. If you would like to get rid of your blisters, almost overnight, I recommend applying a tad of metholated spirits to the area with a cotton bud. It will sting a bit at first, but you will be pleased with the results.

on 6/30/2006 Please, for your own safety, do not fit yourself! This can lead to wrong fittings, and danger en pointe. Be very careful en pointe, and don't go en pointe unless a teacher is with you.

on 6/30/2006 I just started pointe, and it is very helpful to have medical tape and a toe pad (I have a gel pad); it protects your feet much more.