Pointe shoes: fitting, tips, and tricks!

Hello everybody! With the summer starting, many dance students will find their studio picking students to go on pointe! This is an exciting time in the student's ballet career, and is very important!

Before you go on pointe, some studios will require you to go to the doctors to make sure that you are strong enough. It is important for you to be strong so that you will not fall off of pointe or hurt yourself.

The next step to do...go to your local dance shop! :)

When you go to get your very first pair of pointe shoes, it is good to have the teacher come with you. This is so that they can see what pair of shoes they think will work best with your feet. All dancers' feet are different.

The person fitting you will give you different kinds of toe pads.

1. Gel

2. Lamb's wool

3. Ouch pouch

After they give you the toe pads that you find most comfortable, then they will give you the pointe shoes based on your feet! Exciting! There are many different brands of pointe shoes, as well as many different kinds! It can sometimes be very overwhelming!

After trying on lots of different pointe shoes, you will finally pick out the one that feels the best and looks the best on your feet.

Now, you need ribbons and elastics!
Ribbons & Elastics

When you get home, you should sew your pointe shoes. You shouldn't try them on at home...you should wait until you get to your dance studio so that you don't hurt yourself. Meanwhile, you should watch videos on youtube of how to tie your pointe shoes.

Anaheim Ballet Pointe Shoes Trying & Tips
Anaheim Ballet: Let's Talk Toe Shoes!!!

Some other accessories that could be useful are:
Jet glue –– Apply to the bottom of your shoes to make them last longer.
Stitch kit –– For sewing your ribbons and elastics.
Knot keepers –– For shows mostly, can be used during class; keep your ribbons from coming undone

Good luck! Hope this helps, and I will write more later!