Dancing in pointe shoes needs a lot of strength and years of training. To avoid injury, it is advised that you do not try and dance in pointe shoes if you haven't been correctly trained in ballet. Also, you shouldn't purchase pointe shoes until you have been instructed to do so by your teacher.
Pointe shoes don't come with the elastic and ribbons stitched on. Usually, those things are sold separately. Before applying the elastic and ribbons, let your teacher check the fit of the shoe. Once the ribbons and elastic is stitched on, pointe shoes cannot be returned.
Structure Makes a Difference
Pointe shoes are comprised of many different parts, all of which are elemental in the way the shoe fits. When trying to find the right pointe shoe, consider these very vital terms in making your choice:
Box: the front, wide part of the pointe shoe
The box can be either wide or tapered. A pointed box is narrower towards the top of the shoe and gets broader as it approaches the drawstring. Shoes with a tapered box are excellent for dancers whose toes decline in length from the large toe to the pinky toe. Shoes with a wider box are very good for dancers whose toes are all close to the same length.
Vamp: the top part of the pointe shoe, which is a continuing of the box
Vamps can either be "V" shaped or "U" formed. "V" formed vamps are often longer, which gives the foot a little more support.
Shank: the "spine" of the pointe shoe
The shank is the part of the shoe that must definitely be "broken in." The shank provides arch support in the shoe. Shanks come in different strengths: hard, medium, and soft. Most noob pointe dancers should get medium or hard shanks to build strength in their arches.
Platform: the flat end of the box that you push onto
Throat: the open area where the foot fits into the shoe
Find the Ideal Fit
Pointe shoes must have a precise fit on the foot, similar to a sock. Good for complicated dancing. What are you waitng for, get practising.
Pointe shoes don't come with the elastic and ribbons stitched on. Usually, those things are sold separately. Before applying the elastic and ribbons, let your teacher check the fit of the shoe. Once the ribbons and elastic is stitched on, pointe shoes cannot be returned.
Structure Makes a Difference
Pointe shoes are comprised of many different parts, all of which are elemental in the way the shoe fits. When trying to find the right pointe shoe, consider these very vital terms in making your choice:
Box: the front, wide part of the pointe shoe
The box can be either wide or tapered. A pointed box is narrower towards the top of the shoe and gets broader as it approaches the drawstring. Shoes with a tapered box are excellent for dancers whose toes decline in length from the large toe to the pinky toe. Shoes with a wider box are very good for dancers whose toes are all close to the same length.
Vamp: the top part of the pointe shoe, which is a continuing of the box
Vamps can either be "V" shaped or "U" formed. "V" formed vamps are often longer, which gives the foot a little more support.
Shank: the "spine" of the pointe shoe
The shank is the part of the shoe that must definitely be "broken in." The shank provides arch support in the shoe. Shanks come in different strengths: hard, medium, and soft. Most noob pointe dancers should get medium or hard shanks to build strength in their arches.
Platform: the flat end of the box that you push onto
Throat: the open area where the foot fits into the shoe
Find the Ideal Fit
Pointe shoes must have a precise fit on the foot, similar to a sock. Good for complicated dancing. What are you waitng for, get practising.