What is a good pointe shoe for beginners?

Question

i'm starting pointe and want to know a good shoe to start with i have small feet with i think a normal arch

i just need some suggestions

i'm gonna get fitted i want suggestions

Answer 1

I work in a dance store and sell lots of pointe shoes. You need to go to a good dance store and get fitted by a professional who knows what she's doing. Then, if at all possible, go to a SECOND dancewear store and get a second opinion. Then ask your teacher for her opinion. Most stores will let you return shoes, at least for store credit, as long as you haven't sewn on ribbons/elastics and you keep them clean (spotless.) Finding the right pointe shoe is VERY trick and it's worth taking your time and getting a few opinions, but please be considerate of the staff in dance stores and don't waste their time by trying on a million pairs of pointe shoes and then buying them somewhere else, unless there's a good reason. Some stores will charge a fitting fee if you don’t buy shoes after being fitted and that’s because some people totally waste the time of dance store staff by trying on millions of pairs of pointe shoes with no intention of buying anything. Fitting pointe shoes is tedious and time consuming so please BE KIND!

The right shoe for you will depend on your foot and the way you dance. HOWEVER, if at all possible, stick with an American made shoe like a Bloch or Capezio so when you order subsequent pairs of shoes, you aren't going to run into problems waiting a month for your Freeds to come in from London, or whatever. Even though you're just starting on pointe now, you'll progress fast and it won't be long before you're going though as many as a pair of pointe shoes each week. By the time you reach that level, you will probably have tried lots of different brands, but try to stick with the shoes that are the most easily available, particularly from the store where you'll be buying them. Of course you can get shoes from catalogues and on-line but that's always a little risky and you don't save that much money.

The other EXCELLENT American-made shoe is Gaynor-Minden. Some people have issues with Gaynors (that I can't explain) but if they work for you and your teachers let you wear them, you will be a very lucky dancer. They last SO MUCH LONGER than any other shoe, they don't need to be broken in, they're easy to get, and they make your life easy in countless ways. Again, it's not so much of an issue when you're just starting, but it makes a huge difference when you're more advanced and your Gaynors last a month as opposed to your Grishkos that may only last for one class and you're constantly sewing on ribbons and elastics and dealing with jet glue and hardeners and going crazy wondering whether the shoe shipment will arrive in time for the performance or whatever. With Gaynors, like with all pointe shoes, you need to be fitted by someone with experience. You have to get the exact right size and then there are all sorts of accessories that can be added to the shoe to make it fit. If you don't have a good pointe shoe store near you, or if you don't have confidence in the people selling you the shoes, you can get fitted by mail by Gaynor-Minden. You send them all the information and they figure out what shoe you need. It's not ideal but it's WAY better than being fitted by an actual person in a store who doesn't know what she's doing. I've seen girls who have been sold pointe shoes that have fit them very, very poorly. Not only does a poorly fitting shoe interfere with your ability to get up on pointe and dance, but it's dangerous, not to mention to the needless pain (as opposed to the unavoidable pain.)

Before you get fitted, read as much as you can about pointe shoe fitting and get an idea of how the shoe should feel. There's tons of stuff on the web. Ask questions but don't necessarily believe what people tell you and let the pieces of information fall into place until you feel you're making the best decision about the right pointe shoes for you. Above all, DO NOT let your mom tell you what you should be dancing in or how the shoes should feel. Don't even let your mom SPEAK when you try on the pointe shoes. Your mom is there be supportive and make sure that the fitting session is progressing as it should be, and to intervene if you're not getting attention or you're getting pushed around or whatever. But if the fitting people know what they're doing, pointe shoe fitting is between them and you, not your mom. Your mom will probably have to pay but there really isn't much of a difference in cost, except that you will save a fair amount of money in the long run if you wear Gaynor-Mindens, because they last so much longer. Pointe shoes are VERY expensive, as you know, so your mom may be reassured or comforted by your wearing Gaynors that can last for quite a long time. I hear Moms telling their kids that they have to dance on their pointe shoes for a certain amount of time, not understanding that it's NOT POSSIBLE to dance on a pointe shoe once the shoe has broken down. Not only that, it's also VERY dangerous. Wearing old pointe shoes isn't like wearing old jeans. If you can get your parents to understand that from the beginning, you'll be ahead of the game.

I hope this helps. Good luck! Starting on pointe is exciting. Don't forget to celebrate!

Answer 2

I highly suggest you get fitted, but just so you know most beginners like Capezio glisse, plie, or chasse. I prefer Freeds because they're amazing. Some people like Gaynor Mindens because they're wicked comfortable, but not all teachers allow their students to wear them.

Bloch Sonata is very tapered. Grishko 2007 is nice too.

Answer 3

i can't say which is a good pointe shoe for beginners, but you could go to the ballet store and see which one fits you and is comforterable. You don't have to buy it there, just find the same size and stuff. Or you could ask your teacher.
Good luck in pointe.

Answer 4

You should get a professional fitting.

Alot of beginners seem to be getting Bloch Signatures though. It seems to fit alot of different feet!

Answer 5

We can never tell you what pointe shoe would be best for you. Only your teacher or the person making the shoe can tell you.

Answer 6

Why do you want to wear them pointy shoes? I don't understnd why you womenfolk try to cram yer feet into those pointy high heels, just werar sneakers they'll be more comfortable and they go with every outfit.

Answer 7

ive always heard capezio glisse was for beginners, but Gaynor Mindens are more comfortable