What pointe shoe is best for my foot? (Pointe shoe fitting guidelines)

Here it is, the #1 most common question asked across the dance web.  "What pointe shoe is best for my foot?"  It's also often phrased as "What pointe shoe is best for narrow/wide/square/tapered/bunion prone, etc. feet?"

I cannot answer this question.

The only way to find your best shoe is to get professional fittings and try out shoes until you find one that works well.  If you find a shoe you like, don't be surprised if after a while (months, years) your feet change and it no longer works as well.  This is especially prone to happening to dancers who are still growing and going through puberty, dancers who become pregnant, and dancers who take extended time off and then come back to pointe.  Though it sounds rudimentary, trial and error really is the best method of finding your best shoes over your career.

Now, I don't mean blind trial and error.  You shouldn't go pick a random shoe without thought to its size or construction, jam it on your foot, and start dancing.  That's a great way to get injured.  Professional fitters use a series of guidelines based on the shape of the foot and the dancer's level of training (among many other factors) to find shoes that may be compatible to the dancer's needs.

In the rest of this post, I will explain these guidelines in general terms.  I will also provide two brands and models of pointe shoes for every foot type on the guidelines.  One of the shoes will be more compatible with beginner pointe dancers, and the other with advanced pointe dancers.  These shoes will be listed as examples only; they are not the only shoes in the world for the type of foot I am talking about.  For a more extensive selection, visit your local dancewear store and ask the staff for advice.

Guidelines

First, we must consider the shape of the foot.  There are three basic shapes: the toes are narrower than the metatarsals, all the foot is the same width, and the toes are wider than the metatarsals.  Some brands and fitters use the terms Egyptian, Roman, and Peasant, respectively, to identify these foot shapes (Some also use the term Greek to describe a foot with the second/third toe longer than the first, however this shape is usually a subcategory of one of the others).  I prefer the terms tapered, square, and inverted (inverted taper) because they more accurately describe the shape of the foot.

 Square foot                 Tapered foot              Inverted foot

As well as the shape of the foot, the width of the foot plays in.  Feet are generally narrow, medium, and wide widths, although some fall in between.  Most pointe shoes come in at least three widths, and some come in as many as six to accommodate more feet.  It is usually not too difficult to categorize your own feet as fitting vaguely into the categories narrow, medium, and wide.

These are the two most important basic features that go into choosing a pointe shoe, but they are by no means the only features considered.  Presence of bunions, foot flexibility, ankle strength, location of the arch, and level of training also go into choosing a shoe.  These features are harder to discuss in a generic written format, so I will not be going into them quite as much

Now I'll go through the foot shapes and widths, discuss their general needs in a pointe shoe, and provide two example shoes that suit that shape and width foot.  Remember, these are examples, not explicit recommendations.  I will be using specific terms to refer to parts of the shoe. Look back at my "Anatomy of a Pointe Shoe" video to get a refresher on these terms, or check out the images below.

1.  Tapered and Narrow-- In general, this foot type needs a narrow shoe with a low profile and mildly triangular tapered box. Most narrow tapered feet can handle a low wing since there just isn't a lot of foot to "hold in."  For beginners, a good narrow tapered shoe is the Grishko 2007 ProFlex. More advanced dancers could  check out the Russian Pointe Almaz, which has a harder shank and higher vamp.

2.  Tapered and Medium--This foot type usually needs a tapered shoe with a medium profile and mildly triangular tapered box.  A medium foot, especially a strong one with bunions, could use a medium-to-higher wing, but a low wing usually works fine as well.  Beginning pointe dancers could try a Capezio Tiffany, which is soft-shanked and gently tapered.  More advanced dancers could try a Capezio Studio, which has a higher wing, harder shank, and elasticized binding for a sleeker heel.

3.  Tapered and Wide--This is a less common combination, but not so rare that it isn't readily accommodated.  Usually tapered wide feet need a gently tapered box with a higher profile and a medium or higher wing.  Beginning pointe dancers can try a So Danca Claudia, which has a soft shank and higher wing to keep the sides of the foot in line.  More advanced dancers could look at the Russian Pointe Entrada, which has a high profile heart shaped box with a small, tapered platform (good for turning).

4.  Square and Narrow--This is another relatively unusual combination, but it can still be accommodated.  Square narrow feet usually need a fairly square box with a narrow width.  Sometimes a gently tapered shoe works well too, since the foot is narrow (most square shoes run wider).  A low wing is usually ok because the foot is not exerting pressure on the sides of the shoe too much.  Beginning pointe dancers could look at a Bloch Seranade, which has a short, square box that comes in widths B through E.  The shank is a tad hard, so use caution.  Advanced dancers could look at a Freed Studio II, which has a harder shank and higher wing with a relatively square/ slightly tapered box.

5.  Square and Medium--This foot definitely needs a more square box.  Medium width can usually go with any wing.  Beginners could look at a Capezio Gilsse, which has a medium wing. low profile, and very square box.  More advanced dancers could try a Russian Pointe Rubin in a 4 (or higher) width.  These shoes have fairly square boxes, high vamps, and harder shanks.

6.  Square and Wide--This foot needs a very square box and medium to high crown.  Since the box is already very wide and square, the length of the wing needed depends on the strength of the foot and presence of bunions.  Beginning dancers could try Capezio Plie II, which has a short, square box and soft shank.  More advance dancers could look at a Grishko Elite, which also has a short square box, but with a much harder shank.

7.  Inverted and Narrow (Usually does not happen) Try Capezio Tiffany (slight taper with higher profile) or Capezio Gilsse (very square with low profile).

8.  Inverted and Medium (shape sometimes overlaps with square and wide)-- This foot needs a shoe with plenty of room in the toe box, but not so much room all over so that the foot slips.  A medium/higher profile is best, and a relatively square box with a higher wing will keep the foot in place.  Beginners could look at Capezio Aria, which has a rounded square box and softer shank.  Advanced dancers could try a Bloch Balance European, which has similar construction with a harder shank.

9.  Inverted and Wide--This foot definitely needs a rounded square box with a high profile and high wing.  The high wing and high profile will help the foot be comfortably accommodated without being squished or making bumps.  Beginning pointe dancers could look at the So Dance Nikiya, which has a large square box with a high profile and softer shank.  More advanced dancers can check out the Bloch Dramatica, which is similarly shaped, but it has a split outer sole for a more defined arch.

There you have it.  Those are the most basic guidelines for placing a foot type in a pointe shoe.  Remember that these are just guidelines to help you understand what pointe shoe fitters do and give you a basic understanding of what your needs may be based on your foot type.  These are not by any means all the factors that are considered when choosing a pointe shoe, so don't take my words as gospel.  Head to your local dancewear store to find out more and schedule a professional fitting.

Any more questions or comments?  Leave a comment below!