Toe pad Roundup

There are so many different types of toe pads out there!  Each type meets different needs determined by foot shape, type of pointe shoe, the dancer’s level, etc.  In this post I will go over many commonly available types of toe pads (including specific brands and products) and explain some of their pros and cons.  (Note: I have tried every toe pad that my dancewear store sells, as well as a few others.  I am still limited by what I have seen, felt, and tried on.  There are surely types of toe pads out there that I have not seen before, but this is a very comprehensive list that should help out any dancer looking for toe pad information.)

Commercially sold toe pads:

Lambswool

These toe pads are made of soft curly wool woven into a piece of thick fabric and shaped like the toe of a sock.  Lambswool toe pads are very soft to the touch.  They generally start off very fluffy, and within a few wears they compact down into a thin barrier to protect toes.  Some lambswool toe pads have gel tips to give dancers an added layer of more resilient protection.  Lambswool toe pads generally come in 3 sizes (S, M, L).  They are quite inexpensive at $5-$12 a pair, but do not last very long before they wear out or get holes in them.  Lambswool pads are also pretty short in the vamp and wings, so if you have long toes or bunions, you may have trouble getting a lambswool pad to cover all the necessary areas. 

“Silk” or fabric with interwoven gel (aka Ouch Pouch)

  

These toe pads are made of a synthetic fabric (sometimes called silk even though it is not really silk) interwoven with gel.  They usually come in two shapes, one that resembles a fortune cookie and covers only the toes, and another with more fabric to cover the bottom of the foot from the toes to the ball (contributes to better bunion coverage). Each shape usually comes in two sizes, small and large.  A few different brands make these toe pads, and each calls the design something different.  The most well know version is the Capezio Bunheads’ Ouch Pouch.  These toe pads work best for moderately tapered feet.  They cost around $15-$20 a pair, and can last a very long time because the fabric takes a long time to wear out.  Ouch Pouches sometimes come in fun colors like blue and purple.  These are super fun and cheery, but if your toe pad sticks out of your shoe at all, your teacher (and the audience, if you are performing) will be looking at your colorful toe pad and not watching your dancing.  I recommend sticking with the light tan color because it will not stand out against light pink pointe shoes and ballet tights even if it does not match your skin tone.

Fabric (sockliner)

Fabric (or sockliner) toe pads are very thin layers of jersey knit fabric.  They are sometimes worn alone to prevent blisters, and sometimes paired with other types of toe pads to make them thicker.  Fabric toe pads are very inexpensive, about $5-$10 a pair, and they last a pretty long time.  They do not provide any padding around the foot, so only dancers who do not need or want toe pads for support or pain reduction should try fabric toe pads.

Fabric + gel

This type of toe pad is made of fabric with a gel overlay.  The fabric is generally very thin, and the gel varies in thickness based on the brand.  Different brands produce different shapes of fabric + gel toe pads, and some are very rounded (good for wide or square feet) while others are more tapered (good for narrow tapered feet).  Dancers who have big toe pain or get lots of blisters but still want a very thin toe pad may like fabric + gel pads.  These toe pads usually cost $12-$20.  They last pretty well, but the gel can begin to peel off in high-wear areas within a few months.

Fabric gel sandwich

This is one of the thickest toe pads available.  This type of pad is the same as fabric + gel, but there is another layer of fabric on top of the gel (forming the sandwich).  Dancers with very narrow tapered feet or those who feel a lot of pain in their shoes benefit most from fabric gel sandwich toe pads.  The pads usually have a moderately tapered shape and generally come in 2 sizes.  As some of the most expensive toe pads ($20 or so), these provide a lot of support for a pretty long time.  The gel can start to wear down after a few months of regular use.

Foam

Foam toe pads are made of a memory foam-like material and shaped the same way as lambswool toe pads.  They also come in a couple different sizes, but are short in the vamp and wings.  Foam toe pads are pretty thick, but can easily wear through in areas of high wear (like the tip of the big toe).  They are pretty inexpensive at only $5-$8 a pair.

Gel (silicone)

Gel toe pads are made of molded silicone material.  They are usually a semi-tapered shape with a relatively low vamp and high wing.  Even very thin gel pads can give bigtime relief from rubbing and pounding pain.  Gel toe pads are on the less expensive end of things at $12-$18 a pair, and they last a pretty long time.  The gel does wear through after about a year of use.  If they do not have perforation, these toe pads can be very non-breathable.  Dusting them with baby powder helps keep them from getting too sticky.

Plastic

This type of toe pad is made of thin layers of plastic with a mushy foam-like gel material trapped between them.  It is meant to distribute padding to areas that do not receive high pressure so that pressure is evened out around the foot.  I can get behind almost every type of toe pad, but not this one.  The effect is rather like having two layers of beach ball with marshmallow inside.  These toe pads are thick, non-breathable, and expensive.

Other  methods of padding:

Paper towel (or similar)

Some (usually professional) dancers do not want to wear toe pads, but need something to stop blisters from forming.  Paper towels wrapped around the toes can do the trick, as can a few other products like Swiffer pads and dryer sheets.  Wrapping paper towels around the feet (and toe pads) before slipping on pointe shoes can help a shoe that has widened out with wear fit more tightly.

Toe caps

These gel caps fit over the big toes to prevent pain.  Some varieties feature gel with a fabric overlay.  (The gel side is always designed to be closest to the skin.)  They are especially useful if a dancer has bruised toenails.  Some people wear them alone in their pointe shoes, and others wear them inside thinner toe pads.  At $5-$10 for a set of 2, toe caps are a good and inexpensive way to add padding to your usual regiment without buying a whole new set of toe pads.  Be aware that regardless of type, the gel usually wears through within a couple of months of regular wear.

Spacers

Spacers are wonderful for dancers with bunions.  Spacers slip between the first and second toe to re-align the big toe joint and reduce pressure on the bunion.  Using spacers can also add width to a very narrow foot, which can make pointe shoes fit better and more snuggly.  Beginning to wear a spacer early in a dancer’s pointe career can prevent bunions from forming, so at about $3 for a set of 2 or $6 for a set of 4, spacers are great investments that keep feet healthy in the long run.

Bunion pads

Bunion pads are like fabric + gel toe pads that only go on the big toe.  They function like a toe cap that also covers the bunion.  This is a great choice for dancers who get big toe pain as well as blisters directly on the bunion.  Bunion pads are a little more expensive at about $13 a pair, but they do a lot to relieve a very specific pain.

Loose lambswool

Loose lambswool is kind of like deconstructed cotton balls.  This white fluff is used to stuff pointe shoes or wrap around toes when a dancer needs just a little extra padding.  Because it doesn’t have creases or edges, lambswool is ideal for adding a little cushion without irritation.  Dancers can also add as much as they need without having to use a pre-determined size or amount.  For about $6, lambswool is an excellent thing to throw in your bag to cure a variety of pointe related pains.