Gaynor Minden pointe shoes: the great debate

I’ve covered Gaynor Minden pointe shoes before, but it’s been a while.  I have received a few questions recently about why Gaynors are so controversial, so it’s time to delve into the issue again. 

Just as a reminder, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes are different from “traditional” pointe shoes because the box and shank are made of durable, flexible plastic that does not degrade.  Gaynor pointe shoes do not soften with each use, so they cannot be “worn out.”  People tend to either love or hate them, and dancers regard Gaynors as everything from “the greatest innovation in pointe technology” to “cheater shoes.” 

Here are some FACTS (not opinions) about Gaynors, organized into a pros and cons list.

Pros:

--Lasts a long time

Because Gaynor Minden pointe shoes are made with plastic shanks and boxes, they don’t get softer with each use.  This allows dancers to use the same pair for a long time (months to years, in most cases).  Gaynor shoes are not completely indestructible, though.  It is possible to snap the shank (especially in cold, dry climates where plastic gets brittle over time), which will destroy the shoe.  Gaynors also need to be replaced if the satin wears off the platform (this exposes the plastic of the box and creates a huge safety hazard—it’s really slippery).  Gaynors are more expensive than traditional pointe shoes ($120 or so a pair; most “regular” pointe shoes cost about $75), but if they need replacing less often, it can save money in the long run.

--Lots of sizing and customization options

Gaynor provides a large range of ladies’ sizes (5-12), 3 widths, 4 box shapes, 2 vamp types, and 2 heel types, as well as 5 shank strengths.  Shoes ordered directly from Gaynor Minden can also be made of special slightly stretchy self-smoothing satin and have suede tips applied to the platforms.  “Fit kits” can be purchased and applied to the inside of Gaynors to further customize the fit by adding additional padding for dancers between sizes.  Because of all of these options, it is possible to achieve a very good fit for almost all feet.

--Comfy and injury-preventative

Gaynors are made with light padding built in, so many dancers wear them without toe pads or with only very thin padding.  This can be very convenient as it requires dancers to keep track of less gear and have a more “intimate” feeling of the foot directly in contact with the shoe.  The padding inside the shoe and soft foam built into the pleat-area and heel also absorbs impact, which can lead to fewer “jarring” injuries like jammed/bruised toes and heels.

--Quiet

Because of the plastic and foam materials in the boxes of Gaynor Minden shoes, they are very quiet on stage and don’t make loud “clomping” noises when they come down on the floor.

--Easier to “get over” the box and “roll through” than traditional shoes

Because Gaynors are constructed with a pretty low wing and vamp and the shank is pliable, they are easier to “get over” than other shoes.  Dancers can usually rise to full pointe in first position and get both platforms fully on the floor with no problem.  This is quite helpful to people with inflexible feet and ankles who normally struggle to get all the way up on a shoe.  Very young dancers, mature dancers, and recreational dancers can sometimes find more success in Gaynors than other more traditional brands.  The resilient shanks also make “rolling through” from flat to full pointe very easy with little resistance.  Controlling the shoe for a slow “roll through” requires more effort, strength, and articulation (all great things to build).

Cons:

--Difficult to fit and hard have access to all sizing options

Gaynor Minden does have a flagship store in NYC.  Dancers can get expert fittings with access to nearly every size/width/box/vamp/heel/shank combination that the brand offers.  Because there are so many options, most local dancewear stores and online stores (including discount dance) stock only some combinations.  In order to access the full run of Gaynor’s offerings, dancers often must order online without seeing the options in person first.  While getting a perfect (or at least very good) fit is usually possible, it is very difficult to obtain.

--Even with the multitude of options, a few things are missing

Gaynors come in widths N, M, and W, which are approximately equal to XX, XXX, and XXXX or 2-width, 3-width, and 4-width in other brands.  Dancers who require a 1-width or 5-width or wider are not well accommodated in Gaynors without exceptional customizations.  Also, even sleek-vamp Gaynors have just a medium-low crown, so dancers with very shallow feet often experience gapping in the crown.  Sometimes a fit kit or toe pad can fix this, and sometimes not.  Dancers with very wide and “thick” feet generally do better with a high vamp and high wing.  Gaynors in all sizes, widths, and other specs have low wings and medium-low vamps, so these dancers may experience “spillover” (the foot bulges in the shoe and looks lumpy) and feel smushed or unsupported. 

--Padding prevents some dancers from feeling the floor

Some dancers (generally those who are used to little to no padding in traditional paste shoes) find the padding built into Gaynors to be too much.  It can sometimes prevent a dancer from feeling the floor with her toes, which is something most dancers want for balance and control.

--Addictive/weakening when not used properly

The resilient shank in Gaynor Minden shoes can be tough to understand and use properly.  Even the hardest shank is not that hard (about as hard as a brand new flexible medium shank—think Capezio Tiffany Pro—in a traditional shoe).  Dancers must pull up and concentrate hard to work the shoes and not have the shoes work them.  It is very easy to sit en pointe and spring or quickly roll from flat to pointe; it is a lot more difficult to slowly roll through the shoe.  Dancers who work the shoes properly have a lot of success.  Younger dancers and those with less training tend to sit in the shoes and allow the shank’s springiness to work for them without controlling it (because it is easier and looks the same as the harder roll through to the untrained eye).  People who do this for a long period of time can lose foot strength and flexibility, which makes it more difficult to go back and use a traditional paste shoe.  This is also why many teachers do not like pointe students to use Gaynors.  Those without thorough training may develop bad habits when they begin to use the resilient shoe.  (Note that dancers with solid training and/or careful technique can develop and maintain strength and flexibility with Gaynors.)

--Not allowed at some studios, etc.

Gaynors are very different from traditional paste pointe shoes.  Some people believe that dancers must work through pain and use only traditional shoes with wool padding in order to be “real” ballet dancers.  It’s possible that some people with this mindset do not fully understand Gaynors, or they may understand the shoes very well and still stick to their guns.  Because some people have this belief, Gaynors are not allowed at some schools, intensives, and companies.  This may or may not be a fair judgment, but that does not change the fact that some directors and teachers will ask dancers not to wear Gaynors.

Now that you’ve seen the black-and-white information, here’s my opinion (which I like to think is balanced, educated, and worth following).  Gaynors work well for some people, and not so well for others.  While it is possible to get a Gaynor with an excellent fit for most feet, that does not mean that a Gaynor will be everyone’s favorite shoe.  It is also possible to achieve a perfect fit for almost every foot type with a Grishko, and that does not mean that Grishko is everyone’s favorite brand of shoe.  I have an expertly fit pair of Gaynors that I occasionally use for home practice when my injured ankle is bothering me.  The soft, resilient shank gives me great success in pointework without straining.  I like my Gaynors, but they are not my favorite pointe shoes.  I still prefer Grishko 2007s, Novas, and Dreampointes; maybe that is because I have been wearing Grishko for most of my dance career.

I believe that first-pointe dancers should not use Gaynors unless no other suitable shoe can be found.  I think it is best for young students to learn a foundation of pointe skills in a traditional paste shoe (and appropriate toe pads) that allows them to fully feel the floor, challenges roll-through, and wears out over time.  I see this as both crucial to skill development and as a beautiful rite of passage. 

After a dancer becomes strong in the basics, Gaynors are a wonderful option to remedy pain, last longer, and enhance performance.  It must be the dancer’s choice if she wants to use Gaynors or not.  If a dancer uses Gaynors, I think it is helpful for her to also sometimes work in a traditional shoe so she remains used to the feeling if she is required to use a traditional shoe for a certain intensive or performance.

 Retired professionals and dancers who begin pointe later in life can often be very successful in Gaynors if they want to start or continue dancing recreationally at an advanced level.  Gaynors look gorgeous, perform well (on stage and off), and do not strain joints and muscles.

Overall, Gaynors are great shoes.  They are not perfect for everyone, and some people remain prejudiced against them.  Even so, their benefits are many and are often worth a try when a dancer is skilled enough and ready for a change.