Member Exclusive
The Complete
Pointe Shoe Guide
Whether you’re a beginner or professional, our Pointe Shoe Guide is your go-to resource for everything from fittings, shoe care, foot and ankle health, and more.
FOR BEGINNERS
New to dancing on pointe or starting soon? Check here to learn more about what to expect and how to strengthen your body and technique for this next phase of your training.
HOW SHOE MANAGERS AT BALLET COMPANIES KEEP DANCERS ON THEIR FEET
Whether it’s pointe shoes, character shoes, or sneakers, a dancer’s footwear is crucial to their performance. Behind the scenes, shoe managers work to outfit artists with the shoes that will allow them to dance their best in the studio and onstage. Read on to learn more about how they ensure their dancers are equipped for success.
FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT
Finding the right shoe for your foot can sometimes feel like a quest. Here are some tips for your next fitting.
POINTE SHOE TLC
Look here for advice on how to care for and extend the life of your pointe shoes.
DARNING
“Play with it, explore, find your groove,”says Jaiani. “And use a thimble, because that saves fingers.”
FOOT CARE RX
Pointework can be hard on a dancer’s feet. Check here for advice from dance medicine experts on everything from bunions to bruised toenails.
TECHNIQUE & STRENGTHENING
Check out this collection of cross-training exercises for stronger feet, ankles, and more.
HISTORY
Pointe shoes, with their ability to elevate a dancer both literally and metaphorically to a superhuman realm, are the ultimate symbol of a ballerina’s ethereality and hard work. For students, receiving a first pair of pointe shoes is a rite of passage. The shoes carry an almost mystical allure: They’re an endless source of lore and ritual, with tips, tricks and stories passed down over generations.
The history of pointe shoes reveals how a delicately darned slipper introduced in the 1820s has transformed into a technical tool that offers dancers the utmost freedom onstage today.
OTHER GREAT POINTE+ STORIES
Here are some of our most popular stories on our favorite topic: the pointe shoe.
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