What are the best pointe shoes?

Answer 1

It's all dancer preference and also it depends on how advanced you are. Most importantly, it's all about your foot.

I can give some suggestions, though. If you have toes that taper, you must look for boxes that gradually get smaller as you get higher on the box. Grishko Vaganova, Bloch Suprimas, Capezio Aerial, and Capezio Pavlowa are just a few that are great for tapering toes. If you have a squared forefoot, look for a square box. Grishko Elite, Capezio Plie II, and Bloch Serenade are just a few that are great for a squared forefoot. Other things to take into consideration are toe length and arches. Short toes need short vamps, average toes need average vamps, and long toes need long vamps. If you have high arches, you may consider a 3/4 shank, but with low arches, you need more arch support which means stick to a full shank.

Beginners should have a soft and supportive shank.

Advanced dancers can get harder shanks. This depends on how easily the shoe is dying. Sometimes strong feet are able to break harder shanks more easily, but are able to hold up soft shanks.

If your shoe dies very quickly, you should consider a different shank.

Breaking in techniques vary, but never do anything too drastic, such as slamming your shoes in a door or with a hammer. If your shoes are really hard, you can lightly work them with your own hands exactly where your arch is. Wetting the box while wearing the shoe can also help. Obviously, you can't pirouette around your house, but rises going through your demi pointe, at home and before class, always helps to break in your pointe shoes.

I am still searching for that perfect pointe shoe, but I hope this can help you. The only way to find out is to try.