Pointe Shoe Fitting: What Dancers Should Know
Pointe shoes are fitted for pointe work
Pointe shoes are specialized footwear for dancers who have been approved to begin pointe work by their ballet teacher. They are different from soft ballet slippers. Do not choose pointe shoes or begin dancing on pointe based only on age, experience, an online size chart or this article.
Read this overview to prepare for a conversation with your teacher and a trained pointe shoe fitter. It is general information, not an individual fitting or a substitute for your teacher’s guidance.
Start with your teacher
Ask your ballet teacher whether you are ready to start pointe work and what fitting process they recommend. Pointe readiness depends on training and the individual dancer; a shoe cannot make someone ready for pointe work. Follow your teacher’s instructions about where and when to attend a fitting, who should accompany you, and what to bring.
The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science notes that teachers have an important role in assessing a dancer’s preparation for pointe training. Read its guidelines for initiating pointe training.
What happens at a pointe shoe fitting?
A fitter considers how the shoe works with your feet and your teacher’s guidance. Details may include the length and width, toe box shape, vamp, heel, shank and the way the shoe supports your foot in the positions your teacher uses to assess fit. These features vary by brand and model, so a size or fit in one style does not automatically transfer to another.
- Tell the fitter about any previous pointe shoe experience and what your teacher asked you to look for.
- Try the model and size recommended for your feet, following the fitter’s directions. Do not order by your street-shoe size alone.
- Ask the fitter and teacher to check the fit and alignment before sewing ribbons or elastics, altering the shoe or dancing in it.
- If you feel pain, pressure, numbness or uncertainty during the fitting, stop and explain what you feel. Do not assume that a shoe should hurt or that a tighter size is safer.
Do not break in or alter shoes by guesswork
There is no universal break-in method. Do not step on, bend, cut, wet, heat or otherwise alter a pointe shoe unless your teacher or fitter specifically shows you what to do for that exact shoe. Follow the product’s and fitter’s instructions for sewing and care.
Pointe shoes and soft ballet slippers are not interchangeable
Soft ballet slippers are used for many ballet classes. Pointe shoes are for pointe work under a teacher’s direction. If you need shoes for regular class, confirm whether your teacher requires a full sole or split sole, a particular upper material and a specific color. Our beginner’s guide to choosing ballet shoes explains the details to compare for soft practice shoes. You can also browse our women’s ballet shoe styles; check each product page for its exact construction, sizing and intended use.
Questions dancers often ask
Can a beginner buy pointe shoes online?
Do not self-select pointe shoes for a first fitting. Speak with your teacher and follow their recommendation for an in-person fitting with a trained fitter.
Should pointe shoes feel painful or very tight?
Do not use pain or a “tight is better” rule to judge fit. Describe any pressure or discomfort to the fitter and your teacher, and do not dance in a shoe whose fit has not been checked.
Can I use pointe shoes for a regular ballet class?
Use the footwear your teacher specifies for that class. Pointe shoes are not a substitute for soft ballet slippers in a regular class unless your teacher has directed pointe work.
For general ballet footwear, start with your teacher’s class requirements, then compare the exact construction and size guidance on each product page.