Ballet!- Padding, Taping and What Brand?- Pointe Shoes

Question

I am buying my FIRST pointe shoes next week. Do you have any advice for padding and taping and what brand would work nicely for a beginner?

Answer 1

Make sure you go to a good, well known  store with very good people to fit you. There's not a set brand to start with. Everyone's foot is different and fits to the shoe differently. Most beginners start with Bloch or Capezio. I started with Capezio, but as a now advanced dancer, I absolutely hate both brands. They key is to make sure they fit well. The fitter should do a few simple tests when you put a pair on. Make sure your toes do not feel crunched or spaced out. A pair too big is just as bad as a pair too small. If only one foot fits badly, make sure you tell the person fitting you. It's very very common for people to have two different sized feet. Most approved brands: Capezio, Bloch, Gamba, Grishko, Sansha, Freed, Gaynor Minden, Prima Soft. Stay away from brands that sound shady or silly.

Answer 2

The type/brand of pointe shoe really depends on YOU and YOUR FEET. Everyone is different so you should go to a store where they can FIT you. I started out with Bloch Sonata's but they lasted for 2 weeks, and I had to change them because they weren't good for my feet. I now have grishko which I have had since my Bloch's and they are great! I know someone that has had Bloch Sonata's since she started and they are still the right shoe for her, so it really depends on the person's feet. And you might want to try and find a shoe with a wider platform, for balance. As far as padding, I have basic Ouch Pouches, which you should be able to find anywhere you get your shoes, but these too are based on what you want. For beginners though, I think that you should not have the real thick pads, because you need to be able to feel the floor. When you become more advanced you can switch to the thicker toe pads. You do not have to tape your toes, but I do. I tape my two baby toes because otherwise I will get really bad blisters every time I dance on pointe, but you do not have to tape. I know some girls that do not tape and always get blisters, but they just put some neosporin and a bandaid on afterwards, but it's better to take the few extra seconds to tape and almost always NOT get the blisters--in my opinion. As far as your chest, there are many leotards that have a built in bra, but if you want you can just wear a sports bra underneath, no one cares even if it shows, unless you or your teacher are really against it. Otherwise there are no leotards that I know of that will not show the sports bra underneath. Sorry about that. But I hope this helps, and good luck with everything!

Answer 3

When I first started pointe I started with Bloch Capezio's

My personal opinion for the padding is the gel pads.

Of coarse make sure you have someone to sew your shoes..

and cut them so it's easier to dance in them

To break the shoe:

Step 1: Put the pointe shoe on and stand on pointe. Place your finger on the shank at the highest point of your arch.

Step 2: Slide the shoe off holding that spot. Gently flex the shank back and forth at that point. This allows you to stand properly in your pointe shoe with your foot supported at the heel.

Step 3: Steam the box of the pointe shoe to break it in. After 10 seconds of steaming, gently press on the toe box to soften it.

Step 4:Do several demi plies at the barre to further break in the pointe shoe. This helps shape the shank and allows you more freedom in your shoe.

Step 5:Practice rising to pointe. Remember to roll through demi pointe as you releve. This helps the shoe to bend where you need it to.

Step 6: Roll slightly past pointe on each foot. Start from parallel first position. Bend the right knee and press the right foot so that you are pressing the top of the toe box. Repeat on the left side.

Step 7: Let your shoes dry before placing them in a bag. This helps mold the shoe to the shape of your foot as it dries.

hope that helps you out.

Answer 4

Okay there really isnt a good brand. Every dancer has different feet. There are shoes for people with wide fee, high arches, strong arches. There are different shoes for all foot types. When you go to get your shoes fitted the fitter will size you and based on your foot they will get shoes they think are best for your feet. Because it is your first year en pointe it will be hard for you to know the best because you've never danced en pointe, but as you get more experience you will get to know what you like, whats good for your feet and what you dont like. The fitter will have you rise en pointe and ask you how they feel, and different questions. With each pair of shoe you try on try to think * Which is the most comfortable *Which is eaiser to go up en pointe, * Which is easier to dance in *Which makes your feet look better *Which is easier to get over the box. You might now get thes best pair for you your first year, but your fitter will try to help you find the best that they can. For me my first pair weren't the best and throught the year i could tell what i didnt like and what i did...so then the next year i could tell my fitter what i didnt like about them and what i didn't. Dont be afraid to speak and ask questions to your fitter, and take your time. I think my fitting took about an hour which is an average time. For paddiing i would highly reccomend lambs wool, and im sure your fitter will too. The lambs wool aren't the most comfortable but they allow you to feel the floor. It is very important to feel the floor the first year because it will make learning pointe easier to learn. Feeling the floor also allows you to find your balance. It will also build callouses which are make your feet tougher and actually make pointe hurt less. :-) I would not reccomend getting gel toe pads. They are bulky and you cant feel the floor. They are comfortable but they are more for experience dancers. As for taping. I use lambs wool toe pads because i just think they are best kind no matter how experience you are. But i also tape my toes with bun heads toe tape that you can probably get at the store you buy your pointe shoes. For sewing ribbons and elastics they fitter at the store can tell you how to do that. But your breaking in your shoes I would ask your teacher, or the best way to break them in is to wear them around the house. If you have any questions you can ask your teacher or any of the older girls that do pointe. You can also ask your teacher to go to your fitting. Have funn in pointe and good luck!!! ♥

here was another question like this with some good answers.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 5

For brands it will probably depend on what feels best on your feet. i have grishko 2007's and they are perfect for me. For taping I usually just tape my pinkies because that's where I get blisters. If I wear tape for too long the tape starts to rub and that can also cause blisters. For padding I use lamb's wool ones and I put lamb's wool inside of those. You put the pad on your toes and then pull your tight's over them and put your shoe on. After pointe class you should soak your feet in hot water with some epsome salt. It feels really good for sore feet! Make sure you keep your toenails trimmed and really build up your ankle strength. Good Luck!