How to Choose the Right Pointe Shoe for Ballet Dancing

Pointe shoes, in many ways, can be considered an extension of the dancer. Designed for pleasing aesthetics as well as function, these shoes typically have a short lifespan, but enable the dancer to move with incredible grace and strength. The most critical feature of any pointe shoe is how well it fits. Proper fit safeguards the dancer's feet, ankles and legs and makes en pointe work possible. This is especially important for younger dancers, as proper bone development can be impaired by incorrectly fitting shoes. There are a number of brands and styles available, and no single type is built for every dancer. A dancer's experience, shape of the foot and strength should be considered in finding the best shoe. Bloch Pointe Shoes The Bloch pointe shoe is available in different styles including Sylphide, Sonata, Suprima, Serenade, Aspiration, Concerta, Triomphe, and Alpha