Buy a Pair of Pointe Shoes
When a dancer becomes physically strong enough to begin en pointe, buying the first pair of pointe shoes is an exciting and important step. The wrong pair of pointe shoes can cause foot damage and a lot of pain. Shopping and fitting should be approached without haste, and dancers, parents and vendors all need to know as much as possible about the correct fit of pointe shoes.
Instructions
1. Visit a reputable dance store. Before going out to get your new pointe shoes, ask your instructor and fellow dancers to recommend a store with a good record. The store should employ salespeople who have experience in pointe shoes.
2. Leave no room for growth. This is one time you don't want to use the theory that you'll get more for your money if you choose a size a little larger. Pointe shoes should fit like a second skin, with no room for the foot to move around and cause blisters or injury.
3. Check the heel. After trying on the pointe shoe, stand on pointe. If the heel of the pointe shoe isn't even with your own heel, either coming up too high or falling short, the shoe isn't the right fit.
4. Evaluate your toes. While standing with your feet flat, make sure that your toes aren't pushing up against the box of the pointe shoe. If they are, or if you feel any pain in your toes, then the pointe shoe is too small.
5. Choose the correct width. Still standing with your feet flat, make sure that your toes aren't overlapping or scrunched together. If they are, then you need to buy a wider pair of pointe shoes.
6. Stand on pointe. After you think you have the right fit in heel, toe and width, then stand on pointe to be sure the fit is snug but comfortable. If your foot slides or if your toes are cramped, you need to start over.
7. Wear both pointe shoes before leaving the store. You need to fit both feet, and since there is no left or right in pointe shoes, put the two on and stand on both. One foot might be slightly larger or wider than the other, so you need to check both feet for a correct and comfortable fit.
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