Pointe Shoe Fittings with DWC
Why Get Professionally Fit?
Being fit for pointe shoes is an important part of every pointe dancer's training. A professional pointe shoe fitter is able to perform a detailed evaluation of each dancer and help select the best make, model, and size for the dancer's current anatomy, strength, and technical needs. Expert pointe shoe fitters are also able to make recommendations on alternative padding options, fit to aid in recovery efforts after a dancer has been injured, or even help fit to prevent injury!
Incorrectly fit pointe shoes can cause a host of different injuries of varying severity such as: bruised and/or ingrown toenails, bunion pain, hammertoes, Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, knee pain, disabled kinetic chain, Morton’s neuroma, sesamoiditis, and more.
Local professional dancer Kelsey Wickman
How should I prepare for my pointe shoe fitting?
Please make sure feet are clean and toenails are trimmed (do this at least two days prior to your appointment)
If applicable, please bring your most recent pair of pointe shoes, and all padding you normally wear in your shoes (see Why Should I Bring My Old Pointe Shoes to My Next Fitting)
Wear transition / convertible tights to your appointment
Watch DWC's "What to expect during your pointe shoe fitting" video
What should I expect during a pointe shoe fitting?
Getting fitted for pointe shoes is not like getting fitted for street shoes. Across the vast amount of pointe shoe brands available, there are a variety of styles of pointe shoes that have different qualities. In addition, when fitting pointe shoes, fitters don’t just account for the length of a dancer’s foot, but also the width of their feet, the strength and flexibility of their feet, their toe shape and length, their heel shape, their foot profile, training experience, current dance goals, previous and current injuries, medical conditions, and more! All of these factors will help determine what shoe the dancer ultimately ends up with.
Local adult dancer Cynthia Randriamanohisoa
For your very first appointment with DWC, it’s important to allot around 45 minutes to allow us enough time to perform the full intake, which gives us a chance to learn more about you and your specific needs as a dancer.
Your fitter will spend the first portion of your appointment performing a full intake so we can fully understand your individual needs. This will involve covering your current training regimen, reviewing past and present injuries, and if relevant, assessing your previous pair(s) of pointe shoes.
Next, you will be taken through a thorough barefoot assessment where your fitter will confirm your exact street shoe size, measure width and compressibility, and guide you through a variety of different exercises that help us to determine your strength, range of motion, foot shape, etc.
Lastly, we will try shoes on! Your fitter will work with you collaboratively to not only determine what looks like a good fit - but what feels the best for you! At DWC we try to make our fittings both a fun and educational experience, so dancers can expect to be informed about the different properties of the various shoes you will try on. Don’t be afraid to ask us questions - we love sharing our knowledge and empowering dancers!
I got my pointe shoes, now what?
Should I sew my shoes before my teacher has approved them?
Do not sew or dance in your shoes until your teacher has approved them. We cannot exchange shoes that have been sewn or danced in. Our team of professional fitters is excellent; however, your dance teacher knows you and your individual needs even better than we do, and on occasion will send a pair of shoes back to be exchanged for something more in alignment with your current training goals.
How often do I need to be refitted?
The pointe shoe journey is a dynamic one. As a dancer grows (both literally and in skill level) their feet and movement patterns change, and so do their pointe shoe needs! It is important that dancers are professional refit for their first 2 - 3 pairs of shoes, and after that at least every 6 months, or when they are experiencing new challenges with their shoes. Pointe Shoe technology is constantly evolving and improving, and it's important to schedule a fitting regularly to ensure you are dancing in the very best shoe for you!
How do I know when I need new pointe shoes?
Pointe shoes are made primarily of canvas, burlap, and paste layers, and the average lifespan of a pointe shoe is 10-20 dancing hours. Some of the biggest factors that contribute to the breakdown of pointe shoes are moisture, force, and duration/frequency of use. For some dancers, the box (the part of the shoe that covers the toes and metatarsals) dies first. The box of a pointe shoe includes the platform, crown, and wings of the shoe. The box dies when:
platform and wings become flattened or rounded
dancer will feel they are "sinking" in their shoes
shoes feel roomy and/or loose
dancer is incurring bruised toenails and/or blisters
For some, the shank (the supportive element that runs in between the inner and outer sole of your shoes) will die first. This happens when:
the arch of the foot looks exaggerated
the dancer's foot pushes over the front of the box
It is important not to dance on dead pointe shoes, as it greatly increases the risk of injury. See: The Dangers of Dancing on Dead Pointe Shoes.
Why Should I Bring My Old Pointe Shoes to My Next Fitting?
When you bring your old shoes to your next fitting appointment, your professional fitter can work with you to identify areas that may need to be adjusted in your next pair of shoes like:
Shank Strength
Box Shape
Platform Size
Wing Strength and/or Shape
Vamp Length
...and more!
I have more questions, what do I do?
We are here for you! If you have more questions, or if you feel like your shoes are causing you pain or any other difficulty - make sure you share with your fitter what problems you may be experiencing with your shoes. We can help troubleshoot and evaluate your ever-evolving needs! You can always email us at thefitters@dancewearcenter.net or call us during regular business hours.