http://www.the-perfect-pointe.com/SpecialOrderingPointes.html

The most important is that you enlist someone experienced in placing special orders to help you. If the instructor at The Joffrey gave very specific comments on how the shoe should be modified, then you should consult with that person / or a professional fitter on how to submit the order.

Sometimes dancers do spend a long time trying to find the perfect shoe, so it is also a matter of trying different brands / models.

Maybe worth trying are Freed Classics which have specific makers. If your daughter finds a maker she likes, then she can try a number of shoes from that maker.

Many thanks, E.

For some people GMs will be their perfect pair, but not for others.

What I’ve found difficult with GMs is that because of the plastic box+shank combination, I find it very difficult to roll through the shoe when rising and lowering. Also, because the shank is pre-arched, the feet have to do relatively “less work” when the feet are in pointed position, either weight-bearing or non weight-bearing. I also find my feet have a tendancy to knuckle in GMs, possibly due to the fact that the feet feel pointed hence the rest of the legs don’t feel like they have to put in as much effort.

I also found that my feet have to work so much harder when I switched back to traditional shoes (as I found GMs are not for me). Either it is really a strength issue, or that traditional shoes just require a different way of working than GMs.

Thanks Linda for the post! Certainly somewhere to point people to when they say, “Yeah pointe shoes are made of metal / wooden tips innit…”

I think students should always follow the advice of their teachers and have an experienced fitter when buying pointe shoes for the first time. I’ve also heard some parents feel the need of putting their child in GM’s given that they last longer, but teachers and fitters know better and eventually the student will be able to determine which is the best shoe for them.

GM’s certainly have a huge brand presence given that they are the newest “kid on the block”, so it is not strange that many girls might want to emulate its spokespersons.

NYCB’s pointe shoe video is on our Tools of the Trade playlist on YT. We particularly like the part in which Wendy Whelan is helping Megan Fairchild with her shoes

I’ve also seen GM also inspire some bizzare brand loyalty. A lot of girls cram their feet into Gaynors even though the shoe obviously isn’t right for the shape of their foot and is causing problems. But they have no problem switching out of Freeds or Capezios or RPs if they don’t work. I find it odd.

I also don’t like the look of Gaynors — I can always pick out who is wearing them in the corps — but that’s just personal taste.

L – No link the to City Ballet pointe shoe video? I thought that was quite well done.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by theballetbag: Bag Lady L. dissects the Pointe Shoe in this new Ballet Bag post: http://bit.ly/7uwwca...