Just like musicians need their instruments and artist needs canvas, ballerina needs their shoes. They're the most important part of the whole outfit, the piece that's unique to this profession and is responsible for every gracious movement. The shoes give the dancer stability, comfort and mobility. They should support every pirouette, arabesque, jump and every trick the dancer does. So, choosing the right ballet shoes is key to top performance and improvement.
What to Consider When Buying
Materials
There are 2 basic materials these shoes are made of: leather and canvas. Another one that’s made its way to the top in recent years is mesh. Manufacturers are still exploring and experimenting with it. Although both materials are excellent, many dancers like canvas over leather. No matter the material, always look for a high-performance, durable ballerina shoe that fits you well.
This, as with any other shoe shouldn't be too tight or too loose. Otherwise, it’ll be very uncomfortable and lead to serious injuries. Sometimes performers with long toes have difficulties finding the right shoe, but things are changing for them. Never compromise on length. If the big toe rubs on the shoe, don’t buy them. It can damage the toe and cause severe pain.
Keep in mind that as you wear the shoes, they’ll stretch, especially the leather ones. Both leather and canvas come with their own advantages and disadvantages, and dancers can’t agree on which is better. It all comes down to personal preferences and a sense of comfort. It could take you a few pairs before you find the ideal style, material, and fit.
Colour
Even though it may not seem important, colour is something you should consider. Your foot is a continuation of your leg and the whole picture should be cohesive and unified. This is something that really matters in female dancers. The aesthetics are crucial so most professionals choose to buy skin-coloured shoes.
Male dancers on the other hand wear tights and white socks. That's why they often choose white shoes. This way they don’t break the colour code and still look cohesive. Some male dancers buy black shoes. They give them a more masculine look and add definition to the legs.
Sole
There are 2 sole options, full sole and split sole. The full sole means that the shoe’s sole is one whole piece that covers it. The split one has 2 pieces. Many ballet teachers advise their students to get full-sole shoes. But this may be awkward for them because they still haven’t got the skill to fully bend and point their feet.
But on the flip side, students get more support from the full-sole shoe. It also helps them build more muscle strength. For more seasoned dancers, split-sole shoes are a better choice. An experienced dancer has basic knowledge and technique, and these shoes allow them to show what they know best with clean performance and an improved technique.
Elastics
It doesn’t matter where you bought your ballerina shoe, from the local store or online, there should be elastics that keep it secure to your leg. For most of the time, it’s 2 elastics crossing each other to form an “X”. In rare cases, you can see a single elastic wrapping around the foot. Which style you choose depends on your personal preferences.
There are even shoes that have drawstrings instead of elastics. They can be harder to control, and can often come undone so you’ll have to tie them again. But they have their pros and cons. There’s a third option, called ribbons. They look elegant and very pretty, especially on small children and can also untie at times. But as long as you get a good fit, it doesn’t matter which method you choose.
Types of Ballet Shoes
Full-sole
Full-sole ballet shoes are a good option for beginners. They provide the most stability and strong support a beginner needs. They’re very often the first choice of experienced professionals as well. They enjoy wearing them because the sole spreads across the whole foot. This gives them the right amount of traction and resistance they need to perform.
They’re incredibly flexible and comfortable, allowing for a wide range of foot movements. With every step you take and every move you make, you’ll be well-balanced and improve your in-step strength. Your arch will get full support and all of the leg muscles are activated. Having all of these benefits leads to developing faster and stronger muscle memory.
Split-sole
Just as the name suggests, this sole has 2 parts, a toe and a heel pad. Both of them are made of soft materials that are comfortable but still protective of the feet. Manufacturers made sure of this because there’s no centre part to give enough support.
This type of design increases flexibility in both the shoe and the foot and reduces the risk of injury. You can also easily flex and point your fingers and accentuate the arch curve. Professionals say that these shoes come with a few benefits. They give you more confidence, make you more experienced, lead to cleaner techniques and add more balance.
Pointe Shoes
The shank is the thing that makes these shoes unique and a good fit if you’re dancing on pointe. The shank is responsible for giving you ankle support. These shoes aren’t for beginners. They're for people who dance for several years and are experienced dancers. This is the to-go choice for many professional ballerinas on stage.
They give the dancers a floating-like appearance and make them appear weightless. They have a unique toe box that makes tiptoeing a lot easier. This box has several layers of cardboard and fabric glued together to keep it sturdy and durable.
Demi Pointe Shoes
These ballet shoes have a leather outsole rather than a shank. The design will make your feet work harder because it increases the resistance level. Ballet teachers can’t agree whether these shoes are good for beginners or not because they require a developed technique and strong muscles.
How to Clean Your Ballet Shoes
It's very important to keep your ballet shoes well-cleaned because they’re a big part of the costume during your performance. They should be in great condition and look almost flawless. Canvas shoes can be washed in the washing machine using a mild detergent. But don’t dry them in the dryer, they’ll get severely damaged.
Shoes made of leather require some hand work when it comes to cleaning. You can use a spot cleaner and a wet cloth. Satin shoes can be cleaned with baking soda. Just leave the shoes soaked in it overnight and the spots will be gone.