How to Choose Right Ballet Shoes for You

Ballet shoes are one of the most basic lightweight flat shoes mostly used by ballet dancers. These are the technique shoes that are an essential part of a ballerina’s uniform that helps them with their proper and safe performance.

Choosing the right pair of ballet shoes are important for a ballet class to master the right dance technique and avoid any injuries during the performance. That’s why it is crucial to choose the right pair of ballet shoes that can comfortably let you perform and master your dance routine better.

Though most of the dance schools specify the kinds of ballet shoes for ballerinas ahead of their class whether it should be leather or canvas. There are a lot more varieties and styles of ballet shoes and even more dancewear stores from where you can easily purchase your dance essentials. However, even with all the options, not all brands and sizes are the same for all. Especially when it comes to technique, shoes like ballet shoes are not all good choices for all dancers for the most part if you’re a beginner.

Since it’s the thing that matters most for your performance, you need to find the best ballet shoes that meet your dance needs and fit you right. Here are some handy considerations that can help you find the right fit for your feet.

Leather V/S Canvas

Leather and Canvas are the most preferred materials for technical shoes. Usually, beginners and children use leather ones as they offer better support than canvas shoes which can help you build your foot strength. Also, the material is thin enough to let you feel the floor better as it hugs your feet letting your instructor see your footwork right. Leathers are also pretty strong and quite easy to clean.

While Canvas ballet shoes are mostly preferred by adults or pro-level ballerinas as they tend to absorb more moisture and allow better foot flexibility. Many have even claimed this material to feel so thin that they almost feel the floor dancing barefoot. Canvas materials are quite popular among senior ballet performers and come in a variety of styles. They are machine washable and tend to get much dirtier than the leather ones which means it requires frequent cleaning as well.

Full Sole V/S Split Shoe

Picking the right sole for a shoe is equally important as choosing the materials as they are those protective cushions that protect your heels from spurs. The most popular ones are the full soles and the split soles as they let the dancers understand their feet better making it easier for them to point their toes or arch their feet.

Full sole ballet shoes/slippers are mostly recommended for beginners. They help in building the foot strength better by giving more resistance when you point your toes during the performances. Spilt shoes are mostly preferred by pro-level ballerinas as it is more comfortable as it allows them to feel the floor better and relatively more flexibility.

Shoe Sizing

Whether it’s your ballet shoes or any other kinds of shoes, the size matters very much just like any other normal footwear. This is even more important when it comes to buying technical shoes like the ballet slippers as a wrong fit can affect your overall performance badly, making you feel uncomfortable to even perform the basic movements. So, carefully consider the sizing of the ballerina shoes to ensure that you deliver a safe and perfect performance. Keep in mind that different brands provide different size ranges, not all fits for all. So carefully consider the brand factor as well before finalising your purchase.

Proper Fitting

Proper fit is an important pointer to consider in ballerina shoes to ensure your performance and foot are in the best forms. The technical (ballet) shoes are like your second skin which hugs your feet letting your dance teacher see your every foot movement clearly. Also, proper fit shoes ensure that you perform comfortably and not with a stiff feeling on your feet. Poorly fitted ballet shoes can lead to injuries and also spoil your performance due to improper body alignment or footwork. So make sure to get properly fitted ballet shoes that snug your feet right and not make them too tight.

With all that said, ultimately when it comes to picking the right ballet shoes for your performance you are the final decision maker here. Keep the above pointers in mind and make sure to pick the right pair of ballerina shoes that fits you right, let you move comfortably and enhance your overall performance better.