Energetiks | Pointe Shoe Information

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Energetiks Pointe Shoe Fittings

Not many shoes have the power to completely transform their wearer the way a pair of pointe shoes can. Stepping ‘en pointe’ is an exhilarating moment for a dancer, one that – quite literally – allows them to reach new heights, and perform feats that far surpass what was once thought possible.

Why get fitted by a professional?

Understanding the intricacies and complexity of the modern pointe shoe design requires not just the insight of a dancer who has worn the shoes themselves, but an analytical attention to detail and comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics of a dancer’s feet. Pointe shoe training at Energetiks requires extensive theoretical and practical understanding.

Our Pointe Shoe Fitters are trained to assess each foot based on shape, flexibility, strength and alignment. These characteristics are then matched to a shoe that will best support the dancer.

At Energetiks we understand that every dancer has unique feet and finding the right pointe shoe will allow you to perform with confidence, enhance your line and offer perfect placement.

We have a wide selection of pointe shoe brands on offer help us to facilitate finding the model of pointe shoe that best suits the dancers foot shape, technical needs, ability and personal preference.

What to expect from your Pointe Shoe Fitting:

  • Allow at least 1hr per dancer for your fitting
  • Arrive with any padding you like to wear and your previous pair of Pointe shoes if applicable
  • Please advise your fitter if your dance studio or company has any specific requests for your shoes or your padding
  • We recommend trimming your toenails before your fitting so that you are comfortable whilst trying on shoes
  • If you would like to have your dance teacher attend or request a particular Pointe shoe fitter, please contact the store you are booking with

Get the right fit with women’s pointe shoes

At Energetiks, we understand the importance of high quality, well-fitted women’s pointe shoes that support you through every piqué and pirouette. We offer a range of pointe shoes to suit every individual ballerina’s requirements, no matter how advanced they are.

Because we know choosing the right women’s pointe shoe is a very personal choice, we have plenty of different fit and style options that will allow you to customise the perfect shoe for you. This includes a variety of shank lengths and strength levels, box and platform sizes, V cut and U cut styles for a customisable fit, and heel taper options. For those strengthening and preparing for pointe shoes, we offer demi pointe leather soled slippers as the perfect transitional shoe.

Discover your perfect pointe in a range of colours

Looking to move beyond classic ballet pink women’s pointe shoes? Our range of Australian designed shoes comes in a range of bold colours; including black women’s pointe shoes, white, cobalt, red, and a variety of colours perfect for dancers with deeper skin tones. Shop today to discover womens pointe shoes from brands Gaynor Minden, Freed Studio, Grishko and Energetiks’ own designs.

From your warm up to your performance on centre stage, Energetiks will support you every step of the way with high-quality dancewear that enhances your dance.

Going en pointe is a major milestone that takes strength, talent, and the right pointe shoes to do it, and at Energetiks we understand the importance of getting it right.

The customisable options for our ballet pointe shoes will give you total control when selecting the right pointe shoe for you. Pre-arched shanks beautifully mimic the shape of your foot en pointe, while extra-wide platforms and comfortable toe cushions will keep you dancing on your toes for hours. Choose from a range of colours including classic pale pink, white, black, cobalt, red, and a diverse range of skin tone shades.

Shop our range of demi-pointe shoes for beginner dancers to transition up to full pointe. Choose a pointe shoe in classical ballet pink or shop the other fashion colours in our selection. Whether you opt for our Australian designed Energetiks’ pointe shoes or ballet pointe shoes from brands Gaynor Minden, Grishko and Freed, you’ll love the pre-arched styles and beautiful tapered lines of our ballet pointe shoes.

Booking an online appointment is easy!

Location:  In-store  Dancewear Essentials  756 Cameron Rd, Tauranga

or   Mobile Fitting at Dance Studio (more details may be required such as sizing etc.)

Please advise in the note section if this is your first time having a Pointe Shoe fitting and the name of your dance school. Once you have completed your booking an Energetiks Pointe Shoe Fitter will be in-touch with you to confirm your appointment.

Appointments made are for one dancer only, to avoid dissapointment please allow 48 hours notice when booking your appointment.

If you wish to book sooner or make an appointment for more than one dancer, please contact your local Energetiks authorised store via telephone

  • Pointe Shoe Size Guide

Our pointe shoe size charts are a guide only, they should be used as an aid and should not replace a personal fitting.

Energetiks recommends being professionally fitted before purchasing any pointe shoes.

  • Only order if you are certain of your exact style, size and width of shoe
  • No refunds or exchanges will be given on pointe shoes for change of mind or incorrect size selection

Please note that shoe size may vary due to the shape and width of the feet.

Pointe Shoe Size Guide

Shoe Size

Length mm

Energetiks

Freed

Grishko

Gaynor Minden
3.5 200 1 1
4 205 1.5 1.5
4.5 210 33 2 2 5 – 5.5
5 215 34 2.5 2.5 5.5 – 6
5.5 220 34.5 3 3 6 – 6.5
6 225 35 3.5 3.5 6.5 – 7
6.5 230 36 4 4 7 – 7.5
7 235 37 4.5 4.5 7.5 – 8
7.5 240 37.5 5 5 8 – 8.5
8 245 38 5.5 5.5 8.5 – 9
8.5 250 39 6 6 9 – 9.5
9 255 40 6.5 6.5 9.5 – 10
9.5 260 41 7 7 10 – 10.5
10 265 42 7.5 7.5 10.5 – 11
10.5 270 43 8 8 11 – 11.5
11 275 44 8.5 11.5 – 12

 

Width Description – Pointe Shoes
*Please note that shoe width may vary due to the shape of the pointe shoe box.

FIT Energetiks Freed Studio Freed Classic Grishko
Extra Narrow Fit W1 M 1x
Narrow Fit W2 C 1x 2x
Standard Fit W3 D 2x 3x
Wide Fit W4 E 3x 4x
Extra Wide Fit W5 EE 5x
 X Extra Wide Fit W6


Pointe Shoe Model Selection Chart

How To Measure Your Feet:

1. Place a piece of blank paper on a hard floor.
2. Stand on the paper.
3. Holding a pencil vertically, place a mark at the end of your heel.
4. Place another mark at the tip of your longest toe.
5. Repeat for other foot.
6. To find your size, measure the heel-to-toe mark in centimeters.

Sewing your Pointe Shoe Ribbons: A Guide

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Sewing ribbons on your pointe shoes. Seems easy enough? However, when we tell first time dancers or dance parents that the ribbons need to be sewn on the shoes, we are often met with nervous looks of apprehension. But sewing your ribbons on to your shoes isn’t actually that difficult! Once you’ve done your first pair you’ll feel like a pro and end up helping others with this somewhat ‘daunting’ task. While it can feel a little tedious, think of it as mindful activity that you can do while you’re sitting in the sun or watching your favourite TV show.
Outlined below is a step-by-step guide that will assist you with sewing on your ribbons. We highlight what you’ll need and also explain how to sew on your elastic if that’s something that needs to be done too!

What you’ll need:

  •      Pink or white cotton/thread

  •      Needle

  •      Thimble (optional)

  •      Ribbon

  •      Elastic (if required)

  •      Pencil

  •      Safety Pins/Sewing Pins

Step One

To start off, bend the back heel of the shoe forward towards the front of the shoe, then straight down so it looks like a fold (Diagram 1). With a pencil, make a mark on the cotton lining where the fold is on both sides of the shoe (position 3 in the diagram). This will be where you sew your ribbons. Once you’ve marked where you’ll be sewing on the shoes, you can unfold the heel back to its original shape to make it easier for you to start sewing your ribbons.

Diagram 1

Diagram 1

Marking where to sew the ribbons on your shoes.

Marking where to sew the ribbons on your shoes.

Step Two

Pointe Shoe Ribbon comes in one long piece. To work out what you’ll need for each shoe, cut the ribbon in half and then cut those halves in half again so you are left with four even pieces, one for each side of the shoe.
If you’re using Stretch Pointe Shoe Ribbon, you’ll need to do the same thing.
If you’re wanting to use the Flexi-Ribbon, it will already come in four even pieces. There will be a longer section and shorter section either side of the ribbed elastic. The shorter side will be the side that gets sewn onto the shoe.

*details on how to sew Flexi-Ribbon will be shared later as it will differ slightly.

Step Three

Place a piece of ribbon at the marked position and sew through the inner cotton lining only (not the satin), all around the edge of the ribbon. Ensure you don’t sew the ribbon through the binding as the drawstring won’t be able to be adjusted and the binding may pull away from the satin.
Repeat this on each side for both shoes (four times in total).

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Step Four

Once you’ve sewn your ribbons on you can then trim the ends to the required lengths. This is usually best done when you’ve put your shoe on, tied the ribbons around the ankle, and double knotted them. You can then trim the excess, allowing a few cm of overhang in case you want them tighter or looser on certain days. One length of ribbon will be shorter than the other due to the way the ribbons need to be tied.
To prevent them from fraying you can apply clear nail polish to the ends or you can get a lighter or match and lightly burn the edges.
If you’re unsure of how to tie your shoe ribbons, you can have a look at our blog ‘Tying your Pointe Shoes: A Guide’.

Step Five

This step is for those who also want to have elastic on their pointe shoes to provide a little extra support (position 4 on diagram 2).
To sew on your elastic you’ll first need to pin it on one side of the back heel seam. You can use a safety pin or sewing pin to do this. Put your shoe on and then stretch the elastic around your ankle to where it feels comfortable for you and then pin it on the other side of the back heel seam. Once you’ve taken your shoe off you can then sew it in to place, as you did with the ribbon, and remove the pins.

These steps will be the same regardless of whether you choose to use Ballet Elastic or Shirbrand Elastic.

Diagram 2

Diagram 2

Elastic being placed further down the shoe.

Elastic being placed further down the shoe.

Extra Tips

  • Flexi-Ribbon Sewing – The main difference when sewing Flexi-Ribbon is to ensure you have the ribbed elastic section sitting perfectly on your achilles tendon. In order to do this, perform Step One where you bend the heel and mark the position, then put the shoe on. Stretch the elastic around the achilles and then pin the shorter end to the mark that has been made on the side of the shoe. Repeat for the other side and then tie the ribbons up. Double check the elastic feels comfortable and tweak where required. Once this has been done you can continue with Steps Three & Four.

  • For extra support, ribbons can be sewn further down the shoe closer to the inner sole. You can also place the ribbon on a slight angle towards the front of the shoe to provide more security. Elastic can also be sewn closer to the ribbons or further down the shoe – wherever feels best for you.

  • The same steps can be followed to sew ribbons on to your ballet shoes. The main differences are the ribbon width will be narrower for ballet shoes, you’ll be using a leather shoe instead of satin and you won’t need to attach elastic around the ankle.

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That’s it! With a bit of practice you’ll soon be sewing those ribbons with your eyes closed (almost!). For more tips and tricks when it comes to pointe shoes have a look at our Ballet 101: All about Pointe Shoe Padding or Pointe Shoe Care: Tips to make your pointe shoes last articles.

Happy Sewing!

Accesories: 
As well as having an incredible range of options available in the pointe shoe itself, dancers today also have a wide variety of tools available to help them customise the shoe to their exact foot shape and to minimise discomfort. Dancers can pad their shoes with Pointe Pouches, which cushion the ball of the foot, tips and top of the toes with protective gel, Pro Pointe Pouches which only cushions the tip of the toes and tops of the feet,  Toe Spacers, which can be either ‘Spreaders’ or ‘Separators’ that help space the toes evenly inside the shoe and fill in any gaps that might cause sinking or pain. Then there’s Toe Tubes – hollow elastic tubing that prevents rubbing and blisters by protecting the toes with a gel lining and comes as 1/2 Gel, Full Gel, or ‘Tippy Toes‘ (tubing that also covers the ends of the toes to provide extra cushioning on pointe). There’s Lambswool, for more specific contour and padding, allowing you to choose the exact amount and shape you need for each foot, and lastly Suede Toe Caps (which cover the outer platform of the shoe) and Rosin (which is crushed and stepped in to cover the soles and platforms of the shoe) which both give the shoes more grip on slippery surfaces.

The Dancers Foot:

Dancers’ feet can be as varying and diverse as the dancers themselves, and each variation in width, flexibility, toe length, strength, and every other characteristic will determine exactly which style of pointe shoe will most help to enhance and support the individual dancer.
Below is a summary of each of the characteristics that your pointe shoe fitter will examine to find your exact foot type.

The instep is the topmost surface of the foot between the toes and the base of the ankle.  The level of ‘curve’ or flexibility you have here combined with the flexibility of your arches and ankles determines how ‘bendy’ your feet are, and what type of shank will suit you best.

The arch is the curved area underneath the foot (mirroring the instep) which is used to assess the foot type according to ‘flatness’. Someone with a high arch will have a large gap between the middle of their arch and the floor, whereas someone with no arch will have no gap at all (this is called ‘flat feet’), which can make pointe work – and rising en pointe in particular – challenging if not properly fitted.

Similar to the pointe shoe profile (or crown), the foot profile refers to the amount of distance between the top and bottom of the foot at it’s mid-section. This measurement is important for selecting the box shape and profile height of the pointe shoe, as too low of a shoe profile will result in the foot ‘spilling over’ on pointe, and too high of a profile will make the toes sink down painfully into the box.

Foot compressibility isn’t a part of the foot, but a rather a measurement of the amount of lateral ‘compression’ that occurs over the metatarsals, which will in turn impact which box width is most suitable for the foot. For example, a wide foot may initially appear to suit a wide, square box, but if the foot has great compressibility (narrows significantly when squeezed lightly by the fitter) it would be far more suited to a narrower, slightly tapered box, as a wide box would result in the dancer sinking down into the shoe when en pointe.

The length of toes, and length of each toe in relation to the others also greatly affects the box type that will be most suitable for the dancer: someone with a second toe that is much longer than the other toes (including the big toe) will usually best suit a tapered box (one that narrows toward the toes) to minimise the empty space inside the end of the shoe, fully support the foot and reduce the amount of sinking. Egyptian, Peasant, Square and Greek are the most common variations amongst foot types due to toe length (see examples of toe shape in the illustration above).

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Jessi Seymour wears Energetiks Thea Pointe Shoe

With so many important things to consider when looking at pointe shoes, it’s little wonder why being fitted by a professional, trained pointe shoe fitter is so beneficial for dancers. A good pair of pointe shoes can transform your dancing by enhancing the feet and the line of the legs, and making the experience of dancing en pointe feel natural, comfortable and secure.

“As pointe shoe fitters we understand how crucial a correctly fitted pointe shoe is to a dancer and we make it our mission to fit each dancer in a shoe that perfectly complements the very specific technical needs, ability and requirements of your feet, as well as your personal preferences. Every pair of feet are different as is every dancer and so every pointe shoe fitting is a unique process we tailor to meet your needs and ensure you walk away happy and confident that you have the perfect shoes.”

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