Help adjusting pointe shoes

[PasDeTrois]

So I just started pointe about 3 months ago. I have very compressive, bendy feet and ankles, and I keep hearing debate between whether I need a softer or harder shank. 
 

I am currently wearing Nova M shank in 3.5X, have worn them for about 3-4 30 minute per week classes. I have glued in 1-2 sock liners and may add a box liner if my feet are particularly compressive on that day. It feels weirdly unstable despite the hard shank. It is the correct size for me though. I can get over the box anyway because of the strength and flexibility, but it’s still extra work on my joints, muscles, and tendons. 

 

I also have the Nova Flex 3XX M shank, which is too wide and a bit short, but broke in beautifully in the arch, and actually feels more supportive and stable somehow. But if I add in the padding I need (box liner, pro pad, toe spacer) or even sturdy elastics, then the back of the shoe starts rubbing against my heel, which is very very painful. 
 

So right now I don’t have very good situation. Is there a way to made the harder shoe bend where it needs to bend, or add some length to the softer one so I don’t get awful heel friction? 
 

Edited December 11, 2024 by PasDeTrois

[Jan McNulty]

Hello @PasDeTrois and welcome to the Forum!

[Pas de Quatre]

I would suggest you explore Lisa Howells website. She is an Australian physio specialising in ballet. Her short video "how to break in pointe shoes" explains how to break in shanks to conform to your arch. Another is about shoes rubbing on the heel. Good luck

[PasDeTrois]

@Pas de Quatre Thank you! I do see the Lisa Howell video about breaking in pointe shoes—the issue is the shank is graded so I have no leverage against the shoe, if that makes sense. 

 

I’m not seeing a video on the heel rubbing part though. Is it on YouTube? 

[Pas de Quatre]

I don't know if it is on YouTube, on her website she has several pages of free videos and I think it is listed on page 2 or 3. I haven't watched it so can't give info on what it says.

[taxi4ballet]

Have you spoken to your dance teacher and asked their advice? That would be the first port of call, as they will be aware of your level of training, core strength and foot shape etc. It may well be that neither pair of shoes is quite right for your particular needs.

[PasDeTrois]

1 hour ago, taxi4ballet said:

Have you spoken to your dance teacher and asked their advice? That would be the first port of call, as they will be aware of your level of training, core strength and foot shape etc. It may well be that neither pair of shoes is quite right for your particular needs.

I have not yet, it feels a little silly to ask the teacher for help breaking in the shoes when I’m such a newbie to pointe, and my classmates don’t have as hard a shank either. 
 

It has been a real journey even finding the correct size and general shape, the 2 pairs I had (Bloch Etu, Suffolk Stellars) were fine in store but way too wide and boxy when my feet are very warm. 

[taxi4ballet]

On 11/12/2024 at 15:39, PasDeTrois said:

I have not yet, it feels a little silly to ask the teacher for help breaking in the shoes when I’m such a newbie to pointe

Please don't feel silly, they are the very best person to ask.

[PasDeTrois]

12 minutes ago, taxi4ballet said:

Please don't feel silly, they are the very best person to ask.

Thank you! I’ll ask them next pointe class. I do know they would rather have me work through a (significantly) harder shank and have the extra stability while I build up strength. But the not fully forming to my arch part is making the shoe less stable for me. 

[Peony]

If you’ve been through 4 sets of shoes in 3 months and had to seriously adjust the current ones with sock liners, box liners etc I’d try and get someone else to fit you. It looks like you haven’t sewn the nova flex so you’ll probably be able to return them. Shoes can stretch over time but you’ve not worn them that much! The instability may be caused by all

the additions to the shoe. Compressibility is tricky but can be reduced a bit by doing lots of foot exercises (Lisa Howell may be useful for this too!)

[PasDeTrois]

12 minutes ago, Peony said:

If you’ve been through 4 sets of shoes in 3 months and had to seriously adjust the current ones with sock liners, box liners etc I’d try and get someone else to fit you. It looks like you haven’t sewn the nova flex so you’ll probably be able to return them. Shoes can stretch over time but you’ve not worn them that much! The instability may be caused by all

the additions to the shoe. Compressibility is tricky but can be reduced a bit by doing lots of foot exercises (Lisa Howell may be useful for this too!)

I do foot exercises as prescribed by my PT, who is also a dancer and treats hypermobility. but I’ll check out Lisa Howell as well! 
 

It is just wildly difficult to find shoes that don’t require any adjusting, the Novas are already significantly better than previous shoes, and they’re in the narrowest commercially available width X. I’ve gotten fitted like 3-4 times already! For the sake of my wallet, I’d like to do what I can with the Novas until they die and circle back to the Flex or 3007s. I dunno if there’s a better option out there. 

[Peony]

Russian pointe used to be good for narrow feet but I’m not sure how easy they are to get hold of. The other thing which might work is one of the mouldable toe pads

[PasDeTrois]

1 hour ago, Peony said:

Russian pointe used to be good for narrow feet but I’m not sure how easy they are to get hold of. The other thing which might work is one of the mouldable toe pads

I have seen the fitters near me have R-Class but only a few Russian Pointes, usually the Rubin/Rubin Radiance, which isn’t low profile or tapered enough for me. 
 

I tried DIYing the moldable toe pads, with some success except that the sock was too thin and the putty dyed the inside of my shoe a bit yellow. Maybe it’s worth it to try out the actual kit… 

[academicdancer]

Is it possible to get fitted when your feet are warm? It makes a big difference when you have compressible feet, but I recognise that it's easy for me as my local fitter attends classes with me so can bring shoes to try on at the end of class. Maybe warm your feet up at home and then wear very warm socks/shoes to your fitting appointment.

 

Additionally, are you getting fitted with your padding? I don't know why the shoe is rubbing your heel with your padding - surely you would notice this in the fitting and say it doesn't feel good? Essentially, it is too small if it is doing that!

 

This Lisa Howell video (that was  mentioned by Pas de Quatre) is about the fit of shoes and talks about the heel.

 

https://youtu.be/35gPlaYOnm4?si=FbEx_gpuA62DfkAl

 

Hopefully your teacher can help you - if they are teaching pointe they should hopefully have experience with these problems!

 

Also, with all shoes you should be manipulating the shank to bend at your natural arch. It will break in the wrong place if you do nothing and just wear the shoes in class. I believe Lisa Howell says this in another handy YouTube video (also mentions by Pas de Quatre)

 

Additionally, are your shoes the right shape for your feet? I.e. you shouldn't be able to fit a finger in the top of the box when you're wearing them as once that flattens out your box will get a lot wider. Is the taper of the shoe suiting the taper of your feet? Are your toes properly in alignment and not being squished together in a way that puts you at risk for bunion development?

[PasDeTrois]

8 hours ago, academicdancer said:

Is it possible to get fitted when your feet are warm? It makes a big difference when you have compressible feet, but I recognise that it's easy for me as my local fitter attends classes with me so can bring shoes to try on at the end of class. Maybe warm your feet up at home and then wear very warm socks/shoes to your fitting appointment.

 

Additionally, are you getting fitted with your padding? I don't know why the shoe is rubbing your heel with your padding - surely you would notice this in the fitting and say it doesn't feel good? Essentially, it is too small if it is doing that!

 

This Lisa Howell video (that was  mentioned by Pas de Quatre) is about the fit of shoes and talks about the heel.

 

https://youtu.be/35gPlaYOnm4?si=FbEx_gpuA62DfkAl

 

Hopefully your teacher can help you - if they are teaching pointe they should hopefully have experience with these problems!

 

Also, with all shoes you should be manipulating the shank to bend at your natural arch. It will break in the wrong place if you do nothing and just wear the shoes in class. I believe Lisa Howell says this in another handy YouTube video (also mentions by Pas de Quatre)

 

Additionally, are your shoes the right shape for your feet? I.e. you shouldn't be able to fit a finger in the top of the box when you're wearing them as once that flattens out your box will get a lot wider. Is the taper of the shoe suiting the taper of your feet? Are your toes properly in alignment and not being squished together in a way that puts you at risk for bunion development?

I did get fitted with warm feet for the Nova, and I thought my feet were warm enough for the Nova Flex fitting, but I guess they weren’t? My feet change in compressibility wildly, I think depending on the time of the day and the month.
 

That’s good to know about breaking the shoes in by hand, because right now the Novas are not breaking in the right place. I will try breaking them in—might have to soften them up with steam, because otherwise the shank is so stiff that not even my 6 foot tall boyfriend can bend them! 
 

I honestly feel stuck about the width because technically the XX is better for the metatarsals but not narrow/low profile enough to prevent sinking. The X is better at preventing sinking but my metatarsals are a tiny bit squished. I’m not sure which way to go. 
 

My teacher does have experience teaching pointe but I don’t think he’s seen feet as compressive as mine, where they shrink at least half to 3/4 inch in width even with a toe spacer. 

Edited December 13, 2024 by PasDeTrois

[HopelessMummy]

If you're paying a fortune for pointe shoes, you should not be having to add additions, DIY and sock lines etc. 

I agree with the others, speak to your teacher- although you indicate he's male? So he may not be as helpful if he's not done pointe himself. And book yourself in for a pointe fitting session in an afternoon when your feet are plenty warm etc.

 

All the best, I'm sorry it's so stressful and hope you get sorted soon

[PasDeTrois]

2 hours ago, HopelessMummy said:

If you're paying a fortune for pointe shoes, you should not be having to add additions, DIY and sock lines etc. 

I agree with the others, speak to your teacher- although you indicate he's male? So he may not be as helpful if he's not done pointe himself. And book yourself in for a pointe fitting session in an afternoon when your feet are plenty warm etc.

 

All the best, I'm sorry it's so stressful and hope you get sorted soon

Thank you, it’s been a financially stressful endeavor lol! I hate that the other ladies in class can get fitted one time and be done with it. I think my best bet are Russian shoes, I just don’t know if anything comes low profile enough. Maybe if I custom ordered the N width in Grishko Nova/Nova Flex/3007 and smashed down the box? 

[taxi4ballet]

On 13/12/2024 at 17:46, PasDeTrois said:

My teacher does have experience teaching pointe but I don’t think he’s seen feet as compressive as mine, where they shrink at least half to 3/4 inch in width even with a toe spacer. 

Ah. Does he have any experience of actually dancing on pointe himself? I know some male dancers do, but if he hasn't, then you might need to find a short-term alternative teacher.

[PasDeTrois]

3 hours ago, taxi4ballet said:

Ah. Does he have any experience of actually dancing on pointe himself? I know some male dancers do, but if he hasn't, then you might need to find a short-term alternative teacher.

You know, that’s a good question. I think he did do some training en pointe but I am not 100% sure. Do you mean like finding a teacher specifically for pointe work while I build up the basic skills? 

[Colman]

Even if he’s done a reasonable amount of pointe training he might come up short if you’ve got very unusual feet.

My wife and son both took about four tries to get reasonable shoes between fitters in Dublin and London and experienced teachers. 

Finding a really experienced teacher for some advice and pointers might not be  a bad idea. 
 

(Pretty sure my best bet is to contact a farrier!)

[Pas de Quatre]

On 14/12/2024 at 17:59, PasDeTrois said:

Thank you, it’s been a financially stressful endeavor lol! I hate that the other ladies in class can get fitted one time and be done with it. I think my best bet are Russian shoes, I just don’t know if anything comes low profile enough. Maybe if I custom ordered the N width in Grishko Nova/Nova Flex/3007 and smashed down the box? 

I think this might be worth trying. 

[PasDeTrois]

22 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said:

I think this might be worth trying. 

That or Russian Pointes/R-Class! I also liked Suffolk shanks but the Stellars were way too boxy. So it’s a matter of figuring out which brand to try for my type of feet. Do you have any recommendations? 

[PasDeTrois]

35 minutes ago, Colman said:

Even if he’s done a reasonable amount of pointe training he might come up short if you’ve got very unusual feet.

My wife and son both took about four tries to get reasonable shoes between fitters in Dublin and London and experienced teachers. 

Finding a really experienced teacher for some advice and pointers might not be  a bad idea. 
 

(Pretty sure my best bet is to contact a farrier!)

I’ll ask around about pointe classes, nearby there’s a female dance teacher that I took a few classes with, and she knows my current teacher. Just hoping it doesn’t get awkward since apparently teachers know each other 😬 My current teacher is known by even one of the pointe shoe fitters I went to. 

[Colman]

Talk to your teacher, explain your concerns and ask what he thinks and if he’d recommend anyone.

 

A good teacher isn’t possessive of students. 

[Pas de Quatre]

Are you in UK, or USA?  Brands and models of pointe shoes on sale are not necessarily the same.  I ran my own school for over 30 years in UK and in general found that Grishko shoes catered for extreme feet, very narrow & shallow, or very wide. Suffolk also have a low profile. Some pupils with narrow feet also went for Gaynor Minden.  This is a brand that people love or hate, but if it is the only one that fits it can work well. Finally, I always liked Repetto shoes but I don't think they are available outside France.

[PasDeTrois]

45 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said:

Are you in UK, or USA?  Brands and models of pointe shoes on sale are not necessarily the same.  I ran my own school for over 30 years in UK and in general found that Grishko shoes catered for extreme feet, very narrow & shallow, or very wide. Suffolk also have a low profile. Some pupils with narrow feet also went for Gaynor Minden.  This is a brand that people love or hate, but if it is the only one that fits it can work well. Finally, I always liked Repetto shoes but I don't think they are available outside France.

I’m in the USA! Thank you for the recommendations! I’ll reconsider Suffolks as I really liked their shanks. I’m just surprised Grishko still wasn’t low profile or narrow enough for me, I know the 3007 and Novas are pretty tapered and narrow already. 

[PasDeTrois]

On 14/12/2024 at 07:14, HopelessMummy said:

If you're paying a fortune for pointe shoes, you should not be having to add additions, DIY and sock lines etc. 

I agree with the others, speak to your teacher- although you indicate he's male? So he may not be as helpful if he's not done pointe himself. And book yourself in for a pointe fitting session in an afternoon when your feet are plenty warm etc.

 

All the best, I'm sorry it's so stressful and hope you get sorted soon

I think I managed to soften the shank up a bit with alcohol and get it to break at a better spot on my arch. It definitely feels more stable now. But ideally I’d get a shoe that doesn’t require alcohol and a lot of bending of the shank. 

[Justkeepsmiling]

My dd has very narrow and shallow feet and found Sansha Eezy Pros U-DV flex shoes to be great. We ordered from USA  as they are not widely available in the U.K. She previously wore an X fitting in the Grishko 3007.

Edited December 17, 2024 by Justkeepsmiling

[PasDeTrois]

1 hour ago, Justkeepsmiling said:

My dd has very narrow and shallow feet and found Sansha Eezy Pros U-DV flex shoes to be great. We ordered from USA  as they are not widely available in the U.K. She previously wore an X fitting in the Grishko 3007.

I see the REG U-DV and the STAR U-DV. I also see the Eezy Pros but there’s no U-DV after the name. 

 

 

[Justkeepsmiling]

40 minutes ago, PasDeTrois said:

I see the REG U-DV and the STAR U-DV. I also see the Eezy Pros but there’s no U-DV after the name.

I have checked the Sansha website and if you click on the link for the Pros the U-DV is showing beside  ‘Pros’.

Edited December 17, 2024 by Justkeepsmiling

[PasDeTrois]

50 minutes ago, Justkeepsmiling said:

I have checked the Sansha website and if you click on the link for the Pros the U-DV is showing beside  ‘Pros’.

Oh thank you! I’ll check that out. In the meantime I think I’ve managed to soften the shank of the Novas a bit to break at a better spot.