As an online retailer we do not advise young dancers or dancers new to pointe purchasing their pointe shoes online. Pointe shoes should be professionally fitted by a trained pointe shoe fitter- contact your local dance retailer to book your pointe shoe fitting, your ballet teacher should be able to recommend a professional fitter. This is true for all dancers new to pointe, as well as younger dancers whose feet are continuously growing.
Once a dancer’s feet stop growing and they have become accustomed to a certain brand and style of pointe shoes you would be able to purchase the same pair online for ease. Pointe shoes are not toys or a fashion item, they should only be used by dancers trained in pointe and only when given the go-ahead by their ballet teacher. Mis-use of pointe shoes can lead to injuries when not used properly.
The Transition from Ballet Slippers to Pointe Shoes
The transition from standard ballet shoes to a pointe shoe can be a big one. Many dancers opt to use demi pointes first and then move to full pointe shoes. Please be aware that this transition should not be attempted without the advice of your ballet teacher.
The difference between a demi pointe and a pointe shoe is that while both have a shaped box, the demi points don’t have a stiff shank in the sole. So this gives dancers the opportunity to get used to the feeling of a pointe shoe before they begin learning to dance en pointe.
Things to Consider When Buying Your First Pair of Pointe Shoes
Before we share our view on the best pointe shoes for beginners, here are some really important things to consider:
- You really can’t buy pointe shoes to “grow into.” By their very nature and in order to give the support required when dancing en pointe, pointe shoes must be a snug fit.
- When buying for a young dancer, you should be led by their qualified dance teacher in terms of when it is time for them to move into pointe shoes. They’ll tell you when the dancer is ready and only then should you start shopping for them so you buy the right size at the right time.
- Bloch, one of our favourite pointe shoe brands, has three different width offerings and various flexibility options as well. Take a look at the size guide to establish which is likely to be the best fit for you.
- Certain foot shapes typically fit certain pointe shoes better.
- Many brands now offer more all-inclusive skin tones in pointe shoes so it is easier to match your tights to your shoes.
Foot Shapes
When we refer to foot shapes, we talk about them in 3 ways:
- Greek foot - where the second toe (the one next to the big toe) is longer than the big toe.
- Egyptian foot - where the big toe is the longest and the subsequent toes get shorter each time (i.e. the second toe is the second longest, middle toe is third longest etc).
- Giselle/Peasant foot is where the toes are all the same or a similar length.
Best Pointe Shoes for Beginners
With that in mind, here are some recommendations for the best pointe shoes for beginners.
| Pointe Shoe | Image | What we Love | Fitting | Foot Shape Suitability |
| Bloch Balance European Pointe Shoes |  |
Available in different colours suitable for various skin tones. Suitable for beginners. Curved last and shank. | Available in 3 width fittings | Egyptian and Peasant shaped feet |
| Bloch Aspiration Pointe Shoes |  |
A medium shank pointe shoe suitable for all foot shapes. | Available in 4 width fittings | All foot shapes |
| Bloch Balance Lisse Pointe Shoes |  |
A wide platform shoe that’s very supportive. | Available in 4 width fittings | Egyptian and Peasant shaped feed |
Best Brand of Pointe Shoes for Beginners
You may notice that our recommendations for beginner friendly pointe shoes are all Bloch. One of the main reasons for that is the high quality manufacture of all of their products. But the various width options is really important as well.
We love the fits and the supportive nature of these shoes. But more than anything, our customers love them. As advised at the beginning of this blog, it is imperative to get your first pointe shoes fitted professionally and properly at your local retailer.