Best Pointe Shoes For Wide Feet: Our Top 4
Going en pointe is the rite of passage for ballet dancers as they progress through their ballet journey. The difference between a dancer embracing pointe work and hating it is a good pair of pointe shoes.
An ill-fitting pair of pointe shoes will introduce many feet injuries such as blisters, black toenails and sprained ankles. Besides that, in a bad pointe shoe, foot may sickle or develop bad habits to compensate for the wrong size. These habits once formed, will be difficult to correct. However, choosing the right pointe shoes will allow dancers of all foot shapes and sizes to dance safely and securely.
Wider feet will not hinder the ability to perform on pointe; it is merely an aesthetic issue. Wider feet provide greater stability and balance which in return, benefits the dancer. With experience, a dancer will be able to pinpoint their needs and wants in a ballet shoe. Many pointe shoe brands such as Grishko, Capezio and Russian Pointe are great options for a dancer with wide feet.
Continue reading to find the best pointe shoes for wide feet. In this article, we will explore all three types of wide feet: tapered, squared and inverted.
Anatomy of Pointe Shoes
Understanding the different parts of the shoes and their names will help you articulate better on your quest for the best pair of pointe shoes. Besides that, it will also help the pointe shoe fitter to better understand your needs and find the perfect pair for you.
PART OF THE SHOE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Platform | The flat surface at the tip of the shoes that serves as a platform for dancers to balance on |
Box | The frontest part of the shoes that supports the toes |
Vamp | The area between the platform and the drawstring of the shoes |
Shank | The stiff insole of the shoes and supports the arch of the feet |
Profile | The side of the shoes that runs from the outer sole to the top of the feet |
The box of the shoes is the biggest determining factor for a dancer with wide feet because you need to find the right box shape that gives you comfort while dancing.
How the Shape of your Feet Influences the Type of Pointe Shoes
Every ballet pointe shoes is custom made to fit a unique foot shape. From the width of your feet to the height of your arch, there would be a style of pointe shoes that actually match your needs.
For example, a dancer with low arches will need more assistance to be able to get on top of their pointe. Those decisions may lead them to choose pointe shoes with a lower vamp, softer shank or built-in arch.
One most common issue for girls with wide feet is finding the right shoe size. The pointe shoes may fit in the front but the heels may be too loose. Therefore, ballerinas with wide feet require shoes that run wide in the box width and narrow in the heels.
How to Fit Pointe Shoes for Wide Feet?
It is best to get fitted before buying a new pair of pointe slippers because often times, they do not fit the same as streetwear.
Before setting foot in a dance supply shop, call them up to check on the availability in stock. If this is your first time, ask if a fitter will be around to assist.
To find the perfect pointe shoes, a dancer should try it on with toe pads and tights. In your ballet slippers, your feet should lay flat when you're standing. Next, stand in second position and do a full plié. You need to go a size bigger if your big toe or longest toe is digging into the platform.
Generally, ensure that your toes do not feel pinched or pushed up against the platform. Your feet should not be puffing out of the drawstrings and you should feel lifted when you're on pointe. Also, you should allow one finger-width of space in the back of your shoes.
It may be harder for girls with wide feet to find the right pointe shoe that fits. The toes may fit well, but the heels would be too loose. Therefore, be on the look out for pointe shoes that taper from a wide toe width to narrow heels.
Here is how the anatomy of the shoe affects your foot
The size of the box depends on the toe length and foot width. The flexibility of the arch affects the strength of the shank while your heel shape affects the heel width.
Type of Shoes Needed for Different Types of Wide Feet
Tapered (Egyptian) and Wide
You have tapered feet if the size of your toes decreases in length from the big toe to the little toe. For tapered feet, you need pointe shoes with a triangular and tapered box.
Square and Wide
Square toes are easy to spot. You will notice that all your toes are of almost equal length. In that case, you need shoes with a square box and a high crown. However, it is harder to spot a square or tapered box. It may look like a squared box from the outside, but has tapered spacing on the inside. Make sure to do your research and try it on!
Inverted (Roman) and Wide
If your first two toes are similar in size and the rest tapers off, you have inverted toes. For this foot shape, you want to get pointe shoes with a rounded square box and high profile.
Top 4 of The Best Pointe Shoes for Wide Feet
For Egyptian and Wide Feet
1. Capezio Airess
Get to the pointe with the Capezio Airess Tapered Toe Pointe Shoes. True to the premium quality of Capezio shoes, they are available in four width sizes. They come with a wide and tapered toe box that provides longer-lasting balance. The Airess features built-in plush inner cushion for superior comfort that allows you to dance the day away.
Some slippers are skived to reduce the thickness of the shank to provide flexibility at the heel or the ball of the feet.
- Available in four width sizes
- Skived #1 leather shank
- Wide box for greater balance
- Variety of shank strengths
- Built-in plush inner cushion for superior comfort
- U-shaped throat with elastic drawstring
- Stitched pleating for quiet landing
Pirouette like a professional with the Russian pointe shoe. The Russian Entrande is part of Russian Pointe's Spotlight Collection which offers six varieties in shank width and two vamp shapes. They are perfect for dancers that need more support in the metatarsals because it features a pre-arch in the shank of the shoes, facilitating better pointe work and minimizing time to break into the shoes.
- Available in six width sizes and two vamp shapes
- Medium toe platform and medium-high profile
- Pre-arched construction to mimic the shape of the feet
- V-shaped throat without drawstrings
For Square and Wide Feet
3. Capezio Plie II
Jeté as quiet as a mouse in the Capezio Plie II! These premium wide pointe shoes are a popular choice for dancers with moderate square and wide feet. The Plie II creates a clean silhouette with its U-shaped throat, medium height vamp and skived #3 leather shank. The moderate shank strength will provide great support and the pleatings on the platform absorbs sound as you transition into movements.
- Broad feathered toe box
- Skived #3 leather shank
- Medium height vamp
- U-shaped throat
- Pleating on the platform for quiet dancing
- Elastics drawstrings
For Roman and Wide Feet
4. Capezio Cambre
Dance with satisfaction in these comfortable and snug ballet slippers. These premium pointe shoes feature a deep vamp and low sides which are best for dancers with wide feet and strong arch. Features built-in plush inner lining and a wide platform for comfort and stability in class or on stage.
- Broad toe box
- #4 shank, 3/4 skived
- Slightly U-shaped throat
- Deep vamp and low sides
- Low sides with narrow heels
- Built-in plush inner lining and wide platform
- Elastic drawstrings
The Best Pointe Shoes for Wide Feet
... is the Russian Pointe Entrande!
It is a guarantee for any dancer with wide feet to find the right size because it comes in six different width sizes! Dancers will have the opportunity to customize their pointe shoes feet with the wide selection of width size, shank type and strength without custom-ordered pointe shoes!
Russian Pointe is every dancer's dream because of its attention to detail, fine craftsmanship and exceptional quality. Russian Pointe is also consistent from one pair to the next, making it easy to find a replacement. Besides that, they come with the latest cutting-edge technology to engineer shoes that provides unmatched support for professional dancers.
Conclusion
Finding the best pointe shoes for wide feet is a journey itself, and the results are extremely satisfying.
Ballet shoes are available in a wide selection of styles, shapes and sizes to accommodate for the growing and inclusive dance industry. The abundance of information is not meant to overwhelm you. Instead, they are meant to guide you in the right direction.