The 5 Best Pointe Shoe Brands of 2023

A woman holding up a pair of worn pointe shoes

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link*

It can be pretty daunting knowing which pointe shoe brand to choose. Especially if you’ve seen all the dance movies with horrible blistered and bloody ballerina feet.

Any normal person would say ‘No thank you, that’s not for me’.

Spoiler Alert: Dancers have to be a little bit crazy to inflict such torture.

But don’t be scared. It’s an incredibly exciting moment.

I still remember sleeping with my brand new Blochs under my pillow and coming home every day after school, slipping them on, and dancing in my kitchen.

As dancers, we understand that pointe shoes are more than just footwear. But not every pointe shoe is the same.

So what is the perfect pointe shoe brand and how do you choose it?

The perfect pointe shoe acts as your gateway to a mesmerising world of grace and beauty.

It’s the one that gives you that extra ‘oomph’ and confidence to perform at your best.

In this blog post, I will guide you through the process of selecting the perfect point shoe brand, and help you decide which one is best for you. Let’s go shopping.

I’ll address all your pointe shoe inquiries; including brand selection, style, advantages, and weaknesses, and take you one step closer to finding your perfect fit.

Best All Round

Nikolay/ Grishko 2007

Best for Shorter Toes

Bloch Heritage

Best for Beginners

Capezio Ava

Best for Durability

Gaynor Minden

Best for Professionals

Freed Classic

_{The 5 Best Pointe Shoe Brands (2023)}

WHAT ARE THE BEST POINTE SHOE BRANDS?

The best pointe shoe brands vary based on your specific needs as a dancer and the shape and strength of your feet.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all or as your parents might say, ‘you’ll grow into them‘.

As a beginner or student in training, pointe shoe brands like Bloch, Grishko, and Capezio have consistently proven to be reliable choices, providing comfort and support.

As you further progress in your training and dance career, pointe shoe brands like Freed (for aesthetics), and Gaynor Minden (for durability and shock absorbency), become noteworthy.

With that in mind, our recommendation for the best all-round pointe shoe brand is GRISHKO 2007.

NIKOLAY/GRISHKO 2007 – BEST ALL ROUND POINTE SHOE

_{Image credit: grishkoshop.com}

PROs

Very versatile, fits most dancers
Tapered box creates a more elegant leg line
Small platform; great for pirouette rotations

CONs

Small platform; can be difficult to balance on pointe
Can slip off your heel

BLOCH HERITAGE – BEST FOR SHORTER TOES

_{Image credit: uk.blochworld.com}

PROs

Ideal for beginners
Slightly tapered, v-cut, elegant line
Shorter vamp; easier to roll through and push over the box

CONs

Large heel; can disrupt the line of the foot
Built-in toe cushion; some dancers find this uncomfortable

CAPEZIO AVA – BEST FOR BEGINNERS

_{Image credit: uk.blochworld.com}

PROs

Soft but supportive
Insole has a ‘plush’ feel; grips easily to the skin and tights
Flat, wide platform; great for balance
Ideal for square feet
Uses less fabric; a more streamlined elegant look

CONs

Softer shank; tends to break low in the arch
Not ideal for dancers with very flexible feet
Difficult to sew due to thick material

GAYNOR MINDEN – BEST FOR DURABILITY

_{Image credit: uk.blochworld.com}

PROs

Don’t need to be broken in
Quieter than the average shoe
Ease of getting over the box
Longer lasting than other shoes
Can be machine-washed

CONs

Difficult to know when the shoe requires replacement
Aesthetically not as beautiful compared to other brands
After time they tend to smell _{(yes, shoe deodorant is a must!)}
Extremely difficult to sew ribbons and elastics

FREED CLASSIC – BEST FOR PROFESSIONALS

_{^{Image credit: store.freedoflondon.com}}

PROs

Aesthetic look
Very soft; helps build demi-pointe and ankle strength
Improves articulation
Hand-made; individual makers can meet your needs

CONs

Tend to be very soft; don’t last long
Requires shellac or jet glue for extra hardening
Specific for certain foot shapes
Can be difficult to obtain; makers may retire so you might need to find a new lone

FREE POINTE SHOE GUIDE

Feeling ready?

One last thing before you go shopping for those beautiful silky satin toe slippers. It’s a good idea to understand how a pointe shoe is designed.

That is the anatomy of a pointe shoe.

BOX

The front part of the shoe that encloses a dancer’s toes and provides a platform. Usually comes in three distinct shapes:

Tapered: best for those with narrow/Egyptian feet
Slightly tapered: best for average size feet, peasant, or Greek shape toes
Square: best for those with wide metatarsals.

PLATFORM

The hard, flat surface at the tip of the shoe provides the base to stand on pointe. Usually, it comes in narrow or wide.

SHANK

The rigid, flat piece inside the shoe’s sole that runs from the heel to the platform.

Usually comes in soft, medium, hard, and of varying lengths (full, ¾, or half shank).

VAMP

Part of the shoe that covers the top of a dancer’s toes, varying in shape.

V-Cut Shape: more streamlined and elegant look
U-Cut Shape: more contemporary look
Length: high, mid, or low depending on the length of the toes.

HEEL

Provides support to the back of the foot and helps maintain proper alignment while on pointe.

Comes in high or low depending on whether you have a narrow or wide heel.

RIBBONS AND ELASTICS

Items sewn onto the pointe shoe to secure the shoe to your foot and ankle.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT POINTE SHOE BRAND

A female dancer trying on a pair of pointe shoes — _{Image credit: https://getballetbox.com}

FOOT SHAPE

Make sure to examine the shoe’s structure.

Focus on key aspects such as the box, vamp, and heel height, and make sure these things suit your particular toe and foot shape.

FOOT STRENGTH

Look at the shoe´s firmness level or shank, which often ranges from extra soft to extra hard.

If you have highly flexible arches, you may lean towards a shoe that provides more support.

On the other hand, you may opt for a softer shoe to help develop better articulation and strength, instead of relying on the shoe itself to maintain support.

SPECIFIC NEEDS

The first thing is first.

What’s the purpose of your pointe shoe? Is it for Class? Rehearsals? Performances?

Answering this question plays a pivotal role in determining the most suitable pointe shoe.

Did you know, custom-made shoes can be an option too?

This is a great option if you have a preference for a particular brand or style, but need specific modifications (ie. increasing the vamp length, or changing the length of the sole).

TOP 3 POINTE SHOE CARE AND MAINTENANCE TIPS

ROTATE YOUR POINTE SHOES

Rotating between multiple pairs of pointe shoes allows each pair to fully dry out between use; preventing excessive wear and extending their lifespan.

SHELLAC, JET GLUE, AND DARNING

Using items like shellac, jet glue and even darning your shoes can extend their durability by strengthening areas prone to softening.

This prevents damage to the platform and can help to maintain proper alignment on pointe.

SHOE CARE

Try to leave your pointe shoes outside of a bag, remove any toe pads, trim any fraying on the platform, and treat them with the love they deserve.

BEST POINTE SHOE BRANDS OF 2023 – FAQs

ARE POINTE SHOES BAD FOR YOUR FEET?

Pointe shoes put immense pressure on your toes and ankles and can lead to various issues like blisters, calluses, bunions, and even more serious injuries.

It’s crucial to find the right shoe and maintain proper hygiene to minimise these problems.

Additionally, using accessories like toe pads, toe spacers, second skin, and toe tape, can be essential in protecting your feet from damage.

Trust me, nobody wants 80-year-old-looking toes when they’re 20!

WHICH POINTE SHOE BRAND IS BEST FOR WIDE FEET?

Every brand of pointe shoe will generally provide an option for wider feet. What may work best for one dancer may not suit another.

If width is important for you, try looking for a pointe shoe that has a square-shaped box. This will give you a wider platform.

Don’t be afraid to try different pointe shoe brands until you find one that works for you.

Sometimes it really is just a matter of trial and error.

CAN I PURCHASE POINTE SHOES ONLINE, OR IS IT BEST TO VISIT A PHYSICAL STORE?

It’s generally recommended to have a pointe shoe fitting from a trained professional in the store.

I’d recommend this approach if it’s your first time or if you´re looking to try different styles or brands.

However, if you ́re experienced and know what you ́re looking for, or you’re just ordering the same style of shoe, save yourself some time and order online.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE MY POINTE SHOES?

It’s generally a good indication that your pointe shoes need replacing when you begin to notice things such as:

A broken arch
Softening of the box
The pointe shoe no longer provides adequate support for pointe work

Pointe shoe durability can vary widely, with some shoes lasting dancers months, whilst others may only last weeks.

The answer is, it depends.

HOW MUCH ARE GOOD QUALITY POINTE SHOES?

Ahhh! Pointe shoes can be expensive. Prices typically range from $90 to $170.

What’s worse, it’s not uncommon to go through as many as three pairs in a single month.

I found that transitioning from Bloch to Gaynor Minden was primarily driven by cost-effectiveness.

Gaynors are made with durable and resilient materials and usually last three to five times longer than the normal pointe shoe.

WRAP UP

Always keep in mind that if you´re uncertain about what pointe shoe is best for you, seek guidance and assistance from a trained professional in a store.

As your technique, strength, and articulation evolve, so too may your choice of pointe shoe.

It’s important to note that even if your pointe shoes fit correctly, they can still be painful.

Wait, what?

This is why dancers undergo rigorous training to build the necessary strength, technique, and endurance to minimise discomfort and prevent injuries.

Pointe shoes are like onions. They have layers, and sometimes, they can make you cry (think Natalie Portman in Black Swan).