Week 7 - Pointe Shoe Accessories
- Josephine Lee
- Feb 15, 2021
- 9 min read
If pointe shoes were molded to the outline of the foot and offered the perfect amount of support, flexibility and stability, there would be little need for accessories. But since pointe shoes are symmetrical and feet are not, there are pressure points (hot spots) and negative spaces inside the shoe. Accessories are problem solvers. They can be tailored to help the shoe fit better, prevent injuries and avoid excessive pain. However, the use of accessories should be strategic so the dancer will not to become reliant on them. We should strive to use as little padding as possible but as much as the dancer needs to get started.
Accessories have three functions:
1. Avoiding pain and deformities
Avoiding pain: Most people associate pointe work with pain but if the dancer is experiencing excessive pain, the body will start to subconsciously compensate in dangerous ways to avoid it. For example, if a dancer feels pain in their big toe, the body will start to lean away from it resulting in sickling and incorrect alignment. Enduring pain goes beyond willpower and into dangerous mechanical territory so helping the dancer feel more comfortable en pointe at the beginning will help prevent learning bad habits.
Preventing external injuries and deformities: Pointe work is also associated with feet deformities. While some external injuries such as blisters or corns may be common, being properly fitted as well as preventing excessive pressure with different padding combinations can help prevent bruised toenails, blisters, corns, bunions and other lifelong deformities.
Depending on age, health and skin type, certain people have skin that blister, injure or burn easier than others. Skin types that are more sensitive than others may require more padding to avoid pain.
2. Orthotic to correct biomechanical foot issues
Filling in negative space: dancers with severely asymmetrical toes or certain feet deformities may have tendencies that lead to incorrect alignment and fall into bad habits. Some accessories are created to fill in the negative spaces for better alignment and prevent injuries.
*However, becoming reliant on these accessories may also further promote the deformity. These accessories must be used in conjunction with strengthening and mobility exercises so the dancer can eventually wean off of these padding combinations while the dancer becomes stronger and more mobile to self-correct these bad habits.
Some of these accessories and taping methods that give more support or correct toe alignment should be a temporary measure. Applying a support device over a long period of time is akin to wearing a cast on a broken arm forever (resulting in muscle atrophy from disuse). While it is important to use these accessories initially, the goal is to become strong enough without them.
3. Customizing shoes for a better fit
Fitting to skill level: Pointe shoes are typically fitted according to the dancer’s foot shape but it may not always be the most appropriate shoe for their skill level or development. For example, the dancer’s foot shape may need a tapered shoe, but it may not be the best shoe for balance. Because the accessories are able to change the shape of the foot, you can customize the accessories to better fit the shoe that is necessary for the dancer’s development.
Ribbons and Elastics
Ribbons
Ribbons pull up extra fabric to show off the arch and give extra support en pointe. It should be sewn where the fabric bunches the most (usually right at the deepest part of the arch).
There are 3 types of ribbons: regular, stretch and partial stretch.
Regular Ribbon
Regular ribbon provides the most support and ability to tighten the shoe. If tied too tightly, the dancer may feel discomfort around the ankles but if tied too loosely, it may become baggy. Best for dancers who have problems with shoes slipping off or need the feeling of security.
Matte
Non shiny material that blends to the color of the tights. These are sometimes referred to as double-faced or double sided ribbon and made of Polyester. Around ⅞”-1” wide
Shiny
Traditional shiny ribbon with one matte and one shiny side. Usually made of Satin and around ⅞”-1” wide
Stretch Ribbon
Stretch ribbons look like regular ribbons but the entirety of the material is stretchy (usually made of Nylon/Spandex). It provides the least amount of resistance and support. Helpful for those who have tendonitis or have problems with regular ribbons feeling too tight or too loose. Dancers who prefer this type of ribbon enjoy the comfort of the stretch and the freedom of flexibility in the ankles.
Partial Stretch Ribbon
Partial stretch ribbons are a bit in between the full stretch and regular ribbons. It is made of regular ribbons with a piece of elastic in the middle. These ribbons are meant to be sewn so the elastic lines up at the Achilles tendon. It provides more support than the full stretch ribbon but still has a bit of give to provide comfort and flexibility for the ankles.
Elastic
Elastics are meant to keep the foot secured inside the shoe and give extra support around the ankles. Traditionally, elastics can be sewn in 2 ways: a single loop around the ankles or a criss cross across the ankles.
The loop has less support but allows for more flexibility and generally better for dancers who are a bit more rigid or strong.
Cross elastics give more support for the ankles and generally better for dancers who are either more flexible, weaker or have a shoe that tends to slip off or twist.
Some dancers who need even more support will sew on a third piece of elastic around the throat of the shoe. This is called a vamp elastic because it extends the line of the vamp. Depending on how much extra support the dancer needs, they can use a thinner or thicker elastic to extend the vamp.
There are generally 2 types of elastics: regular or mesh.
Regular
The standard elastic is firm and long lasting. Usually around ¾”-1” wide and similar color to tights.
Mesh
Mesh elastic or Invisible elastic is a lace-like stretch material that look invisible on tights.
Toe Pads
Toe pads should conform to the toes, thick enough to protect the tips, knuckles and joints of the toes from excessive pain en pointe but slim enough to feel the floor. Toe pads come in many different materials, sizes and shapes. The toe pad shape, material and thickness should be determined by the dancer’s skill level, toe shape and skin type. Some dancers may feel more comfortable in different materials depending on their skin type. Most toe pads can be altered by cutting to size.
Materials:
Foam Toe Pads
Thin, breathable material made of cotton and soft foam that allow dancers to control movement.
Silicone Toe Pads
Medical silicone that gives highest level of comfort and cushion
Perforated Silicone Toe Pads
Microperforation makes the pads more breathable.
Gel Toe Pads
Gel padding is usually covered by fabric (either on one side or both sides) giving the ultimate protection and shock absorption to the toes. Depending on the brand and thickness, may need to size up in pointe shoes to accommodate the width.
Lambswool Toe Pads
Toe pad made of lambswool. Gives lots of cushion at the beginning but will thin much quicker than other materials as the dancer wears them.
Shapes:
Standard Toe Pads (example: Original Ouch Pouch):
toe pad covers the ball of the foot and toes. Suitable for those who need more padding on the bottom of the foot.
Crescent Toe Pads (example: Ouch Pouch Jr)
Padding covers toes and bunion area but does not have extra material at the bottom that covers the ball of the foot. Suitable for dancers who prefer less padding than the standard toe pads.
Extra-Long Toe Pads (example: Cozy Toes)
Extra protection for those with extra long toes or bunions
Pro Pad (example: Pro Pad)
Layer of gel covers the top of the foot and toes but only a thin layer of fabric on the bottom of the foot. Suitable for dancers who want less material and have better contact with the floor.
Moldable Toe Pads:
Perfect Fit Toe Inserts
Moldable gel padding that shapes to the dancers’ feet and the inside of their pointe shoes. It fills in all the negative spaces inside the pointe shoe to create a perfect mold. This is ideal for dancers who struggle with finding correct alignment or proper fitting due to the asymmetry of their toes as well as for those who struggle with a lot of pain en pointe.
Much like orthotics, the Perfect Fit toe pad is customized to the shape of the foot to help alleviate pain and help the dancer find proper placement. However, if the dancer uses too much of the gel in the molding process or becomes too reliant on this padding, the insert will cement the toes in place not allowing for proper movement to strengthen the feet for pointe work.
Shoe liners
These shoe inserts line the inside of the box. It can change the inside of the shoe depending on the size and shape of the insert to better fit the dancer’s feet.
Instant Wings
Longest of the inserts. It adds security to the sides and roof of the box securing the foot from sliding inside the box. Made from a kind of dense foam called Poron Performance Cushioning. These inserts were developed by Gaynor Minden but can work with any brand or model.
Box Liners
Hugs the top of the foot to hold it in place. Suitable for dancers who sink in their pointe shoes and keep pressure off the big toe. Made from a kind of dense foam called Poron Performance Cushioning. These inserts were developed by Gaynor Minden but can work with any brand or model.
Ovals
Lines the bottom of the platform and protects tips and corners of big toes
Mushroom cushions
Lines the bottom of the platform and protects sensitive big toe nails
Crescent
Small crescent gel sits at the bottom of the platform to take pressure off the longer second toe
Heel grips
Helps keep the shoe on the heel. Fills in the extra space around the heel and textured surface grips onto heel. Suitable for dancers with narrow or “disappearing heels.”
Friction
Rosin
Rosin is a hardened tree sap used to create friction from slipping on slick floors or to keep shoes from slipping off the feet. It can be dusted directly on the outside of the shoe from slipping on the floor or directly on the foot to keep the shoe from sliding off. It may come in a rock form that is crushed and used in the powdered form or by spray.
Platform Caps
Some studios and theaters may not allow rosin due to it stickiness that will ruin the floors. Dancers may add a suede tip on the surface of the pointe shoe platform to prevent from slipping.
Padding for digits
*While individual padding on the toes may help relieve pressure from the toes, if the dancer is prone to corns or blisters on the knuckles of the toes, it may be an indication that the dancer is crunching their toes inside the pointe shoes. While these should help take the pain away, the dancer should also be working towards lengthening the toes and strengthening the intrinsic muscles of the feet. Any of these padding options can be cut to size.
Pinky Pad
Small gel tube worn around the smaller toes to alleviate pain and pressure off the knuckles
Big tip
Takes pressure off the tip of the big toe. This is helpful for both dancers who have a longer big toe that need extra cushion to take pain off the big toe or dancers with a longer second toe to lengthen the big toe to match the second.
Jelly tip
Protects the tip of any of the smaller toes.
Spacers
Fills in the space between the first and second toe to alleviate pressure off bunions, prevent toes from overlapping and toes from sinking into the box en pointe. Great for compressive feet to prevent feet from collapsing in itself. Spacers can come in different widths depending on how wide the gap is between the toes.
Customizable Padding
Toe Tape
Toe tape comes in several different materials.
The traditional toe tape (example: Bunheads Toe Tape) made of crepe does not provide much stretch and may be good for giving support or taping toes for alignment but may be too harsh to put directly on a blister.
Microfoam toe tape (example: Gaynor Minden Toe Wrap) is made of a spongy material that provides more cushion and comfort to a specific area without adding too much bulk.
The Adhesive Toe Wrap (example: Capezio Adhesive Toe Wrap) is a self-adhesive material that sticks to itself and not to skin. It provides enough stretch for comfort and great for wrapping individual toes to prevent blisters or corns. You can use toe tape in a variety of ways: reducing friction and chafing as well as giving support for the arch or better alignment for toes.
Loose Lambswool
The dancer can choose how much or how little cushion they need. Can be used for specific contour and padding, allowing the dancer to choose the exact amount and shape you need for each foot. Great for a specific hotspots on the foot or for dancers who prefer no other padding.
Hydrogel spots
Cool protective gel cushion spots reduce irritation and protect against blisters and relieve pressure on sensitive areas.
Half Sock - Some dancers who do not prefer lambswool or gel padding but still want a bit of protection as well as some sweat wicking material between their feet and the pointe shoe box will cut the end of a pair of socks to provide the right amount of padding.
Paper towel - Dancers who prefer makeshift toe pads made of paper towels, typically want little to no padding inside their pointe shoes. Though they would have to swap out the paper towel during long rehearsal days, it wicks moisture well in the first couple hours and provides the most sanitary padding option as they are disposable. Works well for dancers who sweat a lot in their feet.
Hardening Methods
Instant Glue
Also called, Hot stuff, Jet glue or Pointe Shoe Glue. A layer may be applied to the inside of the box or directly onto the shank to make the pointe shoes last longer.
Liquid Shellac: Resin left on trees that is dissolved in alcohol to use as brush on colorant and wood finish. Dancers may apply a couple layers of shellac with a brush to the inside of the pointe shoe box to harden the shoe. Shellac must dry between coats so the process may take longer than instant glue.
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