Ballet Shoes - 4 things you should keep in mind

Ballet shoes form an important part of your ensemble as a ballet student.

You should ensure that the ballet shoes you buy are of good quality. The shoes one uses affect the posture and ballet routine. You should also make sure that the shoes are not tight as this may lead to untoward consequences on your health. Here are a few things you should keep in mind while picking out a pair of ballet shoes.

    * Always ensure that your shoes have the right fit. Leather shoes may stretch with time but you should make sure that the shoes are not so tight as to make your toes curl. It is a good idea to try out some ballet steps after putting the shoes on. You have to check if the shoes allow your toes to spread out on the floor while doing steps. If you are young, you might think of buying shoes larger than your feet. This is not really a good idea as the extra material results in a bad fit and you might put your health at risk with such shoes.

    * Most dancers think that leather is more durable and attractive than canvas. The material gives more comfort in cold studios and can be log lasting as well. You ill have to consider your weight. Heavier people should opt for canvas as this does not stick to the floor like leather does. Splits and lunges are easier to perform in these shoes and you are also saved from stubbed toes. The canvas shoes also protect floors from scratches and marks.

    * The sole is another important part of the shoe. The full sole might be a good choice for pointe students. The split sole, on the other hand, allows the dancer to point more easily. Full soled shoes are generally cheaper than the split sole variety. Another form of ballet shoe used by some students, is the de-shanked pointe. These  shoes are used for more advanced students or in technique class.

    * You should also pay attention to the elastic on the ballet shoes. If the elastic is sewn straight across the top of the foot, it does not hold the shoe properly.  Good companies usually teach their students to sew ribbons onto their ballet shoes. This helps them get used to sewing the ribbons, working in a shoe with ribbons on, and tying them on as well. Practicing your sewing on a pair of ballet shoes is much better than making mistakes on a new pair of pointe shoes.

Another way to sew on your elastics that is popular with male dancers is to cross the elastics. You simply need two pieces of elastic, and just sew them across the top of the shoe in an "X" shape. This is a good idea if you have tapered feet. This technique can also be used on pointe shoes, especially with shoes that do not have a drawstring, such as Grishko's.

Like I mentioned before, Sansha ballet shoes come with one side of the elastic already sewn. The elastic is placed so that you can cross the elastics. It's also better when trying the shoe on because you can tie the elastic on to get an idea of how the shoe is going to fit once sewn.