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How to Measure Feet for Ballet Pointe Shoes

Finding the right pointe shoes may be nearly as much of an art as ballet. It is often a painstaking process, in which the dancer tries on multiple shoes and styles. Just some of the factors the fitter must consider, in addition to length and width, are the shape of the dancer’s foot; whether she has a Greek, Egyptian or peasant foot; high or low arch, ankle flexibility; and toe length. In addition, the strength of the dancer’s foot must be factored in.
The correct pointe shoe for a dancer should be comfortable for her on flat as well as en pointe, and it should provide the appropriate amount of support for her foot.

Things You'll Need

  • Brannock device
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Instructions

  1. Measuring

    • 1

      Measure the length of the dancer’s feet. Have the dancer stand in parallel (with both feet pointing forward) with one foot flat on the Brannock device. Her heel should be against its back, and all her weight should be on the foot you are measuring. Measure from the dancer’s heel to her longest toe. The Brannock device provides the most exact measurement available for feet. It measures arch length as well as foot length and width.

    • 2

      Measure the width of the dancer’s foot. While she is still standing on the Brannock device, place its width bar next to the edge of her foot.

    • 3

      Measure the length of the dancer’s arch. Push the device’s arch pointer forward until it fits her foot’s ball joint.

    • 4

      Check for metatarsal compressibility. When a foot is compressible, its width compresses, or narrows, when the dancer goes en pointe. Repeat Steps 1 through 3, but this time the dancer should not place any weight on the foot being measured. Note if there is a difference in the width of her foot.

    • 5

      Measure the dancer’s other foot.

    The Fit

    • 6

      Check that the shoe length is correct. Ask the dancer to plie in second position. In this position, at which her feet are the largest, she should feel her toes just touching the end of the box. Next, ask her to place her foot en pointe without putting any weight on it. You should be able to pinch about 1/4 inch of fabric at the heel.

    • 7

      Determine if the box -- the part of the shoe that holds the toes -- fits correctly. Though the box should fit snugly, it should not cramp or pinch the dancer’s toes. If the dancer’s feet are compressible, her feet may slide into the box when she goes en pointe. To compensate, she may need a tapered or narrower box.

    • 8

      Ascertain the appropriate shank stiffness. The shank, which is inside the shoe sole, supports the dancer’s foot. The correct shank stiffness depends on the dancer’s foot strength as well as the size of her arch and instep. Shanks range from very stiff to soft to pre-arched. Three-quarter shanks are also available.

    • 9

      Check the length of the vamp, which covers the front of the toes. The vamp should be short enough that the dancer can relieve on half-pointe, and her foot should be positioned on top of the box platform when she is en pointe. However, her foot should not roll over on the box or sink into the box.

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