The earliest dancers who performed en pointe wore shoes that were essentially modified satin slippers with a bit of stitching for reinforcement. Dancers padded their toes and relied on the strength of their feet and ankles for support. Modern pointe shoes have a substantial block consisting of basic materials such as paper or canvas and glue or synthetic materials. Unlike ballet slippers of old, today's manufacturing process provides the dancer with a smooth, strong, symmetrical platform on which to balance.
Manufacturers who use traditional techniques to construct blocks saturate strips of canvas, burlap or paper in glue. They layer the sticky strips and allow them to harden. The traditional approach allows the block to conform to the shape of the foot when the dancer dons and uses the shoe, but such blocks soften and become deformed relatively quickly, often leading to misalignment and ankle or foot injury. Dancers who favor traditional pointe shoe construction do so because they value the pliability of the block, but the need for frequent replacement can be costly.
Synthetic blocks offer greater and longer-lasting support than traditional blocks. Shoes constructed of synthetic materials hold their shape and stiffness and help dancers maintain their alignment over longer periods of time. However, Eliza Gaynor Minden, author of "The Ballet Companion," warns that synthetic blocks can adversely affect the dancer's line. Minden warns dancers not to select pointe shoes that compromise aesthetics, and points out that dancers who opt for synthetics must ensure a precise fit.
Before manufacturers introduced modern, synthetic materials into pointe shoe construction, dancers often tried to extend the life of their traditional blocks by painting the inside toe area with floor wax or shellac. Such practices continue today. Dancers who wish to add life to their shoes must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and synthetic blocks. The choice of pointe shoe and its manner of construction is highly individual. Ultimately, trial and error is the only effective means to choosing the right shoe.