Choosing the Best Ballet Shoe for You
Choosing the best dance shoe for your needs should be pretty easy. However, with all of the options now available that choice isn’t as simple as ‘just a ballet shoe’. With the advancements in technology, the development and creation of dance shoes has also evolved resulting in shoes that provide greater comfort, support, and durability (plus increasing the number of shoes to decide between!). Depending on where you are on your dance journey, the requirements you’ll need from your dance shoes will vary. To assist with your decision making we’ve provided a breakdown of the features and benefits of some of our star ballet shoes, ensuring you have all of the necessary information to select the best option for your future dancing endeavours.
Ballet Shoe - Full Sole
The full sole ballet shoe is the classic ballet shoe. One of the original shoes created, its timeless features make it a great all rounder for both males and females of all ages with it coming in pink, black, and white. Made from premium supple leather with a cotton lining and stitched outer sole, the shoe provides resistance to assist with the development of strong feet - particularly useful for those who are younger, working towards pointe shoes or are returning from injury. It has a pre-attached single elastic over the instep to provide further support and enhance the line of the foot.
Harper Full Sole Ballet Shoe
The Harper Full Sole Ballet Shoe still has the full sole construction and pre-attached elastic strap of the original full sole ballet shoe but is created from a super soft, premium leather that easily moulds to the foot. Due to the Harper’s supple premium leather finish, it offers optimum support and room for growing feet whilst maximising comfort, making it an ideal shoe for an intermediate dancer. It has a superior slimline design with elastic binding, removing the need for a drawstring, resulting in a clean finish suitable for those who do dance examinations or competitions. It comes in four different widths and two different shades of pink to ensure the perfect match to your tights.
Annabelle Full Sole Ballet Shoe
The Annabelle Full Sole Ballet Shoe is designed for those who are new to dance. Created to build strength and resistance, the supple leather provides a comfortable fit and feel. The pre-attached elastic and elastic drawstring add further support while still allowing flexibility and range of motion, plus removing the need to sew anything on! Starting at a children’s 5 (the smallest of sizes in ballet shoes) it’s the perfect shoe for a little one starting their dance adventure.
Révélation Ballet Shoe - Mesh Split Sole
The Révélation Ballet Shoes are a collection of shoes designed for the intermediate to advanced dancer. The main point of difference with the Mesh Split Sole Shoe is the triangle shaped mesh insert between the heel and ball of the foot, creating the ultimate arch with enhanced air flow. It’s soft, durable, full grain premium leather and stretchable cotton lining provides further breathability, while the double crossed pre-attached elastic offers a greater level of support. The low profile, streamline cut and refined drawstring casing create a clean finish to keep the attention on the line of the leg and foot instead of the shoe.
Révélation Ballet Shoe - Tech Fit
For those dancers who prioritise breathability and a ‘barely-there’ feel in their dance shoes, the luxurious stretch canvas of the Tech Fit Ballet Shoe from the Révélation collection can’t be overlooked. The breathable, super soft, durable stretch canvas instantly moulds to the foot for complete freedom of movement. It boasts the same pre-attached cross elastic for extra support, and a low profile cut with elastic binding, replacing the need for the drawstring to tighten the shoe. It also has the superior slimline design with triangle shaped insert that the Révélation collection are known for. Coming in four different colours, it’s suitable for a variety of skin tones, as well as both men and women.
Révélation Ballet Shoe - Pro Fit
The Pro Fit Shoe is the perfect shoe for the advanced dancer. Its super premium leather moulds to the foot, creating the arch of your dreams. Like the Tech Fit Shoe, it also features a low profile and elastic binding creating an ultra sleek look with the removal of the drawstring. As with the other shoes within the Révélation collection, it has the pre-attached crossed elastic, slimline design, and triangle shaped insert further enhancing the arch. Coming in the theatrical pink shade, it blends seamlessly with tights for elongated lines.
Regardless of whether you’re a first time dancer who doesn’t know what to look for in a ballet shoe or an advanced dancer who’s lost count of how many ballet shoes they’ve had over the years, our extensive collection includes a shoe to meet every dancers needs. To view our full selection of premium quality ballet shoes shop online now, or head in-store for a personal consultation with one of our expert shoe fitters. Our knowledgable team are here to help you with any questions or advice in finding the perfect shoe for you!
For further information regarding our complete collection of shoes and garments you can visit our website, call or pop in to one of our stores, or speak to our friendly customer service team.
Article by Sheree Ronai-Horvath
Photography by Elly Ford