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Introduction
Are you thinking of learning ballet? That is a great idea and a great way to expand your horizons. Maybe you want to enroll your child into a ballet class. Either way, if you wish to take ballet classes or enroll your child in the classes, you must begin planning. You know that you must shop for the right clothing and shoes during ballet practice.
The clothing to find is simple enough. However, because of the misinformation about the footwear to use for ballet, it is time to educate yourself on the right type of shoes to buy. Let’s talk about how to find good ballet shoes and how to control that musty smell in your shoes from overuse. And first, let’s talk about ballet shoe myths.
What Are The Ballet Shoes Myths?
Media has portrayed ballet shoes as those bedroom slippers that are shiny and made of polyester. However, that is entirely untrue. You envision ballet shoes as those pointe shoes with ribbons on the side of them as well. That is also incorrect, as ballet shoes are not pointe shoes and do not have any ribbons. You cannot stand on the tips of the toes of the shoes, either.
Another confusing thing about ballet shoes are is that people think of them as ballet flats. That is also incorrect. Those are street shoes that are chic and are not suitable for dancing, let alone ballet dancing. Now that you are aware of the ballet shoe myths, let’s go over the facts that you need to know about them so you can buy the best ones for yourself or your child.
What Materials Are Used To Make Ballet Shoes?
Two types of material make ballet shoes. It is either canvas or leather. Both types of fabrics are suitable, and quite often, children ballet dancers wear leather shoes. Adults wear canvas shoes, and the reason for that is because the material can absorb more sweat. Additionally, canvas ballet shoes can mold the feet much more comfortable. Additionally, canvas shoes allow the dancers to feel the floors as they are dancing.
However, some adult ballet dancers prefer leather shoes because they are sturdier, and they also give them more traction. Therefore, they feel more secure by wearing those shoes.
What Type Of Sole Must Ballet Shoes Feature?
You know the sole of the shoe for any purpose is highly essential. The same applies to when you are looking for good-quality ballet shoes. The soles are necessary because your feet require the right amount of cushioning that they provide, and good quality soles reduce the risk of conditions such as plantar fasciitis. But ballet shoes either have a full sole or a split sole. If you are figuring out how to find good ballet shoes, you must know the advantages of having either a full sole or a split sole shoe.
The full sole ballet shoe has the apparent advantage of offering complete stability and balance, which is why children often wear them. Adult ballet dancers that are beginners may prefer to go with the full sole shoes for that reason. However, once they advance, they may prefer to go for the split sole shoes. That is because the split sole shoes offer them to be more flexible with their feet. That is the purpose of ballet dancing. They can point their toes easier as well as arch their feet.
Therefore, it is advisable to start with going for the full sole ballet shoes if you are a beginner. That is the type of shoes to get for your kids as well. That is if you are enrolling your kids into ballet. However, once you become more comfortable with the dance, and you are more confident, you can look into getting a split sole shoe. Before you buy any shoes off the bat, making sure they are the proper fit is essential and that you are using the correct shoe protectors to keep them looking beautiful.
Get Your Ballet Shoes Fitted Professionally
You cannot blindly buy a pair of ballet shoes without them being appropriately fitted and think they will work out for you. That is especially so if this is the first time you are buying ballet shoes for yourself or your child. A professional at a dance store will help you find the perfect fit for you. Even if you have been dancing for a while and are not new to ballet and need a new pair of shoes, you’ll require a fitting.
Every type of ballet shoe is not the same when it comes to different brands. You could have a different kind of ballet shoe of a different brand with the same foot size as the one you have worn for a long time, and the fit would be completely different due to the style. Therefore, the shoes will not fit even if they are your correct shoe size.
If you are wearing poorly fitting shoes, that will increase your chances of ending up with a severe injury while you are dancing. Not to mention, wearing the wrong fit of shoes is quite uncomfortable and will cause you to not stick to your ballet dancing practices.
Getting fitted for ballet shoes is easy. The professional will ask you to stand on a flat platform so they can measure your feet. They’ll hand you disposable socks to wear when you are trying the shoes on. The professional will ask you to walk around for a short time. If your large toe feels confined, then you need a larger shoe.
Some shoes also have elastics sewn into them. However, the pair of shoes you buy could require that you sew them on yourself.
Conclusion
You have decided to start practicing ballet dancing or your child has. Good for you. Aside from buying the appropriate clothing to wear during the dance, the priority is to buy a pair of shoes that are ideal for the dance. If you don’t know how to find good ballet shoes, go to a dance store and ask the professional to help you find the best pair. If you are a beginner, it is advisable to buy a full sole shoe instead of a split sole.
Make sure the shoes‘ fit your feet properly. Otherwise, the risk of injury is high, and you’d be quite uncomfortable wearing ill-fitting shoes. That is why you want to get the right ballet shoes so you or your child can enjoy the dance!
Related: if you are a dancer and recovering from bunions, then these shoes will help or you can wear sandals which give you maximum recoverability