Approximately 30 years ago, only about a half dozen types of pointe shoes existed. Because so many new types of shoes are in the stores today, almost any dancer with any type of foot can find a shoe that works. The differences between the various styles and brands can be confusing. The table below will help you understand the variations between each shoe.

Angelo Luzio - Made in Canada
Style	Description	Color	Fitting (approximate)
The Angelo Luzio Pointe	Has a 5 Pointe shank system: shanks #1 (softest) to #5 (hardest)	European Pink Satin	similar to Capezio sizing: 21/2 - 3 sizes smaller than street shoe
Bloch - Made in the Australia
Signature Performance	Quiet, flexible, and easy to break in; tighter fitting heel; separated satin and lining allow for easier sewing of ribbons.	European Pink Satin	3 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Signature Rehearsal	Same as Signature Performance but designed to last longer; much harder!	European Pink Satin	3 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Serenade	Lightweight with broad silent toe platform, widest fitting Bloch pointe shoe, low profile arch	European Pink Satin	3 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Suprima	Slim line, soft winged professional shoe. Stronger shank can be special ordered.	European Pink Satin	3 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Sonata	Professional shoe with high & wide toe platform; arch supports under front section of heel.	European Pink Satin	3 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Synergy	Professional shoe with a well-balanced box.  Much like Freeds, they break in easily and offer different makers, but they are made to last longer.	European Pink Satin	2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Capezio - Made in the USA
196 Plie I	Moderate shank and moderate to box with an elastic drawstring	European Pink	similar to street shoe
197 Plie II	Moderate shank and broad toe box with an elastic drawstring	European Pink	similar to street shoe
198 Tendu I	Light shank and moderate toe box with elastic drawstring	European Pink	similar to street shoe
199 Tendu II	Light shank and broad toe box with an elastic drawstring	European Pink	similar to street shoe
176 Contempora	Broad square toe, medium weight box, #2 shank	176= European Pink	3 sizes smaller than street shoe
55X Assoluta	(special order only) #1 leather board shank, light box, same last as Nicolini.	Pink (other colors available)	3 sizes smaller than street shoe
N156 Nicolini	Tapered box, long vamp, #2 shank	N156 Euro. Pink   N155 Pink	3 sizes smaller than street shoe
172 Ultimo	Moderate shape box, broad toe, #2 leather board shank, winged box of moderate strength, short pleats, and rounded platform edge.	Pink	3 sizes smaller than street shoe
P103 Pavlowa	#3 shank, strong tapered box	Pink	3 sizes smaller than street shoe
D105 Duro Toe	suede toe, tapered box, #3 leather board shank.	Pink	3 sizes smaller than street shoe
183 Infinita	lightweight, broad toe, low crown, #1 (3/4) shank.	Euro. Pink	2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
191 Aerial	light box, broad platform, low crown height, shorter sole, quiet tip, #2 shank, suede sock liner.	Euro. Pink	(none given)
Capezio 190	(special order only) created on the Aerial last, broad, flat box, reduced crown height, tapered heel, stronger box, reinforced shank.	Euro. Pink	3 sizes smaller than street shoe
192 Odette	U-shaped throat, wingless box, elastic drawstring, strong shank, light box, conforms easily to foot.	Euro. Pink	Use street shoe size
Demi-Pointe	No shank, designed for pre-pointe students.	Euro. Pink	2 1/2 to 3 sizes smaller than street shoe
Chacott
Coppelia II	Broad toe, available in medium or hard shank. Made in Spain.	Euro. Pink	European sizing
Veronese II	Medium or Hard Shank, narrow fitting. Made in Japan.	Euro. Pink	European Sizing
Elvira	Medium or Hard shank; full and half sizes; squarer, wider box.	Euro. Pink	European Sizing
Freed - of London
01-001 Short Vamp   001-002 Deep Vamp   01-003 Deep V-cut Vamp Wing Block	A lightweight performance shoe. Used by dance companies around the world including ABT and The Royal Ballet Academy. PLus, you can request special orders or even a specific maker.	Euro. Pink (White, Black, and Red are also available)	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Studio	V-vamp, medium shank. Hard shank is available.	(see above)	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Studio II	Same as original Studio, but a flatter and wider box.	(see above)	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Gamba - Made in England
Turning Pointe	3/4 shank, wing tip, square box, flat toe.	Euro. Pink	2 to 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Gamba 92/93	Winged square box, broad platform, 92 has a higher vamp and stronger shank.	Euro. Pink	2 to 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Gamba 96	Winged box, broad platform; deep vamp. Stronger than 92.	Euro. Pink	2 to 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Gamba 97	Same as 96, but with a 3/4 shank.	Euro. Pink	2 to 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Gamba Profile	(no description)	Euro. Pink	2 to 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Gamba Pirouette	Excellence for balance on pointe. Allows dancer to go through releve easily.	Euro. Pink	2 to 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Gaynor Minden - Made in the USA
Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes	Come in a variety of box shapes, vamp heights, heel widths and heights, shank strengths. The "unbreakable" shoe. Made with new materials that don't break down like other pointe shoes.	Euro. Pink	1 size up from street shoe size.
Gandolfi
Innovation	Tapered at the heel; similar to Freeds or Gambas; drawstring; long box with a high vamp.	Euro. Pink (but slightly more pink)	(must be converted)
Grishko - Made in Russia
Ulanova I	Pliable yet resilient shank; good shoe for dancers with short toes, toes of even length, and wider feet with normal heels. All Grishkos are available in soft, medium, or hard shanks.	pale euro. pink	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Ulanova II	Like the Ulanova I, except platform is smaller.	pale euro. pink	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Vaganova	A high vamp with a tapered box; great for dancers with a high flexible arch.	pale euro. pink	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Fouette	Lightweight with a wider box and a larger platform. Vamp cut is lower than Vaganova and it highlights the dancer's arch.	pale euro. pink	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Elite	Broad, flat box, extra quiet, light, with Grishko's super shank.	pale euro. pink	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Maya	Lightest Grishko shoe; fits like Ulanova I, but has a stitched sole and a suede bottom.	pale euro. pink	about 2 1/2 sizes smaller than street shoe
Porselli - Made in Italy
Colacral	A wide fitting, lightweight shoe with elastic in heel to help hold it on.	Euro. Pink	(must be converted)
Gala	Flat Tip; wide fitting with narrow heel.	Euro. Pink	(must be converted)
Prima Soft
Gala	Encourages foot strengthening and proper placement.  Elastic drawstring, suede sole, flat box, and natural or hard graduated shank.	Euro. Pink	(must be converted)
Prima Russe	A 3/4 shank and a low, V-shaped vamp. Available in Flex or Regular.	pale euro. pink	(must be converted)
Repetto - Made in France
204	Flat, moderately short box, slightly tapered. 17 combinations of shanks, vamps, boxes, and heels.	Euro. Pink	(must be converted)
205 Fiorentino	The first pointe shoe pre-shaped to right and left feet; many combinations of shanks and vamps.	Euro. Pink	(must be converted)
207	Good student and professional shoe, workable fiber carbon shank with a flexible box that is soft around the bunion area but hard at the tip. A variety of vamps, widths, and shanks available.	Euro. Pink	(must be converted)
215	Asymmetrical, short, flat box, good for low arches. Many shanks and widths available.	Euro. Pink	(must be converted)
Russian Class - Made in Russia
A	This model features elegant narrow toe platform and high instep. Recommended for dancers with narrow toes, or if the dancer's 2nd toe is long.	pale euro. pink	(must be converted)
B	Fits many different types of feet. A good shoe for dancers with medium width toes and with toes of uneven length. The box offers support and comfort for high performance on the dance floor.	pale euro. pink	(must be converted)
C	This shoe has the same shape as Model A, but features low instep. This is a good shoe for dancers with narrow toes with shallow foot. Tapered towards the tip, the shoe enhances the elegance of the dancer's foot.	pale euro. pink	(must be converted)
D	This model features a broad, flat box and low instep. A good choice for dancers with wide toes and toes of even length. The shoe is slightly tapered towards the pointe, bringing extra gracefulness to the foot.	pale euro. pink	(must be converted)
E	The same construction of the box as model B, it features medium toe platform and low instep. This unique, pre-arched shoe provides additional support and has a longer performance life for the dancer with a strong arch.	pale euro. pink	(must be converted)
Sansha - Made in China
101	Tapered, thin box shape; medium to high, round vamp; with Sansha Pointe - System.  Also available in a lightweight "Recital" model.	Euro. Pink satin  Black, White, or Euro. Pink canvas	same as street shoe
202	Medium strength 3/4 shank; square box shape; medium to high round vamp; with Sansha Pointe - System.	Euro. Pink satin  Black, White, or Euro. Pink canvas	same as street shoe
303	Strong shank; same box as 202; medium to high, round vamp.	Euro. Pink satin   Black, White, or Euro. Pink canvas	same as street shoe
404	V-shaped Russian vamp; medium strength shank; Russian box shape; with Sansha Pointe - System.	Euro. Pink satin   Black, White, or Euro. Pink canvas	same as street shoe
505	For professional dancers with stronger feet; shorter shank to allow to go easily through demi-pointe; "Whisper" toe.	Euro. Pink satin   Black, White, or Euro. Pink canvas	same as street shoe
Schachtner - Made in Austria
Schachtner	A very hard shoe. Widths D, E, A, F, G available. Vamps come in regular or long. Shanks strengths: Regular, Soft, Hard fiberboard, or Steel Shank.	Euro. pink , white, black	German Sizing

 

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