It's a big day in the dance studio when a young dancer goes from ballet flats to dancing in pointe shoes. These are the specially designed dance shoes that allow ballerinas to dance on the very tips of their toes. To do this, the shoes have a carefully designed structure that must fit the dancer's foot perfectly to provide support and prevent injuries.

What Is the Anatomy of a Pointe Shoe?

1. Platform

This is the surface a ballerina stands on when she rises to her toes in the dance studio or on stage. It's a small, flat area at the very top of the shoe. Platforms vary by size and shape; which a dancer chooses is a matter of taste. This area wears out quickly and may need to be darned to prolong the life of the shoe.

2. Box

This is the structure at the front end of the shoe that surrounds the dancer's toes. It's reinforced with layers of paper, fabric, and glue, or in some cases plastic. It should sit snugly against the toes without shifting around, since loose shoes can lead to injuries during ballet school and performances, but it should not pinch or squeeze.

3. Vamp

This is the length from the platform at the tip of the box, along the top of the shoe, to the opening for the foot. Some shoes have a longer vamp than others. The vamp should cover the dancer's toes completely, so those in the dance studio with longer toes need a longer vamp.

4. Shank & Sole

The shank is a reinforcing layer that runs from the box up inside the sole of the shoe. The stiffer the shank, the more support it provides, so those with stronger feet can use more flexible shanks than those with weaker feet. The sole is made of leather and covers the bottom of the shoe, including the shank.

5. Heel

his is the area of fabric behind the dancer's heel. It should fit snugly when standing flat and should have a little bit of wiggle room when standing on pointe. It should come high enough on the heel that the dancer’s foot won't slip out of the shoe, but not so high that it creases when on pointe.

If you're looking for a dance studio for your child, choose The St. Laurent School of Dance in Honolulu, HI. Open year-round and accepting students as young as three years of age, they pride themselves not just on offering the highest quality singing, tap, jazz, contemporary, and ballet classes, but also on growing character and providing support for their students. To ask about enrollment, call (808) 845-1291 or get in touch online. Follow us on   and