Thread: Ballet Boots

Originally Posted by Ginger La Rouge

Haha! Funnily enough on doing a bit of research a few people have suggested sleeping in them so your feet get used to the position... Is this what you meant Neil?

x

But of course - what else could I mean *polishes halo*

is that what you call it these days

I am completely with Vicky on this.

I find ballet boots much more difficult to walk in than pointe shoes. Ballet boots are often engineered with an aesthetic rather than practicality in mind.

My first pair were by Pleaser. I found first that the sizes came up very large. Secondly there was little ankle support. Thirdly the incline of the 'pointe' pushed my weight forward, forcing me to stand with bent knees. I tried to remedy this by attaching wooden platforms underneath the toes, but even then, the angle was still too sharp. I'm sure I've done irrepairable damage to my knees because of these shoes.

I now use a pair by Punitive Shoes. The company were VERY difficult to deal with. The website advised that the shoes would take (I think) 6 weeks to make and mail. I waited 6 MONTHS, losing contact with them at several points, and only receiving the shoes after I threatened legal action.

These expensive shoes are made for the hardcore fetish community, so are designed with prolonged wear in mind. They aren't quite a full pointe, but they give this illusion. The inbuilt ankle-support is terrible, but owing to the angle of the 'pointe' I find I need less ankle support anyway. I have plans to assist my ankles by adding some wrap-around support in the next few weeks.

I have tried a pair of these on a few years ago and would not try them again. I dance en pointe and have very strong feet and ankles.... but I decided there were not for me.

I would try a few pairs before you buy some.

I have no point experience , but with the ballet heels/boots you can get cramp in your instep, which is quite an odd sensation!

Thanks for all your advice guys. I'm not expecting to be able to walk in them right away, but am hoping to be able to train myself to wear them confidently for the length of an act...

If I really can't bear them I can always shove 'em on ebay.

I want to do low trapeze in them where my toes just skim the ground

Ooh, they're great for trapeze I think! You can do some great variations on moves, and it makes some much more challenging!

Vicky Bx

Well, I tried a pair of the Devious ones on at the weekend... although I coulnd't get much of a feel for them as, understandably, the shop wouldn't let me try and stand in them!

But they weren't uncomfortable to have on my feet and the woman said I had a good arch, whatever that means.

Want them so much!!!!

x

Originally Posted by Vendetta Vain

I have no point experience , but with the ballet heels/boots you can get cramp in your instep, which is quite an odd sensation!

yep. There's a warm-up exercise my ballet teacher taught me called "pointe rolls" - it's exactly for minimising the chance of cramp in this area!