Ballet Pointe Shoe Review | Grishko Pointe Shoes

Ballet Pointe Shoe Review | Grishko Pointe Shoes 

Hey,

Hope all is well,

Today I am sharing with all you lovelies my review on my current ballet pointe shoes, Grishko Triumph.

I have had these shoes for about a year now, due to my class only do Pointe work in lesson every now and then, as we are learning our floor and barre work for our grade; and the fact that we're always choreographing new flat ballet dances as well.

My Pointe shoes are also looking a bit battered now due to them being used on and off for a year. This is also because they were used frequently leading up to and during the summer dance performances I took part in with my dance school in July 2016. So of course after all the pirouettes, couru's and finishing positions on the floor in the dance, my shoes have scrapes, a bulged 'v' shape where the vamp is now visible as they've properly broken in, and black marks and scuffs from the stage floor. But despite all of that, they are still going and I still think they look as pretty as ever.

My Grishko Pointe shoes which are now very
loved and battered.

There are many good things about these shoes, so let me explain them in more detail all below.

Structure:
This is a very important point here. The reason why I only use Grishko Ballet Pointe shoes is due to their structure in regard for the shape of my feet. Being someone who has size 6 feet, with one foot half a size smaller, it can be tricky to find the right pointe shoe, as the shoe may fit my left, smaller foot, but squash my right foot. Another issue about my feet is that they are long and narrow, with long, tapered toes, and the second toe being the longest. To add I've a pretty high arch. This means that shoes such as Bloch would not fit me, as they cater to square feet and provide a more square, 'U' shaped vamp; suitable for toes that are the same length, unlike my feet which taper from biggest at my big toe, to smallest to my small toe, and who has a second longer toe. To sum it all up, this means that because my feet are tapered, with toes of different lengths, a longer second toe, pretty high arch and the ball of my foot being pretty wide; I have to have a 'V shaped vamp to stop my toes from being squashed and support my foot. And Grishko pointe shoes supply the 'V' vamp that I need.

I kid you not, when I had my feet fitted, the shoe fitter at the dance shop brought out so many brands, Bloch, Capezio, Sansha, Wear Moi and Gayner Minden, all which catered for different foot shapes and toe lengths. And yet every brand was either too tight, left my toes feeling numb because the tightness was cutting off my blood circulation, or stopped me from even getting my foot into them because they were so tight. No matter how many shoes I tried, which I believe were approximately 15, and which all were different widths and sizes, there was always something wrong. I really mean it, these brands were all ridiculously too small and the wrong shape. The the only brand that fit me, without being extremely tight, were Grishkos. Thank goodness Grishko Pointe shoes exist, because there are no other brands that fit me; none at all that can be purchased in the UK anyway.

So it may seem bias, but this is a good reason as to why I love Grishkos. They cater for the less common foot shapes and widths, such as myself who is a UK Size 6, has long, tapered toes with a longer second toe, has narrow feet but the ball of my foot is a lot wider and who has a pretty high arch; a lot of criteria to cater for.

Comfort:

The shank of the shoe when the shoes were brand
new. Today around a year after use they are still
wearable and provide support.

Now comfort is almost a exaggeration with Pointe shoes or something of a myth, because let me tell you, they will never be what we would imagine the every day, usual 'comfortable' to be like, with no pain, no pressure and no rubbing against the toes. For Pointe shoes, 'comfort' is different to the everyday word 'comfort', because I am referring to shoes that will hurt slightly- as they're pointe shoes and let's face it your feet aren't naturally meant to be in that situation- but you can dance easily in them, move freely without any struggle to stay standing with ability to stay on the platform (the base that your stand on on-pointe). To add, the best shoes have got to allow you to 'feel the floor', a Ballet term referring to being able to control your movement and feel the shoe against the floor, evidence that your feet are in the right type of Pointe shoe for you.


Colour:
I love the colour of these Grishko Triumph Ballet Pointe shoes. Some of you may be thinking 'But all Ballet shoes are pink, right?' well yes, but no. You can get some in different colours and some brands have a slight variety in the shade of their 'pink' pointe shoes. For example, I found during my fitting for my current pointe shoes in the Dance shop, that some brands such as Bloch appear to me to be of different hues to other brands. Block appear more brighter pink, however Grishko appear a more paler hue, similar to my natural skin tone. Others were very harsh pink or a so pale they appear close to white in the extremely bright shop. However my Grishko's appear to be a pale peachy-pink hue, which I find rather pretty as it shines in the light and the shoes appear cleaner than they actually are because of the colour.

Versatile and long-lasting:
Now this is the second mainly important point about my shoes. Due to Pointe shoes being required for very strenuous movement, and to support your weight, they have to be very tough and versatile when dancing in them. Grishko definitely are this: versatile. I am on my second pair of Grishko's and they are still going. After the dance show in the summer, I noticed that my pointe shoes broke in a lot when rehearsing in the weeks leading up to the show and during the show. After all the pirouettes, the many, many courus, running-and I mean lots of running, obviously in the delicate-ballerina style- and finishing positions, my shoes started to get pretty broken in, making them a lot easier to dance in and in turn a lot more comfortable; as the heat from my feet softens the glue in the shoe making, in turn them softer.
However the next day they were back to their normal, brick-like selves.

My shoes when first purchased and after I
had sewn the ribbons on. Here you can see that
their colour is a peach-pink hue,

   Because the best thing about these Grishko Ballet Pointe shoes, is that after they have been taken off and left for a while, they maintain their strength, and are as tough as bricks the next day all thanks to their strong structure and glue. I can honestly say from experience with just two pairs of Grishkos, that these shoes really are versatile and long lasting, because no matter how much dancing I do, they take lots and lots and lots of movement and use to really- and I do mean really- break in. I often wonder if these Russian shoes are indestructible sometimes, because they make me adopt tricks of my own to break them in as they are just so tough.

To add, I have heard that these shoes are more versatile or 'better' than other brands, such as Bloch, as from what others have told me and the shoe fitter in the ballet shop said, Bloch are a lot softer and so easier to break in, meaning they don't last as long and that results in having to buy another pair for an average of £40. When first starting point, my curiosity to learn about them drew me to read articles about these shoes and their versatility and long-lasting state.

Cost:
Cost is something that can vary with Pointe shoes. For example, some brands can be pretty affordable, at prices as low as as £20.00. This cost I am wary of, because to me, that's a little too low for a shoe that's hand made out of multiple layers of material, with lots of strong glue specialised specifically for the pointe shoe to keep it strong and lasting, a shoe that uses satin on the outside of the shoe, and that has a shank, which is extremely strong to hold you up on your toes and support your arch when dancing.
   However, prices can also be what appears to me personally, as too high, costing £80 or over. This is because as good a quality as you want for the shoes because of their use, you don't need to rear towards £80 to find the best quality shoe. And at the same time, you also do not need to spend so much, (unless you want to of course which is an individual choice) because depending on the amount of times these shoes are used, they could for instance break in and be unusable after just a few months of use.
So, regarding cost, from personal choice, I believe you want to go for mid way, paying approximately £40-£50 as a range on the shoes. My Grishko Ballet shoes I believe were £45.50 from looking at my receipt I somehow still have, which is actually quite a good price, likely because I purchased them from an independent store and not from a website for example. However, the price is also pretty good, as Pointe shoes will not be cheap, and will be costly to some extent, obviously depending on how much you're willing to pay, due to all the time and materials used to make them, and the skills to shape them into their idea structure so they work perfectly for the dancer.

And this is another good point about Grishkos, because they're not too low or 'cheap' as some say in cost, which many people and myself are wary of, due cheap items not always being the best choice when regarding a shoe that cannot just be made in seconds. But, at the same time, these shoes are also not so expensive as other brands may be, as they will do the same overall as a lower priced shoe will do an therefore there isn't really any need to double the cost of the shoe that will soon have to be replaced within 6 months to a year; depending on how frequently they are used.


There you go, my review on my current Grishko Ballet Pointe shoes. Hope this was useful for any of your interested in learning about types of pointe shoes and brands. This was just my own personal opinion to my Pointe shoes I currently have but hope it was useful to read.

Thank you for reading,

Yours truly,
Caris  

Pointe Shoe Accessories | Must Have Items For New Pointe Shoes

Pointe Shoe Accessories | Must Have Items For New Pointe Shoes

All the items I use for my Pointe shoes. 

In my previous post, The Search For New Pointe Shoes | Pointe Shoe Fitting, the post about my new pointe shoes, purchasing new Pointe shoes and having them fitted, I had to obtain the appropriate items for my new pointe shoes in order to wear them. So here's a list of some of the key things you need prepare and do before you can start dancing in your new Pointe shoes. The post is mainly aimed at beginners but could provide useful for anyone else who believes it to be relevant. 

Pointe Shoe Ribbons:
Ribbons are important and must be 'Pointe Shoe Ribbons', so that they are durable and effective enough to be used, as normal ribbons wont do. Pointe shoe ribbons are a must to keep your shoes on your feet, therefore reducing risk of injury. To add, ribbons make Pointe shoes look more attractive and elegant.

Pointe shoe ribbon cut to length for oneof the
two ribbons for one shoe

A tip: Be sure the Pointe shoe ribbons match the colour of your Pointe shoes as much as possible, such as light pink ribbons for light pink Pointe shoes, or black ribbons for black Pointe shoes, or if possible, purchase the ribbons from the the same brand that your Pointe shoes are from. Some brands such as Bloch, sell ribbons the same colour and hue as their Pointe shoes.
You can purchase Pointe shoe ribbons on a dance website or from a dance shop like I did when I purchased my new Pointe shoes, and they only cost a few pounds. Some places sell singular amounts and lengths of ribbon, while others may also sell bulk amounts on a wheel, and whichever you choose will be fine. If you're new to pointe work and are not sure where to get them from, here are two links to dance websites I have used in the past - www.dancedirect.com/uk , www.movedancewear.com . Due to my personal choice of wishing to spend a average price on accessories in the past, I personally find www.movedancewear.com provide items which are more affordable for myself and provide my sizes in stock.

Pointe Shoe Elastic:
I myself have never yet had elastic designed for Pointe shoes sewn onto my Pointe shoes. Many people may want to at first, to ensure their shoes stay secure on their feet, such as during rehearsals or during a performance if your ribbons were to come undone, in order to reduce injuries. However, Pointe shoe ribbons are supposed to be tied the correct way and knotted appropriately and so it would be unlikely that the ribbons should or will come undone x
If you feel you would like elastic, go ahead and purchase it from either an online website, such as the ones linked above, or from a dance shop. Some places sell a certain length, where others sell a whole wheel of elastic in bulk to last longer. Which ever option you choose is fine. There are many types of Pointe shoes elastic, some being thick, pink elastic, others light pink with gaps in the stitching to appear transparent or barely there, and others completely transparent and invisible on stage.

Pointe Shoe Thread:
Pointe shoe thread is for sewing the ribbons and elastic onto the pointe shoes. The thread must be for Pointe shoes as it needs to be the correct colour and hue, thick enough, strong enough to keep the ribbons and elastic sewn tightly onto the Pointe shoes.
Some shops and websites sell wheels of thread, and some brands sell starter packs or all-in-one packs with everything you need, such as the Stitch Kit from Bunheads, which involves a tube with an instructions booklet, a needle and Pointe shoe thread. I personally prefer to use a thinner needle that I already have in my sewing box, to use to sew my ribbons onto my pointe shoes, but the instructions
booklet is really helpful for when I first started sewing ribbons onto my Pointe shoes, and the wheel of thread has last me a long time still with many more uses in the future.

Suede toe protectors:
Suede toe protectors for Pointe shoes, are small suede patches designed to be glued to the platform of the Pointe shoe, in order to provide grip for the dancer, reduce risk of falling from slippy surface of the silk-like material covering the Pointe shoe and the floor's surface. I have once fallen and hit my knee against the ground whilst doing a pirouette on a polished, wooden dance floor whilst wearing my old pointe shoes, which had no grip added to the shoes. You can purchase these from a shop or an online dance website, and some brands have suede toe protectors for Pointe shoe designed for their brand of shoes, however any suede protectors should be fine. I purchased my suede toe protectors online from www.movedancewear.com for £1.95.


There are a few of the must-have items for new pointe shoes, alongside a few suggested links to websites I have visited to buy these products and where you can find the above products.


Thank you for reading,

Yours truly,
Caris

Breaking In Your Pointe Shoes | My Quick Trick

Breaking In Your Pointe Shoes | My Quick Trick

When you first get a new pair of Pointe shoes, they can be like two bricks. The shoes are made to be so strong to hold your weight as you wear them on pointe, spin in them, jump in them and so on. However this also means that they can be a pain to break in, especially as a beginner when you are getting used to the techniques and creating strength in your feet and ankles in order to break in the shoes. Without strength, the shoes can take effort to break in. Some brands are harder or softer than others. My old pair of Grishko's, my favourites as they tailor to all my needs, were extremely stiff and hard to break in. It depends on the brand. 

So here's a trick I use once to break in my pointe shoes recently, due the issue of having to wait months to buy new shoes and I must start rehearsing in my Pointe shoes a.s.a.p; I can't afford to wait weeks and weeks for them to break in:

1) Simply find a place to use for breaking in the shoes: on a hard surface that is stable, ideally a clean

Step 1- Face the shoes as shown above 

carpet or floor (I use my bedroom carpet as it won't get my shoes dirty with fluff etc). You will need a hard surface as you're going to bend the shoe against it for support to break it. 

2)Take your Pointe shoe in both of your hands. Make sure the shoes face the way that it would when on your feet. Flip the shoe over so the inside of the shoe faces the ground and the suede shank and sole face towards you, as shown in the picture. Place your hands at the front of the shoe as shown, and gently but firmly push the heel of the shoe into the ground with your hands, being sure to evenly bend the shank for a few seconds. When you are done,

Step 2- Be sure to use both hands, however I have
one hand holding the shoe as I had
to take a photo and hold the shoe

the shank (sole of the shoe that helps you to keep standing) may feel bumpy and more flexible than before, that's fine because that's a sign the shoes are broken in and the shoes will have the curved shape of a foot that they should have. 

3) Now repeat the above on the other shoe. Be sure NOT TO repeat too many times, as this could damage the shank and the shoes structure. Also ensure you use both hands when pushing the shoe into the ground, so the shoe
breaks in evenly.

Step 2 and 3- repeat for step 3

  The reason why this breaks in the shoe, is due to the fact that the shank is being bent slowly from being pressed against the hard surface, and being pushed down on by your hands. Of course, the more the shoes are worn, the more they will break in naturally until you will require new
shoes, however Pointe shoes need to be broken in to a certain extent in order to use them properly. 

The result- broken in shoes, that if you look carefully you can see the
shoe is bent to the shape of my foot and is slightly bumpy underneath
the shank in the image; this is the broken in part

There you go, a quick trick I use to break my shoes in and that I have recently used to break in my new Pointe shoes. My dancing teacher informed me that I had broken in the shoes effectively, and now I can move around in them freely.

Thank you for reading and I hope this helps,

Yours truly,

Caris 

The Search For New Pointe Shoes | Pointe Shoe Fitting

The Search For New Pointe Shoes | Pointe Shoe Fitting

My old, no-more worn, Pointe shoes from August 2014
, as I was that delighted I wrote inside when I first purchased
then xD

My beloved old Pointe shoes are no more. They're frayed, too soft to use and just worn down. So off I went in search of my new Pointe shoes. As a result of this long journey in search of actually having my Pointe shoes fitted, I now currently have lovely, bright, lively Pointe shoes, and what a surprise the same brand... And by the way, some amusing photo of me my sister in law took of me during my Pointe shoe fitting, so yes, laugh away like she did haha.

New Point shoes compared to my old Pointe shoes.
 Old shoes left, new shoes right.
You can see some difference in their structure. 

Let me fill you in. I live in a Town near Oxford by roughly 40-60 minutes in the car, depending on traffic. The nearest Ballet Shop that sells Pointe Shoes as well as having a trained individual to fit the shoes for you, is on the outskirts of Oxford. I had multiple attempts to figure out a method of travel to get to the shop. Bus? No I finish college when the bus leaves and would have to wait over 40 minutes when I am busy later on. Train? wait the train goes back to where I live, not where the shoes are. Car? Oh wait, I can't drive without another individual with me as I am a learner driver. Walk? Oh no, that would take probably a day or more. Lift from someone? NO, no, no. Then: how about my brother and sister-in-law? And that's how I managed to get the Pointe shoes I  needed. Thank you to my relatives I appreciate it so so much :)

So on the day, a Monday to be exact, I went to college in Oxford for the hour, the only hour lesson I have on a Monday, travelled back on the train to the town centre of where I live, met my brother and sister-in-law in the train station car park and hopped into their car. We set off towards the dance shop, which took about 45 minutes, finally arriving at the shop which had wooden floors, white wash walls, and a stash of new Pointe shoes of various different brands to the right of the shop's entrance.

Yep, this was taken the moment I couldn't get the shoe
even onto my heel they were so small! 
And yes, my
face says it all haha xD

When starting to try on shoes, we started with a brand that I hadn't heard of before, and annoyingly have forgotten. These were not very wide, and I couldn't even fit my feet into them. The next, the same brand and the next width up, still had the same issue. Next up, we tried the same brand, as this brand offered shoes for those with tapered feet, like mine. We didn't try on any Bloch brands as these are for square feet and unfortunately don't provide for my build of my feet.

After about 20 pairs of the same brand, and 45 minutes of deciphering the right width and length of the shoes best for my feet, I tried on Grishko Pointe shoes; resulting in more hopeful chances of finding the correct shoes for myself.  The first pair of Grishko's was a pair that once again, the incorrect width, and in fact I couldn't even fit my heel into them. The second, had too much length to them, as my feet slipped down into the shoes when on point: definitely not the right size of shoe. The next pair, once on my feet standing and on point, were literally perfect, Right width, length and size. Only issue was that the shank (the part of the shoe that keeps the shoes structure and that you stand on) was too long, it dug into my feet and even after five minutes of wearing them staring to dig into my left foot really badly, ouch! So then the shop owner got another pair of Grishko shoes, the Grishko 2007 's. Once I put these shoes on, I knew they were the right ones. How? Because my feet weren't being crushed to death within a second of wearing them, because they fit snugly, not too tight or too loose. Standing on point felt effortless without pain as I was able to get over the vamp and onto the platform easily to stand.  I had found the right shoes! After an hour and fifteen minutes, I had found them! Finally after waiting months to go and get a Pointe shoe fitting, I had finally got the Pointe shoes that were perfect. So I brought them, £45.50 plus length of four ribbons for £1.50, cheaper than I had ever seen these items on any dancing website that I know.

New Pointe shoes and correctly coloured ribbon for my Pointe
 shoes brand new in their bag. 

 The happiness I get from the fact they are more comfortable than my old Pointe shoes, because they fit me! The fact that my left foot is half a size smaller than my right, that my feet are tapered (or 'somewhat tapered' because of my longest second toe), my arch is high and my feet are slim but wide where the toe bones meet the foot and that I have long toes, especially a longer second toe. All the things that made it so impossible and frustrating to find the right shoes, had resulted in the best, comfiest shoes! And yes, it still hurts to go on pointe and to wear the shoes, but the normal

My new, shining, well-fitting Pointe shoes.

pain to expect with Pointe shoes, and a pain that is so much less than what I experienced from my old pointe shoes.

Now I can finally reherse in my dance school's dance show in June, without struggling to get over the vamp and onto the platform because my old shoes were too small and the vamp was too long for my feet :)

Thankyou for reading,

Yours truly,
Caris