Fittings
Foot And Pointe Shoe Assessment And Fitting
Contrary to popular belief, a well-fitted shoe does not need a toe pad! Combined with proper toe and metatarsal taping, the shoe should support the first transverse or metatarsal arch, taking pressure away from the joints of the toes and reducing the risk of injury.
The shank of the pointe shoe should support the longitudinal arch correctly, and the dancer’s heel should be supported through the correctly fitted heel combined with the well sewn ribbons.
Consider that the foot has a natural Three Points Of Support System, which works perfectly well when we are walking, running, dancing or standing. On demi pointe, the three points of support move forwards to give perfect support to the big toe and the ball of the foot, but when we go on pointe, the support is lost as we now only have a platform to stand on. Now the shoe must replace the three points of support.
What is included in a pointe shoe fitting with Juon Pointe:
- Assessment of pointe shoes
- Foot and ankle assessment
- Recommendations to make pointe work less challenging
- Fitting of demi pointe shoes and / or pointe shoes
- A written report with photos and recommendations
A complimentary pointe shoe assessment is available with Esther Juon. If any adjustments are needed, a pointe shoe fitting can be scheduled.
Cost Of A Pointe Shoe Fitting: $50.00
Duration of Fitting: 60 minutes
Esther Juon is available to accompany you to your fitting via Zoom or FaceTime upon request.
Follow Up Fitting
Ideal for dancers who are preparing for pointe work. We offer this service at the Juon Pointe Studio, or during our away clinics when visiting ballet schools.
Pointe shoes should be checked regularly. They need to be re-fitted as your feet grow and change and until they settle into their specific shape and adult size.
What To Bring To Your Fitting
- Start by ensuring your feet are clean and your toenails are properly trimmed. Make sure you have no blisters or corn on your feet or toes, as injured feet will not fit properly into demi pointe or pointe shoes.
- Please wear convertible ballet tights and a leotard
- Bring all your current ballet shoes – flats, demi pointe shoes and pointe shoes. If you are switching brands, it is important to compare the differences between the shoes. If you are transitioning out of Grishko shoes, it is helpful to see how they have been worn.
- Please bring a pair of your current street shoes ( No sandals or jandals ) so we can assess how you use your feet while walking.
- Be sure to bring some patience and be prepared to communicate with us. The more feedback you provide, the better we can fit your shoes.
We are eager to collaborate with your teacher, so it would be great if they could accompany you, along with a parent for your first fitting.
All Things Pointe Shoes
How To Sew On Your Ribbons
With the Juon Pointe System, we sew the pointe shoe ribbons underneath the heel using a single continuous piece of ribbon. This design prevents the heel from shifting and securely binds the shoe’s heel to the dancer’s foot.
How To Tie Your Ribbons
- Start with the inside ribbon, placing it under the inside of the ankle bone, then over the ankle bone on the outside and around one more time finishing on the inside of the ankle.
- Now take the outside ribbon and place it under the ankle bone on the outside and then over the ankle bone on the inside and around one more time, finishing on the inside of the ankle bone.
- Tie a knot, cut the rest of the ribbon back to 1cm from the knot.
- Tuck the knot down inside the ribbon and just behind the inside of the ankle bone.
Useful Tips
- Kneel down and have the other leg bent at the knee with the foot placed flat and fully flexed on the floor. The will make sure that the ribbons are not tied too tightly, giving the ankle freedom to move.
- Rubbing a bit of rosin on the heel of hte tights and then pulling the heel of the shoe over will also stop the slipping of the heel of the pointe shoes.
- Never sew elastic or anything else at the back of the pointe shoe as it will cause thickening of the archilles tendon. This must be avoided at all cost.
About Our Shoes
We have modified the Grishko pointes shoes to make them support the Australasian foot correctly and we only supply our shoes to pointe shoe fitters who we have trained in the Juon Pointe Shoe System.
At the moment, we have limited stock of pointe shoes available, but we are committed to helping dancers find the perfect fit. We offer personalised online assessments and fittings, where we guide you through the process step by step.
After the initial fitting, we can accompany the dancer in a store’s fitting session via ZOOM or FaceTime, ensuring that they get the right shoe for their needs. Our goal is to provide tailored support and make sure every dancer feels confident in their pointe shoes.
Drawstrings in Grishko Pointe Shoes
A correctly fitted Grishko pointe shoe does not require a drawstring. This will be tied off and cut at the end of the fitting. Tightly drawn strings can damage the achilles tendon.
Breaking in Grishko Pointe Shoes
Please treat these beautiful shoes with care! They are designed to support your feet anatomically and are crafted entirely from natural, eco-friendly materials. They will adapt to the warmth of your feet for the perfect fit.
First, sew the ribbins onto your shoes, then slip your feet in, ensuring they are properly aligned. Tie the ribbons securely, and cover them with a pair of warm woolen socks. Now, all that is left is to walk in them and wear them at home to let them mold to your feet.
After an hour or two, take them off carefully, mark them right and left, and hang them up to dry. Check your feet for red marks, and if there are any, remember where before going to class, and cover these areas with protective tape.
In class, under the guidance of your teacher, begin wearing your pointe shoes only at the barrre, just as you would with your demi pointe shoes. You can start pointe work once you have full mastered your demi pointe position.
If your pointe shoes are properly fitted and you have followed our guidance on preparing both your shoes and feet for class, you should not experience any pain.
Darning Pointe Shoes
Darning the platform of the shoes helps to protect the satin, and should stop you from slipping. Use a thin but strong crochet cotton in a pale pink. Attach base lines across the width of the platform of the pointe shoes. Use these base lines to anchor the basic blanket stitch across them until the whole platform has been covered. Crochet top caps can be fixed onto the platform with double sided sticky tape, but make sure the entire cap is fixed securely to the platform.
Hanging Your Shoes Out To Dry
After wearing or dancing in your pointe shoes, please hang them on the barre until the end of class to allow them to air out properly.
When you get home, REMEMBER to take them out of your dance bag and hang them up to dry. Drying your shoes after every time you have used them will make them support your feet for longer on pointe.
Pointe Shoe Summit 2026
Pointe Shoe Summit 2026 is coming. Watch this space for the announcement of our location.
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