Unfortunately you must decide what kind of toe pad you want to use before you go en pointe. This is due to the fact that the type of toe pad you choose can effect the fitting of your shoes. These days there are many options and I'm not going to go through all of them, a spot of window-shopping online will soon get you updated. Who doesn't like window-shopping?
However you need to be realistic. Blisters are caused by friction, and the more you stuff into your shoe, the more there is to rub against your skin. A fitted pointe shoe, strong feet and good technique should go a long way in protecting your feet. In the beginning you will be spending very little time actually en pointe anyhow, and it might not be as painful as you're expecting. It's perfectly possible (and preferable) to dance without padding. This will give you the benefit of being able to feel the floor as you dance and move the muscles of the foot freely. Regardless of all padding you can still expect the odd blister - although unlike pro-footballers we won't be rolling on the floor in pain. When it comes to blisters there are many specialist tapes available for dancers, they'll be listed along with toe pads, under pointe shoe accessories. But I'm sure the local chemist (Apotek) can also help you.
The traditional toe pad comes in many forms now. Avoid the original foam toe pads which flatten quickly and also absorb moisture (smelly).
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| Yuk! |
You can now get them in lambs wool too, which has traditionally been used as a loose form of padding. Gellows, pillows for pointe, are a new brand to me, which also come in extra long. And Skinny Dips have a very lightweight material pad, although how much protection it gives is questionable. One possible solution is the Eurotard Feather Lites gel pads which will allow you to feel the floor, and I think could be cut down quite easily on the underside.
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| Feather Lites |
Bunheads have a line of products for pointe shoes, the most known of which is their Ouch Pouch (below).
These have a thin layer of gel between two layers of material, which should ease some of the friction, but they also cover the whole forefoot. A good choice for those who are more squeamish but not otherwise recommended. You don't need padding under the toes regardless, but it can also affect your balance and hinder the proper use of the intrinsic muscles. If this is the way you choose then I recommend the Ouch Pouch Junior which has less padding on the underside.
Another product from Bunheads is their gel tips. They are elasticated fabric tubes with a gel coating on the inside, also good if you have a bruised toenail. They are available in many different shapes and forms, but you do need to remember to cut them down so blood flow is not restricted. (Below)
As I mentioned before lambs wool has traditionally been used as shoe padding and is still popular with many dancers. It is cheap, easy to form and can be placed exactly where you need it. I don't have any experience with this product unfortunately, but I do wonder how it is affected by moisture from the foot....
It's also worth mentioning that many, including professionals, use paper towels. You have to be extremely precise when you are folding and placing the towels but they are a cheap, plentiful and simple alternative.
One last alternative is a more modern type of gel pillow designed to be placed just in the toe of the shoe. It can also be used together with other types of protection. It should function well as a shock absorber, and there are types that can be formed or cut, so they function particulaly well for those who have a tapered foot ( a long big toe and gradually shorter toes). There aren't as many of these products so you will have to surf around a little more. (Picture below).
The one product that stands out for me is the Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoe Fitting Kit. It stands to reason that a shoe that fits perfectly will generate a lot less friction and provide better support = happy feet. This is a new product for me so I can't give any guarantees, but it looks very promising. (Below) Read more here: Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoe Fitting Kit
One last word about padding. You need to look at your feet and assess whether you have any larger spaces between your toes. If this is so, then you will need to use spacemakers or spreaders. You will also need to have these in place when you are fitting shoes. Their purpose is to hold the toe in line with the joint and the bones of the foot. Extremely important for the health of your foot, bones and joints.
There are countless dance shops online. I am not recommending any specific shop, neither have I included all of the available products. I am just trying to provide you with a starting point, from here you need to shop around (or be brave and try without!!). I have collected pictures from the following sites: IDS, Dance Direct and Discount Dance. Anyone buying pointe shoes from Gaynor Mindon needs to follow their guidance, and remember they have built-in protection in certain areas.
Good luck :)
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