Choosing the correct ballet slipper can be stressful if you don’t know what you’re looking for. In this post, we break down the differences between certain types of slippers and what they’re best at doing.

Leather or Canvas?

Ballet slippers come in two main materials: leather and canvas. Leather is sturdy, can be cleaned easily, and stretches with your foot (great for young dancers with growing feet). Canvas hugs the foot beautifully and really displays the line of the foot, which makes it popular for competitions, recitals, and exams.

Split Sole or Full Sole?

Two main styles exist for ballet shoes: full sole and split sole. Full sole means that there’s a full sole running along the bottom of the shoe. The resistance of the full sole when pointing the foot is ideal for beginner dancers who are learning proper technique and are developing the necessary muscle strength in their feet. Split sole means that there’s only a sole on the heel and the toes, leaving a space under the arch. This is great for showing off the arch by allowing the foot to fully articulate.

 

Popular Brands and Models

Capezio ballet slippers are very popular for dancers starting out. Their full sole leather Daisy shoe gets the job done without breaking the bank. The So Dança SD-16 split sole canvas slipper showcases dancers’ feet beautifully which makes this one of the more popular styles as well. If So Dança isn’t for you, try out the Angelo Luzio 246 split sole canvas for something different.

 

Hopefully our post helped clear up some basic questions about ballet slippers. We know that there are dozens of options for ballet slippers, so if you’re still foggy about what’s right for you, don’t hesitate to give us a call or to drop by and speak to one of our dancewear specialists.