What are the best ballet shoes for wide feet?
As a ballerina, you’re probably used to your feet hurting like crazy. The amount of times that you had to tape your feet because of some type of injury is ridiculous.
However, you should be able to find shoes that actually fit you, even though you’ll be in pain either way. The least you can do for your career is find shoes that will give you enough support and comfort to train for long hours. You’ll have to be on point, doing all of those pirouettes and jumps, which means that your feet are your most prized possession.
You’re in desperate need of ballet shoes that will provide you with the movement and space you need to create those difficult moves and capture the eyes of everyone.
We have compiled a list of the best options that will help you forget about the pain, so you can focus on form and elegance. Let’s show the world just how flawless a ballerina can be!
1. Bloch Pump Canvas Ballet Shoe
One of the best ballet shoes for wide feet is the Bloch Pump Canvas Ballet Shoe. They’re definitely one of the Bloch favorites, and they will enable you to get the most out of your daily training.
These pumps are soft and durable. They’re crafted by using a traditional construction technique that was used by cobblers for ages. These pumps are made to hug the arch of your feet perfectly so that the material doesn’t end up scrunched at your toes while you’re dancing.
They have a soft square canvas that molds to any foot. This means that your feet will be more than comfortable even though they’re wider than the “standard” feet.
The heels have a very aesthetically pleasing and feminine mold because of the seam cushioning.
Of course, these shoes can be used for daily training because it’s easier than having to stand on pointe every single time you enter the studio. Finally, the Bloch Pump Canvas Ballet Shoe has teardrop-shaped pads at the toes and heals, so that it promotes flexibility and stability of the foot.
2. Capezio Daisy Ballet Shoe
The Capezio Daisy Ballet Shoe is one of the best ballet shoes for wide feet, but it’s also one of the best shoes for beginners. If you’re just starting to learn ballet, no matter your age, you should definitely go for these.
The Capezio Daisy Ballet Shoe is a 100% leather shoe. It has pre-attached elastics and a full sole. If you’re buying these for a child, then you should definitely look at the color options, because the light pink shoes have a daisy print on the inside that could be charming for your kid.
People highly recommend these for beginners with wider feet, because the fit is very snug without being uncomfortable. They have just enough room for a wider foot and you should be more than fine when you’re wearing them.
These shoes have hammered pleats for smooth floor contact, they run wide, but you should still try one size bigger than you usually would. Sometimes, people even recommend going 1.5 sizes bigger than you usually would.
3. Bloch Serenade Pointe Shoe
One of the best ballet shoes for wide feet is also the Bloch Serenade Pointe Shoe. The Serenade is great for dancers who are just starting pointe dance. However, if you want something softer, then you should look at the options above.
Either way, the Serenade shoes are able to hold the foot back within the shoes. With the design of the shank under the metatarsal your foot will be perfectly supported in these!
The toe box is quite wide so even the girls with wider feet can have a wonderful experience when they’re dancing. The platform is a wide oblong shape with less height in the box, which gives even more support while standing on pointe.
These shoes are available in a standard and strong shank, which makes them appropriate for class, as well as actual performances. The Serenade has noise reduction under the pleats, which means that you could even practice at home without disturbing anyone.
The only issue is that they’re only available in one color and you have to buy the ribbons and elastics separately.
4. Bloch European Balance
Another shoe made by Bloch, but these are definitely a bestseller! Everyone loves this model, especially if you want something comfortable and functional at the same time.
I mean, how comfortable can pointe shoes actually be? Well, these are some of the best ballet shoes for wide feet on the market.
The European Balance has a curved last, which gives the dancers the feeling that they’re able to spend an entire day on pointe without any issues. They provide maximum comfort and protection from injuries.
The curved shaft and last follow the usual anatomy of the foot, which makes them so comfortable. On the other side, they have a very narrow and tapered box with less room for the toes. Some reviewers do say that this doesn’t make much difference, as their wide feet usually have quite narrow toes.
The generous platform balances out the weight of the dancer, and it reduces the pressure on the metatarsals. Even though all of these qualifications create a quite snug fit on your foot, these shoes still have enough room for a wider foot.
However, I would still recommend that you get a size bigger than usual if you’re not able to try them out beforehand.
Again, the ribbons and elastics have to be bought separately, and you’ll have to sew them on yourself.
5. Capezio Airess Broad W
Another pair of ballet shoes for wide feet is the Capezio Airess Broad W. These are premium pointe shoes that have a tapered toe box and a 6.5” red board shank. They have perfect arch support that gives your feet maximum comfort.
The plush inner lining of the Capezio Airess Broad W is built in for the perfect comfort, but it also has a platform that’s hammered flat. This is what gives you stability and security when you have to visit the barre.
These shoes are perfect for wider feet. People have recommended them for women who have a wide, Roman foot.
The stitched pleading construction of the Capezio Airess Broad W absorbs sound, which makes every step you take seem effortless, elegant, and graceful.
6. Grishko 2007 Pointe Shoe
Another one of the best ballet shoes for wide feet are the Grishko 2007 Pointe Shoes. Grishko is a well-known designer of pointe shoes, and this model has the best features because it combines the best parts of every previous model.
The Grishko 2007 Pointe Shoe has a flat-toe platform, that’s somewhere between a U and a V shape. That’s one of the reasons why these shoes are recommended for beginners just as much as advanced dancers.
This, in particular, is an especially light model, with a suede machine-stitched sole. They have a perfect line of the foot and arch.
They’re good for people with wide feet because Grishko definitely puts a lot of emphasis on the comfort of their ballet shoes. They’re quite aware of the pain ballerinas have to go through, so they were able to find a way to make it a little more bearable.
The Grishko 2007 Pointe Shoe Pro has sound-absorbing Pro Technology, that makes the shoes practically silent on stage. This gives you the feeling of being even more graceful, and you’ll definitely win the hearts of the audience.
7. Russian Pointe Muse U-Cut with Drawstring
Last, but definitely not least, one of the best ballet shoes for wide feet is the Russian Pointe Muse U-Cut with Drawstring.
Why are these good for your wide feet? Well, they have an extra-wide toe platform with a generous toe box. Combined with that, they also have a medium crown that creates more than enough space for your feet.
The Muse U-Cut will become your biggest inspiration for generous pointework. These are the roomiest pointe shoes of this company, but they’re also one of the prettiest shoes in their Spotlight collection.
Dancers with broad feet or even-length toes usually go for the Muse U-Cut shoes. They rarely combine these pointe shoes with additional padding, like gel pads (that are usually needed).
A while back, they even had a V-Cut option, but it’s no longer available in this model.
I would even recommend that you read through the reviews because so many women are shocked at how much room these shoes provide. They’re the perfect choice for your strong feet and wide metatarsal region and they take the cake on our list of best ballet shoes for wide feet!
As a dancer, you’re used to being in pain most of the time, but sometimes it’s unnecessary. We’ve all seen the videos of girls taking their pointe shoes off after a full day of dancing.
That’s one of the reasons why you deserve to get yourself roomier shoes that you’ll be able to wear without feeling like you’re feet are falling off.