Top Pointe Shoe Brands Elevating Ballet Performance

Finding the right pointe shoe is essential for any ballet dancer, as it not only enhances performance but also ensures foot safety and comfort. The market is teeming with brands, each offering unique designs tailored to a variety of foot shapes and dancing needs. Among the top brands favored by professionals and students alike are Bloch, known for their durable construction, and Capezio, which provides both classic and innovative designs. Other noteworthy brands include Grishko, which offers a range of styles to suit different feet, and Gaynor Minden, revered for their technologically advanced materials that provide comfort and longevity. For a detailed guide to these brands and to discover which might best suit your needs, please explore the information below.

Illustration of pointe shoe

Best brands of pointe shoe in 2025

Bloch

Bloch is renowned as one of the best producers of pointe shoes, offering high-quality products that meet the stringent demands of professional ballet dancers. With over 80 years of experience, Bloch has perfected its craft, ensuring a fit that is both comfortable and supportive. Their pointe shoes are made from the finest materials, with attention to detail that sets them apart from other brands. Bloch's commitment to innovation has led to the development of unique features such as the 'TMT' (Tension, Medium, Tight) system, allowing dancers to customize the fit to their preferences. As a result, Bloch pointe shoes are favored by a significant percentage of professional ballet companies worldwide.

Capezio

Capezio is a renowned brand in the ballet shoes market, particularly celebrated for its high-quality pointe shoes, with a history spanning over 130 years since its founding in 1871. The company was appointed as the official shoemaker for the Metropolitan Opera House in 1892 and has since been a favorite among professional dancers, including the legendary Anna Pavlova. Capezio's pointe shoes, such as the Ava model, are designed with a curved last and broad box to facilitate ease in dancing en pointe. The brand has also innovated by introducing materials like Antron-Lycra/Spandex into their dancewear, revolutionizing the industry. With a global presence and continuous evolution, Capezio remains a top choice for dancers worldwide. For more information, visit their About Us page.

Grishko/Nikolay

Grishko, a renowned brand in the ballet world, is celebrated for producing some of the most customized pointe shoes available, with 28 models designed to cater to various foot types and dancer experiences. Known for their high-quality, handmade shoes made from natural materials, Grishko has been a favorite among ballet dancers globally. The brand has also been at the forefront of inclusivity, releasing pointe shoes in diverse skin tones to match the dancers' skin, a trend that gained momentum in 2020. Grishko's commitment to innovation and comfort has made their shoes a staple in many ballet companies. Their shoes are available in a variety of sizes, shanks, and widths, ensuring a perfect fit for dancers of all levels.

Freed of London

Freed of London is renowned as one of the world's leading producers of pointe shoes, with a rich history dating back to 1929 when founder Frederick Freed began handcrafting and customizing shoes for professional dancers. Each year, Freed of London manufactures nearly 250,000 pairs of Classic Pointe Shoes using the traditional 'turn-shoe' method, with two-thirds of these shoes made to individual dancers' specifications with accuracy to within 3 mm. The brand introduced the Studios pointe shoe range in 1996, combining modern technology with traditional expertise to ensure consistency and uniformity. Freed of London's pointe shoes are handcrafted in the UK from natural and biodegradable components, offering exceptional support and comfort for dancers. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned them a world-renowned reputation for excellence.

Gaynor Minden

Gaynor Minden is a renowned global brand, celebrated for its innovative and durable pointe shoes, which have been a staple in the ballet world since 1993. These shoes, made with American-made high-tech internal components, including polymer shanks and Poron Performance cushioning, last 3-5 times longer than traditional pointe shoes. Produced in both the USA and Europe since 2020, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes are handmade by skilled craftsmen and are used by over 200 major ballet companies worldwide. The brand offers a wide range of customization options, including ultra-flexible shanks, various box shapes, and different satin colors. Gaynor Minden's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a preferred choice among professional dancers globally.

Sansha

Sansha is a renowned and innovative brand in the pointe shoe market, celebrated for its extensive range of models and commitment to quality. Founded by Frank Raoul-Duval 35 years ago, Sansha introduced the first split sole ballet slipper and has since maintained a forefront position in dance shoe innovation. The company offers eight divisions of pointe shoes, each with multiple models, ensuring a fit for various foot types and expertise levels. Notably, Sansha's quality control is stringent, with less than 0.5% of products experiencing issues. Their shoes are hand-made, often incorporating machine stitching, and follow women's US sizes with a variety of sizes and widths available. For more information, visit their frequently asked questions page.

Russian Pointe

Russian Pointe, often associated with brands like Grishko and R-Class, is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship in producing high-quality pointe shoes. Grishko, for instance, manufactures between 32,000 to 37,000 pairs of pointe shoes per month using only natural materials, and its products are sold in over 60 countries, with the United States being its largest market, purchasing up to 100,000 pointe shoes annually. R-Class, another prominent Russian manufacturer, has been at the forefront of pointe shoe development for over 30 years, with over 200 artisans hand-crafting shoes that are tested and developed on Bolshoi ballerinas. These shoes are made with superior quality European fabrics and advanced glue, ensuring longevity and comfort. Professional dancers worldwide, including those from the Bolshoi Theatre, rely on these Russian-made pointe shoes for their performances. For more insights into the dedication of Russian companies in ballet footwear excellence, explore this article.

Repetto

Repetto is a renowned brand in the ballet shoe industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality pointe shoes. Founded in 1947 by Rose Repetto, the company has a rich history of catering to prominent ballet dancers and companies, including the National Opera of Paris. Repetto's pointe shoes are crafted using the traditional 'stitch and return' method, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship and durability. The brand has expanded significantly, with a factory in Saint Medard d'Excideuil producing over 500,000 pairs of ballerina shoes annually since 2011. Repetto's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a leader in the global ballet shoe market. For more detailed insights on their history, visit their official website.

So Danca

So Danca is a renowned brand in the dance industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality pointe shoes. Established in the mid-1980s by the Teixeira Araujo family in Brazil, So Danca has expanded globally, including a significant presence in the United States since 2017. The brand is known for innovative designs, such as reusable/replaceable shanks, which have significantly improved the durability and comfort of pointe shoes. So Danca's products are tested and endorsed by professional dancers, ensuring an unparalleled fit and performance. The company continues to revolutionize industry standards with its innovative spirit and commitment to comfort and elegance. Discover more about their gracefully engineered dance wear by visiting their official website.

Merlet

Merlet is a renowned brand in the ballet industry, celebrated for its high-quality, handmade pointe shoes crafted in their historic workshop in Limoges, France. With a legacy spanning since 1974, Merlet combines traditional techniques with modern innovations, using eco-friendly fabrics to ensure perfect support, protection, and aesthetics. Their pointe shoes are tailored to meet the specific needs of dancers, reflecting the brand's commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. Merlet's products are highly regarded by professional and amateur dancers alike, contributing to the growing demand in the ballet shoe market. The brand's attention to detail and dedication to quality have made it a favorite among ballet enthusiasts globally.