HOW TO CHOOSE THE WIDTH
Nikolay ® manufactures a wide range of sizes from 0.5 to 8.5-9 depending on the model. Victory is available from size 1 to 11, and can be custom ordered up to size 11.
The width is measured in the metatarsal area which is the widest part of your foot. Nikolay ® offers 5 to 7 widths on each model to fit every dancer. Please choose your relevant width according depending on the foot measurements and type of the last:
N – for extremely narrow feet
X – for narrow feet
XX – for narrower medium width feet
XXX – for medium width feet
XXXX – for wider medium feet
XXXXX – for wide feet
XXXXXX – for extremely wide feet
Measure your foot at its widest place (where the bunions are) to identify the required width the pointe shoes. Relate the result to the table data and identify your width. It is recommended to choose a width that provides a firm and painless fit. If you notice wrinkles on the fabric and gaps between the shoe and the foot, it means you need less width.
HOW TO BE SURE YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE
Fitting is the important part of choosing pointe shoes.
To ensure that the shoe fits the foot perfectly you should use some of the methods below.
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Method 1.
Make a plie – if the ankle-joint muscle is too strained, it means that the pointe shoes are small. During making plie you will feel the shoes toe part by your longest toe, the shoe should not press the toe.
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Method 2.
Stand en pointe and make sure the heel part of the shoe fits your foot snugly. In properly fitted pointe shoes, the rear part should not seem loose and take down easily.
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Method 3.
While standing en pointe turn the rear part of the shoe inside out and make sure that the insole does not extend beyond your heel contour (line), but is located just behind your heel.
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There is one more method for checking whether you have chosen the right pointe shoes. Look at your old pointe shoes and check that the platform is worn equally.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE SHANK
The pointe shoe insole shank plays an important role of foot support. The key factor for selection here is the foot strength. The insole will support the foot, but not affect during working. The pointe shoes are chosen individually, depending on the comfort level, but the insole shall be neither too hard, nor too soft.
The choreographers recommend beginners to choose pointe shoes with medium shank hardness, which provides a proper muscle workout and supports the child’s incompletely formed foot. Dancing in such pointe shoes, girls will be able to develop their arch pretty well. The fitters recommend pointe shoes with a hard insole for strong feet.
Nikolay ® produces many different shank strengths from Super Soft to Super Hard depending on the model, so that you can choose an ideal shank according to your needs:
SS – Super Soft
S – Soft
M – Medium
H – Hard
SH – super hard
Marking type on innovative pointe shoes (DreamPointe 2007 (Allure), SuperTriumph, StarPointe) due to the features of polymer shank. It feels flexible and ready-to-wear from the very first use.
SF – Soft Flexible
MF – Medium Flexible
HF – Hard Flexible
SSF – Super Soft Flexible
SHF – Super Hard Flexible
Additional shank variation added to the shanks of the Victory model. The regular shanks of this Model feel harder. We added Flex shank, which is comparable to the Nova FLEX strength shank.
VF – Victory Flex
Reinforced shank is available only for StreamPointe. This model is very soft and pliable. The reinforced shank was added to dancers, who prefer wider box shape, but need a harder shank comparable to 3007 Medium strength shank.
R – Reinforced