Pointe Shoe Guide

Get the right shoe for your foot and minimize wasting money on shoes with improper fittings!

Find out who my favorite fitters are
Use my free Pointe Shoe Journal to track your fittings and trials
Learn more about my LIVE support and mentorship programs for dancers

Pointe shoes are one of the most exciting milestones in your ballet journey! That excitement can soon turn to frustration as you start to shop and be fitted for shoes. As your feet and abilities change you may even need to find a new shoe! It's an ongoing process.

There are so many options and so many things you don’t know about. Shoes are expensive and feet are priceless. You can probably use some help!

My 50 page FREE pointe shoe guide with 90 minutes of audio is full of useful information that takes the guesswork out of finding the shoe for you! (PDF also available).

Foot Terminology
Pointe Shoe Terminology
Basic requirements teachers look for in determining pointe shoe readiness
Criteria for pointework
Technique and strength checklist
What to expect at your first fitting
How to be your own best advocate in case you do not have access to an expert fitter
How to prepare your feet for a fitting
What to wear to the fitting
What you need to know about toe pads
What’s up with toe spacers & gel dots
The fitting process
Notes for parents or guardians
How the shoes should fit
How you are supported in pointe shoes
Pointe shoe care and longevity
How to know when shoes are dead and when to replace them
Breaking in your shoes
Learn what else I can do to help beyond this guide

When you claim your guide I’ll invite you to my free group LIVE video sessions that I do every month where you can ask me all about shoes and I will tell you how to download my free app for dancers!

About me: My name is Robbie Downey and I have been dancing for 20 years. I have trained at the top schools in the country, danced at professional companies, won several awards, have been invited to compete at prestigious international competitions, and am successfully still dancing professionally as a guest/freelance artist. I also have my own online training program and have started a small company in the Los Angeles area called West Coast Ballet. I am still young enough to recall in detail my experiences from schools and first shoe fittings. I had to work really hard to get where I am today. Not everything came easy for me but I persevered. I did not have access to a mentor or any extra help in making decisions about my training. This would have been a great advantage but it was not available to me. I would love to help you in your ballet journey! (photo by @janacarson Photography)

50 Page

Pointe Shoe

Guide with 90 Minutes of Audio