Ballet Magazines

What's a shank on a pointe shoe?

I was reading a magazine selling pointe shoes, and it said super soft shank, medium shank, and hard shank. Please tell me what shank is.

Public Comments

1. It's the "sole" of the pointe shoe. It supports your foot, or more specifically, your arch. You should get a hard shank if you are beginning since you might have trouble supporting your weight. You need something strong.
2. On a pointe shoe, the shank, or insole, acts as a supportive spine and comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.
3. pretty much the sole of the shoe.
4. It supports your foot, or more specifically, your arch. You get a hard shank if you are beginning point class. It helps supporting your weight. You will need something strong.
5. the shank is the "sole, as others said, and it does make sense for a beginner to use a hard shank for support, however, a hard shank can be too difficult for a beginner to break. if you're ankles and metatarsels are strong, but your arches need work, don;t rule out something on the softer side.
6. Shanks are the hard things on the inside bottom of your pointe shoes. They support your arch when you are on pointe. Soft Shanks - better for beginners or people with low arches. Soft shanks are easier to break in and allow the dancer to roll up on pointe easier. They also break down faster unless jet glued. (I use soft shanks...I love them). Medium shanks - Are most commonly used. People with average feet - average arch. Hard Shanks - People with high arches who need a lot of support or go through pointe shoes quickly use harder shanks. These are harder to break in but last longer. Some dancers tend to feel propped up if the shoe is yet to be broken in. Good Luck