Gel Pads for Pointe Shoes

The worst thing about dancing is pointe shoes is the havoc it wreaks on the toes of dancers. In my experience, I've found that calluses provide the best protection for a dancer's feet, but a quality pair of toe pads is also essential. Every dancer has different tastes in toe pads and I happen to be partial to gel pads. Here a few excellent brands that will stave off painful blisters:

Ouch Pouches

With a thin layer of gel inside a fabric covering, Ouch Pouches are great for ballet dancers who prefer lighter padding. The cushioning covers the toes and the ball of the foot and can easily be cut to size. And the pads minimize sweat, preventing dancers from slipping in their pointe shoes. Younger dancers will want to check out Junior Ouch Pouches, which are perfect for beginning pointe classes. It is better to avoid Ouch Pouches if you have low arches or uneven toes, as they may not provide enough support.

ToeSavers Z-Flo Toe Pads

If you need more padding and support for your feet, ToeSavers Z-Flo pads are a good choice. Each toe pad provides support for pressure points, thus balancing out the pressure level inside pointe shoes. Inside each toe pad is a ToeSavers mini gel pad, which adds extra support for toes and minimizes impact on feet. Although more expensive than some brands of toe pads, ToeSavers Z-Flo pads are extremely durable, making them worth the investment.

Pointe Comfort

These Eurotard gel pads are excellent for ballet dancers with major foot problems. Made from orthotically tested visco elastic polymers , Pointe Comfort pads provide amazing blister protection and are designed to prolong dance careers. But ballet dancers with minimal foot pain should avoid Pointe Comfort toe pads, as they are rather bulky and get sweaty quickly.

Softpointe

Made with a polymer gel that effectively absorbs impact, Softpointe gel pads minimize odor and sweat, making long practices in pointe shoes much more comfortable. And when they do start to get sweaty, Softpointe gel pads can be quickly refreshed with talcum powder. The toe pads strike a great balance between cushioning weight and allowing ballet dancers to feel the floor.And like Ouch Pouches, Softpointe gel pads can be trimmed to size. There are two types of Softpointe pads: pink and purple. The pink pads have thirty percent more gel in them than the purple ones, and are better for dancers in need of extra support.