Ouch Pouches: Product Review

I am always trying out new toe pads for my Gaynor Minden pointe shoes. Over the course of several years, I've come to prefer gel pads over the traditional lambswool toe pads. Among the various varieties of gel pads, I tend to rotate between a couple of different products. No matter what type of gel pads I wear, I always end up returning to my faithful Ouch Pouches. These toe pads can be found in most dance stores that sell pointe shoes. Dancers can also find them at online stores such as Amazon, Discount Dance or the Bunheads website.

Pros of Using Ouch Pouches

Feeling the Floor

One of the greatest benefits of wearing Ouch Pouches under your pointe shoes is that they allow you to feel the floor. This is mainly due to their lack of bulk. Feeling the floor is important as it creates awareness in how and where the foot is hitting the floor. This makes it easier for dancers to maintain proper placement and positioning.

Durability

My biggest complaint about lambswool toe pads is that it feels like I am constantly replacing them. While a single pair of lambswool toe pads is cheaper than a pair of gel pads, the cost over time may be higher. Despite the less than bulky construction of Ouch Pouches, they are built to last a lot longer than other toe pads.

Deep Vamp

As a dancer whose feet fit best in pointe shoes with a deep vamp, I get super frustrated by toe pads that peek out from my pointe shoes. Ouch Pouches are cut with a deep vamp so that they provide needed coverage while remaining well hidden.

Cons of Using Ouch Pouches

Less Protection

While I love the sleek feel of these gel pads, it is the very lack of bulk in Ouch Pouches that make them terrible for dancers with sensitive feet. While this has rarely been a problem for me, I am always hearing dancers complain about their toenails grinding against the floor and the pain of the excess pressure on their feet.

Coverage Issues

Ouch Pouch toe pads are great for the "ideal" dance foot. However, if your big toe is larger than average, or you have a longer second toe, they may not provide enough coverage for you. These gel pads can also make pointe shoes painful for dancers with large bunions.

Overall, I think that Ouch Pouches are a great buy. They are comfortable, durable and they help you feel the floor. However, dancers with unusually shaped feet or a tendency towards foot pain should avoid Ouch Pouch toe pads.

Read more about gel pads: Gel Pads for Pointe Shoes