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Reviews and ratings are submitted by visitors to this site. They do not reflect the opinion of Discount Dance Supply or its suppliers. Reviews may have been edited for spelling, punctuation and/or clarity without altering the intent of the review.
08/01/10 by Nina
I Love these shoes.
Rating: 5
I LOVE THESE SHOES! I first had the Serenades and those are really hard to break in and these are just perfect! They are easy to break in and you can get up on the full box just fine.
07/17/10 by Charlie
Great Shoes
Rating: 4
These shoes are great for people with a narrow heel and a wide metatarsals area. They support you and help put you over your center. The pointe shoes does often rub on your heel at the back until you build up tougher skin but otherwise really nice!
07/12/10 by Hannah
Bad turned to good
Rating: 4
When I first got these pointe shoes, I loved the extra little padding at the bottom, but after a couple weeks, my toes started feeling squished and uncomfortable. I ended up taking out the padding, after that shoes were fine. I love these shoes; they fit my feet nicely, though they look a bit blocky
07/07/10 by Cece
Boxy Appearance
Rating: 3
I have been using these for only 3 months, and they are great to help turns. But they make my feet look really boxy, and I don’t like it. However if you want to stay in the Bloch family try the Alphas! I really like them; they look much prettier on narrow-ish feet.
06/10/10 by Meaghan Wood
My first pointes
Rating: 5
These are my first Pointe shoes, I didn’t buy them from this website, but I have Bloch balance European. I absolutely love them; I am 6 in regular shoes but a 4 XX in these. I have a small, wide foot. I really love these shoes, took awhile to break in but I got them summer of 09 and Ill be good until summer 10. I take two classes a week, and practice at home. I suggest these lots.
05/31/10 by DancingQueen
Good For a While
Rating: 4
I have had these shoes for about 6 months now and they are just becoming dead. They are in their prime for me for probably 3 weeks then you can really start to feel the floor and it hurts. They fit REALLY nicely to my foot and I only got a couple blisters from them, which isn't so bad considering they're my first. If I could've gotten them in a stronger shank I would have. It had a REALLY hard box and they broke in really easily but it took a really long time before you could roll through the shoe nicely. I have an extremely wide foot and the wide option was really nice. My teacher tells me I sit in my shoes when I balance at the barre or attempt turns in center so then she showed me how not to but I had already broken in the shoe at a place too low for my arch(I have really high arches) so they are basically dead to me. They made my foot look really nice though but they broke in VERY quickly and they were definitely loud. The bottoms rubbed away the fabric really quickly and I often had to cut it so it wouldn't get in the way. The cushioning at the bottom was great too. Overall, GREAT beginner shoes but I'll be going with the Bloch Aspiration shoes next time.
05/23/10 by Emily from Orange County
Rating: 3
They were ok. They didn't last too long and didn't fit right and they were very squeaky but they looked great on my feet and the extra padding was great.
04/12/10 by Hannah from Ocala, FL
GOOD & BAD
Rating: 2
Had them 5 months super HARD box and shank, BUT.... fabric wore on the box, then the foam came out, and finally THE WOOD SPLINTERED ON THE BOX OWWWWW!!! So if you have the perfect pointe, then buy them but if you lean back a little I recommend Grishkos.
03/28/10 by dancer4ever77
WIDE FEET!
Rating: 4
These shoes are great, I've been using the Balance European shoe for 2 years! The extra padding in the box is definitely a plus! The only thing keeping me from giving this shoe 5 stars is that no matter how wide of a shoe I got, it still looked extra wide! Probably just the way the shoe is made.. just annoys me sometimes. Overall, this is a great shoe! Especially for beginners, even if you don't have a good arch, the shoe makes you look like you do!! :o)
03/14/10 by Hannah from Oregon West Linn
GREAT!
Rating: 5
I love these pointe shoes! The extra cushioning/padding in the toe box feels amazing. I don't have great arches, but these pointe shoes make it look like I do. These were also really easy to break in.
02/24/10 by Anonymous
Great, But Not For Me
Rating: 4
These were my first pointe shoes. They were Great for a while but they died really fast for me. They were easy to balance in and roll through. I had a lot of pressure on my big toe though because I have very tapered toes. I have a high strong arch very narrow feet and wear a 9 street shoe, so I had 7X in these.
I am trying Bloch axioms next.
02/16/10 by Ashley
Pretty Good
Rating: 4
I've had these pointe shoes a couple times and I liked them. They made my arches look amazing compared to my axioms. The only thing I don't like is that they wear out pretty fast. But, they make an ideal turning shoe which I loveee. So overall these shoes are pretty good.
02/14/10 by Anonymous
Amazing
Rating: 5
The only ones I will wear! They don't last long but they're cheap and they're good for people with a wide foot. They have a pretty wide box so they're good for balancing. It only takes me a couple of classes to break them in and the empty space at the heel makes your arch look fabulous!
01/28/10 by Ballet Dance 16
Great Shoe
Rating: 5
They are fantastic shoes, great for classes, rehearsals and shows. The cushioning in the toe and heel makes the shoe much more comfortable. They fit great as well!
01/28/10 by Anonymous
Rating: 5
This is the best pointe shoe I have ever had!!! It makes your foot look so good. You should really try it if you have a wide ball of the foot but a narrow heel.
01/24/10 by Vinnie
Exactly What I was Looking for
Rating: 5
These shoes are excellent for the pre-professional/professional student. I was able to wear them without breaking them in at all and they mold to a variety of different foot types. They have plenty of flexibility but still provide me with enough support which my hyper-mobile feet need. They have a wide platform which helps in balancing and could make feet look wide, however from my experience the shoe is still flattering and creates an excellent line. Order a half size higher than you would in other Bloch shoes, because they run a little small.
01/18/10 by Balletgal
Rating: 5
I love the pointe shoes!!! These were my first pair and I really loved the way they improved my arches! This year I tried a different pair and they are definitely not as good or supportive. I will definitely be getting these again.
12/23/09 by Dancer101 from California
Sturdy!
Rating: 5
These shoes really helped my arches! When I started pointe, my arches were terrible! My teacher recommended these shoes for me and now my arches are gorgeous!
12/23/09 by Dancer101 from California
Sturdy!
Rating: 5
These shoes really helped my arches! When I started pointe, my arches were terrible! My teacher recommended these shoes for me and now my arches are gorgeous!
12/08/09 by Katie
Very Nice, but not for long
Rating: 3
I got J.Bloch for my first pair of pointe shoes, so I don't know if it is the same as these shoes. They are very nice, flattering, and comfortable. I got my first pair at the beginning of June and now it is December of the same year. They were nice at first, but now they hurt my feet so they are numb after 10 minutes of practicing. There is something visible on the inside of my shoe that keeps poking my foot. It is almost through the inside sole! The inside sole keeps on sliding forward every time I go on pointe. My feet look great but they hurt for a long time after wards. And this is only on one foot. It is as if on both shoes I can feel the floor on my big toe, is that normal? I am not sure what type of shoe to get now. Great shoes, but not for long. I recommend these for beginners that are OK with getting another pair in a couple months. I don't know how these shoes work for my teacher. They might work for you, it might have been how they were made.
12/03/09 by Bunnie from Boston
Good shoes
Rating: 4
Bloch European Balance is a nice shoe. They are very easy to balance, comfortable, and looks good. However, the shanks wear down very easy. I have already jet glued them after they break in, and dry them immediately when I get home, but, these shoes only last for about 7 hours before they become too soft...
This is not the perfect shoe for me because 1) I have short toes, so vamp is too long for me; 2) these shoes are too squared for me
I think these shoes will work really well with people who have longer toes, medium/lower arches, and wide feet!
11/27/09 by Sydney from New York
Great
Rating: 5
These are my third pair of pointe shoes having had Bloch aspiration for my first and second pair. I don't dance pointe that much, 3 hours a week so my pointe shoes last about a year, I've been dancing en pointe for 3 years. I love these pointe shoes, they make my arch look amazing, having just come from the aspirations which broke in wayyyy too much and made my arch look very bad. I do have very small feet, 3.5 X ) but these shoes make my feet look long and elegant. A very good buy.
11/25/09 by Anonymous
Rating: 5
I just tried on Balance European pointe shoes at a dance store yesterday. I really liked them, even though I had to really tighten the elastic binding. I wear a 6 1/2 street shoe & tried on a 4XXX pointe shoe. I know that once you wear the shoes, they get larger + I already had to tie the elastic banding super tight. Should I order a size smaller(3 1/2xxx)? any suggestions? I'm dancing right now 4 days a week: an hour and a half, and one day 3 1/2 hours... all on pointe! PLEASE HELP!! is there anyone with similar sizing as me? I have a wide foot.
11/24/09 by Scarlett from Louisiana
Wonderful!
Rating: 5
I have terrible, terrible feet, and these were my first pair of shoes. Now, three pairs later, no brand is better for my weird feet. They make my ankles more flexible and fit both my extremely wide box and my really narrow heel. I really took these for granted, but now I love them.
11/16/09 by Meme
Rating: 4
I loved these shoes! I got them for my first pair and they were great! They are really easy to balance in, because they have a sturdy box! I had them for 6 months and they ripped within 2:( but all in all they are definitely worthwhile.
11/15/09 by Elizabeth
HELP!
Rating: 3
I got these shoes a few months ago and I love them. The only problem is that recently the heels always slip off! The only thing that keeps them on is if I tie my ribbons super tight, but it's really painful because it cuts off circulation in my feet and puts pressure on my bones and tendons. I am going to start putting my ribbons through my elastic and am going to purchase heel grips, but I don't know if they'll help. Any suggestions?
11/11/09 by Kate from New York
Rating: 4
I bought these shoes originally for a summer intensive I went to and I lovedddd them! Unfortunately with four hours a day six days a week, they died within four days of sewing their ribbons on. However, I still wore them for regular classes and I still adore them! I wear a size 4X (I have tiny feet) and they lengthen them and make my arch look flawless. I found my perfect shoe :D
10/25/09 by Anonymous
Rating: 3
I had these shoes for 3 months with pointe 5 days a week and I was happy they lasted this long. When I tried them on in the store, they fit like a glove. But once they broke in, they widened quite a bit and provided no lateral support after that. I sank into the shoe and got really bad bruised toenails and huge blisters because I was trying to dance in pointes too wide for me. My teacher told me to get new pointe shoes, but the store was out of my size in every shoe except the European Balances, so I had to get them again, but in a narrower size. I have a very wide foot with a narrow heel and my street shoe size is a 9, and I wear a 6 XXX in these now. They will get wider once they break in, so order a size narrower than usual.
10/24/09 by Adrianna
Rating: 4
I started pointe when I was nine and these were my first shoes and they were really easy for me to balance and break in. I still use the balance european right now and I'm 13. The only thing was I would break them in within 2 days and I'd need new ones every 75 days which was pretty expensive.
10/15/09 by Evangeline from Maryland
Horrible
Rating: 1
I hated these. I only bought them because they were the only pair of shoes that fit out of the others I tried on. I have small flat feet, but they are strong feet. Within 2 months, these shoes were gone. I took them off at the end of the day yesterday, and the whole shank ripped off the shoes. Maybe I just got a poorly made pair. I don't know.
10/14/09 by Elizabeth from Massachusetts
Rating: 4
I wear a size 5 1/2 XXX. I have wide feet and these shoes are very nice. They are my first pair of pointe shoes. So far they have not hurt my feet too much and look pretty nice. However, I do think they are not the best for someone with narrow feet as they will make your foot look boxy and not so elegant.
10/12/09 by Steph from Kansas City
Rating: 5
I just bought a pair of these shoes and I love them! They are comfortable, easy to break in, yet sturdy and supportive all at the same time. They don't gap or twist on my feet like most shoes do and they last a long time. I will definitely buy them again!
10/12/09 by Molly from Iowa
Rating: 5
I have annoyingly wide feet and there aren't many shoes out there that fit my feet. I used to have only one option for pointe shoes and those were Gambas, but they didn't fit my feet very well. I wore them for five years until my teacher said I just had to switch shoes. When I tried on the European Balance I knew I found my new pointe shoe. They're shoes last longer than any shoes I've had and almost all the girls at my dance studio wear them. I dance on pointe everyday and they hold pointe shoes greatly, keeping them alive so much longer than any other shoe I've seen! I love them.
10/11/09 by Amanda from Pennsylvania
I Love these
Rating: 4
These were my first pair of pointe shoes, and that was about 3 years ago. I have had them ever since and they are great. They have a really easy arch and are great for balancing. The only thing is is that if you are an advanced student like me and you aren't used to dancing on broken shoes, think twice about these because they break in pretty quickly.
10/11/09 by Anonymous
Fabulous!
Rating: 5
I love this shoe for my not-so-flexible ankles and low arches. It's very flattering.
10/11/09 by Carly from Maryland
Amazing
Rating: 5
These pointe shoes really help you get over your box. The wide platform help you balance tremendously! I have been using them for about three years now and absolutely love them!!
10/05/09 by Theresa from Cary, NC
Great for wide feet!
Rating: 5
My daughter is almost 16, has very wide, flat feet, narrow heels, and, luckily, a very pretty arch. We have spent years (almost five) looking for the best pointe shoe for her. Several older girls that she dances with have recommended various shoes over the years, but none of them worked for her. It makes me sick when I think about all of the money we have spent on shoes that she has tried and was only able to wear for a short period, but could not return.
Last winter she tried the Bloch Balance and was fitted for a 5XXXX, even though her street shoe is 7-7 1/2. My daughter loves these shoes! She dances pointe two days a week, 1 1/2 hours each day, with extra time on pointe for company rehearsals and performances. These shoes last her quite a bit longer than any other shoe she has tried. One thing I would urge (esp. for girls new to pointe) is not to worry about how the shoe makes your foot look. Having a proper fitting shoe is the best thing you can do for your feet and for your dancing.
These shoes are not for everybody, because everybody has different feet, but these are worth trying if you have a hard time fitting a wide foot. Good luck finding the shoes that best fit you!
10/05/09 by Theresa from Cary, NC
Great for wide feet!
Rating: 5
My daughter is almost 16, has very wide, flat feet, narrow heels, and, luckily, a very pretty arch. We have spent years (almost five) looking for the best pointe shoe for her. Several older girls that she dances with have recommended various shoes over the years, but none of them worked for her. It makes me sick when I think about all of the money we have spent on shoes that she has tried and was only able to wear for a short period, but could not return.
Last winter she tried the Bloch Balance and was fitted for a 5XXXX, even though her street shoe is 7-7 1/2. My daughter loves these shoes! She dances pointe two days a week, 1 1/2 hours each day, with extra time on pointe for company rehearsals and performances. These shoes last her quite a bit longer than any other shoe she has tried.
One thing I would urge (esp. for girls new to pointe) is not to worry about how the shoe makes your foot look. Having a proper fitting shoe is the best thing you can do for your feet and for your dancing.
These shoes are not for everybody, because everybody has different feet, but these are worth trying if you have a hard time fitting a wide foot. Good luck finding the shoes that best fit you!
10/02/09 by Soph from Oregon
Rating: 5
The Balance Europeans were my second pair of pointe shoes and I loved them! They are super comfortable, and make my feet look amazing. I have extremely flexible ankles and so I wear out shoes really fast. I have had these for almost a year and I'm just getting new ones. I recommend these for anyone!
09/24/09 by Liz from Glen Burnie, MD
Really like thse shoes
Rating: 5
These are the second pointe shoes I've gotten (before I had Suffolks which I HATED), and I really like these so far (2nd year, and I'm a college student). Mine came with a gel insert right in the toe area, which is removable, and at the moment I am seeing whether I like the shoes better with or without. Overall, I think these shoes are great. They broke in well (easily, but not too easily), and are lasting well too. I've gotten lots of compliments on them so far, as they make my feet look great!
09/23/09 by Anonymous
Rating: 3
I just started pointe about a month ago, and couldn't have been more excited. My feet are medium-wide with very little arch. They make my feet look pretty bad. They aren't very painful, but they make my feet look really wide and 'boxy'.
09/09/09 by Robin from Washington
Rating: 4
A great shoe for beginners as well as more advanced students! I had these as my second pair of pointe shoes ever and I wish I had gotten them first! Really easy to pop up on, and I broke them in with no problem. My only complaint is that the shoe looks really wide and boxy. Besides that though, very flattering! Buy these!
09/02/09 by Kate from Georgia
Rating: 3
I've been dancing on these shoes for about 2 months now. I am not a big fan. They don't hurt my feet as much as some that I've worn, but they are not pretty at all. They make my feet look really boxy. It's slightly difficult for me to get over the box. I have pretty decent arches, and these shoes do not flatter them at all.
08/30/09 by Samm
Better then Gaynor Minden!
Rating: 5
These shoes beat Gaynor Minden all the way! These are so comfortable it's crazy! My feet don't hurt at all! I love them! :)
08/24/09 by Dancindiva from California
Great for starters!
Rating: 4
This is a great shoe for beginners in pointe. I got these pointe shoes about 2 months into starting pointe and I wish I had them as my first pair. They are very comfortable and if you have wide feet the box is perfect. The only problem I had was the heel sagging.
08/23/09 by Elizabeth from Wisconsin
Great so far!
Rating: 4
This is my first pair of pointe shoes, but I'm happy with them so far. I got fit at a local dancewear store, and these were by far the most comfortable shoes on flat foot and on pointe compared to others I tried. They are also super pretty, and come in a variety of widths. I have wide feet and wear a 8.5 or 9 street shoe, and the 6.5 XXXX is perfect, even though there's a little room in back.
08/22/09 by Michaela from Texas
Love at first class!!!
Rating: 5
I just got these and I had class in them. I adore these shoes! They give me amazing lines and a fabulous arch which is non existent in real life. The box is very broad so it really does help you balance. The vamp is medium length. The only thing is that they push you over the shoe if you have strong feet like mine. Other than that, I LOVE THESE SHOES!
08/20/09 by K8
Rating: 5
I noticed that many people whom don't like these shoes are those who have just begun pointe work, so if you've just started I guess these shoes aren't for you. But I loved them I went to a conservatory over the summer for a month where we danced about 4 and a half hours straight a day on pointe and I absolutely loved them! Although they only lasted about four days due to the heavy work load they gave me a better balance and made my tiny feet(street shoe size 4) look almost normal sized.
08/13/09 by ncsagal
Long term
Rating: 4
I've been using these shoes for a while now, and the same thing always happens; I buy a new pair and really don't like them when I wear them brand new. They take a while to break in, but as soon as they're at the 'Perfect Stage' of brokeness they are absolutely wonderful! And they have lasted me a very long time, almost a month of dancing every day for an hour and a half on pointe. amazing!
08/08/09 by Ballet Blondie
First Pair of Pointe Shoes
Rating: 5
These were my first pair of pointe shoes and I absolutely loved them! I wear a size 7 to 7 1/2 street shoe and got these shoes in 6 XX. They fit perfectly and really helped me when I first started. I have high arches so I'm now switching to the Plie II by Capezio because of that but these are great for beginners. I definitely recommend them.
08/06/09 by Evangeline from Maryland
Not bad
Rating: 3
These shoes look good on my feet. They were the best fitting ones that I tried on in my whole life. I don't like the wider box. I don't like how my feet have to work harder to get over the box. I would recommend these shoes for someone with a good arch.
08/01/09 by Anonymous
Great!
Rating: 5
These shoes are working great for me!!! They have also improved my arch. They are great shoes but that doesn’t mean you don’t go through all the pain any normal shoe does but they will get comfy.
Love them!!!
07/27/09 by Anonymous
Amazing!
Rating: 5
When I first went on pointe I hated it! My teacher had to beg me to go up. I then got these shoes (my 2nd pair) and loved them! I now love pointe and am great at it! They don't hurt at all! I have a small wide foot, with a high arch (street shoe size 6 1/2). I wear the size 5 4x. The wide box is great for a wide foot, and the arch makes my foot look amazing! My sister has wide feet, sized 8 street, and very little arch, but these shoes make her feet look great too! I strongly recommend these!
07/22/09 by Sarah from California
Rating: 5
I absolutely love these pointe shoes. I am a 6 1/2 double X and they fit my feet like a glove. I love the way that they are a 3/4 shank; they make your arch look amazing while strengthening at the same time. I strongly recommend these pointe shoes. I had a pair of 2007 Grishkos and they are a lot narrower of a box and harder to balance on. There is no comparison!
07/21/09 by dancer
Rating: 4
These are pretty good, well-rounded shoes. I find that my balance is greatly improved in these, and my arch is flattered well by the pre-arched shank. They last a decent amount of time (about 3 weeks for me) and are extremely comfortable. The only things I didn't like were the very boxy shape and the slightly yellowish color. But other than that, these are very nice, comfortable pointe shoes!
07/17/09 by Jillian
Not too good
Rating: 3
These were my first pair of pointe shoes. I didn't really like them. I have really high arches and slightly wide feet. They always gave me foot cramps and made my feet ache. I do not recommend these pointe shoes to people who have feet like mine.
07/04/09 by Anonymous
Amazing Pointe Shoes!
Rating: 5
This is my third pair of pointe shoes and these have definitely pleased me the most.I bought them 2 days ago and they fit nicely(I have narrow feet with a medium arch). The box is wide enough for your toes not to feel squished, plus, there is extra padding on the bottom. The color is also beautiful! =)
07/01/09 by Anonymous
Rating: 5
These shoes didn't work out too well for me. I have tapered toes and a medium arch and profile. The vamp was too high and the shoe is pre-arched so it doesn't break in where you want it to. My fitter told me that they are more of a beginner shoe, not good for advanced dancers.
06/24/09 by Catlovingdancer from Portland, OR
Perfect
Rating: 5
I love these pointe shoes. I am a 7 1/2 womens street shoe with relatively narrow feet and a high arch. The size 5 1/2 XX fit me beautifully. I got them at Dance Togs in Beaverton after borrowing a pair of Gambas and Grishko 2007's, only to bring them back because my teacher said my feet were too strong and were knuckling in the shoe. She recommended I get the Bloch Balances or the Russian Pointes. After trying both on, I was positive that the Blochs were the best pointe shoes I'd ever tried on. My teacher loved them on my feet. I would recommend them to any beginning pointe dancer with intermediate-level strong feet.
06/17/09 by Tina
Amazing!
Rating: 5
I have been on pointe for 3 years. The first time I tried on any pair of shoes, it was always hard to get over my toes. Then a couple weeks ago, the lady at the dance store recommended these shoes, and I LOVE THEM. The minute I tried them on and went on pointe, I was able to get up all the way over my toes. I don't have the greatest arch, but these shoes gave off the illusion that I did. I have a wide foot but a narrow heel, and this fit me perfectly. There is padding inside the box of the shoe and it makes it so if you wanted to, you could dance on pointe without wearing toe pads or anything. A little bit of lamb's wool will do the trick if you really need it. I recommend this shoe to anyone with a wider foot and not a fantastic arch.
05/22/09 by Anonymous
Very comfortable
Rating: 4
These shoes are extremely comfortable. My only problem was that there's too much baggy material around the heel, and they are very difficult to break in.
05/16/09 by Mads from Minnesota
Rating: 3
I have only been dancing en pointe for a few months and when I got fitted I got these because they were extremely comfy and the fitter and my mom said they looked really nice. But as I looked at them more, I really don't like how they look. They are boxy and make my feet look over sized. If you have a narrow heel and sole but have wider toes I do not suggest these shoes, but they last a long time and feel okay!
05/16/09 by Sonia from Costa Rica
Rating: 5
These are the best pointe shoes I have ever tried. They make your arch look fabulous. My daughters (11 and 14) are street sizes 6 and 7.5 and they use 4.5 XXX and 6 XXXX. I am a street 6.5 and use 5.5 XXX. We love to wear these shoes with the Softpointe Gel Toe Pads. You cannot get more comfortable than that en pointe!!!
05/09/09 by Abblumus from Oregon
Love them
Rating: 5
I love these shoes so much they feel great on my feet and are beautiful. I have had them for 5 months. They are cool.
05/04/09 by Jenny
Love them!
Rating: 5
I LOVE these! The only thing is they don't fit my arch very well and there is too much baggy fabric. My dance teacher told me to try the solos. They were terrible! I couldn't get over them and they practically broke in 3 weeks! I'm going back to these! I loveeeee them!
04/30/09 by Anonymous from California
These are amazing shoes!
Rating: 5
I've worn pointe shoes for many years and these shoes are different than any other! They last for awhile (about one month of 4 days a week, 2-4 hours per day), and they provide wonderful placement and comfort--especially appreciated after a couple of hours on pointe! I think that I enjoyed dancing in them more than I admired the look of them on my feet, but what good is a stunning shoe that hurts or doesn't perform well? The shape of the shoe allows me to keep my big toe in line with my foot, yet still provides support for my somewhat tapered toes. I think the large size range in the suggested fitting has to do with the heel of the shoe curving inward and coming up fairly high. If the back of your heel is straight, then you might probably need to order 2 sizes smaller than your street shoe size. If the back of your heel curves inward from the sole, perhaps try the 3 sizes smaller (no guide can replace a fitting by a qualified professional). I wear a 9 1/2 (average width, average arch, somewhat tapered toes and with a straight heel) in street shoes, and with an ouch pouch I wear an 8XX in the Balance European. I'm ordering another pair right now! I only order one or two each time because DD gets the orders to me so fast -- within a few days.
03/24/09 by Heather
Amazing!!!
Rating: 5
When I wear these pointe shoes it feels like I am walking on air. It feels so light and comfortable!
03/20/09 by Victoria from Ohio
Too boxy and too square.
Rating: 3
I am a beginner and I tried these shoes out in the shop. They do not look good on my feet (I have a narrow heel and a wider metatarsus. They're too square and boxy. I have a beautiful arch and you couldn't see it at all. You'd have to practically kill them to be able to see your arches. Do not get these shoes!
03/08/09 by Gabby from Connecticut
Rating: 4
I've been using these shoes for the past 2 years and I highly recommend them to people with not the greatest arch or pretty much anyone I suppose. I love how there is a seam cushion in the back of the shoe so there are no indents in the heel. Also these shoes are sooo easy to break in! All I have to do is wear them in class and voila! These shoes are great and last a long time and I highly recommend them.
02/21/09 by Heather
Rating: 5
These are the most comfortable pointe shoes ever and they actually give a feet shape when I wear them!
02/11/09 by Rachel from Oregon
Squeaky!
Rating: 2
They are really squeaky! They also made my feet look tooo long and disproportional to the rest of my body. I also can't turn well on them. They last a very long time though. But when they die, the box doesn't get soft they just hurt SO badly.
02/08/09 by Maria from Oregon
Amazing!
Rating: 5
I love these shoes. I have a very wide foot, but narrow heels and they are perfect for my feet. I can also wear toe spacers in them without it feeling uncomfortable. If you have a wide foot and square toes I would definitely recommend them. They are AMAZING!
01/28/09 by Anonymous from California
Pretty Good Shoes
Rating: 4
These shoes are amazing! They look really good on my feet. Plus, I have bunions so these shoes are perfect. I have been searching for the right pair of shoes for 4ever... I first had the Bloch Axioms but those don't make my arch look nice and the Freed Studios hurt soooooo bad. But once I got these I loved them. This a great shoe but if you have strong feet then these may be too soft. I broke them in after 2 classes.
01/19/09 by MacKay
Wonder of wonders.
Rating: 5
These shoes have to be the best shoes I have ever worn! For the first 2 or so years I was on pointe, my shoes NEVER fit right. Then I found these shoes and fell in love. I have wider feet than normal and these shoes fit that very well. Also, these shoes have a wider box than normal so it is a lot easier to balance. I strongly recommend these shoes to girls with smaller wider feet. They are miracle workers.
01/12/09 by Liara from Virginia
Magical!
Rating: 5
These shoes are magic! I have been struggling to find the perfect shoe for a while now. I have been wearing Grishko 2007s for two years. I have a really strong arch so I go through shoes pretty fast! I used to really hate Blochs and then I recently tried Serenades. Well they died in one day so I tried European balances. I can fouette now and my feet look amazing! They also exaggerate my hyper extension and my instep to make the whole line just absolutely gorgeous! I was pleasantly surprised!
01/09/09 by Spanishballerinagirl from St.Thomas VI
Rating: 4
I bought these shoes as my first pair of pointe shoes but after they die out a bit, the box gets a little smaller and it's not so flattering on the box. I want to try the Grishko 2007 because they have a longer narrower look in the box. I think they will flatter my feet better and look better on my wide feet but the shoes have withheld for 3 months. I really recommend them for the beginner or someone with very very wide feet. My feet are square but not insanely wide. My friend wears the Grishkos and I'm going to try them. I think they will look better on my feet but these have been very good but the foam things ripped out.
12/29/08 by Anonymous
Rating: 5
I am a student in a big ballet company. I recently switched to Bloch's European balance pointe shoes and I love them. They emphasize my arch and the wide box makes pointe work easier. Discount Dance offers a great discount which I love. These shoes are the right ones for me and I recommend them to strong dancers (the shoes are very hard). HAPPY DANCING!!!
12/16/08 by Rebbecca from Florida
Rating: 5
The shoe works great! Flat feet and for people who have wide feet, great shoe : )
12/12/08 by Jazzy from Cape Cod
Fabulous!
Rating: 5
To all the people complaining about this shoe hurting their toes... you should probably get used to it. Pointe is going to hurt, especially with new shoes. I loved the Balances though, because it really enhanced my arch and helped me feel more stable on my legs during classes and performances.
12/06/08 by Balletlover from North Carolina
Great Pointe Shoes!
Rating: 4
They are so comfortable and really easy to balance in. They also make my legs and arch look great! My only complaint is that they don't have a stronger shank. By the first class, mine were already perfectly broken in.
11/19/08 by Shelby from New York
Can't take them off!
Rating: 5
These shoes are so nice, they compliment my feet and bring great balance. I can get on and off pointe with ease! This shoe is wonderful. I get this shoe every time.
11/12/08 by Barbara from Billings
Blochs aren't always bad!!!
Rating: 4
I used to hate Blochs, so I switched to Suffolks, but my teacher didn't like those, so I'm back in Blochs and I love these!!! They're great fo balancing, make my horrible arch look amazing. They're super supportive, with a medium length vamp which makes rolling thru your shoe, even when they're brand new, so much easier. Tip, get them fit, don't just guess your size, the heel makes it hard to estimate. Another thing, rip out the foam pieces on the inside, they get really annoying after a while, and if you have good tie pads, you shouldn't need them. These are totally worth it!!!
11/02/08 by Anonymous
Lasts a long time!
Rating: 5
I love these I'm on my second pair of them. They last a long time!
10/25/08 by Mas (pronounced Mazz) from Hawaii
Rating: 4
I like these pointe shoes. I just got them last week so I haven't danced in them much but so far I love them. Some mind the padding in the toe. I don't mind it.
10/19/08 by Jenna
The best shoes ever!
Rating: 5
I absolutely love these shoes! They are my favorite! They fit sooooo well and make my arch stand out! Love them!
09/27/08 by Taydance101
Rating: 5
These are the best pointe shoes ever! Although I have been on pointe for only a year, I just bought my third pair today because my feet have grown two sizes in a year. Whenever I would go to the store I would try on countless pointe shoes and none of them feel very good. The ball of my foot is very wide, and I have bunions so I have to buy the widest size and they fit perfectly, when others squish my feet. These are amazing, I recommend them to everyone!
09/27/08 by Ann from Arizona
Great shoe, here's a tip
Rating: 5
I have been wearing this shoe for over a year now, and I love it! It looks really nice and doesn't die too quickly. But one thing I noticed was that the little foam piece that is in the tip of the shoe sometimes hurts more than it helps. It hits my big toe and puts a lot of pressure on it, so I suggest that if you are experiencing pain like this, take it out.
09/26/08 by Anonymous
The best-!!!
Rating: 5
I've had these shoes for about two months and they are fantastic. I have a pretty arch in them and they are absolutely comfortable. I prefer the shoes with no cushion and to me they feel so good. I recommend these shoes to any ballerina.
09/16/08 by Kate from South Carolina
Great Pointe Shoe
Rating: 5
These shoes are fantastic. If you have a funny shaped foot, and need more of a square box these are perfect. They're really strong so they'll last you for a long time.
09/11/08 by Anonymous from Seattle, WA
Rating: 4
These are very comfortable and the balancing is marvelous in these shoes. I also like that the vamp is low enough to bend where my foot naturally bends at demi-pointe. The problem I'm having is that the heels slip off constantly. I'm not sure if I bought them too big, and yes, sewing an extra elastic band on might help - but with most shoes that is not necessary, so that is my personal point of comparison. They made the heel seam more robust so that it would retain the line, but between that and the elastic drawstring, the heels totally have a mind of their own and they refuse to cooperate. It's so compromising that despite the other great aspects, I will have to rule this shoe out as "the one". You just can't be pulling your shoes back on a billion times per class!
08/28/08 by Andie from Washington
I love these shoes!
Rating: 5
These are my all-time favorite shoes. I'm on to my 6th pair of these out of 7 pairs overall. Very easy to balance on and easy to keep over the box. A bunch of girls at my studio are wearing them now because of my success with them.
08/15/08 by Lotte from Connecticut
What a surprise!
Rating: 4
I am quite satisfied with my Balance Europeans Indeed, I was quite surprised. I am not a big fan of Bloch shoes in general, but these were flattering on my feet and comfortable. I'm not sure how they will last, as I have only worn them for about a week in total (I alternate them with my Gaynor Mindens, which I have also reviewed). My one woe is that there is quite a large amount of fabric that gathers at my heel when I go en pointe that makes my feet look . . . well, ridiculous. They also pop off my feet, which is rather embarrassing to have to fix in the middle of fouette turns. However, I have been told that the shank on Bloch shoes tends to cause that, regardless of fit or make.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this shoe. It would probably be best for a relatively inexperienced dancer with any sort of arch and strong ankles who doesn't plan on dancing en pointe every day. Even though that in no way describes me, I quite enjoyed them. Good luck!
08/11/08 by Jess from North Carolina
Rating: 5
The balance European pointe shoe is really great! It's my third pair of pointe shoes. Before these, I had Glisse Pros. They were OK, but once I tried these, they made my wide feet turn into beautifully shaped feet. Even my dance teacher told me that this shoe showed the shape of my foot very nicely. You should definitely get this shoe!
07/27/08 by Jessica from Miami
Best Ever
Rating: 5
These pointe shoes are the best! I love them and wouldn't think of replacing them. (Look good if you have a middle arch.)
07/17/08 by Katie
Rating: 5
I love this shoe! I just started pointe about 2 months ago and I haven't had any problems with this shoe. It's very comfortable. The foam in the box can be easily removed if you wish. I personally like to keep it there for extra comfort. This makes my foot look beautiful and my arches look good. I am very happy with this shoe!
07/15/08 by Kira from Brownsville, TX
One of my better pairs...
Rating: 5
I must say, these shoes have made me quite happy! The box and shank gave me just the right amount of support, and were very easy to roll up onto. I also loved the padding at the back of the heel; it made my leg line look much better without all the bunching. The pre-arched shank was also very flattering on my low arches.
I loved the shape of the box and platform, as well.
I only had a bit of trouble with the padding inside the box, but it was easily removed (:
07/04/08 by asdadancer
Great...but...
Rating: 4
I love the support they give when they are new but as I wore them, they wore down very fast. For me, even though I am not an intense ballet dancer, they did not wear down very fast. But I don't recommend them for a very serious ballerina.
06/22/08 by Anonymous
Rating: 5
I have had such a hard time finding a good pair of pointe shoes, but, these were one of my better pairs.
They are good if you have a high arch!
06/20/08 by Anonymous
Rating: 4
These are some of the prettiest pointe shoes...if only the shank were harder! It is great for now, but I am worried how long they will last during my summer intensives. Still, they balance wonderfully and the pre-arched shank is so nifty!
06/14/08 by Anonymous
Rating: 3
These shoes were pretty good at first, but after a few weeks the inner sole of the shoe came undone. I'm guessing the glue wasn't sticking anymore, and it would press into the sole of my foot on pointe, causing my foot to sickle and overarch. This happened with the next 3 pairs I got. It's a good shoe, but they breakdown too fast.
06/13/08 by Caleigh from Pennsylvania
Luv them!
Rating: 4
Sometimes they can hurt really bad but then (most of the time)they give excellent performance and quality. They are a little bulgy looking but for me (a intermediate dancer) they work awesomely. I would mostly recommend them to beginner to intermediate dancers, like myself.
The only bad thing that I can say about these shoes is that they can sometimes throw you off of balance (balance concentration is key!!) I think that these are the ones to buy! (lol, I will not let my mom buy me any other kind of pointe shoe! These fit, work, and please me very much!!!
06/09/08 by Anya
Rating: 5
I love this kind of pointe shoe. It gave me THE BEST ARCH in my class. My heel went so far down and they're soo comfortable. Also, my feet are wide, so it gave me just enough room without any pain.
05/31/08 by Anonymous
Best shoes yet!
Rating: 5
I have gone through so many pointe shoe brands and found these! They are perfect for my wide, not quite square feet (but not tapered)! They make my medium arches look beautiful! I am only concerned about how long the shank will last...
05/30/08 by Anonymous
Love them
Rating: 4
I adore these shoes. I get on my box sooo well. I can't say how much I love these shoes and how much I an in debt to Bloch for these shoes. (Well, about fifty dollars if we are going to be specific...) The only thing is that the top of the box is a bit too hard for my liking though. That can always be taken care of with some rubbing alcohol or some water on the box. The gel thing at the bottom can be taken out for a better fit.
05/17/08 by Natalie
Rating: 5
The best pointe shoe I have ever had. Gives the foot plenty of support and is great for people like me who have very wide feet.
05/16/08 by Ashley from Kansas City
Awesome!
Rating: 5
I just recently started my first pointe classes and these are my first shoe! I love them! There is padding at the end for extra comfort. They have not given me any problems. Highly recommended!
04/10/08 by Lyn
Rating: 5
I'm currently ordering my 3rd pair of these babies, I love them! I have very wide, decently strong feet, and I have worn Capezio Glisse, but they broke down poorly for me, and looked kind of ugly on my feet. These shoes are similar to the Glisse in build but they are stronger and just overall so much better for wider but stronger feet.
Oh, and I wear around an 8 street and order an 5XXX.
Good luck!
04/10/08 by Sandra from Los Angeles, CA
Makes balancing an ease!
Rating: 4
The first thing I noticed when I switched to these shoes were how easy it was to balance in them. Even when I feel like I would fall out of a pirouette in other pointes, this one kept up through the whole turn. The platform is very broad and square, but it only works out if you have very square feet/toes, otherwise your toes might sink in (and hurt). I had to get one width smaller than I normally get to avoid that.
The other feature that I really liked was the elastic heel (just like the Glisse), which molds and holds on to your heel better than non-elastic ones.
One thing that I noticed was that because the platform holds me up so much, it becomes difficult to smoothly roll up (and down) to/from full pointe, just before you reach full point, there's a "click" or "gap" where it feels like a loss of control before you get "locked up" into pointe.
Once I break-in my shoes more, that goes away a bit. But then the problem becomes that the lifespan between "broken in" and "dying" is very short (2 to 4 hours for me), and I can only get totally up on to the box during this period (though I also cannot point my feet very far).
04/08/08 by Tricia from California
Two thumbs up!
Rating: 5
Before these shoes I had tried Bloch's Synergy and Axiom for my very first two pairs of pointe shoes and they did not work for me. I love Balance Europeans because I can totally get over the box and I love how they come pre-arched. The pain in the beginning of breaking them in is well worth it. I just bought my second pair of them and can't wait to dance in them!
03/27/08 by DancerNBC! from Virginia
The Best Ever!!!
Rating: 5
I love these shoes, they give you a great arch! They give you a lot of support, and you can get-over them very easy! They have a little foam piece in the bottom which can be removed for a better fit! The shoe is very, very easy to break in! I highly recommend these pointe shoes!
03/25/08 by Helena from Pelham, NY
Awesome
Rating: 5
I have been through just about every brand of pointe shoe(including other Bloch styles) and when I finally tried these, they were amazing. I get over on them perfectly and the wide box allows great balance and support. I can't believe I ever wore anything else!
03/23/08 by Anonymous
Horrid
Rating: 2
I hated these shoes, they hurt me and my toes so much I had to buy a new pair. I would not recommend them to people with long toes, narrow feet and high arches.
02/23/08 by Lindsey
Rating: 4
It's really easy to get completely up on your box in these shoes. The box is about twice as wide as it is long--great for wide feet and short toes (like me!). I ended up gouging out the small foam pad in the toe and using Toesavers gel pads. Know that you can rip out that pad--it may make a huge difference in how they fit!
02/09/08 by Korey
Eh
Rating: 3
I have short toes, high arch, low instep, and weak ankles and these worked pretty well. Before I've had Sansha, Prima Soft, Freed, and Grishko, and these worked the best so far. They were incredibly easy to balance in and I wasn't always falling off pointe with them. They hurt extremely bad though. I think I'm going to try Grishko Fouette and Capezio Concerto. If neither of them work I'll stick with these. Oh yeah, there is lots of excess fabric above the vamp and it looks really bad, almost crinkled, on flat.
01/24/08 by A Dancer
Rating: 4
Great shoe, but PLEASE, stock them in a hard shank! They break too quickly, I can't afford them!
01/23/08 by Anonymous
Rating: 5
These are the best Bloch pointes yet!!! They run very wide, since I'm usually a C or D and I wear X for these... I ripped out the foam padding cause' it hurts my toes. Great elastic drawstring, which otherwise needs a special order on other models. Nice high heel too, and pretty color, a little unlike the usual Blochs. Matches Freed ribbons almost perfectly, though ribbons should match tights.
01/15/08 by Alexandra from Pennsylvania
My First pointe shoes
Rating: 4
These shoes are great! They're very well-made, and they have a very wide box for wide feet and easy balancing. But these shoes are for people with stronger arches. These were my first pointe shoes, and I have a terrible arch, so it was hard to go all the way en pointe. I'm going to try Grishko ProFlex's now, but if I had a better arch, I'm sure I would love these shoes! But just as a warning, when you first get these shoes, they are extremely painful to break in, they even hurt when you're not even dancing! But excluding that, these are still really great shoes and I recommend them to people with good arches :)
01/03/08 by April from Oregon
LOVE!!!
Rating: 5
These shoes are the BEST! I have had just about every brand of pointe shoes and these are the BEST! I had the Bloch Sonatas before and compared to these, the Sonatas are terrible! And they look so good even when they're brand new!
12/25/07 by Anonymous
Horrible
Rating: 2
These are the worst shoes I have ever worn. I liked them at first but no matter what I did my feet hurt exteremely bad! They lasted about two months and then the sole of the shoe just broke and I couldn't dance in them any longer. I wouldn't recommend these shoes at all.
12/16/07 by Ari
Love them
Rating: 4
Love them =) no shoe fits me better. But the only thing wrong with these is that they need to be available in a harder shank. They are pretty much broken in when you get them.
11/10/07 by California Dancer
Rating: 5
This is the first shoe that has fit me well after a whole year of trial and error. VERY painful when new, but much better after breaking in. I do have a highly arched foot, and they break very quickly for me; my Grishkos lasted about five months, these only 5-6 weeks. I wish they came in hard shank, but otherwise are very flattering and supportive. Overall great!
11/09/07 by Anonymous
Rating: 5
I absolutely love these shoes. They work really well with my feet. I've already tried Sansha, Grishko, Freed, and Gaynor Mindens, and these were the best shoes!
10/22/07 by Brunetteballerina
Wide feet!!!
Rating: 5
I have been on pointe for 4 years and these are the first shoes that I have ever worn that give me a nice arch! They are great for wide feet and narrow heels.
09/27/07 by Britt~nay
Rating: 5
I love these shoes! I have wide feet and these fit really well and give me a nice arch! Perfect for wide feet and narrow heels!
09/09/07 by Caroline from Birmingham, AL
Rating: 5
I have tried many other brands (Capezio, Gamba, Gaynor Minden, Grishko, & Freed) and these shoes have definitely changed the way I dance! The front of my foot is very wide, and my heel is very narrow and the 3X worked perfect. I also loved the short vamp on this shoe because I have short toes and the shoe allowed me to go fully over, and they gave me an arch! The shank has the perfect strength- it makes me work my feet (rolling through), but it isn't so hard that I can't go over fully in the shoes. I love them and if you have had trouble with pointe shoes like I have, I 100% suggest these!
09/09/07 by Shayla
Plastic
Rating: 3
OK so when I first got these shoes they were amazing! Then, a couple months later, my tendonitis started coming back. I didn't think anything of it until I went to my intensive and they told me that shoes with plastic built into them are VERY bad for your ankles. The box is sooo difficult to roll up onto, so it puts a lot of strain on your foot and ankles. So my advice is, PLASTIC = BAD
08/20/07 by Anonymous
Rating: 4
I love these shoes, they make my feet look very nice! (I took the gelly tips out though.) The only problem is after 15 min. my feet start killing, but then again, I only use lambs wool. A couple girls in my dance school have them and they look great on their feet! I definitely recommend them,
make sure you have cushioning though!
07/29/07 by Karina
Rating: 5
I had these shoes for about a year. I liked them a lot. They were pretty and comfortable and accentuated my arches. My dance teacher told me they seemed to be made for my foot. I highly recommend these shoes.
07/12/07 by Katya from New York
Excruciating when new, great after
Rating: 4
I was so excited when I got these shoes, because when I tried them on, they were so comfortable and looked much better on my feet than any other shoes. Then, by the first or second day dancing on them, it was incredibly painful to just walk in the shoes, and my toes hurt unbearably on pointe in them, and that did nothing at first. Then, a few days later, the pain decreased dramatically and now it's fine to dance on them. I think I might get these again.
07/11/07 by Dancer
LOVE THEM!
Rating: 5
I love these shoes. I just got them yesterday and had class in them today. They are comfortable en pointe, great for turns and the color is really nice. I only don't like that right now the demi-pointe is not very good. I think after they are broken in well, it should be fine though.
06/20/07 by Cdaddy from Santa Barbara
Amazing
Rating: 5
I love these shoes sooo much. I've tried Bloch Sonatas and Gaynor Mindens, but these are so much better. I don't have a naturally good arch, but these shoes make me look like I do. And they are priced well! They do get worked in very fast though, so be aware. If your feet aren't very strong, try these!!!
06/16/07 by AJ from Seattle
Not for me
Rating: 2
I really liked these shoes at first. One thing I really liked about them, was the sole was made as flat as possible so it is easier for adage, less rocking on a flat foot. They also looked amazing on me and were really comfortable, for about 10 minutes. Then I was in the most pain I have ever been on pointe. I tried so many different pad/lambs wool combinations but couldn't fix the problem.
05/22/07 by Cheryl from Washington
Comfortable
Rating: 5
I love these shoes! After taking out the foam pad at the tip, they were perfect for my medium length toes. I like the support in the metatarsal area and the wide platform. They're comfortable even when new and they break in nicely.
05/16/07 by Anonymous from Oregon
Hmm
Rating: 3
This shoe looks wonderful on, and provides a great balancing platform. Unfortunately, the squishy pad installed in the bottom hurt until I took it out. Then after a half-hour on pointe, my toes began to hurt incessantly.
05/14/07 by Merrill Ferrill from Idaho
Yay!
Rating: 5
I love these pointe shoes! After trying other pointe shoes, I think they are the best yet! I'm not really great with pointe shoe "vocab" and all that, but I think these are supportive and wonderful. I have wear a 5 XX, and they are excellent. I like how they already come curved so they are easier to wear the first time. LOVE 'EM! And I'm so glad Discount Dance has them now so I don't have to drive an hour and 45 minutes away to get a new pair! Hooray!
05/14/07 by Anonymous
Rating: 5
These shoes are fantastic, at least for me! I've tried nearly every single type of pointe shoe, and these are the only ones that will work for me. I used to wear Aspirations, but now that I'm more advanced, they just weren't working for me anymore. These are great for someone with a little wider feet, and since there is just a tiny bit of foam in the tip of the box, you can wear very thin toe pads. I love these shoes, and I totally recommend them!
05/12/07 by BlochBallerina from Eastern CT Ballet
BEST SHOE EVER!
Rating: 5
This has been the greatest shoe I've tried. I have long toes and the box was just right. I recommend having someone fit you for this type of shoe because the sizing is confusing. There's a squishy pad on the bottom. Personally, I took it out because it felt annoying. But I love this shoe; it's the best EVER!
05/12/07 by Sally from Austin TX
Amazing Shoe!
Rating: 5
My daughter had struggled to find the "right" shoe for her square "Fred Flinstone" foot, size 3 XXXX. The Balance European is hands down, the absolute perfect shoe. She is on her 8th pair of shoes now and is still as happy as the day she tried on her first pair. She is also happy that she is always being complimented on her beautiful feet(as if Fred Flinstone has beautiful feet)! I am excited to see its addition to your offerings, as we had been ordering it from a Bloch rep until now! Thank You!
05/12/07 by Calie
Rating: 5
This was my first pointe shoe and it was amazing and great for turning! I love it, even though the vamp was very high. I recommend this for girls with long toes, wide toes, and a narrow heel.
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Bloch® “Balance European” Pointe Shoe
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(4.4 out of 5)
