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Lightweight and quiet with a sleek pleatless toe platform, non-slip leather sole and excellent stability, the Russian Pointe Sapfir (Russian for sapphire) is best suited to the less-full foot with moderately tapered toes. Sapfir features a medium toe platform, low crown, and fuller heel shape for the foot with less taper from metatarsal area to heel. Pre-arched construction mimics the shape of the foot en pointe, enhances the beauty of the arch, decreases pressure on the front of the foot for high arches, and minimizes break-in. Next-generation shanks provide flexibility and durability. Handcrafted in Russia in the grand tradition of pointe shoemaking. FREE Ribbons and Elastic Included with each pair!
I began wearing these after recovering from a broken leg and the need to be refitted in pointe shoes. Prior to wearing these, I'd worn Grisho 2007's for 14 years, followed by 4 years in Gaynor Mindens. I LOVED my Grishkos but after going through 8 pairs in 5 weeks, I realized something had to give. I switched to Gaynors for their longevity, but ended up spraining my ankle multiple times before ultimately breaking my leg because the vamp just wasn't long enough for my long toes (I tried vamp elastic, but it wasn't enough). When I was cleared to resume pointe work, I knew I needed to be refitted in SOMETHING, but it had been so long since I'd been in need of something completely new. I ended up with a pair of Grishko 2007's and a pair of Russian Sapphirs, and I have to say that for me, the Sapphirs were much more comfortable to dance in, they broke in more gradually, and they looked better on my feet, especially in tendu (as opposed to being en pointe). They got me right over the box just liek the Grishkos always had, but the glue seemed more resilient. I LOVE the Sapphirs and how much they support my feet in exactly the places I need. My only complaint is the lack of drawstring. I ended up in a shoes that was slightly too wide for my compressible foot, so if there were a drawstring on these shoes, they'd be perfect. My solution for now is using a Gaynor box liner in them, though it's far from perfect. I'd love to try a narrower width before purchasing my next pair, but otherwise, I can't complain.
These were my first pair of pointe shoes, & after trying several different types and brands of shoes, I decided to try these again, and could not be happier. I have very flexible achilles tendons, resulting in a very tight ankle, which means my feet are less than stellar. On top of that, I have very low, almost nonexistent arches. Needless to say, my feet are pretty much the opposite of Svetlana's. Because of my feet and ankles, I have a very difficult time getting over the box of my pointe shoes, however, after breaking these in properly, they are great and I can get over my box. To break them in, I bend the shank several times to make it more flexible and easier to get over my box on and also step on the box. When they die, the first part to go is usually the box, with the shank going soon after.
All in all, I adore these shoes and think that Russian's are some of the most beautiful pointe shoes out there. From my experience, I recommend these if you have been fit in them and just wanted to know more about them. Thanks!
For reference:
Street shoe: 7.5 Russian Pointe Shoe: 39.0
Width: 4x (feet have widened because of pointe, was orig. 2x)
Shank: Flexible soft/flexible medium
Vamp: 2
Feet: Tapered toes ("Egyptian") and slightly tapered feet from metatarsals to ankles (bigger to smaller)
Padding: Ouch Pouch Jr's. (have thinned out, very nice & thin now)
Have small bunions & bunionettes & get blisters unless I use an anti-chafe stick
Very inflexible ankles & low arch
I could not find this shoe locally in any store. With YAGP around the corner my ballerina needed them yesterday. It takes approximately 2-6 weeks for Russians to come in the mail. Thank you DDS for stocking up! Thank you for offering great quality products.
SIZING
Pointe Shoe Ribbon
