How to choose the right demi-pointes?
Demi-pointe shoes are often used in ballet lessons.
The differences are between two main criteria, which are the sole and the material.
Full soles are recommended for ballet beginners of any age. They offer good support to the foot.
Split soles are more flexible at the arch of the foot and provide an attractive line through the foot. Often recommended for intermediate or advanced students who already have good technical mastery.
Why choose fabric demi-pointes?
The choice is very much a personal one: your teacher may recommend fabric demi-pointes rather than leather ones.
They are more supple and stretch a little with use.
They can however develop holes when they are towards the end of their life.
How to choose the right size?
The toes shouldn't be able to move around within the shoes: they should be held in place without being too tight. To be confident in your choice, when trying them on, stand up and test a few movements like flex/point, and stand in demi-pointe.
All demi-pointe shoes have a tightening cord to make sure they can be perfectly adjusted to your feet. Once adjusted, the excess cord should be cut off. The remaining length should not hang longer than the shoes, nor be made into a loop.