Embodiments of a ballet pointe show may include a pre-stressed elastic band surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the throat of the upper. The pre-stressed elastic band in some embodiments may be interposed between an outer fabric and an inner liner of the upper to conceal the band completely from external view. The elastic band may have a cross sectional shape whose aspect ratio is greater than 3:1 so that pressure exerted on the foot of a ballet dancer by the elastic band during use is kept sufficiently low to avoid discomfort yet still provide adequate securement of the throat to the foot. Some embodiments of a ballet pointe shoe may include an improved heal seam construction which is secure and inconspicuous even though devoid of an a exterior binder strip.

Embodiments of a ballet pointe show may include a pre-stressed elastic band surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the throat of the upper. The pre-stressed elastic band in some embodiments may be interposed between an outer fabric and an inner liner of the upper to conceal the band completely from external view. The elastic band may have a cross sectional shape whose aspect ratio is greater than 3:1 so that pressure exerted on the foot of a ballet dancer by the elastic band during use is kept sufficiently low to avoid discomfort yet still provide adequate securement of the throat to the foot. Some embodiments of a ballet pointe shoe may include an improved heal seam construction which is secure and inconspicuous even though devoid of an a exterior binder strip.

A foot alignment adjuster for placement in a pointe shoe includes an adjustment pad having a top surface and a bottom surface and configured to fit in a dance shoe under a dancer's forefoot. The adjustment pad has a front edge shaped to be placed at a front of the dance shoe, a back edge, a first side, and a second side. The front edge defines a first front corner with the first side and a second front corner with the second side and the back edge defines a first back corner with the first side and a second back corner with the second side. A thickness of the adjustment pad may increase from the first side to the second side; and a thickness of the adjustment pad may change from the back edge to the front edge.

In one possible embodiment, the inventive subject matter is directed to a foot covering, comprising: a thin, flexible compartment for receiving a foot. The compartment has a forefoot section, a midfoot section, and a rearfoot section of selected rigidity. The compartment has a top surface for securing the foot and a ground-facing surface having a sole divided into at least two portions comprising (1) a forefoot portion and midfoot portion and/or (2) a midfoot portion and a rearfoot portion. At least one sole portion comprises a midfoot portion disposed between a forefoot portion and/or a rearfoot portion. In the foot covering, each pair of sole portions is divided along a flexural line running generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the foot. The sole portions and flexural line(s), in combination with the flexible compartment, have a material construction and are arranged so as to facilitate the close conforming of the foot covering to the foot of an intended user through plantar flexion to dorsiflexion.

In one possible embodiment, the inventive subject matter is directed to a foot covering, comprising: a thin, flexible compartment for receiving a foot. The compartment has a forefoot section, a midfoot section, and a rearfoot section of selected rigidity. The compartment has a top surface for securing the foot and a ground-facing surface having a sole divided into at least two portions comprising (1) a forefoot portion and midfoot portion and/or (2) a midfoot portion and a rearfoot portion. At least one sole portion comprises a midfoot portion disposed between a forefoot portion and/or a rearfoot portion. In the foot covering, each pair of sole portions is divided along a flexural line running generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the foot. The sole portions and flexural line(s), in combination with the flexible compartment, have a material construction and are arranged so as to facilitate the close conforming of the foot covering to the foot of an intended user through plantar flexion to dorsiflexion.

A ballet pointe shoe may include a monolithic foot-supporting structure with a toe box having a thermoplastic toe platform and a malleable bumper formed on, or attached to, a lower portion of the platform or, in some embodiments, a lower portion of the platform and a forward portion of the peripheral wall of the toe box adjoining the toe platform.

A ballet pointe shoe may include a monolithic foot-supporting structure with a toe box having a thermoplastic toe platform and a malleable bumper formed on, or attached to, a lower portion of the platform or, in some embodiments, a lower portion of the platform and a forward portion of the peripheral wall of the toe box adjoining the toe platform.

An apparatus for attaching a dance shoe support to a dance shoe. The apparatus including a flexible substrate having a support side and a shoe side. The support side has a first adhesive material creating a first adhesion layer on the shoe support side. The shoe side has a second adhesive material creating a second adhesion layer on the shoe side. The support side is affixed to the dance shoe support and the shoe side is affixed to an inner surface of the dance shoe. The flexible substrate may further include a plurality of measurement indicators to allow for adjustment to the length of the flexible substrate prior to being affixed to the dance shoe support.

An apparatus for attaching a dance shoe support to a dance shoe. The apparatus including a flexible substrate having a support side and a shoe side. The support side has a first adhesive material creating a first adhesion layer on the shoe support side. The shoe side has a second adhesive material creating a second adhesion layer on the shoe side. The support side is affixed to the dance shoe support and the shoe side is affixed to an inner surface of the dance shoe. The flexible substrate may further include a plurality of measurement indicators to allow for adjustment to the length of the flexible substrate prior to being affixed to the dance shoe support.

Aspects herein are directed to a sock having a plurality of toe-anchor knit courses that form a toe anchor that divides a toe-end opening of the sock into a first toe-end opening and a second toe-end opening by extending across the toe-end opening from a dorsal portion of the toe-end opening to a plantar portion of the toe-end opening. The toe-anchor knit courses are integrally knit with the sock body.