Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Shanks!

[@zourdoudaki]

I normally wear extraflex and supple. I live in Athens, distributors here do not carry anything but hard and extraflex (and they sure do not carry N width). I had to have someone bring me a supple (and Narrow) from the US to try on. This is really frustrating. You would better get your distributors overseas to share your celebration of softer shanks because there is the widespread mentality that yellow and green bags are the only ones in demand. But if distributors don't even carry softer shanks, no one will ever know they needed one. Thanks for considering this.

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi there! Thanks for your comment, we completely understand. I can tell you that urging our retailers all over the world to carry softer shanks (and more variety in widths) has been part of every single conversation we've been having with our stores this year. It always takes time for change and for new ideas to be adopted, but we are 100% aware of the need and working as quickly as we can to make it happen. One thing that is always helpful is for you to not just tell US this, but to also tell your local store that you wish they carried more variety. If we suggest they should bring in softer shanks AND they're hearing the request from their customers directly, it's more powerful. They want to know that their customers want this option, too! :-)

[@MariaTkl]

I also live in Athens, and I totally agree with you! And not only don't they have variety, they also lie about it. I was in a shop and I asked for the green bag( they only had yellow) sculpted fit, and they told me that in sculpted feet the yellow bag is the hardest, and i had already read everything on your site and I was like are you kidding? Another day , I asked for normal fit but low vamp and they told me that such thing doesn't exist and that I can only make a special order and pay for it.

[@margaritagritzela8990]

When I was dancing on point I had the exact same problem, and ended up not getting gaynor mindens at all, because supple shank was too hard for my taste and there was nowhere to try softer shanks. (In Athens too)

[@ashimochi]

I'm from Chile, they also offer almost exclusively hard and extraflexes, a couple of supples in a single model, and in general my only local dance store insists on not carrying anything under medium-hard, so I've spent all my pointe journey to this point in shoes that my feet can't even bend. Ended up ordering custom Gaynors online and they are arriving next week, in a Pianissimo shank 💜

[@chiayutsai4342]

Hi，the clip explains roles of shank in pointe training clearly and also breaks some myths about shank, which is wonderful and helpful! I am a dance teacher from Taiwan and really want to share the information to my students. So, I would like to know whether it is allowable to add Chinese subtitle on the clip and share it on studio's FB while citing resource form Gaynor Minden. And of course if GM needs to check the correctness about the translation, I will definitely cooperate with you. Thank you!

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi! Thanks for your comment. We're actually working on getting some of these translated into multiple languages (Chinese is one of them!). It might take us a little bit to get everything together, though. We're a small team! But we'll try to let you all know as soon as they're ready. :-)

[@chiayutsai4342]

GaynorMindenInc OK, thank you!

[@starlighty8888]

I love the bags of gaynors

[@kirstynwitt4488]

I love my shoes super broken in almost dead but still supportive of course what shank would be best for me

[@shippermd]

kirstyn witt Same here. I want to kno too!

[@GaynorMindenInc]

A little tough to say without seeing your shoe and knowing a little more about your size, BUT it sounds like you'd like one of our softer shanks: Supple, Feather, or Pianissimo.

[@shippermd]

GaynorMindenInc My favorite pointe shoes were the Capezio Nicolini, which they no longer make. And I also liked them almost dead. So would your recomendation also work for me too, then? And if I ordered an uncushioned toebox?

[@shippermd]

Feather or Pianissimo shank would be best for you, probably. I have been fitted to be a Special Order Pianissimo #3 Box, Low Vamp, Low Heel.

[@lizzydanforth2704]

I am able to work through the green bag shank but I prefer the pink bag/supple shank🤩

[@eunamour]

wow this is helpful. I just got a pair of gaynor minden pointe shoes with hard shanks and thinking it might be too hard for my feet even tho I have strength and slightly high arch. Probably I should go for Extraflex next time .. that ‘shoes being bossy’ part got me hahaha very easily explained and this really helped :) thanks!!

[@TheDSquad]

These videos are so helpful and informative. They are a life saver

[@f4d_26_teresawong7]

i am going to buy one, i am excited

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Yay! ☺️

[@kvhowells]

I’ve always worn a soft shank pink bag ...everyone’s sold out due to Pandemic ......... just bought green bag ...sculpted fit ...hard shank .....I hope I like them ....they look good on my foot 🦶

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi Kimberly! Please email us directly at [e-mail]. We'd love to help you get your preferred Supple shank. Thanks!

[@vsm6847]

This kind of makes it sound like you don't want dancers to use hard shanks... But you didn't really address which dancers *do* need or dance well with hard shanks. Begs the question of why you offer them if you discourage against them so much?

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Great question and observations! Honestly, it's become a complicated issue that we're addressing through MANY different channels - content is just one of them. As we say in the beginning, the biggest problem is that dancers are often fit in or choosing shanks that are too stiff for them (often this ends up being the Hard shank, but it doesn't always end up that way!) which makes the dancer unable to work on pointe correctly and leads their teachers to equate the problem to Gaynor Minden in general, which leads to us being banned in a number of schools. As you can see, that's a big slippery slope that we have to start addressing somewhere! It's not that the Hard shank is bad ALL the time. We mention it quickly at the end (around 12:50 I think) but basically, if you're using the Hard and still able to properly articulate your feet without being "bossed" around by your shoe, it's probably OK for you. However, if you feel like you're either on flat or on pointe with no in-between, your shank (whether it's a Hard shank or not) is probably TOO hard and you'd be better served by something softer. Shank preference is also a very personal choice, and dancers have all sorts of reasons for choosing the shanks that they do. Sometimes it can just be a matter of what rep you're dancing. A dancer may use a Hard shank for the Rose Adagio, but switch to the Supple for her Act II Dream Scene variation. The key, always, it making sure you're still able to execute proper ballet technique in whatever shank you're wearing. Our Hard and Extraflex shanks (Green and Yellow bags) are SO popular that many consumers think that's all we make, or that those bags ARE Gaynor Minden in our entirety. And that's not the case! So we're trying to shine the light on ALL our shanks, especially our softer ones, to make sure consumers are fully informed when making their purchases. :-)

[@ashrothwell3952]

Can you please speak about what to do if you have very stiff ankles? Love your shoes! Still trying to find the right ones xxx

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi! Thank you for your comment! Our team would love to help you find your perfect pair. Could you kindly please email us directly at [e-mail]? Thanks!

[@sophieredstone3358]

Hi, I’m a dancer with quite flexible feet and my issue has been in the box , they never last me and hurt way too much , I’ve been thinking in switching to gaynors but I have no clue on which ones , size or anything l so if you could help me it would be wonderful ❤️😊🤩

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi! Thank you for your message. We'd love to help you find your perfect fit! Could you kindly please email us directly at [e-mail]? Looking forward to hearing from you!

[@juliaolson2109]

I just felt attacked for wearing a hard shank

[@selinakloft2386]

Hi Yo same

[@GaynorMindenInc]

😊 💚

[@oliviamastalerz256]

I've been using both extraflex and supple for a while and I have found that my extraflex is just too hard, and I love the supple, though it doesn't last nearly as long as the extraflex. My fitter ordered me a supple with an arch reinforcement, though will this still be too hard? Or will it solve my problem? I also wish that retailers carried the softer shanks so that we can try them out. If I am in a rush to get new pointe shoes, I would like to have the possibility of trying softer shanks rather than having to wait multiple weeks for them to come in. Otherwise, I love love love my Gaynors! My feet are very flexible so these have saved me so much money from buying a new pair of traditional paste shoes every week.

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi Olivia! Thanks for your comment, we're thrilled to hear you're loving your GMs! I'd have a few more questions to really be able to assess your situation, but generally speaking dancer with high arches who still want a more flexible shoe really like the option your fitter ordered for you. It will give you a little more support right under the arch, without impeding on the flexibility of the demi-pointe. It may help the Supple to last a bit longer, too. We mention this in the video, but it's always good to evaluate how long your shoe is lasting in hours of use! There's not really a "our shoes SHOULD last this long" number that will work for everyone - for example, we polled a number of our Ambassadors and they use their shoes for anywhere from 12 hours to 300+ hours. So, while the Extraflex may last longer than the Supple, the Supple may end up being a better choice for your foot in terms of strength and articulation. Also - rotating pairs will help your Supples last longer! To address your wish that retailers carried softer shanks: rest assured that we are actively working on this! Encouraging them to carry our softer shanks has become part of every. single. conversation. It always takes time for change, and for new ideas to be adopted, but we are 100% aware of the need for change and working as quickly as we can to make it happen. One thing that is always helpful is for you to not just tell US this, but to also tell your fitter/store. If we suggest they should bring in softer shanks AND they're hearing the request from their customers, directly, it's more powerful. They want to know that their customers want this option, too! :-)

[@75cerise]

I have the Gaynor Minden Sleek 8 Narrow (4 box) with the Extraflex shank and they're too hard. I experienced the exact same difficulties that you describe in your video: heels constantly slipping off, not feeling like I can control the shoe, not being able to stand flat in the shoes, not being able to roll through demi-pointe... I've abandoned my Gaynor Mindens as a result. But after watching your video, I'm willing to give them another try with a different shank. I prefer a very soft shoe that's almost dead, but obviously need some support. Which softer shank would you recommend for me? Supple, Feather or Pianissimo? I'm afraid I can't afford to order all three to try.

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi! If you're wanting to try something softer than the Extra-flex shank, I'd suggest working through the flexibilities gradually would be a great start. Give the Supple shank a try first, but it's very much catered to the dancer and what you feel is best for your arch. There's always the option to head to your nearest retailer and trying out the different shanks in person. Also, our Regional Managers are always traveling around and doing fitting events at GM Retailer locations. Make sure to follow our Instagram stories (and our Highlight: Say Hi IRL) to see if we'll be near you. Hope that helps!

[@janedie9262]

This video is so helpful! It convinces me to order a pair rather than take one of the stock options at my supplier (they have hard and an occasional extraflex). There, I was told that 'in Gaynors you just can't work through demi-pointe properly'! How can I estimate which shank to get?

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi there! Excellent question. It's hard for us to tell you for sure without seeing your feet in person, and even then sometimes a dancer has to play around a bit. Or dancers may use different shanks for different things, similarly to keeping a "good" pair of shoes for a classical performance, and using a "dead" pair for a contemporary piece. What kind of pointe shoes are you wearing currently? And at what point do they feel "perfect" to you?

[@janedie9262]

I'm wearing a Merlet Diva, though I'm not too happy with them. I like them best after about 10 classes, so 5 hours of wear.

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Okay. So, again, hard to say for SURE. But if you're on the shorter side of length (say, US street shoe size up to an 8 or 8.5) then you'd probably like the Supple (or softer!). Longer than that could be a supple, but possibly the Extraflex. Lots of other factors come into play!

[@danielaescoto2836]

What is the best Shank for a beginner?

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi there! It's next to impossible to say without actually seeing the beginner's feet, but we like to start fitting beginners with the Supple shank and then adjust as needed from there.

[@hannahkirkpatrick5442]

I go through pointe shoes fairly quickly, but its just the shank. I currently have Bloch aspirations and I killed the shank after 5-6 classes, I also tried jet gluing them and that didn't do much. Would gaynors be a good match for me? I have high arches, long toes, a wider toe and a disappearing heel.

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi Hannah! Try out our Extraflex and Hard shank shoes in our Sleek or Sculpted fit! Our shanks do not soften or break, so the hardness of the shank when you first get it is the same as when the shoe is "dead." The other materials break down, satin weakens, and this is the sign you need a new pair! Let us know what you think! Find a retailer near you at www.dancer.com/store_locator

[@hannahkirkpatrick5442]

GaynorMindenInc thank you! I’m actually going to a dance store near me on Tuesday and hopefully will be able to try some☺️

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Awesome! Have a great fitting and if you have any additional questions about the shoes or fit, we are always available via email at [e-mail]! 😍

[@karla4595]

I have a question. My are medium flexible, but I don't a lot of strength, I couldn't get on the box with my last pointe shoes, it was so hard for me. So I'm changing shoes and wanted to try Gaynor Mindens, but my question is, which shank should I wear?

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi! Shank stiffness is based on your personal preference on what your ideal is. In our NYC Boutique, we typically pull the Supple shank first, as it's the middle of the five available, and then determine whether to go harder or softer. Feel free to email us directly at [e-mail] if you'd like a second opinion!

[@caitlinhumes5227]

I have the supple shank shoes and I feel like they aren’t showing my arch as much as I would like, help pleasee

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi Caitlin! Please contact us directly at [e-mail]. Thanks!

[@EnchantingWings1]

I was wondering if you could comment on something. I have sorry soft bloch pointe shoes that I felt completely out of control. I fell out of echappes of all things. I'm on the heavier and taller side. Are harder shanks more suited for someone with someone that's taller and is more on the heavier side?

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi there! Our harder shanks are a great option for taller dancers and those who need that extra support!

[@jaderustandi5929]

I wear an extra flex sculpted fix pointe shoe and i feel like it doesn’t show the instep i have, what do i do?!

[@GaynorMindenInc]

Hi there! A lot of dancers find they can go softer in the Sculpted Fit shoes...so maybe try the Supple? It's just one down but it does form into the arch a bit better.

[@courtneydavies8276]

2:28 ME omg