Best Choice for Comfortable Women's Ballet Slipper.

Dr. Marten's Christina

I am not a big fan of ballet slippers because most of them are super-crappy with zero support! After extensive research, Dr. Marten's Christina is the best ballet slipper that I have been able to find. I'm not saying that it's a good choice for everybody but I am saying that for certain people, this is the best choice I could find in the ballet slipper category. I would recommend that you pair this shoe with a dress orthotic to give added arch support for better biomechanical control, which will result in more comfort. 

If you have serious forefoot issues or work on your feet for long hours on concrete floors, this shoe is not going to be supportive enough. I would recommend that you 'bump up' to something with more support like the Dansko Volley. Remember to listen to your body! If you try this shoe (or any shoe) and it hurts or find yourself having increased discomfort as the day goes on - don't wear it. It's not good enough for you!

Under normal circumstances, I steer patients away from ballet slippers but I've had so many requests from people who want to know if there is any comfortable ballet slippers that they can wear that I decided to delve into it deeper. 

In general, any ballet slipper that bends or flexes is garbage and is going to cause more mechanical strain for your joints, tendons, ligament, ect. This leads to 'tired leg syndrome' and can make you more susceptible to injuries. What makes the Dr. Martin Christina decent is that it does have a thicker, more rigid sole than the typical ballet slipper. I would love to see it thicker and more rigid but - that is hard to find in a ballet slipper type shoe! 

I have one patient who loves the ballet slipper so much that I advised her to try this shoe and, if she was comfortable in it, take it to a Cobbler to add more support to the bottom for more protection.

 

This Shoe is Recommended For Patients with:

*Healthy feet

*No significant biomechanical issues

*No foot pain!

This Shoe is NOT Recommended For Patients with:

*Diabetes

*Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Damage)

*Peripheral Arterial Disease (Poor Circulation)

*Charcot Foot

*History of Ulcerations/Open Sores

*Hypermobility

*Ligament Laxity

*Over-Pronators

*Ankle Instability

*History of Lisfranc's Fractures (Jone's Fracture)

*Bunions

*Hammertoes

*Morton's Neuromas

*Achilles Tendonitis

*Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

*Corns & Calluses

*Metatarsalgia

*Tendonitis

*Capsulitis

I know it's a limited list for who this shoe is 'recommended' for but if you have foot pain or any significant biomechanical foot or ankle issues, this is not the proper shoe for you. 

It is, however, the best choice for someone who is determined to wear ballet slippers and wants to decrease damage and increase comfort from your typical ballet slipper.

I hope this was helpful and I would love to hear any feedback you have on the Dr. Marten's Christina.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cathleen A. McCarthy 

:)