Review: MDM Intrinsic Ballet Slipper

It's no surprise to you all that I like technology and ballet! Luckily the two get combined fairly often in dancewear, and I'm always curious to give things a try!

I was searching Discount Dance for a new pair of flat shoes since my current pair (Capezio Juliet in canvas) are just about toast. The things I love about the Juliet are the low profile and thinness of the fabric, while still being sturdy (I don't like super stretchy fabric). It hugs my foot in a flattering way and helps me stay lifted in my arches. The thing I don't like about them is how they don't hug my arch on demi-pointe. I like them in every other way, so I will definitely re-order them, but as things go with browsing Discount Dance, a new shoe caught my eye and I decided to give it a try!


The shoe I ordered is called the "Intrinsic" Split-Sole Ballet Slipper by the brand MDM. I ordered the canvas version, though they do make a leather version as well. Basically the inside of the shoe is a full-sole made of neoprene. And it's PINK! So cute! The neoprene goes all the way up the back of the heel. It takes a good one or two classes to get used to the slightly raised heel feeling, but it does make a difference in how long you can stand on your feet. The idea is that the padded full-sole on the inside will help strengthen muscles in the feet and legs, while the split-sole on the outside still provides flattering arch hugging, where traditional full-sole shoes have fallen short.

I would definitely agree that the sole makes you work your feet harder. I feel like my pointe doesn't look that great in this shoe right now, which makes me want to avoid wearing it, but I feel like I should push through to see if I really can gain some more strength in my feet!

I talk further about this and show them on my feet in them in this video below, so check it out! And let me know if you've tried this shoe!

- Jana