The Irish dance notebook
A little less guesswork. A much better fit.
Your new Irish dance pumps look lovely in the box. On the foot, though, they can raise a few questions. Should they feel this snug? Is the heel sitting properly? And how much will the leather change after a few classes?
Finding the right fit starts with the dancer’s feet and the particular shoe. This Irish dance pump fitting guide explains what to measure, what to check when trying on ghillies and when a different size or shape may work better.
Adapted from Dance World’s original guide by Stephen Rock, with updated fitting advice and a new visual checklist.
The quick answer
How should Irish dance pumps fit?
Irish dance pumps should sit closely around the foot, with the heel fully seated and the laces providing an even hold. New leather pumps usually feel snugger than a worn pair. Some models are fitted with slight toe curl, but painful scrunching, numbness or persistent pressure are reasons to reassess the fit. Measure both feet, use the exact model’s chart and check the shoes in movement with your teacher or fitter.
Irish dance pump fit at a glance
How to measure your feet for Irish dance pumps
Start with fresh measurements, even if you already own pumps. The size in a well-worn pair tells only part of the story: the leather has changed with use, and a growing dancer’s feet may have changed too.
- Put on your usual dance socks. Use the pair or style you expect to wear with the new shoes.
- Place paper against a wall. Keep it flat and make sure it does not move.
- Set your heel against the wall. Keep the foot flat and the toes relaxed, following the position shown in the maker’s measuring instructions.
- Mark the longest toe. It may be your second toe. A helper can make the mark easier to place accurately.
- Measure from the wall edge to the mark. Record the length in millimetres, then repeat for the other foot.
Keep both measurements. Add a note about a narrow heel, wider forefoot, high instep or a particular area that has felt uncomfortable in previous shoes. These details are useful when asking for fitting advice.
Dance World’s Erin pump size guide and Hullachan Pro H4 size guide are separate charts. Check the product’s Size & Fit information rather than transferring a size from one model to another.
Your Irish dance pump fit-check graphic
Look at the whole shoe, then ask the dancer how each area feels. A neat photograph cannot tell you whether there is pressure inside the pump.
Should your toes curl in Irish dance pumps?
This is one of the most confusing parts of buying soft shoes. Some traditional fitting guidance, including Antonio Pacelli’s, allows for slight toe curl in new leather pumps as the shoe softens and moulds with wear.
That does not give every dancer a toe-curl target. Foot shape, shoe construction, training needs and personal comfort all matter. Being an intermediate or championship dancer is not, by itself, a reason to force the toes into a more compressed position.
A close new-pump fit
The upper holds the foot closely, the heel sits properly and the dancer can move without painful pressure. Use the model’s fitting guidance and an in-person check where possible.
A fit that needs another look
The toes feel painfully scrunched, a nail is under uncomfortable pressure, or the dancer reports numbness or tingling. Loosen the laces and reassess the size and shape.
Do not judge the fit from toe position alone. A secure, comfortable shoe is not automatically too large because the toes look relatively straight, just as curled toes do not prove that a shoe fits well.
Foot shape matters as much as shoe size
Two dancers with the same foot length can need different pumps. Instead of relying on a named foot type, look at the features that affect how the shoe sits.
Toe shape
A longer second toe or a broader toe line can change where pressure falls at the front. Check the longest toe, not only the big toe.
Forefoot width
A shoe can be the right length and still pinch across the ball of the foot. Compare the cut or width before assuming you only need more length.
Heel shape
A narrow heel may need a different heel cup or upper shape. Extra tension across the top does not always solve a loose back.
Instep & arch
Look at the space over the foot and the shape underneath it. A strongly contoured pump will feel different from a traditional beginner shoe.
Which pumps may be worth comparing?
Use these as starting points for a fitting conversation. The best choice is the model that suits the dancer’s feet and class requirements.
| Pump | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Goleen Aisling GL32 | A traditional full-sole beginner option to discuss with your teacher when choosing a first pair. |
| Antonio Pacelli Erin Éire | A pre-arched split-sole pump with white loops and cushioning. Worth comparing for a narrower foot; the white loops affect appearance, not the actual width of your foot. |
| Hullachan Pro H4 | A split-sole pump with built-in elastic arch enhancement. Check its strong contour carefully, especially if you have a lower natural arch. |
You can also browse the current Irish dancing shoes collection and compare the fit notes on each product page.
How to check the fit when trying on Irish dance pumps
Take a few unhurried minutes with both shoes. For a home try-on, use a clean, non-marking surface and keep the pumps in new condition while deciding on the fit.
- Loosen the laces first. Give the foot enough room to enter without forcing it through a tight opening.
- Settle the heel fully into the back. Centre the foot and smooth any sock folds before judging the length.
- Use the correct lacing route. Adjust evenly rather than pulling one section as tight as possible.
- Check the front, sides and arch. Look for twisting, loose folds or concentrated pressure, then ask how the shoe feels.
- Point and flex gently. With your teacher or fitter, check a few familiar movements and whether the heel stays seated.
- Check the second shoe separately. One good-fitting shoe does not confirm the fit of the pair.
Need help with the loops? Our guide to lacing and tying Irish dance pumps includes a colour-coded diagram for traditional beginner pumps. Shoes with different loop layouts need their own lacing instructions.
Too big, too small or the wrong shape?
A slipping heel does not always mean the whole shoe is too long. Start with positioning and lacing, then consider the model as well as the size.
The heel slips
Reseat the heel and check the lacing. If it still lifts, compare heel shape and overall volume with a fitter.
The sides pinch
Check forefoot width and instep room. A different cut may work better than adding extra length.
The arch feels pulled
Review the arch lacing or built-in contour. The shoe should work with the dancer’s natural foot shape.
The upper looks baggy
Check that the foot is centred and the heel is seated. Remaining loose folds may indicate excess room or a shape mismatch.
If adjusting the laces removes the pressure but leaves the shoe insecure, ask for a fit check. There may be a better combination of size, width and construction.
Will Irish dance pumps stretch?
Leather pumps usually soften and mould with wear, but the amount of give varies between models and individual pairs. The upper, lining, sole and arch construction all affect how the shoe settles.
Once the fit has been checked, introduce the shoes through short, comfortable periods of use and reassess how they feel. Follow the maker’s care advice rather than forcing the shoes to stretch.
Do not rely on a promised “full size of stretch” to make a painfully small shoe workable. Equally, a new pump that is already loose may become roomier as the leather softens.
Irish dance pump sizing: your questions answered
Are Irish dance pumps true to size?
There is no single rule across brands and models. Measure both feet and use the chart for the exact pump. Your trainer size or the label in an old stretched pair may not give you the right starting point.
Should I buy Irish dance pumps a size smaller?
Only follow a size adjustment when it belongs to that model’s fitting guidance and works for the dancer’s feet. A chart may already allow for a close fit, so automatically subtracting another size can overdo the adjustment.
Should beginner Irish dance pumps hurt?
No. A close new-shoe feel is different from painful pressure. If a beginner reports pinching, numbness or painfully compressed toes, pause and check the lacing, size and shoe shape with a fitter.
Why does the heel slip when I point?
First check that the heel is fully inside the shoe and the lacing follows the correct route. Persistent movement can relate to size, heel shape, excess volume or changes as the leather wears.
Can I buy extra growing room for my child?
Deliberately oversized pumps can move around the foot and make dancing awkward. Ask for a current fit assessment and recheck regularly as your child grows rather than relying on spare length.
Can the same pump suit beginners and advanced dancers?
Sometimes. Class requirements, foot shape, preferred sole and cushioning all influence the choice. Moving up a dancing level does not automatically mean changing models or choosing a smaller size.
Find the pump that feels like yours
Start with your measurements, compare the model’s fit notes and ask for help with anything that feels uncertain. A well-chosen pair makes getting ready for class a little simpler.
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