Merlet Lisa Pointe Shoe Kit — Everything in One Box
The Merlet Lisa pointe shoe kit answers the question every pointe purchase eventually raises: “wait, what else do I need?” With most shoes, the answer is a second trip — ribbon, elastic, toe pads, a bag to store them in. With the Lisa Kit, the answer is nothing. Merlet packs the shoe and its full setup into one box, so the pair that leaves our store leaves ready to be sewn and worn.
The shoe inside is the same Lisa we carry on its own: handmade in France, stitch-and-turn construction, and the interchangeable shank system that lets a dancer change support strength — or replace a worn-out shank — without replacing the shoe.
What comes in the Merlet Lisa pointe shoe kit?
- Lisa pointe shoes — reinforced box and wings, wide platform, U-shape throat, elastic drawstring
- Two pairs of shanks — Medium and Hard, so the dancer can compare strengths in her own shoes
- Cotton ribbon — the classic matte tie
- Cotton ribbon with elastic insert — gives at the Achilles, a common pick for dancers with tendon sensitivity
- Satin ribbon — the traditional stage look
- Stretch ribbon — moves with the ankle through demi-pointe
- Invisible elastic — discreet security over the instep
- Silicone toe cushions — more padding for sensitive toes
- Foam toe cushions — a thinner option that keeps more feel for the floor
- Cotton pointe shoe bag — breathable storage that lets shoes dry between wears
Why do four ribbon choices matter?
Because ribbon isn’t one-size-fits-all, even though most shoes treat it that way. A dancer with a tight Achilles often does better with an elastic-insert ribbon that gives at the back of the ankle. Stretch ribbon suits a mobile ankle that fights a rigid tie. Satin is the performance standard; plain cotton is a durable everyday workhorse. Getting all four in the box means the choice is made around the dancer’s ankle — not around what happened to be on the accessory wall that day.
Silicone or foam — which toe cushion?
Silicone cushions offer more protection and suit dancers with sensitive toes or those newer to pointe work. Foam is lighter and thinner, which preserves more sensation of the floor — something many experienced dancers prefer. Since both are included, a dancer can try each in class and settle on the one that suits her feet, with no extra purchase riding on the guess.
Kit or shoe only — which should you buy?
Our honest take: the kit is the right first Lisa. It sets up ribbon, elastic, padding, and storage in one purchase, and the extras carry forward. Once you’re established in the shoe and just replacing a worn pair — or only a worn shank — the shoe-only listing is the more economical restock, because you won’t need a second bag or another round of ribbon. We carry both for exactly that reason.
The shank system, briefly
The Lisa’s natural-fiber shanks slide out of the sole and swap in seconds. Softer strengths suit technique work; harder ones carry rehearsal and performance. Replacement shanks are sold separately in Soft, Medium, Hard, and Extra Hard, so when a shank breaks down, the shoe keeps working — the reinforced box is built to last through several shank lives. The full construction story is on our Lisa shoe listing if you want the deeper dive.
Materials & Kit Contents
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| SKU | CLISA (Merlet Lisa boxed set with accessories) |
| Shoe | Merlet Lisa — satin, natural fibers, cotton, vegan microfiber; handmade in France |
| Shanks included | 2 pairs interchangeable natural fiber — Medium and Hard |
| Ribbons included | Cotton, cotton with elastic insert, satin, stretch |
| Elastic | Invisible elastic |
| Toe cushions | Silicone tips and foam tips |
| Bag | Cotton pointe shoe bag |
| Vamp | Low vamp (~6.5 cm / 2.6″) or high vamp (~6.6 cm / 2.6″) — both at August Muse |
| Platform | Wide, vegan microfiber tip with Poron® foam insert |
| Replacement shanks | Sold separately — Soft, Medium, Hard, Extra Hard |
Care Instructions
| Step | Instruction |
|---|---|
| After class | Pull the shank and padding out and let everything air dry fully — 24–48 hours is ideal |
| Cleaning | Spot clean satin lightly with a barely damp cloth |
| Storage | Use the included cotton bag — it breathes; sealed plastic traps moisture |
| Ribbons | Sew after your fitting; your fitter can mark placement for your foot |
| Do not | Machine wash, soak, or force-dry with direct heat |
Sizing — Schedule a Fitting at August Muse
You won’t find a size chart here, because pointe shoes shouldn’t be self-sized. Merlet uses its own scale, pointe sizes rarely match street sizes, and fit is about length, width, toe shape, and arch working together — a poorly fitted pointe shoe is a safety risk, not just a comfort issue. The Lisa’s width and vamp options are decisions your fitter makes with you, on your foot.
All pointe shoes at August Muse are fitted in person. Call or stop by our downtown Elizabethton store to schedule a pointe fitting — it’s also the best time to pick the ribbon and toe cushion setup from the kit that suits your dancer.
Best For
- A dancer’s first pair of Lisas — the full setup in one purchase
- Dancers who want to test ribbon and padding options before committing to one
- Families who’d rather make one complete purchase than three partial ones
- Dancers moving into the Lisa from a conventional single-shank shoe
- Anyone pairing an in-store fitting with a take-home-ready box
Available at August Muse
The Merlet Lisa Pointe Shoe Kit — shoes, Medium and Hard shanks, four ribbons, invisible elastic, silicone and foam toe cushions, and a cotton shoe bag — is available at August Muse in downtown Elizabethton, TN, in both low vamp and high vamp. Call or stop in to schedule a pointe fitting.
