Rubin Pointe Shoes, V-Cut Flexible Medium Shank

I didn't purchase these through Amazon, but i wanted to review here as I absolutely LOVE these shoes! I have an Egyptian foot type, with tapered toes, wide metatarsals, tapered to heel, very high arches but low profile foot. I wear a size 37.5, width 5, flexible medium shank, v cut shank. I am an adult returning to pointe work after a 25 year hiatus (former pre professional student years ago). That said, I did a LOT of research on these shoes. I started with Grishko Novas (many years ago I wore Capezio Contemporas but they don't work for my foot now) and while I love Grishko Nova, but it cuts into my metatarsals on demi pointe and causes bruising there. The shanks also break too fast. I needed a v cut and a stronger but more flexible shank for my high arched feet. Someone told me about Russian Pointes and I visited a store that sells them and came home with Sapfirs. I LOVED the shanks and the v cut, totally works for me, but that shoe was too tapered and narrow for my wide metatarsals. Now, this store is 3 hours away, and I was not able to get there, so I took a chance after researching the rubins and ordered them from a private party. I was afraid it would be too boxy of a shoe and not support my tapered feet. So I was amazed when I tried them on and they fit perfectly! I am able to roll through demi on to pointe seamlessly and this shoe is very comfortable and supportive. My only hesitation is the rectangular platform that makes it more challenging to turn. I could turn much easier in my Grishkos. It will take some getting used to, and I am thinking about trying the Russian Pointe Bravas at some point in the future as they are a wider shoe for tapered feet and have a fuller crown. But I am defintely pleased with the Rubins. The quality of Russian Pointe shoes is unmatched! The craftsmanship is exquisite and this is a really beautiful shoe that adds to the line of the foot. This shoe lasts much longer than other pointe shoes, and the pre arched thicker shanks are durable yet supportive so that they hug your arch very well. I also love that this company offers a v vamp in every model, something that is VERY important for the type of foot I have. Finally, I love the pale pink color of this shoe, and the heel of the Rubins are perfect for me, not too low or high. I am a new fan of Russian Pointes!