Ballet Tights and Leggings – What Are They Like and How to Choose the Right Ones?

Ballet Tights and Leggings – What Are They Like and How to Choose the Right Ones?

Ballet tights can be categorized based on the design into several types: convertible (with a hole in the sole), footed, footless, and stirrup. Among these, convertible tights are perhaps the most commonly used. Their main advantage is versatility. They can be worn like regular footed tights, with the toes covered, or rolled up to leave the foot bare. This depends on the dancer's preferences and the situation; some prefer having the tights inside the ballet shoe, while others like the shoe directly against bare skin. The hole in convertible tights also allows for a smooth transition to pointe shoes: you don’t need to remove the tights if you want to add padding, tape, or other necessities underneath as they can simply be rolled out of the way. Some dancers also prefer training barefoot in shoes, while performances typically require that no bare skin be visible on the legs. Convertible tights eliminate the need for separate pairs for rehearsals and performances.

Footed and footless tights are just what they sound like. Footless tights are suitable if you prefer to wear your shoes directly on bare feet and don’t need a closed toe. Footed tights are a good choice if you always wear your shoes over the tights and don’t need to make adjustments around the toes for pointework.

Stirrup tights are mainly used in gymnastics and cheer dance, but they’re also suitable for other dance styles. These do not have a closed foot but feature a fabric band that goes under the arch of the foot. This ensures a continuous line all the way to the instep, while the toes and heel remain free. 

Several brands produce ballet tights. We carry tights from Bloch, Rumpf, Intermezzo, and Sansha, for example. All of them are known for their stretch and comfort. Bloch tights are particularly known for their durability and are well-suited for tall dancers. Sansha and Rumpf offer lighter shades that often match the skin tones of many Finnish dancers. Ballet tights and leggings are generally very durable. Their lifespan is considerably longer than standard store-bought tights, and they’re less prone to runs and tears.

Ballet tights are very stretchy, and for example, Sansha only offers one adult size in both tights and leggings. If you’re between sizes, I recommend choosing the larger one: they’ll feel more comfortable and offer better coverage. Height and desired opacity are also important factors when choosing a size. A larger size won’t stretch as much, so it won’t become as see-through. Even if you wear a small size in regular clothing, taller dancers should go for larger ballet tights.

Staff Favorites:
 Venla wears Bloch tights or Sansha stirrup leggings for ballet and Sansha stirrups for other dance styles.
 Anni H. prefers Rumpf convertible tights for performances and Sansha footless tights for rehearsals.