The
ballet boot is a contemporary style of
fetish footwear that merges the look of the
pointe shoe with a
high heel. The idea is to force the wearer's feet almost
en pointe, like those of a ballerina, with the aid of long, slender
heels. When upright, the feet are held nearly vertical by the shoe, thus putting nearly all of the body's weight on the tips of the toes. However, a properly tight fit (firmly laced) will hold the shoe to the wearer's instep and heel, thereby reducing the weight on the wearer's toes.