Essential Pump

Getting the right size in a new pair of Irish dance pumps can sometimes feel tricky, especially if you’re trying them for the first time. 

With over 30 years’ experience fitting dancers, we’ve created this guide to make the process as straightforward as possible — while sharing the expert tips that will help you avoid the common pitfalls.

Please do not choose your pump size based on the dancer's school shoe size, by sizing down one size from normal footwear or by drawing around their feet. These are all highly inaccurate and you will probably end up buying the wrong size.

Sizing at a Glance

• Always measure the foot length – don’t rely on trainer size, school shoes, or old pumps. Use the recommended measuring method for an accurate result.

• Measure both feet – use the smaller foot for the best fit and arch profile.

• Check the Sizing Guide for the pump you would like to buy (sizing advise differs   between styles) to see what size pump we suggest purchasing.

• Watch our step-by-step video or follow the steps below.

Measure the Length of Your Foot

The first step is to measure the length of the dancer's feet.

We strongly recommend measuring using the method below as it is the most reliable way to choose the right size for pumps and boys’ reel shoes. There is only a small difference between half sizes so accuracy is really important for a great fit.

1. Place a sheet of plain A4 paper against a wall so that the edge of the paper touches the wall.
2. Put on the socks normally worn for dancing. Place the foot on the paper with the heel against the wall. (Double check the paper hasn’t slipped!)
   
   
3. Relax the foot and toes. Mark the paper at the longest point of the foot (you may need a helper for this).
4. Draw a straight line from the wall edge of the paper to the mark, then measure this distance with a ruler. This measurement is what you’ll use to select your size.
   

👉 Measure both feet – it’s common, especially in children, for one foot to be slightly longer than the other. We recommend ordering for the smaller foot so the pumps fit tightly and the dancer can achieve a beautiful arch and point.

We strongly advise not ordering based on:

• School shoes or trainers (sizing varies widely)

• Existing pumps or jig shoes (they stretch with wear, so the marked size is no longer accurate)

• The old method of drawing around the foot (it’s prone to error because the result depends on the thickness of the pen and the angle you draw at)

You should now have two measurements.

Length of Left Foot:

Length of Right Foot:

Step 2: Using the Essential Pump Sizing Chart

You should have two measurements, one for each foot.

If you haven't please read the 'Measure Your Feet' tab on how to do an accurate measurement.

Comparing Your Measurement to the Size Chart 

Example: If your left foot is 217mm and your right foot is 220mm then you would use the shorter measurement of 217mm when using the size guide.

• The guide suggests a size 1.5 for a foot length of 215mm

• The guide suggests a size 2 for a foot length of 220mm

We usually suggest choosing the size below the measurement for a nice close fit. So in this example the dancer would choose size 1.5. 

However, some dancers may need to adjust the suggested size. If the dancer has narrow or wide feet, SENs or is a championship level then you should consider adjusting the size as below.

• Wider feet / high instep → go up half a size. If the foot is very wide, you may need to go up a full size. (If you’ve chosen a wide-fit model, then half a size extra is usually enough.)

• Dancers with SEN considerations → we recommend going up half a size for extra comfort.

• Narrow feet → often benefit from going down half a size.

• Advanced dancers → usually prefer their pumps very tight for extra control and to achieve an excellent profile when pointing. Go down half a size or possibly a full size for extra tightness. Don't forget our suggested size already aims to have your toes slightly curled so don't over do it with the size drop. You can risk long term damage your feet and toes if you always buy extra small.

A Word of Caution: Don’t Buy Too Large

It may seem like a safe option to order bigger, but in reality it’s a false economy:

• Pumps that are too big are difficult to dance in

• They won’t show a dancer’s point properly

• They can even be a trip hazard

• Pumps naturally stretch up to a full size (or more) with wear – so let the pumps do the work rather than starting too large.
  

Essential Pump Sizing Chart

Please Note - Every dancer prefers their pumps to fit in a certain way. Some like them extra tight, others with a little room. Combine this with the fact that everyone's feet are unique in terms of width, length, arch type and height and you can see why pump fitting can be difficult. Hence we only offer this sizing chart as a guide rather than a guaranteed fit. 

Advice on Fitting Irish Dance Pumps

Your order has arrived but you are not sure if you have the correct size. 

This is a common concern with Irish dancers and their parents, especially when just starting out.

Most Common Questions On Pump Fittings

Should Pumps Feel This Tight?

Yes — new Irish dance pumps should normally feel tighter than everyday shoes.

This often surprises new parents.

A properly fitted pump should feel snug when first worn, with the toes slightly curled. This close fit is important because the leather naturally stretches and moulds around the foot during the first few wears, helping create the secure feel and clean arch profile associated with Irish dancing.

New pumps can therefore feel a little unusual at first, especially around the toes. A small amount of discomfort while the leather softens and stretches is normal, but the toes should not be painfully scrunched or heavily compressed.

Pumps that feel comfortable immediately are often too large and may quickly becom loose once the leather stretches.

Should I Buy Bigger to Allow Growing Room?

No — we strongly recommend avoiding oversized pumps.

Buying pumps too large is one of the most common mistakes we see with first-time dancers.

Oversized pumps can:

• Make dancing more difficult
• Reduce control and pointing
• Affect the dancer’s appearance on stage
• Become a trip hazard

Irish dance pumps are designed to stretch and mould around the foot with wear, so it is important that they start with a snug fit rather than extra growing room built in.

Final Advice

If this is your child’s first pair of Irish dance pumps, don’t panic if they feel tighter than expected at first. That close fit is a normal part of how pumps are designed to work.

If you’re unsure between sizes, ordering two pairs to compare at home is often the quickest and easiest option. Many teachers are also happy to quickly check the fit during class.

The right first pair should help dancers feel comfortable, confident and excited to step onto the dance floor for the first time.

If you’re unsure about the fit, ask your dance teacher for advice. Most teachers have a lot of experience helping new dancers and parents choose the correct fit and will often reassure parents that a snug new pair is completely normal.

It is very common for a parent or dancer to think the pumps feel too tight at first, only for the teacher to confirm that the fit is actually correct.

To help the pumps soften and shape more quickly, many dancers wear them while relaxing or watching television before dancing in them properly for class.

For very young dancers, children dancing recreationally, or dancers with SEN considerations, a slightly more comfortable fit is often appropriate. The most important thing is that these dancer feels happy, confident and comfortable enough to enjoy dancing and continue progressing.

Irish dancing can offer important social, emotional and therapeutic benefits for many children, so comfort and confidence should always be part of the fitting decision.

Irish dance pumps can be laced in different ways depending on the style of shoe. Some pumps use a traditional lacing system, while others feature arch eyelets designed to help create a more defined arch profile.

Correct lacing is important for both comfort and appearance. Pumps that are laced incorrectly may feel loose, uncomfortable or fail to provide the desired fit around the foot and ankle.

The videos below demonstrate the correct lacing method for different styles of Irish dance pumps. If you are unsure which method applies to your shoes, please contact us and we'll be happy to help.

Essential and Gazelle Pump Lacing

This video demonstrates the correct lacing method for the Antonio Pacelli Essential Pump and Gazelle Pump.

Ava, Erin Eyre and Hullachan Pump Lacing

This video demonstrates the correct lacing method for the Antonio Pacelli Ava, Erin and Eyre pumps, as well as the complete range of Hullachan Irish dance pump.