R-class: the new RC Collection

The new RC collection is different from all the previous models of pointe shoes of the brand. 

It uses different technologies in the sole construction which allow the sole to be completely flat and very durable - yet, still made of the traditional and natural (non-plastic) materials. The upper layer of the shoes is made of a different satin – it has a radiant “champagne” shade and is stiffer than the classic R-class fabric. As a result, the shoes are more durable, plus the heel fits very nice without “bagging” when en pointe.  

Features:

The manufacturers used numbers instead of names for the models and theirs special characteristics.

How to figure these out?

Now, let us introduce the new 8 RC models. They are called RC-10, RC-20, RC-30, RC-40, RC-60, RC-70, RC-80. There is no RC-50 yet, but there is an exclusive RC-M model which was created exclusively and by request for BestPointe.com.

Its “basic models” are called RC-10, RC-20 etc. Some models, although, have additional options (shoes with special characteristics, made on the same last). These are marked as a second number in the name of the model, for example, RC 22 or RC 37.

The sizes that are used in the RC collection are also different: they use the chart in millimeters, starting from 210 (size 33 EU=2UK) to 280 (size 46 EU=9UK).  

Widths: the shoes come in six widths, starting from W1 the narrowest and reaching the W6 the widest. Kid’s sizes from 210-225 have five widths, W1-W5. 

Shanks: the shoes have three basic shank options: the Soft, the Medium and the Hard shank. The non-pleated models (RC10-RC40) also have the newest FLEX shank option with a flexible heel zone.

So, let's merge all the above data and see what does it mean when a pair of pointe shoes says ‘RC-32, 255, W4, M’ on its sole?

1. The RC-32 means that it is the 3^rd model with the special characteristic 2 (the “silent” feature).
2. The 255 is the size of the pointe shoes.
3. The W4 is the width.
4. The M is the shank.

The models 

Let’s take the lasts or the RC Collection, one by one, starting with the default features of each model, continuing with the customizations they may have:

RC non-pleated

RC-1: This is the most tapered last, with a small platform and a medium box and a low crown. It also has a medium arch and a narrow heel. It has a U-cut with drawstrings. The basic model built on the RC-1 last is indicated by the name RC-10 – the 0 number after the number 1, which is the model, shows that the shoe has only its zero- main-default characteristics explained above.

Special Customizations of RC-1:

• RC-11: Based on the RC-10, the characteristic number 1 is that it has a softer sole and a lighter box with soft wings than the basic model. They are considered as first pointe shoes – but they are not as soft as the demi-pointe shoes / soft blocks of other brands.
• RC-12: Based on the RC-10, the 2^nd characteristic is that the pointe shoes have a silent technology. The sound- absorbing platform helps the pointe shoes to be silent when on stage.
• RC-14: Jumping number 3, since it doesn’t yet exists, we are continuing with the 4^th characteristic of the RC-10. RC-14 is light weight model, which means that pointe shoes have a light-weight box.
• RC-16: The RC-10 can also come in with ¾ outer sole. The shoe is “more” pre-arched in the heel and as a result comes only in hard shank.
• RC-17: The seventh customization is that the shoe has a V instead of U cut and the heel is un-stitched.

RC-2: The second last is less tapered than the RC-1. It has medium platform, low crown, medium heel and box. It is slightly pre-arched and has a U-cut vamp with drawstrings. 

Special Customizations of RC-2:

• RC-21: Based on the RC-20, the characteristic number 1 is that it has a softer sole and a lighter box with soft wings than the basic model. They are considered as first pointe shoes – but they are not as soft as the demi-pointe shoes / soft blocks of other brands.
• RC-22: Based on the RC-20, the 2^nd characteristic is that the pointe shoes have a silent technology. The sound- absorbing platform helps the pointe shoes to be silent when on stage.
• RC-24: Jumping number 3, since it doesn’t yet exists, we are continuing with the 4^th characteristic of the RC-20. RC-24 is light weight model, which means that pointe shoes have a light-weight box.
• RC-26: RC-20 can also come in with ¾ outer sole. The shoe is “more” pre-arched in the heel and comes only in hard shank.

RC-3: The third model is the least tapered of the first two models mentioned above. It has a wide platform and heel and a large box. The crown and arch are medium. It also has the default characteristic of U-cut with drawstrings. 

Special Customizations of RC-3:

• RC-31: Based on the RC-30, the characteristic number 1 is that it has a softer sole and a lighter box with soft wings than the basic model. They are considered as first pointe shoes – but they are not as soft as the demi-pointe shoes / soft blocks of other brands.
• RC-32: Based on the RC-30, the 2^nd characteristic is that the pointe shoes have a silent technology. The sound- absorbing platform helps the pointe shoes to be silent when on stage.
• RC-34: Jumping number 3, since it doesn’t yet exists, we are continuing with the 4^th characteristic of the RC-30. RC-34 is light weight model, which means that pointe shoes have a light-weight box.
• RC-36: The RC-3 can also come in with ¾ outer sole. The shoe is “more” pre-arched in the heel and comes only in hard shank.
• RC-37: The seventh customization is that the shoe has a V instead of U cut and the heel is un-stitched.    

RC-4:

The model number four looks very much like the RC-30 but has a lower heel: a “universal” model which seems to become the best-seller of the new collection.

It features a medium platform, crown, arch, heel and box. It also has a U-cut vamp with drawstrings.

Special Customizations of RC-4:

• RC-41: Based on the RC-40, the characteristic number 1 is that it has a softer sole and a lighter box with soft wings than the basic model. They are considered as first pointe shoes – but they are not as soft as the demi-pointe shoes / soft blocks of other brands.
• RC-42: Based on the RC-40, the 2^nd characteristic is that the pointe shoes have a silent technology. The sound- absorbing platform helps the pointe shoes to be silent when on stage.
• RC-44: Jumping number 3, since it doesn’t yet exists, we are continuing with the 4^th characteristic of the RC-40. RC-44 is light weight model, which means that pointe shoes have a light-weight box.
• RC-46: The RC-4 can also come in with ¾ outer sole. The shoe is “more” pre-arched in the heel and comes only in hard shank.
• RC-47: The seventh customization is that the shoe has a V instead of U cut and the heel is un-stitched.    

Classic lasts with Pleats: 

RC-6:

This model is narrow and medium tapered with a high profile. The default shoe, RC-60, has a U-cut vamp with drawstrings. Yet, it can also come with a V-cut without drawstrings – the model is called RC-61.

RC-7:

The 7^th model is the most full and square of the collection. It has a wide platform and a large box which would slightly open towards the metatarsals. The default model has a U-cut vamp with drawstrings, whereas the RC-71 has a V-cut without drawstrings.

RC-8:

The RC-80 is for those kinds of feet that are considered as “diamond”. The platform is quite small and the box has plenty of room on both the sides and its profile. The heel is medium. The sole is medium pre-arched. The default model has a U-cut vamp with drawstrings, whereas the RC-81 has a V-cut without drawstrings.

With the RC Collection by R-class, we are dealing with so many characteristics and options - the manufacturers really thried their best to offer great choices for each dancer.