Shoe size USSR used the European (Paris point) system, but the Mondopoint metric system was introduced in 1980s by GOST 24382-80 "Sizes of Sport Shoes" and GOST 11373-88 "Shoe Sizes", and lately by GOST R 58149-2018. Foot lengths are aligned to 5 mm and 7.5 mm intervals. Standard metric foot sizes can be converted to the nearest Paris point ( cm) sizes using approximate conversion tables; shoes can be marked with both foot length in mm, as for Pointe ballet shoe sizes, and/or last length in European Paris point sizes (although such converted 'Stichmass' sizes typically come ½ to 1 size smaller
Pointe shoe soles were made of leather and the sides and toes were darned to help the shoes hold their shapes. Because the shoes of this period offered no support, dancers would pad their toes for comfort and rely on the strength of their feet and ankles for support. The next substantially different form of pointe shoe appeared in Italy in the late 19th century. Dancers like Pierina Legnani wore shoes with a sturdy, flat platform at the front end of the shoe, rather than the more sharply pointed toe of earlier models. These shoes also included a box—made of layers of