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 custom-made lasts that replicate the shapes of their own feet; these may be supplied to a pointe shoe manufacturer for the purpose of manufacturing custom shoes. Dancers typically "break in" new pointe shoes to reduce or eliminate the discomfort they commonly cause, usually by performing releves and eleves that flex, and thus soften, the boxes and shanks in a natural manner. Various other methods have also been employed for breaking in pointe shoes, including deforming them with hands or against hard surfaces, striking them on hard surfaces, and moistening or heating the boxes to soften the glues, but these methods