Brand Comparison

Capezio vs Grishko (also branded Nikolay)

Capezio and Grishko give you two different traditions in one fitting room. Capezio is the accessible, widely available American brand lots of students begin in. Grishko brings classical Russian construction known for strong support and an elegant line.

Capezio Grishko (also branded Nikolay)
Origin United States (New York) Russia (Moscow)
Founded 1887 1988
Known models Aria, Contempora, Glisse, Tiffany Maya, 2007, Nova, Fouette, Elite

The key difference

The main difference is feel and support: Grishko tends toward firmer, strongly supportive construction, while Capezio is more about accessibility and value.

Which one to pick

Capezio

Lean Capezio if you want an affordable, easy-to-find shoe for student work.

Visit Capezio →

Grishko (also branded Nikolay)

Lean Grishko if you want classical Russian construction with strong support and a clean line.

Visit Grishko (also branded Nikolay) →

Bottom line

Grishko can feel firmer and its sizing differs from Western brands, so do not assume your Capezio size carries over. A proper fitting sorts that out fast.

Finding your fit

No comparison beats trying both on. Use this as a shortlist, then let a fitter match the model to your foot. Our complete pointe shoe fitting guide walks through the whole process, and you can read the full brand guides for Capezio and Grishko (also branded Nikolay).

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Grishko harder than Capezio?

Grishko can feel firmer thanks to its classical Russian construction and strong support. Whether that suits you depends on your foot and strength, which is exactly what a fitting is for.

Does Grishko size the same as Capezio?

No, Grishko sizing differs from Western brands, so your Capezio size is not a safe guide. Get measured in Grishko directly.

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