Abstract: A thin, flexible item of protective footwear that is particularly suited for ballet and modern dance, generally. The footwear could also be used in exercise or athletic applications. The covering includes: a body portion having an elastic upper and a sole compliably conforming to a foot of a wearer; a plurality of open-ended toe sleeves extending from the body portion and each adapted to receive and extend over a single toe of a wearer, one of the toe sleeves having an elongated portion covering at least a portion of the big toe. The sleeves may have variable lengths. The covering may include a plurality of comfort zones integrated with the sole.