New pointe shoes are not shaped to a right or left foot. This happens gradually as you wear the shoes, so it’s helpful label the shoes right and left after your first class and wear them on the same feet each time. After several classes, you will be able to see which shoe has moulded to each foot.
New shoes should be “broken in” very carefully. Don’t be tempted by the techniques professional dancers use - slamming it against a brick wall, crushing the block in a door or bending the arch in half. These professionals only need to make the shoe last one performance and you’re going to need it much longer than that. These extreme measures will shorten the life of your shoe and could cause serious injuries.
We recommend you “break in” your new shoes using some of the following techniques- To identify where your natural arch “breaks” in the shoe, try doing some tendus to the side, leaning heavily into the foot en pointe. After repeating this several times, remove the pointe shoe and following the shape your arch has made, gently bend the shoe with your hands. Repeat this on both sides.
- The block can be softened slightly by doing rises through the foot onto demi-pointe, continuing to full pointe while holding onto the barre. Repeat this exercise several times.
- Over time, heat and perspiration from working in the shoe will continue to mould the shoe as you dance.
- If you feel pressure from one part of the block, you can apply small amounts of water or rubbing alcohol onto that area of the shoe to soften it.
Need something different? No problem. We know you want to put your new pointe shoes on and show all your friends and family, but we ask that you please not wear your pointe shoes before your teacher has seen them. If your instructor has any concerns, the shoes can only be returned in “mint” condition. This means we will not accept pointe shoes with scuffs or marks on the inside or outside of the shoe, shoes that have been “broken in” or have ribbon and elastic sewn on.
]]>Foot and Toe Padding
There are many different types of toe pads available, but dancers need to remember their purpose is to relieve pressure, not to fill up the block of the shoe. For this reason try to avoid padding that is too thick or bulky - some padding is made from foam or silicone gel and doesn’t allow the dancer to feel the floor through their shoes. Instead, we recommend a small amount of lamb’s wool or a slim toe pad made of a very thin layer of fabric-covered gel. Dancers may also use white cotton medical tape and toe caps or toe sleeves to protect individual toes as well.
For dancers with bunions - an enlargement of bone or tissue around the metatarsophalangeal joint at the base of the big toe - or a predisposition to bunions, a gel toe spacer is recommended to keep the toe aligned and straight. For even more protection, dancers may use bunion guards or shields on their big toe. Remember, these accessories only address the symptoms of the bunion and can aid in prevention, but they don’t correct the actual deformity.
Nail Care- Be sure to trim your toenails regularly, file straight across and do not file into the corners of your nails.
- Use a proper filing instrument rather than scissors or clippers. A file allows you to gently and gradually reach desired length.
- File your toenails short enough that you are able to press on the end of your toes with your finger and not feel the nails. Be careful not to file them so short that it causes soreness or inflammation.
- When cleaning your feet, remove only the top layer of hard, callused rough skin. A certain amount of hard skin is necessary to create a protective layer which aids in preventing abrasions and blisters.
- Seek professional help to remove excessive callus and corns.
- Moisturize regularly.
- Soak in Epsom salts to soften skin, relax muscles and reduce swelling.
- Keep feet clean and dry to avoid bacteria or fungus.
]]>
Keep Your Pointe Shoes Away From Household Pets
You love your new pointe shoes, and so will your dog. Animals are attracted to the odor of the shoes and the glue paste that makes the shoe hard. Hang your pointe shoes in a place that household animals cannot reach.
Do Not Attempt to Wash Pointe Shoes
As annoying as scuff marks can be, pointe shoes cannot be washed by hand or in a washing machine. If you want your shoes to look “new”, you can pan-cake them or use Pointe People pointe shoe paint in shade “Buttermilk” on the outside of the shoes. Keep in mind, both of these techniques will give your shoes a matte finish.
Rotate Pairs of Pointe Shoes
Pointe shoes generally last between 10 to 20 hours depending on the style of shoe and how they are worn. If you’re doing pointe work more than 2-3 hours per week, it’s recommended that you own at least two pairs of pointe shoe at all times. Each pair should not be worn more than 2 consecutive hours and you should alternate pairs of shoe regularly to allow them to fully dry out.
Apply Pointe Shoe Hardener
To prolong the life of your shoes, a thin coat of shellac or pointe shoe hardener like Jet Glue can be applied to the inside of the block and insole to resist any further absorption of moisture. Keep in mind, hardeners should only be used when your shoes are dry and “broken in” to your satisfaction.
Replace Your Pointe Shoes Regularly
Your shoes might be more comfortable after you’ve broken them in, but there is big difference between broken in and a “dead” shoe. Wearing dead or ill-fitting shoes can cause bruising to the toenails, abrasions and in some cases serious injury. If you’re concerned with the fit of your pointe shoe speak to your teacher right away.
- Make sure your toe nails are nicely trimmed before arriving for your appointment. If you have any blisters or sore spots, be sure to bandage them up so they don’t add any extra pain. Check out our post on foot care tips here.
- Remember to ask your teacher what pointe shoe accessories they are comfortable with, such as toe pads, toe tape, or lamb’s wool.
Do I need to bring anything?
No, you’re not required to bring anything with you as we have everything you will need for your new pointe shoes! We do recommend wearing convertible tights so our fitters can put your toe padding or other accessories under them to keep them from moving around during the fitting process. If this is your first pair of pointe shoes, you may wish to wear your favourite leotard with your convertible tights as we will take a photo of you in your new shoes for you take home! If you have worn pointe shoes before, bring them along with any toe padding that you use. This will give your fitter insight into how you wear in your pointe shoes and allow the two of you to discuss what you liked and disliked about the shoes.
Can I bring my friends and family?
Absolutely! We have seating available in each of our pointe shoe fitting rooms. While your fitting is taking place, your friends and family are more than welcome to take photos of the process! If your friend would also like to be fit, they must make a separate appointment. In order to give everyone the attention and time they need to find their perfect shoe, we conduct our fittings on a one-on-one basis. We love group fittings, so if you and a number of your friends would like to be fit together, give us a call and we will find a time to schedule a larger group fitting to accommodate all of you!
What do new pointe shoes feel like? How should they fit my feet?
Your pointe shoes are going to feel very different than your street shoes and other dance shoes. While they will be tighter to prevent “sinking”, we don’t want you to feel any unnecessary pain! Make sure to tell your fitter if you feel any pinching, curling of the toes, or numbness. Also keep this in mind – the more you wear your shoes the softer and more comfortable they will become. Visit our pointe shoe FAQ for more on properly fitting pointe shoes!
While The Shoe Room makes recommendations, it is up to the dancer to choose/select the right pointe shoe for them. If after a fitting you feel like you have not found your perfect pair, you do not have to leave with a shoe. Our experts can work with you to book another fitting, and order other options for you to try. Should you and/or your dance teacher have any questions or concerns about your pointe shoes, please contact us within 90 days of purchase. Visit our pointe shoe FAQ for more on properly fitting pointe shoes, and for more information about our return policy, please click here.
How long will my pointe shoe fitting take?
Be patient! The pointe shoe fitting process is trial and error so it’s not uncommon to try on numerous pairs of shoes, which is why we set aside 30 minutes for each of our scheduled appointments. It’s very important to us that you understand what a proper fitting shoe feels like, so our fitters will take the time to help you find your perfect fit.
Sewing the Ribbon
It’s important to remember that ribbons are attached to secure the whole heel of the shoe against the foot and not just the sides of the shoe. This means ribbons should be stitched from low down inside the shoe, taking care to attach them to the lining only – don’t sew through the satin, and avoid catching the drawstring! Pinning the ribbon in place while you sew is helpful. The whole ribbon should now be angled slightly forward for comfort and support as the ankle flexes. As you get more experienced with sewing ribbons, you may want to adjust the position slightly depending on how your arch breaks.
Sewing the Elastics
Most teachers prefer that beginners do not sew elastics on the heel of their shoes until they determine if it is really necessary. If the elastic is sewn on too tight, there is a chance the soft tissue around the ankle could be harmed.
If you do need elastics, it’s better to choose one that is about ¾” wide. The elastic can be sewn on either the inside or outside of the shoe depending on comfort or your teacher’s preference. Elastics should be sewn about a centimetre away from the back-seam and should be angled slightly away from the seam. It’s helpful to sew one side first and carefully measure the length of elastics required to hold the heel of the shoe firmly to the foot without too much tension.
Start Dancing!
Once you’ve completed these steps on both shoes, it’s time to head to class and start pointe work!
Reminder
Pointe shoes cannot be returned if ribbon and elastics have been sewn on. Checkout our return policy for a full description of what an acceptable return looks like.
]]>
Dry your pointe shoes thoroughly
Letting your pointe shoes dry after class is one of the most important things you can do to look after your shoes! Since pointe shoes are made from natural materials, your sweat will cause them to breakdown over time. Tossing your shoes in your dance bag and leaving them there overnight is major no-no as it will lock the moisture in. The best thing you can do is carry your shoes out of class and hang them up once your home, just make sure they’re safely out of reach from your dog – they make great chew toys!
Apply pointe shoe hardener
Using a pointe shoe hardener is an easy solution once you’re pointe shoes have been broken in. Jet Glue is instant bonding glue made especially to reinforce natural materials and creates a barrier that resists further absorption of moisture, helping to prolong the life of your pointe shoes. While Jet Glue is not a permanent solution to make shoes new again, it’s a great tool to use to get a few more classes in before getting your new pair.
Rotate pairs of pointe shoes
The idea of buying two pairs of pointe shoes every time you come in for a fitting may seem expensive, but it can help a dancer save money in the long run when you’re doing a fair bit of pointe work. If you take more than one pointe class per week, your shoes may not have sufficient time to dry between classes. This is when having two or more pairs of shoes could be the solution! Pointe shoes generally last 10-20 hours and wearing shoes that haven’t had at least 24-36 hours to dry between uses causes them to break down even faster. Rotating between a few pairs will help extend the life of each pair and will reduce the need to purchases another pair as quickly.
Breaking them in properly
Remember, new pointe shoes should be “broken in” very carefully. The techniques professionals use are often extreme – slamming them against a wall, crushing the block in a door or bending the arch in half. Remember most professionals only need their shoes to last for one performance! It’s so much better to let your feet do the work, wearing your shoes in class and letting them mould to your feet will soften them where they need it. You don’t want to have to explain to your parents or your teacher that your new shoes are “dead” because you used water to soften them and slammed them in a door.
How should new pointe shoes feel?
Remember, pointe shoes aren’t supposed to fit like your street shoes! Your new shoes should feel snug, and there will be some pressure at the end of the shoe but you should be able to wiggle your toes slightly. Pointe shoes shouldn’t feel roomy and they definitely won’t be as comfortable as your other dance shoes. When standing flat or in a demi-plie, your big toe should be pressing against the end of the shoe but should not be curled or pushed back in any way. When en pointe, it is normal for the material at the heel to “bag” slightly. A pointe shoe that fits properly will give gentle support but not prop up the dancer’s foot.
Why can’t I buy pointe shoes a little bit bigger so that I can grow into them?
Simply put, pointe shoes that are too big don’t fit. Pointe shoes are designed to fit very closely with the shape of your foot, making it dangerous to wear a pointe shoe that is too big and that has room for growth. Shoes that are too big can’t provide the necessary support for the foot and may cause calluses, bruises to joints, and even injuries to ankles and toe-joints by letting the foot move about inside the shoe.
How do I know when it is time for a new pair?
Sadly, pointe shoes don’t last forever. For professional dancers, pointe shoes last between 10-20 hours! Since most pointe shoes are made of natural materials, they break down over time. While this should not occur too quickly for young dancers, it is nevertheless a part of the process of wearing pointe shoes. Unfortunately for beginners, it is normal to grow out of a shoe before it wears out. Pointe shoes mould to the foot quickly and break down when they are moist, which is why airing them out after class is so important. Once you feel the shoe is no longer providing the necessary support - you are going too far over en pointe and you can feel the ground through your shoes - then it is time to purchase a new pair.
You will need: pair of old pointe shoes, a hammer, possibly a pair of pliers, a rag, cloth or towel and white-glue
Step 1: Remove Sock Liner
The first step to making your old pointe shoes into soft blocks is to remove the inner liner. The cloth sock is glued to the insole of the shoe, and with a strong tug should be easy to remove. Once you’ve pulled them out, be sure to set them aside as you’ll want to put them back in at the end!
Step 2: Remove Insole
Next, remove the insole (sometimes referred to as the shank). Be careful, there will be one or two small tacks or staples holding the insole in place. Depending on what style of shoe you wear, the tacks will be at the end of the heel, in the middle of the shank and/or closer to the toe. For this step, you may need the back of a hammer or a pair of pliers to remove the tacks.
Step 3: Hammer Blocking
After discarding the insole, shake any glue that has come out into the garbage. Next, cover your pointe shoe with a cloth, towel, or plastic bag to protect it from any scuff marks or dirt. Hammer the block of the shoe until it feels soft, and is easily manipulated, but you do not want the shoe to lose its shape completely - for most exams, soft blocks must still look like a pointe shoe so leave the platform in place. After you have hammered the block leave the lining open and empty the loose glue into a garbage can, removing any excess hard pieces with your hands.
Step 4: Replace Sock Liner and Voila!
Now that you’ve softened the block to your preferred feeling, put the sock liner back inside the shoe. Try the shoes and get moving! See if there are any adjustments that need to be made. Once you’re happy with the shoe use some white glue to replace the sock liners permanently. Let them dry and you’re ready to go!
Disclaimer
These methods will only work on traditional paste pointe shoes.
Reminder
The Shoe Room can only accept returns on pointe shoes that are in "mint" condition. Checkout our returns page for more on what we can and cannot accept.