Q&A for How to Break in New Pointe Shoes

Going on pointe requires many, many years of training and strengthening your footwork, calves, and feet. It's a wonderful thing to strive toward. There are many factors that determine when you can go on pointe, including your age, the size of your feet and toes, and your level of strength.

First, bend down the heel of the pointe shoe to where it meets the sockliner. Then mark the crease on the inside of the shoe with a pencil so you know where to attach the ribbon. Then sew the ribbon onto each side of the shoe with a heavy thread making sure that it overlaps with at least one inch of the shoe. Most dancers sew the elastic in a place where the ribbons will conceal it.

For beginners, it can be about a month. It depends on how much your feet are working and how much you dance in them.

Layered paper and fabric packed tightly together and hardened with very strong glue.

If your pointe shoes are dead, then they won't hold you up and you'll be able to feel the ground. Your shoes might also be dead if you can feel your foot sinking down and the arches bending when you're on pointe.

There are various methods for enhancing your arch. One way is to do stretches that target the area, such as toe stretches or toe presses. You can also practice pointing and flexing your foot. iAse an another way is to use an arch genie or other foot stretcher, such as a thera-band. You can make a homemade foot stretcher to save money if you'd prefer that.

Many professional ballerinas get new pointe shoes for every performance, they look shiny because they are new. It also depends on what fabric your shoe is made out of. Pointe shoes with satin fabric tend to be shinier than pointe shoes with leather fabric.

Yes, you can hit them on something, such as a door frame. However, you should use caution as this is a trick best left to professionals who use their pointe shoes for a short amount of time. This method can easily break the pointe shoe if not done correctly.

Ask your dance teacher for suggestions, and consider asking him or her to come along when you go since she knows your feet better than the fitters in the shop.

The cost will vary between shoes and can range from as low as around $35 to over a $100. The brand, size, style, and availability of the shoe are the major cost factors. However, cost does not necessarily determine if one shoe is better than another. Purchase a shoe that meets your individual needs for shank strength, width, box shape, etc., rather than buying a pair based off the price.

Yes, when you bend the shank while you’re breaking in your pointe shoes, you should hear a noise like Velcro as you bend the shank. If when you hear the same Velcro noise after you've broken them in when you're dancing, you should tell your ballet teacher.

Ask your teacher what is best for you!

If you do not normally wear toe pads, do not wear toe pads when breaking into your pointe shoes. However, If you do normally wear toe pads, I would recommend wearing them while you break them in. If you do not do this, then at your next class, you may feel as if you bent it in the wrong spot. Toe pads actually take up more space than you might think!

Your point shoes might be ill-fitting if they keep hurting. Try cushions or pads for ballet shoes. Also, remember to always warm-up well before going on pointe. Trust me, not warming up or stretching before going on pointe can seriously damage/injure your feet.

Use a spray bottle and wet the outside of the shank. This will make it softer and way easier to bend and mould into your foot! Then bend them in the spot you want, put them on and, while standing en pointe, blow dry them so they create the perfect arch.

You can easily bend it with your hands, or you can do roll-ups to soften them.

If you hit your pointe shoes together at the arch while they're not on your feet, you can bang out some of the sound.

No. Ballet is very hard and requires many years of dancing. Never EVER get pointe shoes if you have never danced or don't know how to dance and have not received the proper training. Results could include sprained ankles or gout.

If you are self-taught, you absolutely should not go en pointe without receiving professional advice from a doctor, a dance teacher, and a pointe shoe fitter. While it's amazing that you're dedicated enough to be self-taught, and it sounds like you have a great arch, there are many considerations as to whether or not you're ready for pointe. DO NOT attempt pointe if you have not been told you may do so by a professional, as you could permanently injure your feet to a point where you can never dance en pointe again (or possibly dance at all).