Q&A for How to Break in New Pointe Shoes

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  • Question
    Is it hard to dance in pointe shoes?
    Geraldine Grace Johns
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance.
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Expert Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I sew the ribbons and elastic onto the pointe shoe?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How long does it take to break in new pointe shoes?
    Community Answer
    For beginners, it can be about a month. It depends on how much your feet are working and how much you dance in them.
  • Question
    What is the box of a pointe shoe made of?
    Community Answer
    Layered paper and fabric packed tightly together and hardened with very strong glue.
  • Question
    How do I tell if my pointe shoes are dead?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I make my arch stronger and look better in a pointe shoe?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How can I make my pointe shoes as shiny as the ballerina's shoes I see on stage?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I hit the pointe shoes on a door to break them in?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How can I find a quality pointe shoe fitter in my area?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How much do pointe shoes cost from a dance boutique?
    Buggylu25
    Top Answerer
    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.
  • Question
    Is it normal to hear a pop/snap from the shank when breaking in a shoe?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I use a thera-band?
    Faith Perez
    Community Answer
    Ask your teacher what is best for you!
  • Question
    Do I need to wear toe pads when breaking in new pointe shoes?
    Community Answer
    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!
  • Question
    What is the best way to make sure that my big toe isn’t hurting on pointe, and is it best to regularly cut my toenails to prevent from breaking?
    Nina Zhan
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How can I break a super hard shank? It just won't bend where my arch is!
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I make the shank fit my arch?
    Community Answer
    You can easily bend it with your hands, or you can do roll-ups to soften them.
  • Question
    How do you make the shoes quiet when landing from a jump?
    Rebecca Clark
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I buy pointe shoes and dance with them even if I don't know how to dance?
    Asia Montgomary
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    My toes can touch the floor when I arch my feet. I've been teaching myself ballet for 4 years. Should I go en pointe?
    Kamygiac
    Community Answer
    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).
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