Pointe shoes are a type of ballet shoe that helps dancers to achieve the desired height, balance, and support while performing en pointe. They have a stiffer toe box than regular ballet shoes and are often reinforced with additional padding and reinforcement in the shank area.
Breaking in pointe shoes can be a difficult and frustrating process, but it is necessary in order to ensure a comfortable and supportive fit.
Learning how to break into pointe shoes is an important task for any ballet dancer. Proper breaking in of your pointe shoes will help them last longer and make dancing on pointe more comfortable. There are a few different methods you can use to break in your pointe shoes, so find the one that works best for you and get started!
How Do You Break in Pointe Shoes for Beginners ?
If you’re a beginner pointe dancer, you’re probably wondering how to break in your new shoes. Luckily, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. Breaking in new pointe shoes simply relies on your body heat and sweat to help the shoes form to your feet and this will happen naturally throughout your ballet classes.
The best way to break in new pointe shoes is simply to wear them, but there are some things that you can do to help speed up the process. Here are some of the best methods!
Method #1: Gently Crush the Box
If you’re a dancer who’s looking to go en pointe, you know that one of the most difficult parts can be breaking into your new shoes. The box of the shoe is always so stiff, which can make dancing painful. But there’s a trick to help speed up the process!
You can gently crush the box of the shoe with your heel to help break it in. Just be careful not to destroy the box completely you only want to reduce the stiffness at the top of the shoe. This will help make going en pointe more comfortable and will allow you to dance your best.
Method #2: Make It Flexible
If you’re looking for a little extra flexibility in your pointe shoes, you can try bending the shank. This will make the shoe more comfortable and increase its flexibility. Just be careful not to break the shank completely! Pointe shoes come in different stiffness’s depending on your style and foot shape, so choose the right shoe for you.
Method #3: Mark your Shoes
When it comes to breaking in your new pointe shoes, it’s important to make sure you do it correctly. That’s why we recommend labeling your shoes with “left” and “right” - that way, you can be sure you’re breaking each one in properly.
Your pointe shoes are designed to conform to your feet over time, so they won’t come pre-shaped to fit either a left or right foot. This shaping will happen naturally as you wear them, but it’s still helpful to know which shoe goes on which foot. After a few ballet classes, you’ll be able to tell which shoe is which just by looking at them, but labeling them from the start will help make the process easier.
Method #4: Exercise in Demi Pointe
If you’re a dancer, then you know that having a great pair of pointe shoes is essential. But what’s even more important is making sure those shoes are broken in correctly. That’s where our Exercise in Demi Pointe to Break in Pointe Shoes comes in.
This exercise is specifically designed to help break in your pointe shoes so that they conform to the shape of your foot and are more comfortable to wear. Walking around on demi-points and doing simple pliés and rolls up to full pointe will help soften the shank of the shoe and make it more flexible.
Method #5: Loosen the Insole
If you want your pointe shoes to last longer, Loosen the insole to Break in Pointe Shoes. You can do this by holding your shoes with both hands and bending the insole back and forth. This will increase the flexibility of the shank, or the insole that supports the arch of your foot. Just be careful not to bend too much, or you may break the shank in half.
Factors Depend on How Long Does It Take To Break in Pointe Shoes:
It is a common question: how long does it take to break into pointe shoes? The answer, like most things in dance, is that it depends on several factors. Here are the main factors that will affect how quickly your shoes will become broken in and comfortable:
- How many hours a week you are dancing on them: If you are dancing for several hours a day, your shoes will obviously break in more quickly than if you are only taking a class once a week.
- The humidity level of your classroom: This is especially important if you live in an area with high humidity. The extra moisture will soften the shoes and make them more pliable, which will help the breaking-in process.
- How strong your feet are is one factor. If you’re new to pointe, it’ll take longer to build up the strength in your feet and ankles to be able to support yourself on demi-pointe.
- What level of dancing you are doing on pointe is another factor. If you’re just starting out, you’ll need to take things slowly at first to avoid injury.
Conclusion!
Breaking into pointe shoes can be a challenge for beginners. But by following these simple tips, you can make the process a little bit easier. Not only that but breaking in ballet shoes can actually prolong their life. If you want to join in on the fun, you will need a pair of pointe shoes. But before you can wear them on stage, you need to break them in. This article provides a simple guide on how to break in your pointe shoes.
