A dancer’s relationship with her pointe shoes is a complicated one. They’re a cherished and necessary part of a dancer’s toolkit; at worst, they can be the bane of our existence. So how do you know when it’s time to let go of your pointe shoes and move on?
There are a few tell-tale signs that your pointe shoes have passed their prime. Here are a few of the most common ones:
1. You’re experiencing pain in areas that never used to hurt before.
2. You’re having trouble balancing on pointe.
3. Your shoes look badly worn or damaged.
4. You feel like you’re not getting as much support as you used to.
5. You’ve had the same pair of shoes for over six months.
6. The shape of your pointe shoes has changed and they don’t look good anymore.
When to Change your Pointe Shoes
Pointe shoes have evolved a lot over the years and we’re not talking about the ones you bought from the high school dance store.
Bad pointe shoes can be frustrating to go through, especially after having a perfectly danceable pair for so long.
We all want to look our best at a performance, whether we’re playing or dancing on the other side of the stage, at upcoming events, etc.
Just imagine an hour of your life to lose every week restricting or making less experience for your performance.
At the same time, you have to also be able to change your routine too.
Pointe shoes offer support to your feet, so you wouldn’t want to skip them over.
This means you need to keep wearing those shoes when you need them.
There’s nothing worse than becoming flatfooted and returning halfway through your performance or during your performance because your sensors cease giving you support.
Here are some commonest ways where we can tell that we have broken pointe shoes:
1. You’ve been performing for more than 6 months with your old pair of shoes.
2. You graduate and are starting out your dancing life, but couldn’t get away from those old pointe shoes.
3. You are having a hard time finding new suitable shoes.
4. The older the pointe shoe, the less stable it will be and likely it to cause injury.
5. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort in your feet, it is important to bring it to the attention of your teacher or coach as soon as possible.
6. When your pointe shoes become worn out, they may lose their elasticity and cause your feet to cramp.
What are Signs of Dead Pointe Shoes?
Dead or even half-dead pointe shoes should never be worn. If you have any doubt about the state of your pointe shoes, bring them to the attention of your teacher or coach as soon as possible.
If you have any suspicion that your shoes are dead or half-dead, then you should check to inspect your shoes or get them checked by your teachers.
Signs of dead pointe shoes can be difficult to spot. However, if you notice any of the following signs, you need to replace them:
- Your pointe shoes are falling apart or have tears in the fabric.
- The soles of your pointe shoes are severely worn or missing.
- Your pointe shoes do not provide adequate support.
- Another sign that it is time to recall your pointe shoes is if you are having circulation problems. This can be caused by the shoes being too tight or not fitting properly.
- A soreness that you have never experienced is the biggest sign that it’s time to part ways.
Well-loved, trashed, and hurting?
With time, sore points, and pain in a certain area, if you notice, it may not be time to consider a whole new pair. But I would see how it’s going before you make any drastic changes.
Consider bringing your shoes to a professional shoemaker for pricking. If the pain results in a serious injury, let your pointe shoe therapist give suggestions to assist you until you are ready to move on to a new pair.
You will have to weigh whether your discomfort is a more important investment than your pointe shoes. Some dancers suggest waiting a week or two after your foot re-adjusts to your pointe shoes before you let go of them.
Different Types of Pointe Shoes
When a dancer is trying to approach dance performance with any level of professionalism, good posture, and sound technique, shoes are a pivotal part of a dancer’s success or failure.
There are a variety of pointe shoes on the market, and it is essential to find the right pair for your feet. Pointe shoes fall into three main types i.e. open-toe shoes, closed-toe shoes, and hybrid shoes.
Open-toe shoes have no front or back closures, while closed-toe shoes have a front closure and a back closure. Hybrid shoes are a combination of the two.
Each type of pointe shoe has its own benefits and drawbacks. Some shoes are more stable than others, but all pointe shoes should offer support. It is important to find a shoe that is comfortable for you and that offers the support you need. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet, it is important to speak to your teacher or coach about the situation.
Properly fitting and selected pointe shoes can help a dancer support her posture, develop balance, position herself properly on stage, and manipulate her foot through movement and support.
A poorly fitting shoe is made all the worse because it contributes to altering a dancer’s posture. Properly fitted pointe shoes allow the dancer to enjoy sight lines she never would with flat-soled shoes, an important consideration to prepare for visual cues that inform the choreographic process.
So, it is essential to pick the right shoes for your feet.
Finding a Pointe Shoe Without Breaking the Bank
When it comes to pointe shoe costs, there is so much stuff to choose from that you can hardly tell what is the best bang for your buck.
It will help to narrow down your search and stick with pointe shoes of certain brands only. Most pointe shoe manufacturers offer a good option to help you save a bit of cash and leave a margin for those shoes that will last longer.
If you just want to go with the finest brand, that can be a little more expensive.
On average, pointe shoe prices range from $80 to $230, and these lady musters are usually hyped with their precisely engineered backs, supportive collars, and nifty fabric uppers.