Whats a good way to break in newish pointe shoes??

Question

How do i know what enough and whats too much??

Answer 1

You don't want to try too hard because if they bend in the wrong place then they won't support you anymore. Don't try to crush them so they're softer either. Try what my teacher calls "pedaling" which is when you alternate feet rolling up through half pointe to on the box of the shoe and then back down. Also, if the wings of the shoe hurt your feet you can massage then between your fingers to make them softer and then mold them to your feet. You should still be able to feel the floor while you're up on pointe, if you feel like you're sinking, then they're not supporting you enough.

Answer 2

You just have to remember to be careful. If you get too rough you may snap the shank, then you'll be purchasing another pair. Not good! Work with your shoes after you have worn them so they are hot and sweaty, that's the best time to work with them. Massage them gently.

This is from Bloch's website:

"Doing Barre is the best way to break in a pointe shoe. We understand, however, that you can't stand at the barre with a new pair of pointe shoes and expect to do a tendu...so the shoe needs to be prepared for barre by gently softening the shank and box by hand. Concentrate on the demi-pointe area of the shank, being careful not to crush the box. Then work your way up to the heel, gently massaging the shank until it is at a point where tendu and releve to demi-pointe is comfortable."

Her is a link to a great article that gives you insight to the type of glue different brands use and how and how not to break those types in:

http://www.pointemagazine.com/Features/fall2k/shoebiz.html

I would stay away from slamming them in the door, standing on the box, hammering the box, any of these may damage your shoe. Once you have had the experience of breaking in 4 or 5 pair of shoes then you'll be able to judge exactly what works for your feet and your pointe shoes.

Answer 3

Bend the shoes, walk a round in the them the most you can, and at night stuff the inside of them with your choice, socks or whatever, so them kind of form. After 2-3 days it should be a lot easier on you feet and pinky toe. Practice your releves and other regular stretches and you will get used to the feel of pointe shoes. Some prefer to slam them against a wall or hit them with a hammer, whatever works, but so much as to ruin them. DON'T bend your shank.

Answer 4

1)Put pressure on and almose massage all parts of the vamp and the toe box.
2)Bend the shank right where the seem of the satin is in the middle. It will make a popping sound sometimes if they really need to be broken in.
3)Walk around your house in them a lot.
4)Do a lot of work on Demi Pointe with them on.
5)Work on your arch both in and out of the shoe.
6)I've also heard but have never tried that putting them in the freezer and then dancing in them helps. I've also heard about sleeping in them.

Answer 5

Rub the tips on cement if you are not using them to perform in. This will make them a lot less slippery. I would not slam them in a door if I were you. I like to break mine in by doing a few slow releves and then working them in at class so that they from to my foot. I have a really high and strong arch and so mine typically break pretty fast, so if you are the same way you may not need to break them in before class at all besides scraping up the tips some.

Answer 6

Check out the you tube. It's the safest and best laid out guide to break in pointe shoes without breaking them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX-PNqJr9z4

Answer 7

walk around on demi point. thats all!!!
DO NOT jam them in the doo ror anything like that because that will just make them dirty and can even muck up the make of your shoes and the shape of the wood in them

Answer 8

all you do is put yr pointe shoes in the crease of the door and the wall and open and close the door and stop once you hear the shoes crack a little and they should be pretty broken after that. thats how my pointe teacher taught me to break themmm in

Answer 9

like 'moon freak' says above just do slow releve's up and down up and down until they're broken in.