Dancers: how do you know when you need to get new pointe shoes??

Question

Last year was my first year of pointe classes, and yesterday I put on my shoes for the first time since late June. After only a few minutes, I had to take them off because my toes hurt so much. I didn't have tights on, it was just spur of the moment, but I had my toepads on and what-not.

About 2 weeks ago my mom made me get a pedicure, so now all of my calluses are gone. I'm not sure if it hurt so much because the calluses that I had built up from 8 years of dance and a year of pointe were gone, or because they were too small.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I say if they are like almost impossible to walk in, and your toes start getting numb get new ones(happened to me after a while, both big toes were numb when i took off my pointe shoes.)

Basicly, if you think you need new shoes, I recoemend getting new shoes. But you might want to wait until there is a sale at your local dance store, sometimes they can be marked down a lot cheaper in the fall.

Answer 2

You probably need new pointe shoes. My first pair only lasted around six months. The calluses being gone is not going to ease the pain any more than not doing pointe for a while will.

It'll be okay. Once you've done pointe for a while, it's easy to get back into the swing of it without a great deal of physical stress.  

Answer 3

I would go to a dance supply store and try on some different pointe shoes.  That way you can tell if it's actually the shoe or not.  Might also want to check your toe pads.

The pedi could very well have caused the discomfort since your feet are more sensitive now that the calluses are gone.  It might also have to do with the fact that you haven't worn them in over a month.  My feet get sore after a week - and since it's summer and my feet swell when it's hot, it becomes even more difficult!  

All in all, if all else fails, you can get some brand new pointe shoes.  Just don't forget to break them in!

Hope this helps - good luck!

Answer 4

You probably need new pointe shoes. I know that our dance teacher makes us buy new pointe shoes every year, especially if it feels like it is harder for you to get on pointe and the shoes feel soft.

Answer 5

It could be a mix of two things.

1. you probably need new pointe shoes.

2. you haven't danced on pointe for a while so you need to work yourself back onto it.

What kind of pointe shoes do you have? you should be getting a new pair every year...if not more often. the girls in my class....some of them get them every 2-3 months....but those are capezios and sanshas.

I have gaynor minden's and only have to replace mine once a year. I could go longer on them but they begin to tear and such eventually.

But then other girls in my class don't even dance as much as me sometimes and they have to replace their's twice a year.

It just depends on how you dance on them and such.