How can I make my pointe shoes harder?

Question

I have a pair of pointe shoes that fit my feet really well but they don't come in a hard shank so they become dead very quickly. How can I make them last longer?

Answer 1

Hmmm. Well, don't take my word for it, but friends have hot glued the inside where it needs to be harder (just a thin layer, enough so it still fits).

Others I've seen have 3-quarter shanked or half shanked them. Cut out 1/4 of the shank closest to the heel. It takes pressure off the middle of the shoe and allows you to roll through the correct part of the shank and prevent them from dying so easily. Half shanking them is more drastic and usually not needed.

If it still doesn't work, you'll need to get a new different pair of shoes. Sad, but the amount of time before it dies factors into whether the shoe is best for you. And your feet will fit more than one kind of pointe shoes.

Answer 2

Clear shellac is one way to go. You apply the shellac onto the shank several times after the first coat is dry. Apply again until you feel the shank getting a bit harder than it was before you started applying the shellac. For how long it will last? Impossible to say. You will have to be the judge. Try applying the shellac several times to see how many times you need to get it to "feel right" for your feet.

If that doesnt work, I think you may need to get a new pair of shoes...

Answer 3

Floor wax. Pour some wax into the box of your shoe and swirl it around then allow it to harden for 2 days. If it is your shank that needs to be hardened then you can purchase single shanks at discountdance.com