In traditional and modern ballet, ballerinas wear pointe shoes to be securely supported when performing on their toes to exhibit physical abilities and capabilities. Pointe shoes require a lot of care. The latest shoes are very costly and many wonder why they die so fast. Why pointe shoes die so quickly? They’re quite expensive, after all.
Today, pointe shoes are still handcrafted by particular pointe shoemakers and come in all styles and sizes to accommodate individual dancers. This implies that, while a high-quality standard exists, not every pointe shoe will be identical. The sorts of movements you execute, the quantity of sweat your feet create, the humidity status in your dancing studio, and how you care for your pointe shoes between lessons are all variables that determine how long they last. The longevity could also be determined by the strength of your feet, as it could break the shank of the pointe shoes. Your shoes are more likely to last longer if you are a beginner than a professional ballet dancer. The average lifespan is between 10-12 hours, depending on the level of training. And on performance, dancers replace their pointe shoes for as many as 3-6 in just a day!
HUMID AND SWEAT
The faster your shoes break down, the more moisture in the air or on your feet from perspiration. Humid weather will also influence your pointe shoes, whether performing outdoors or practicing in a packed studio. The toe box is layers of densely compacted paper or fabric, while the shank traditionally consists of leather, plastic, cardboard, or layers of glue-hardened burlap. Foot perspiration drenches the adhesives in the shoe, making it softer and more flexible or, worse, dissolved, similar to a cardboard box when stranded in the rain. Because humidity and wetness are the biggest problems of pointe shoes, dancers should regularly remove any protection or padding from within their pointe shoes after each use. Pointe shoes should be stored at 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (room temperature) with low humidity to dry up the sweat.
FOOT STRENGTH AND MOVEMENTS
Every ballet dancer is trained to have good strength in their body, especially the feet, to keep them on point and balance. Unfortunately, the way you execute your body will sabotage the shoes swiftly, even if you are a beginner or professional dancer, as the toe box and the shank will easily give in due to excessive usage in training. In one season, a professional ballerina might go through 100-120 pairs of pointe shoes as they become softer in a short period. For that reason, pointe shoes can be extended by breaking them in because the stiff cardboard shank that runs down the sole of a pointe shoe is inflexible when it’s fresh. The shoe will flex more innately with your foot if you soften it or break it in. It is advised to feel the condition of the shoes and change them before it dies to prevent further damage.
LACK OF CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Since our feet sweat out a lot and pointe shoes are used frequently, prolonging their life is also a massive factor in not wearing out rapidly. Wearing shoes that are lifeless or ill-fitting can result in toenail bruises, abrasions, and, in rare cases, significant harm like overstretching of the metatarsal ligaments. Though pointe shoes do not last long, it is still substantial to put your attention to their condition. There are several tips to elongate the life of your shoes, such as drying them up, alternating different pointe shoes, and getting a perfect fit are the basic practices that can be done at home. Furthermore, it is a great idea to invest in items like a personal bag for your shoes. Maintaining your pointe shoes is like taking care of your feet and assuring that you can perform to your best ability.
GAYNOR MINDEN
The majority of the shoes are still produced by the old-fashioned method. However, ballet can be immensely hidebound when it comes to pointe shoes. Gaynor Minden is known for manufacturing long-lasting plastic pointe shoes with innovative design features, thermoplastic elastomeric shanks and toe boxes, and injection-molded stiffnesses. Cellular urethane cushioning is used throughout the shoe to mitigate impact and noise. The outside is conventional satin with a suede exterior sole; the linings are silver ion treated and glued to the satin. At the side, an elastic drawstring opens. They can even be washed in the washing machine and remain just as firm! After a year, you can still utilize them.
Gaynor Minden have a lot of positive attributes. They have nice ribbons. For one thing, there’s comfort. For the most part, they feel broken in pretty immediately. Moreover, the box is cushioned, yet the dance floor can still be felt. Another characteristic that admirers frequently highlight is the ease with which they can go over the box. You’ll relish that Gaynor Mindens are subtler than the ordinary shoe if you’re performing. One of the most frustrating aspects of a dancer’s existence is that her pointe shoes perish just as they get broken in, but not Gaynors. Albeit, some dancers find this brand uncomfortable as dancers cause scars, blisters, and pain more than the traditional ones.
Dancing in pointe shoes is beautiful, especially when on stage. However, it was the opposite in the case of ballet dancers. Having all your weight and balance on one foot while spinning around the dance floor is challenging without proper pointe shoes. And due to over-exploit as one of the reasons, the shoes will be worn out, as mentioned earlier. For that reason, changing pointe shoes almost every day is expensive, but never settle for a dead pointe shoe as it will result in multiple complications. If you are an aspiring ballet dancer, it is better to seek professional tips and read articles on how you can take care of your feet because, like athletes, your pointe shoes are also athletic footwear you need to dance. Several brands, like Gaynor Minden, could perhaps last for days, so make sure to check whether it is good enough to aid your feet or not.
Dancers will quickly notice that pointe shoes die quickly. There are multiple reasons. Fortunately, there is a quick solution.
