How long do Russian pointe shoes last

How long do pointe shoes last?

You can usually expect about 12-15 hours of wear from a pair of pointe shoes. To get the most out of that lifespan, follow some basic care principles.

Because they are made of natural materials, most pointe shoes break down when wet. It’s extremely important to let them dry out after dancing.

Use a mesh bag outside your dance bag to carry pointe shoes after class. (Some dance bags come with external mesh bags for this purpose.) use the entire model is created around the pre-arched shape, pre-arching can’t be “added” to an existing model. However, if you have a model you like but wish it had pre-arching, you may be able to choose a pre-arched model that will also meet your needs. Originally, pre-arching was only available in Entrada, from the Classic Collection. Today, we have eight pre-arched models! In addition to Entrada, Rubin and Sapfir from the Jewels Collection, and all five models of the Spotlight Collection are all pre-arched, suiting a variety of foot shapes.

Remove toe pads immediately after use and store them separately from the shoes.

Never allow your pointe shoes to be squashed, and always set them out to air-dry thoroughlybetween classes, ideally for at least 24 hours.

When dancers wear pointe shoes daily, they often alternate pairs so that each pair has time to dry completely before being worn again. Read more about replacing pointe shoes when they no longer provide proper support.

Can I make pointe shoes last longer?

Replacing pointe shoes frequently can be frustrating, and unless you’re in a company that pays for your shoes, it can be expensive!

With shoes made of natural, traditional materials, lifespan is necessarily limited. Most dancers know that keeping pointe shoes dry and un-squashed will make them last longer.

Here at Russian Pointe, we have also observed that a truly precise fit – including choosing the best possible shank – gives shoes a durability head start from the first wearing! Here, we offer answers to some of the most important questions about extending pointe shoe life.

How does choosing the right shank affect longevity?
When the dancer wears a shank that matches her foot shape and technical needs, it helps distribute the pressure of her weight throughout the shoe. Stress on the shank is reduced, so that shanks of a precisely fit Russian Pointe don’t have to be significantly “broken in.” Instead, the right shanks function correctly from the beginning, not requiring excessive pushing and straining to make them conform to the arch. This is especially noticeable with pre-arched models, especially for high-arched dancers. With any Russian Pointe model, the most important factor is correct choice of strength (length of the stiffer layer) and style (Standard or Flexible) for the individual dancer. Read more about shanks.

How does choosing the right toe box affect longevity?
The correct box shape also helps distribute weight evenly. Box shape comes from a combination of model choice and width choice, to best match the dancer’s foot shape. In just the right box, the dancer will be upright and centered, not sickling, winging, collapsing into the platform or falling off pointe. She is less likely to develop soft spots on the platform or uneven softening throughout the box. As the box gradually softens and molds to the foot, its smooth elegance and all-around support will be retained, and wear to the platform will be even.

Which will wear faster, the box or the shank?
This depends a lot on the dancer. The box’s hardness comes from glue, which will naturally soften with use. Russian Pointe’s shanks – due to a combination of high-quality materials and superb fit – tend to stay supportive for many hours of dancing. Also, dancers who rely on foot strength for most of their support are very easy on their shanks. For these reasons, the box is likely to soften before the shank gives out.

Why doesn’t Russian Pointe make the toe box harder?
For the best support, comfort and technique, the Russian Pointe toe box is specifically designed to mold to the foot. This allows better articulation – the shoe works with the foot, as one unit. Russian Pointes tend to be comfortable in the first wearing, reducing rubbing on the toes and break-in time. These factors can keep the feet healthier.

18 hours ago, shygirlsmum said:

Thanks for responding will try Dancia next time.

In my experience, it's the fitters that can make or break a customer's good relationship with the shop.  In the 7 years she's been en pointe, my dd has had one bad (sometimes terrible) fitting in Dancia, Capezio, Bloch and even once in Freed.  

Likewise, over the years she's had excellent fittings in Bloch, Freed, and Dancia recently (although now she "fits" her own Gaynors so to be fair, the fitter didn't have to do as much).

There are only two London shops she doesn't bother with at all for shoes, and those are Capezio and Sansha.  

Dancia, Bloch and Freed are all worth trying more than once because unlike Capezio and Sansha, the fitting service is usually good or excellent, with the odd bad fitter being the exception rather than the rule. 

In Freed, dd still insists on seeing Beth, Sophie or Jade if she needs to change Maker for any reason.   

Fittings get so much easier when the student has several years' experience, knows what works for them and what they should or shouldn't be feeling.  With younger students I think mistakes can be made in almost any shop, to be honest.  I wouldn't recommend ruling out a pointe shoe brand or a shop based on one experience alone.   Had we done that, we'd never have returned to Dancia seven years ago, but fitters change and with them, the whole experience. 

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