How can I make my pointe shoes last longer?
This is a question frequently asked by parents of ballerinas who are reaching a more advanced level and are going through pointe shoes at a faster rate than they once were. Here are a few tips to help save your pocket book. Always air out your pointe shoes! The moisture from the perspiration of a dancers foot is what really helps to mold the shoe to her foot, but it also will break the shoe down quickly if it is left damp, stuffed in a dance bag. It’s always recommended to purchase mesh bag to hang on the outside of your dance bag and let the shoes air dry after each wearing. Many companies offer their pointe shoes in various shank strengths, so unless the pointe shoes are breaking down in an uncomfortable or inefficient way (the shank is bowing, the platform is softening, etc…) you may be able to order your shoes in a harder shank. It is important that the shank of the pointe shoes are not hindering the productivity of the dancers foot, so the shank still needs to conform to her arc
