Movin' Easy Dancewear

Here at Movin’ Easy, all of our Dancewear Specialists go through an extensive 6 week pointe shoe training. Throughout our many years serving the pointe shoe community, we have put together a list of some FAQ’s. We hope this answers any questions that you may have about pointe shoes! Haven’t found what your looking for? Give us a call and we will assist you! 512.474.0980

Q. At what age should a student start pointe class?

A. 12 is the standard age to start pointe class. Putting too young of children in pointe shoes can be very dangerous to growth plates, and can lead to serious injury.

Q. How long does a pointe-fitting take?

A. Usually a pointe fitting can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. The more inexperienced the dancer, the longer the fitting so a Dancewear Specialist can be very thorough to ensure a proper fit. An appointment is always recommended for a pointe fitting, whether beggining or advanced.

Q. Is it OK to buy pointe shoes with growing room?

A. Fitting with growing room is not recommended for safety purposes. Pointe shoes that are too big can lead to serious injury.

Q. Is there a right and left shoe?

A. Not initially. The student decides which feet they go on, and then mark the ribbons and elastic as left and right. The shoes will mold to the dancers feet with wear.

Q. What if one foot is longer than the other?

A. If there is a drastic difference in foot sizes then two pairs of shoes are necessary. Because there is no right or left in the shoes, the student gets two usable pairs of shoes.

Q. What if my second toe is longer than my first toe?

A. The best fix for a longer second toe is adding a special big toe gel pad. This pad is placed over the big toe extending it to be the same length as the second toe. If this does not work, wrap loose lambs wool around the big toe for added comfort.

Q. Why do some dancers crisscross their elastic?

A. The crisscross elastic gives a little more ankle support. Dancers with over developed arches or ankle strength need more support in the shoes so as not to over extend on the platform of the pointe shoe. Also, crisscross elastic helps hold the shank of the shoe straight if there is slight twisting.

Q. What does “three-quartered” mean?

A. “Three quartered” is in reference to the shank of the pointe shoe. It means the shank only goes ¾ of the way up the shoe.

Q. Do I need a “three-quartered” shank?

A. A ¾ shank is usually intended for a dancer that has a less developed arch or ankle strength. The shorter shank helps the dancer achieve a full upright position on the platform of the pointe shoe. Another common case of getting a ¾ shank is for performance reasons. Because the shank is shorter, it takes less time to break in and gives that “broken in” look right away.

Q. Why do I need padding?

A. Padding is a personal decision made by the student after listening to her teachers recommendations. Padding helps cushion the toes while inside a pointe shoe.

Q. What is the best padding for me?

A. After listening to teacher recommendations, try out different padding to see which is right for you. Lambs wool has been around the longest but wears out quickly, and gel pads are more expensive but don’t need to be replaced as often.

Q. When should I buy new pointe shoes?

A. It’s time to get a new pair of shoes when the dancer does not feel supported while en pointe. The shoes will be visibly worn out as well, for example, the shanks become very flexible and the boxes very soft.

Q. Why does the box and platform get soft?

A. Pointe shoes are essentially made out of glue. With wear, the glue breaks down leaving the boxes and platforms soft.

Q. What do I do if my pointe shoes are very wet after class?

A. With wear, students feet sweat, wetting the pointe shoes. After class, take all padding out of the shoe and put the shoes in a mesh bag carried outside of a big dance bag. Pointe shoes require 48 hours to dry completely.

Q. Should I dance in my old pointe shoes?

A. Dancing in old pointe shoes can lead to serious injury because of lack of support in the shoe. But don’t throw them away, you can decorate them and hang them up in your room!

Q. Where is the correct place to tie the ribbon knot?

A. The knot should be tied on the inside of the foot just between the anklebone and achilles tendon. Tying the knot on the anklebone can result in bruising.

Q. What is rosin for?

A. Rosin is hardened tree sap and used on dance shoes if the floor is slippery.

Q. Will pointe work always be hard and uncomfortable?

A. As the dancer gets more experienced pointe work will become easier. Once proper alignment is achieved, dancers become lighter on their feet and pressure on their toes is relieved.

Q. Do men do pointe?

A. Typically men do not do pointe work. Under certain circumstances, men use pointe shoes for strengthening ankles and arches.