dance shoe problem

[luv2dnc]

my point shoes are really killing me...i can't seem to find a shoe that fits right anymore..so ive been using ones that hold up till i can't use them anymore..however i have a performance coming up soon and im going to need shoes that i can dance in for all three performances...what should i do? :(..i used to wear freed, but they dont work with the flexability in my foot anymore...(which i think is my problem) but i cant seem to find the right shoe...if anyone has any suggestions,please let me know :? thanks

[Sagitta]

Did you check out our previous dance shoe (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1621) discussions?

[tasche]

Sagitta shes asking about pointe shoes so ballroom shoe fitting advice wont cut it

Are you freed classics or freed studios. Typical the freed classics are designed for professional ballet dancer and dont have as much support as the freed studios.

Please give me so more information regarding exactly HOW your shoe doesn't fit. What brands are available for you locally. Your pointe experience you foot type etc

Tashe
Shoe Queen

[chachagirlie]

I don't think many dancers are aware that Freed will make custom shoes for you. To have a custom shoe made, you would have to travel to the Freed factory on the outskirts of London and you need an appointment with the Master Cobbler.

You can have the lasts made and the factory will keep them on file. When you need shoes you contact them and they will work them into a regular production run.

I know this does not solve an immediate solution for proper fitting shoes, but it is the ultimate long term solution.

Although there is a one time fee for the creation of the lasts, the shoes cost the same as off the shelf.

[luv2dnc]

i use freed studios, thats all i think they have where i get mine...ive tried all the other shoes: block, capizio etc. and they dont seem to work right...i have a very very flexible foot, so it seems like im falling out of my shoe all the time..and it makes it harder for me to turn and balance on my shoe...i wasnt aware that freed did personal fit. i will have to look into that..for future plans of course :wink: i seem to also buckle in my shoe which is another problem...however that doesnt bother me as much as falling out of my shoe. i have a performance very soon and im worried that i wont have the right shoe to make the performance right... :(

[cocodrilo]

my point shoes are really killing me...i can't seem to find a shoe that fits right anymore..so ive been using ones that hold up till i can't use them anymore..however i have a performance coming up soon and im going to need shoes that i can dance in for all three performances...what should i do? :(..i used to wear freed, but they dont work with the flexability in my foot anymore...(which i think is my problem) but i cant seem to find the right shoe...if anyone has any suggestions,please let me know :? thanks

May I suggest you go to http://nydancewear.com/ or try the CapezioBloch Dance Shoppe online. The former has a wide range of pointe shoes & the latter a huge selection of stuff you make the shoes more comfortable-
Point Comforter, Ouch Pouch, Bunion Buster, Jelly Tips, Lamb's Wool Pads, etc. If yer feet hurt, it ain't no fun! :cry:

[tasche]

What shank are you using. It sounds like you dont have the strength to match your flexibile foot. Please pm me and I will give you a link to a board where you can ask for recommendation from some very experienced pointe shoe fitters. The freed custom fit thing is VERY expensive. Better might be to drive to a bigger store that will have more brands to try and find the right ones

[pygmalion]

tasche. You are a gem! Truly priceless. Want to start a long and juicy dance shoe conversation? :wink: :lol:

[chachagirlie]

tasche writes:
The freed custom fit thing is VERY expensive.

It is only very expensive if you factor in the cost of the travel.

Unless it has changed since I had it done, the cost of the lasts are only the price of a pair of shoes.

[tasche]

I am referring to the travelling costs when I say its expensive as I'm assuming luv2dnc is a student under 18 and in that case it would be cost prohibited esp when it sounds like shes only tried freed studios so far.

What I can't figure out is that is it when she says flexible feet are her problem if its her feet are not strong enough and shes getting too far over her pointes or if her feet are very flexible and strong and shes breaking her shanks too quickly

w w w . balletalert.com has a forum called pointe shoe questions which is a better place to get advices as the moderators are expert fitter. I'm just a crusty ex ballet dancer with millions of pairs of old sticky shoes =D

[cocodrilo]

I am referring to the travelling costs when I say its expensive as I'm assuming luv2dnc is a student under 18 and in that case it would be cost prohibited esp when it sounds like shes only tried freed studios so far.

What I can't figure out is that is it when she says flexible feet are her problem if its her feet are not strong enough and shes getting too far over her pointes or if her feet are very flexible and strong and shes breaking her shanks too quickly

w w w . balletalert.com has a forum called pointe shoe questions which is a better place to get advices as the moderators are expert fitter. I'm just a crusty ex ballet dancer with millions of pairs of old sticky shoes =D

The on-line sites which offer pointe shoes for sale recommend getting professional fittings before one makes their purchase.

Can you really keep toe shoes all that long? A friend of mine says that they're basically "trashed" after one performance. She says some dancers keep a couple extra pair on the sidelines should they need them. I don't dance ballet but I'm very interested in the shoe discussion. Please clue me in!

[luv2dnc]

my feet are too flexible and im breaking my shoes too quickly. :( ill look into the custom fittings around here and hopefully will find some that will help me.

[Adwiz]

my feet are too flexible and im breaking my shoes too quickly.

You might try cheating with a bit of lamb's wool. Lots of pointe dancers swear by it and teachers generally look the other way (gel inserts are confiscated by most teachers). It helps tighten the toe area, a huge help when you first begin strengthening your feet for pointe. Are you wrapping your toes?

[tasche]

well if your shoes fit ok apart from that then you should try bumping up to a harder shank as this sounds like longebity problem not a fit problem. BTW strong feet is a GOOD problem to have. I used to go through a pair of freed classics a week when I was dancing full time. Alot of students expect their shoes to last to long though you can prolong them with jet glue or by taking the shanks out of one pair and putting them in another to make it stronger. Talk to your instructor I'm sure they can show you the tricks to make them last longer.

Most shoes can be special ordered with a double shank.

Seriously though try as many brands as you can before going the custom route it'll be cheaper than flying to england. Look into freed classics as each "maker" makes different fits ( my maker retired *sigh* not that I need them anymore)

[tasche]

I am referring to the travelling costs when I say its expensive as I'm assuming luv2dnc is a student under 18 and in that case it would be cost prohibited esp when it sounds like shes only tried freed studios so far.

What I can't figure out is that is it when she says flexible feet are her problem if its her feet are not strong enough and shes getting too far over her pointes or if her feet are very flexible and strong and shes breaking her shanks too quickly

w w w . balletalert.com has a forum called pointe shoe questions which is a better place to get advices as the moderators are expert fitter. I'm just a crusty ex ballet dancer with millions of pairs of old sticky shoes =D

The on-line sites which offer pointe shoes for sale recommend getting professional fittings before one makes their purchase.

Can you really keep toe shoes all that long? A friend of mine says that they're basically "trashed" after one performance. She says some dancers keep a couple extra pair on the sidelines should they need them. I don't dance ballet but I'm very interested in the shoe discussion. Please clue me in!

That site is a non profit forum like this one just all ballet and it has a special section for posting pointe shoe questions.

Professionals go through one pair a performance or more but for students its a little more economical. thhe shoes she pwears are espcially designeed to last longer but they wont last forever esp not with strong feet. Though there are many options including double shanks or fiberglass pointe shoes like gaynor midens

[luv2dnc]

yes, i do wrap my toes..or i use to..now i usually dont put anything in my shoes..i dont really need to...when a blister here and there pops up ill wrap them.. my dance teacher told us when we started point (which was 7 years ago) to use wool for point...and i used it all the up untill about a year and a half ago...i aslo do try ways to harden the shanks..but ive never tried to double the shanks...thank you for that tip :D

[pygmalion]

Have you tried those gel toe protector cups that they sell in ballet stores?

And, btw, from what I hear and read, pointe is murder on the feet -- complete with injuries. What's the deal with that? Are dance injuries inevitable?

[luv2dnc]

yes ive tried the protecters, ive tried almost everything and its harder for me to work in my shoe with them becasue they take a lot of the feel away when i dance on them...i have small ones that kinda help when i wrap my toes and i just put them in for a little extra support...but otherwise i either use papertowls or nothing at all...mostly nothing at all... :wink: