Pointe Ballet Shoes, YIKES!

[Darsa]

Well, after the past 8 years I've gotten used to the expense of DD14's dance shoes. My parents have helped us with the cost, and we're able to get used shoes at a VERY reasonable price at the local gymnastics studio.

This year she starts pointe ballet. We (my parents and DH & I) decided to get her a gift certificate for her shoes as a Christmas gift. I went down there on my lunch break today and... almost had a heart attack. The nice young lady at the Dance Supplies store quoted me anywhere from $110 to $160 for these shoes. I know there are people out there who don't even blink at the thought of hundreds of dollars for ANY shoes, but this made me choke! I'm only hoping that my DD's feet are done growing...

Okay, done venting... until I have to pay the balance for her costumes

 

[powellrj]

We get ours at Kenny Danceware, I'm not sure if its just a local chain or if its national, but I know we usually pay around $75. I would shop around if you can.

 

[NY Disney fan]

This site is really good:

http://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.php3?mf=/dancewear/shoes/page1

 

[Sleepy]

I think you need to find another dance store. That is way too high. As the other poster said, a good pair can cost around $75-$90.

Just keep in mind that the more advanced she gets, the more pairs she will go through, so outgrowing them will not be an issue. I have a friend who can go through 2 pairs over a weekend if she is seriously performing. Humidity will eat them too. I am lucky. My son is in ballet and only wears the $13 flats. Does not take long to eat a hole in those if dancing on wooden floors. Ballet is not a cheap activity.

Oh, and make sure you buy gel inserts. They help to avoid blisters.

 

[Sleepy]

This site is really good:

http://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.php3?mf=/dancewear/shoes/page1

That is a great suggestion, once she has found a shoe that has the perfect fit. I hesitate to offer such a wide variety of shoes like found on websites because a parent might be swayed to purchase a cheaper shoe thinking they are all the same.

 

[Michelle67]

I like Discount Dance, I've ordered a few things from them. I think their prices are reasonable, and their customer service and shipping have been great so far.

 

[kacaju]

I just close my eyes when i write out the dance checks!! LOL!! She will need to be fitted for them so I would not go oneline until you know exactly which ones she likes. My dd got her first pair of pointe shoes and although in the store she felt they fitted OK she didn't care for them after a while. Once those needed replacing she went with a different brand and LOVES them.

 

[SC Minnie]

DD's pointe shoes were around $100- just shy of if I remember correctly.

And I can sympathize with the costumes. And our studio wanted half the cost for a down payment before they were ordered- which was usually right before Christmas.

 

[NY Disney fan]

That is a great suggestion, once she has found a shoe that has the perfect fit. I hesitate to offer such a wide variety of shoes like found on websites because a parent might be swayed to purchase a cheaper shoe thinking they are all the same.

That's true. You need to dance in different styles before you find your "sole" mate.

 

[NewCrew42]

You might take her to be fitted at your local dance store. Ours charges a fitting fee if you do not purchase your shoes that day. If you know the type of shoe and pads etc, then you might go on line to purchase. The fit is so important for pointe shoes.

 

[Sleepy]

That's true. You need to dance in different styles before you find your "sole" mate.

The same could be said for the slippers. My son tried many styles and brands before he found the perfect fit. He loves Sansha canvas split soles.

 

[Sleepy]

You might take her to be fitted at your local dance store.

Another idea is a mom/daughter weekend in NYC where you can go to many specialized dance shops for fitting. I know not everyone has the time or money, but it can be a fun trip.

 

[sacall]

My daughter just got on pointe this year and we are still waiting for her shoes (it's been about 2 months). I guess the ones our studio likes are really comfortable and fit really well. I haven't asked about the cost, I don't want to know just yet

As for getting them on-line, I wouldn't until you have had them fitted. Our studio has ordered a couple of different sizes and styles for my dd, none have fit her really well. The studio can send them back without me having to deal with it.

I guess $100 for shoes is nothing considering I'm paying $70 a costume x 7 costumes needed (5 for dd1 and 2 for dd2) = $490 in total for stuff they will wear for one weekend! Oh wait, I forgot, my dd1 just made Jazz and Tap line- that's two more costumes! All have to be paid before 12/31 or they won't order them. Plus, there is the cost of the lessons and lines!

Stacy

 

[laurie31]

They are $80 at our dance store.

I read that they only last for about 6-10 hours of dancing, so yeah, no worries on outgrowing them...

 

[allieoop]

DD15 has been on pointe for 4 years now. I agree with the others that suggested buying from DiscountDance.com. After getting someone at a dance supply store to fit her and finding the style that works for her - I never realized either there were so many options with regard to width of the box, etc. - you can order future pairs from discountdance. Pointe shoes need to fit like a glove. If anyone fitting your daughter mentions leaving room for her to grow, please find another fitter.

Dancers are all different in how long their shoes will last. My daughter was at a summer intensive program for 5 weeks this past summer (dancing a minimum of 4.5 hours, most days more, a day) and only needed 4 pairs of pointe shoes. Her roommate didn't have a solo in the end program so wasn't dancing/rehearsing as much and needed 10 pairs. DD says some dancers are just "harder" on shoes - something to do with shape of foot and strength of their arch. I just nod and agree because I really don't know what she's talking about.

 

[merryweather20]

No need to worry about her feet growing pointe shoes WEAR OUT. The first pair is going to be the least of your problems

 

[PrincessV]

Pointe shoes need to fit like a glove. If anyone fitting your daughter mentions leaving room for her to grow, please find another fitter.

Former ballerina here... YES, YES, YES, what allieoop said! It's critical that she have the proper fit and the beginning pointe shoes will not be the same as what she'll wear even a year form now; as she does more pointe work, her muscles will continue to develop and the shape of her feet will change, necessitating different shapes, shanks, etc. in her shoes as time goes on.

And you'd best look away when she gets new ones down the road... it's somewhat appalling what we'll do to our brand, shiny new slippers to make them "right." (My standard routine: cut the satin off the tip of the toe box, wrap the toe box in damp papertowels, then hammer the heck out of it to soften it so I could better feel the floor. Then I'd snap the shank to get a prettier arch, remove the inside footbed liner and stuff some brown paper bag bits into the toe box. Yes, to those very expensive shoes. They'd generally last me a couple performances, then become rehearsal and class shoes until they were toast.)

 

[jen0610]

Former ballerina here... YES, YES, YES, what allieoop said! It's critical that she have the proper fit and the beginning pointe shoes will not be the same as what she'll wear even a year form now; as she does more pointe work, her muscles will continue to develop and the shape of her feet will change, necessitating different shapes, shanks, etc. in her shoes as time goes on.

And you'd best look away when she gets new ones down the road... it's somewhat appalling what we'll do to our brand, shiny new slippers to make them "right." (My standard routine: cut the satin off the tip of the toe box, wrap the toe box in damp papertowels, then hammer the heck out of it to soften it so I could better feel the floor. Then I'd snap the shank to get a prettier arch, remove the inside footbed liner and stuff some brown paper bag bits into the toe box. Yes, to those very expensive shoes. They'd generally last me a couple performances, then become rehearsal and class shoes until they were toast.)

One of our close friends had two DD dancing pointe at the same time, well for 6 years they were at the same time. And every time they got new shoes, she'd send them to the basement to tweak them. She couldn't watch and she didn't want to know exactly what they did to them. And boy did she love it when a teacher got the "wonderful" idea to dye their shoes to match costumes. The one girl danced almost a whole season with neon orange shoes. Got a new pair just before recital.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would ask the ballet teacher who fits the best in your area, and don't worry about the cost for her first pair. You have to take note that bones in the feet do not reach their full maturity until the early 20's and if you have an improperly fitted shoes they can cause damage. Look for shoes that fit properly when you are standing on or off pointe.

Here are some guides you can follow as they are fitting your daughter:

1. The sizing of ballet pointe shoes are quite different from ordinary or the common street shoes. Some of the brands are smaller than street shoes and some are much bigger than street shoes. So see to it that you try the shoes on not just simply choose.

2. Make sure that when you stand your toes should reach the end part of the shoe, but not bent, overlapped or crunched. If they are bent and crunched look for the next size up. If they overlap look for a wider one or another with a wider box.

3. Do not buy a pair of shoes just because somebody has them. Find the shoes with the style that best fit you and comfortable. Different brands and all ballet pointe shoes are made to fit different types of feet.

4. When you are trying the shoes do a releve and the best fit should only have a thumbs width of a pinch right at the heel.

5. To keep the shoe from slipping off make sure that you can pull and tie up the drawstring to make the shoe as tight as it should be.

 

[mjkacmom]

Well if it makes you feel any better, dd8's irish dance hard shoes cost that much new (I try to get used), and her solo dress cost $1,200.