On average, a pair of pointe shoes might only last for 12 hours in use. If you practice one hour per day, your shoes might survive two weeks; but if your schedule is tighter, the lifespan might be cut short.
Want to know how to extend this lifespan and make the most out of pointe shoes, let’s dig a little deeper into their longevity and endurance!
Key takeaways:
- A pair of pointe shoes might last 12 hours of use on average.
- Shoes of beginners last longer than those of professional dancers.
- Friction, force, sweat, and materials make pointe shoes wear out quickly.
- Replace your shoes immediately if the shank and toebox are broken.
- 5 tips to make your pointe shoes last longer.
Table of Contents
Pointe Shoe Longevity Varies Depending On Many Factors
Many factors determine a pair of pointe shoe longevity, from experience to the frequency of use. But, on average, each pair will last for about 12 hours of use.
For beginners
If you’re a new ballet dancer who doesn’t practice often or doesn’t perform pointe moves frequently, then a good pair will last you for a long time. Many beginner dancers take as much as a full year before their ballet pointe shoes become worn out.
But, remember, the average “life expectancy” of a pair of pointe (when used en pointe) is around 12 hours. Take it as a rule of thumb.
Let’s say you practice en pointe for one hour every week. That pair of beginner pointe shoes should last for three months.
Depending on the brand, quality, and care you put into maintaining that pair, it could last even longer.
For professionals
However, professional dancers are run by different rules. They can burn through a brand-new pair of shoes in only a single day.
It’s not unheard of for professional ballerinas to practice for 8-10 hours every day. It coincides with the lifespan of a pair.
If they practice for 8-10 hours daily, five days a week, there’s a good chance they would burn through 3-4 pairs of pointe shoes every week. That’s why pro-level ballet dancers carry many pairs of pointe whenever they travel to a show or a competition.
Check more: Best Bloch shoes that dancers all love
What Makes Pointe Shoes Wear Out So Quickly?
During use, the shoes must deal with a lot of friction and force. The dancer’s weight is placed on top of the tips of the shoes. The shoes will wear out friction, combined with moisture and heat from sweat.
Another reason is that pointe shoes, even the best ones, aren’t made from solid and sturdy materials. They are made of paper, cardboard, glue, nails, and strips of fabric. As a result, they don’t last long by design.
When To Replace Them?
After regular use, the first part to go, usually, is the shank (the piece of material at the bottom of the shoes). It can break from wear.
Within the shoes, near the tips, is the toebox. It is made from soft foam to pad your toes and protect them from injury. With enough use, the toebox can become weak and lose its protective property.
When any of that happens, those pointe shoes need to be replaced as quickly as possible.
Check more: Signs to tell that pointe shoes are dead
5 Tips To Make Pointe Shoes Last Longer
Though pointe shoes are disposable items, keeping them for as long as possible is still better. There are maintenance tricks that you can use to extend their service life. That can save you tons of money over the long term!
1. Remove the toe pads after use
Take out the toe pads immediately after you’re done wearing the shoes. The toe pads can soak up a lot of moisture and heat while you’re dancing. Taking them out will give them a chance to air-dry, slowing their wear rate.
2. Darn the shoes
The darning, albeit a fairly time-consuming process, will reduce the wear rate of the shoes and can extend their lifespan for a couple more hours.
So, what to do? Just sew a thick layer of thread surrounding the platform. It acts as a second layer of protection between the shoes and the floor. But you might need some practice with the needle-and-thread to make a solid darning layer.
3. Wear several pairs in rotation
Pointe shoes aren’t side-specific, meaning you can take a shoe and wear it on whichever feet you want.
So, buy multiple pairs and number them. Rotate new and old ones as you go through classes and performances. This will prevent the exact area of each shoe from wearing out.
4. Store Them Right
The trick is to avoid keeping your shoes in your dance bag. Instead, hang them on your door or somewhere with a lot of air to dry out naturally.
As you know, moisture and heat are the enemies of your shoes. When you dance, the shoes will soak up a lot of sweat even with tights on. If they aren’t aired properly after class or each performance, they will wear out super quickly.
5. Select the shoe brands to buy
Our last “trick” isn’t really a trick, per se. More of a recommendation. If you want a pair that lasts for a long time, buy a high-quality pair from reputable pointe shoemakers.
Not only that, you need to pick the right model, as well. Practice shoes generally last longer than performance shoes. Some of the brands that have a reputation for durability are Demi pointe shoes, Grishko, Capezio Nikolay, Gaynor Minden, Bloch, and Freed.
Final Words
From how long pointe shoes last to how (12 hours on average) to maintain them properly, we hope this guide has proven useful to you.
Pointe shoes are the quintessential gear for any ballet dancer. Now that you know more about this type of footwear, you’re now one step closer to being a master at everything ballet-related!