Why do ballet dancers bash up pointe shoes ?

[Marchintospring]

I get they need to break them in. However so much is talked about the skill and craftmanship behind making them and obviously they cost a fortune.
Then the dancer breaks the back of them, bashes the block to bits and spends edges sewing the bottom ( let alone the ribbons which you think would be on already).
I don't get it.

Not really. It was a right of passage in a way. Our uniform changed as we moved upb the grades. By the time we were old enough for ribbons (11ish) we'd be expected to be able to sew them ourselves.
Our mother's were very grateful!

What a fascinating thread!

But just about every other physical pursuit has embraced modern materials and technology to improve comfort and safety of the participants. I can't think of any other physical pursuit that relies on design that basically hasn't changed since Victoria was a lass for key pieces of kit.
Having a DD who was a dancer (teacher now) and a DS who does a couple of potentially dangerous sports to a fairly high level I think there's a very different approach to safety and well being. My DD had a really hard time from quite a lot of teachers and other dancers when she swapped to wearing GMs and I have heard so much complete and utter tosh about them from people who clearly have never even seen a pair. You get the same kind of attitude re toe pads etc.
In both my DS's sports safety is paramount and new technologies and scientific approaches to training are seen as things to embrace. I think ballet is very behind the curve in all kinds of things that relate to dancer well being, though things do seem to be very slowly changing.

My DD had a really hard time from quite a lot of teachers and other dancers when she swapped to wearing GMs and I have heard so much complete and utter tosh about them from people who clearly have never even seen a pair. You get the same kind of attitude re toe pads etc.

Yes, some teachers really dislike the GMs!. They're marvellously comfortable, apparently. I tried a pair on at my last pointe fitting but I didn't buy them as I don't do pointe enough to justify the cost for myself and so my traditional pointe shoes last well over a year.
I use the gel pads, as does one of my other daughters. Another likes lambs wool only as she can 'feel the floor' better being the main reason.

Nothing of value to add but this is a very interesting thread, my DD is not anywhere near dancing in pointe shoes yet but she can’t wait.

Do they though? I’ve seen prima Ballerinas on Instagram talking about bashing in their pointe shoes and sewing on their own ribbons. Although I do admit this isn’t something I know much about.

https://invention.si.edu/better-pointe-shoe-sorely-needed

I think the day I went with my class to get our first pointe shoes was one of my top ten days ever. So exciting. We all had to learn to darn them too and I packed mine with animal wool we bought from Boot's. I still have my final pair but I don't trust my ankles enough to wear them now.

I meant that many professional dancers have their own individual customised wooden shoe lasts around which the shoes are constructed for them personally, and nobody else. The dancers still sew on all the ribbons and elastics and break them in and whatnot.

Oh and by the way, the reason a lot of dance teachers don't much like Gaynor Mindens is because the shoes do the work for the trainee dancer rather than the dancer gaining strength and learning how to work their feet properly. Some professional dancers wear them though.

Oh and by the way, the reason a lot of dance teachers don't much like Gaynor Mindens is because the shoes do the work for the trainee dancer rather than the dancer gaining strength and learning how to work their feet properly. Some professional dancers wear them though.
Yes I'm more than aware that a lot of people hold that opinion and don't believe you can roll through onto pointe in GMs. Doesn't mean it's true though.

Completely irrelevant, but I always thought Gaynor Mindens look so beautiful on the feet - they taper really nicely for a shoe that accommodates wider feet

I wasn't talking about beginners rolling through and up onto pointe, I was referring to allegro and jetes and whatnot, where they need considerably more strength and control, and be able to work their feet. For more advanced dancers who know what it is supposed to feel like, then GMs are fine.

Can't remember offhand, but I think a couple of dd's friends wore them at upper school. She tried them but they weren't the right shape for her feet, they didn't do vamps short enough or something.

Not irrelevant at all, I like a shoe that looks lovely in itself.

Some professional dancers wear them though.

Didn't Alina Cojocaru wear them at one time? I can't think of anyone else offhand though I expect there must be a few.

Yes, they're not generally recommended for beginners, the GMs.

Back in the olden days there was a bloke in Pinner called Bob something who did custom pointe shoes. They were amazing, you could have it adjusted to each foot and they fit like a glove. I hated Bloch/Freed but loved his. Shame he is retired now.

I used to love darning shoes - very theraputic.

I hadn't thought about soft blocks in ages - i hated those so much (but get why they are used)

Bob Martin! I just googled

My daughter has switched to these- she couldn't get russian shoes anymore.

She loves them- the fitter was quite positive about them. The fitter spent about an hour sorting and trying on different shoes; but my daughter kept coming back to the Bloch ones. She has strong feet and they seem to suit her, which is good news.

My son does ballet and has been learning pointe for a while now, so boys do train to do it but there’s no need for adult male dancers to go on pointe (I think).
He needs new regular and pointe shoes atm and reminds me at regular intervals….

DD used to sleep in her new pointe shoes at the start with socks over the top - the warmth and moisture (eeowh) started the moulding/breaking in process before the first wear (teachers recommendation).

Now only a few years later we're at the 'please hang them up to dry after every wear so they last longer' stage. Should be rotating 2 pairs just now but there are currently supply problems with DDs make/size. And it's not as simple as getting another make/model in the meantime!

When I was dancing (recreationally), we used to take our old dead pairs, totally bash them up and rip out the shank to use them as flats (or technically demi-pointes I suppose).

The Trocks are men that dance on pointe, although it's for comedy

@bunnsy Are they the Bloch Prolite hybrid shoes? If so they are the ones that I have. They are really comfortable.

And only very recently (2018? maybe) have they come in any other colour than pink for 'normal' shoes - for non white dancers

No, it's the ETU (expect the unexpected) shoes.

uk.blochworld.com/products/etu-suede-toe-pointe-shoes-pink-satin

Bob Martin. He made Darcey Bussell's shoes I think. DD had some customised by him once or twice, but then he retired.

One or two wear them in a Midsummer Night's Dream I think. Can't remember which though.