Soft-pointes

[Guest kristindancer27]

Hi,

 

What are "soft-pointes?" What is the purpose of them, and how long do they usually last?

 

Thanks!

[Mel Johnson]

Soft pointes, aka soft block or demi-pointe shoes are shoes that look like pointe shoes, but they have no shank to speak of, and a box in name only. They are required for RAD wear at examinations on the vocational track, but most students find them needlessly uncomfortable, so that's the only time they get worn, practically!

[Guest kristindancer27]

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

The reason I ask about them is because I'm registering at a new dance studio and they recommend everyone has soft-pointes. They are needed to do exams in.

 

I went to the dance shop today to try on a pair to see what size I would be. I was planning on putting them on my christmas list instead of buying them myself (saves a little extra money.)

 

My question: is this a good idea? Would a retailer sell soft-pointes to my mom without me being there? (My mom probably wouldn't be going to the same store as me as we do not live nearby.)

 

Do you think I should just buy them myself or should my mom be fine as long as she has my size?

 

Thanks,

 

Kristin

[Mel Johnson]

Of course, for the best sizing fit, the wearer should be there. But we're in an age where students are buying shoes, even pointe shoes, right from the web, so an actual presence is not required. I would, however, make absolutely sure of the store's return policy; obviously they will not accept dirty or sewn shoes, but is there any other provision attached to return of a pair of shoes that just doesn't fit?

[Babysister]

Why don't you deshank your old pointe shoes and make them into soft point. That really save alot. I always deshank my old pointe so that I don't need to buy soft pointe until exam comes.

[Guest kristindancer27]

Why don't you deshank your old pointe shoes and make them into soft point. That really save alot. I always deshank my old pointe so that I don't need to buy soft pointe until exam comes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I haven't gone up on pointe yet, I may sometime next year or the year after. I'm getting the soft-pointes for barre work, and to get used to being en pointe for when the time comes. My teacher seemed to think it was a good idea!

 

This may be a dumb quesiton, but is it possible to have shanks put into your soft pointes so they can be used as pointe shoes?

[Mel Johnson]

Oh, it's possible, but requires a ballet shoemaker, and isn't the sort of thing that most people can do at home. The shoe has to be almost entirely remade, so its like space flight: It's possible, but requires a lot of time, money, specialized skill and not something you can whip off from a home workbench.

[Guest AyaFuji]

This may not be the best advice, but I think it would be safe since you're just using them as soft-pointes/demi-pointes and not going up in them... I know some people buy old pointes in their size off of eBay (for WAYY less than the price of new demi's) and de-shank those, and you can use pancake makeup or calamine lotion to make them look cleaner and newer. You can find sizing charts depending on brand online, including Ms. Devor's web site.

 

--Aya

[Mel Johnson]

Although, I will make this comment about used shoes: Would you use somebody else's toothbrush?

[biners6]

ewww... ..i'll sell mine but won't buy used ones!

[Guest AyaFuji]

Honestly, I think I've been through much worse. I would just spray some Lysol or something in them and be perfectly fine.

 

--Aya

[Mel Johnson]

I wouldn't.

 

While it is possible, to continue the toothbrush metaphor, to sterilize and otherwise clean someone else's toothbrush, and then use it after, it is virtually impossible to do something similar with the soft materials of shoes and be assured of killing everything like athlete's foot fungus and the viruses which cause warts, and still have the shoe usable after.

[shulie]