Contempora Pointe Shoes

Experienced pointe dancers...?

Okay, so I have extremely narrow feet and very high arches. This will be my fourth year en pointe. I had been wearing a Bloch Suprima Strong, but the boutique stopped stocking them, so I tried a Capezio Contempora. I am in love with them. I see on the website that they are pre broken in, however since I am new to wearing Capezios, I was wondering if they have specific break- in exercises (such as Bloch) because I don't want to 'break' the shoes. Obviously, I know that they will get softer with dancing, but I was just curious to whether or not there was a break-in teachnique specific to these shoes.

there isn't a specific break-in ritual but i have Capezio shoes and i absolutely LOVE them too. i wore mine in buy doing certain bending exercises that that usually do in pointe classes. Capezio shoes are really great quality, and you'll soon get to realize that, but by dancing and slighty bending the arch it will make it easier to dance and move, and make your dancing techniques more flowing. good luck with pointe!

Improve strength and arches for ballet?

How do you know what strength your foot is or your arches are in ballet?
Yes, I am on pointe, but my old Sansha's are dead, and they weren't the best for me. I am seriously considering Capezio Contempora's, however before I go in to get fitted, I want to know all my options. Therefore, they won't talk me into buying the most expensive one.
All help is good help! Thanks!
P.S - I need answers ASAP because as many know, it's super unsafe to dance in dead pointe shoes!

Your shoe depends greatly upon your personal strength as well as the shape of your foot.
Personally I like the following: Bloch's Aspiration or Balance for beginners, Sonata or Serene V for more advanced students, and the Alpha or Axiom for very strong students/professionals.
Capezio Glisse is the only shoe of theirs (years ago now, they were my second shoes ever) that I have used, and I absolutely LOVED it.
Freed of London makes good quality shoes but I personally don't like them. Try on a pair and see if you do. I didn't find them comfortable.
I warn against Grishko or Gaynor shoes unless you want to buy a new pair every week. They should really only be used by professionals/serious students. Gaynors should be avoided, period. Grishko tend to make softer shoes, so they're more 'performance ready' for the professional dancer. While they do make shoes with medium shanks as well, they're not going to last as long as another pair or shoes nor are they good for beginners who lack strength and require a study shoe. Gaynors (In my opinion) are 'cheating'. The shoe does all the work for you and if you learn in a pair it's easy to develop bad or lazy habits, or even hurt yourself. They should be left until the dancer has the technique and strength to dance en pointe in another shoe. They're not allowed in my studio.
If you go to the Bloch website it will give you a description of each shoe, Capezio, Freed etc. likely do the same.
I've seen a few 'Bloch shoes are cheap' comments floating around here, and they're not at all. They're a good brand for beginners up to professionals at a reasonable price. I've used every shoe under the sun and Bloch shoes are my favorites. I'd rather buy 2 pairs of Bloch shoes than one pair of anything else, for around the same price. (I replace shoes every few weeks when teaching and go through a new pair for every performance. That's a lot of shoes).
You need to try your shoes on in person before you buy them. Once you know what size and style you prefer you can go on e-bay and get them for cheap. Some dance stores charge a fitting fee (~$10-$20ish) just to try on shoes, but sometimes it's cheaper to get fit and then buy the new shoes on e-bay if you don't choose to buy them in the stores. I lucked out and got three new pairs of the Bloch Alpha for a total of $50 + shipping. All in all it was less than buying ONE pair from stores.
If you do have weird feet you can get a custom made pair of shoes. They're not that much more expensive than store boughts and can make all the difference. If you know you're a stronger dancer you can request more glue, a 3/4 shank, etc.
You can brush carpenters glue along the inside of the shoe and let it dry if you want to strengthen shoes a little. However, I'd advise you talk to a teacher before you do this so you don't end up destroying your shoe. (You can also use floor wax and bake them, etc. Talk to your instructor).
To improve your strength use a theraband or old pair of tights and point and flex your toes every night with the resistance(you can do it when you watch TV). Practice lots of rises, releves, etc. Any technique work will help you strengthen.

Mis primeras puntas!! My firts pointe Shoes!! 3º Day!!

Capezio Women's 176 Contempora Pointe Shoe The "Contempora™" by Capezio® has a moderate strength, feathered box with broad platform and a supportive #2 leatherboard shank. Dual nail construction provides heel flexibility while a longer vamp and heel and shorter, rounded outsole make this pointe ideal for every dancer. Ribbons not includedColor:European Pink Satin...

Capezio Little Kid/Big Kid Contempora 176X Pointe Shoe $62.95 The "Contempora" by Capezio® has a moderate strength, feathered box with broad platform and a supportive #2 leatherboard shank. Dual nail construction provides heel flexibility while a longer vamp and heel and shorter, rounded outsole make this pointe ideal for every dancer.Ribbons not includedColor:European Pink Satin...

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