Have you just taken your first pair of ballet shoes out of the box and do they feel like stiff cardboard boxes around your feet? Don't panic, that's part of it! To get straight to the point: breaking in ballet shoes is done by wearing them at home with (thick) socks first, manually massaging the sole until flexible, and doing short, gentle exercises like tendus and relevés. This allows the material to mold to your unique foot shape without getting blisters during your first lesson.
Before we dive deep into the techniques, it is essential that you have the basics in order. If you are still unsure whether you have bought the right size or the right type, first check out my Buying Ballet Shoes: Complete Beginner's Guide & Tips. That is the foundation of everything; you are never going to 'comfortably' break in a shoe that is three sizes too small, no matter how hard you try.
Table of Contents
- Why that 'fight' with your new shoes is necessary
- Leather vs. Canvas: The battle for your feet
- The 3-step plan for the perfect fit
- Tips for top brands: Bloch, Capezio and more
- Say goodbye to blisters: My secret weapons
- Longer enjoyment of your shoes (and your money!)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Ballet
Why that 'fight' with your new shoes is necessary
Look, I see it every week in the studio. A new student walks in with shiny, new ballet shoes and after ten minutes at the barre, I see that telling look: "Help, my feet are dying." That's because new shoes – whether they are made of leather or canvas – come straight from the factory. They are flat, stiff, and do not yet know the contours of your instep.
Breaking them in is not just for comfort. It's about safety and technique. If your shoe is too stiff, you cannot 'point' your foot properly. You don't feel the floor. And in ballet, contact with the floor is everything. You want that shoe to feel like a second skin, an extension of your own body. Whether you are training for fun or dreaming of a professional career, your equipment must work for you, not against you.
I always tell my girls: your shoes must be 'broken', but your feet must not. We want to get that stiff sole (especially with a full sole) flexible so that your arch comes out beautifully. That not only gives you more self-confidence, but it also prevents you from dancing in a forced way, which can cause injuries to your ankles or knees. So yes, those first few hours at home with your shoes on on the couch? They are worth their weight in gold.
Leather vs. Canvas: The battle for your feet
There is a big difference between how you break in a leather shoe and how you do it with a canvas variant. As a content expert at Miss Salsa, I see all kinds come by, and each material has its own manual.
The Leather Ballet Shoe: Brands like Bloch and Capezio make fantastic leather shoes. Leather is a natural product. It is durable, protects your feet well and – most importantly – it stretches. A leather shoe that is a bit tight at the beginning is often perfect after two weeks. The leather absorbs the heat from your foot and literally molds to your bone structure. Actionable tip: If you have leather shoes, wear them at home with a thin sock for the first three times. The heat and light pressure ensure the perfect 'stretch'.
The Canvas Ballet Shoe: Canvas shoes, such as the popular split-sole models you find in our girls' ballet shoes collection, hardly stretch at all. What you buy is what you get. The 'breaking in' here is more about making the seams and the sole flexible. Canvas is wonderful because it breathes and you can often just throw it in the washing machine (at your own risk, but I've been doing it for years!). It feels lighter immediately, but offers less support than leather.
Whichever you choose, make sure you also look at your outfit. A shoe breaks in more comfortably if you also really feel like a dancer. Combine them with one of our beautiful leotards or a flowy skirt to get completely into the flow.
The 3-step plan for the perfect fit
Okay, let's get practical. No vague theories, but action. Follow these steps and you'll be ready to go.
Step 1: The Manual Massage (5 minutes)
Grip your new shoe. Feel the sole. Is it a 'full sole' (one long piece of leather/rubber underneath)? Those are often very stiff. Bend the shoe with your hands. Roll the sole up and down. Massage the material around the heel and the toes. You want to knead the 'stiffness' from the factory out. Do this while watching your favorite series. It's a mindful moment between you and your new dance partners.
Step 2: The 'Living Room Tour' (30-60 minutes)
Put your shoes on. Don't forget to adjust the elastics properly. Many beginners pull the drawstring way too tight, causing it to cut into their heel. Tie it loosely, make a double knot, and only cut the excess ends once you are sure it's right. Walk through your house. Do the dishes, walk up and down the stairs. Your feet get warm, the material gets softer. Do you feel a pressure point? Remember where it is.
Step 3: The First 'Mini-Barre' (15 minutes)
You don't have to be a pro to do this. Hold onto the kitchen counter or a chair back.
- Tendus: Slide your foot across the floor until your toes just touch the ground and your instep is stretched. Do this 20 times per foot. This forces the shoe to take on that beautiful arch shape.
- Relevés: Stand on your toes (not on your pointes of course, just on the ball of your foot) and come back down. This trains the flexibility of the sole under the forefoot.
- Pliés: Bend your knees while keeping your feet flat on the ground. This tests whether the heel of the shoe does not slide down.
Tips for top brands: Bloch, Capezio and more
Not all shoes are created equal. When you shop at Miss Salsa, you will encounter quality brands that each have their own character. As an experienced teacher, I have had them all on my feet.
Bloch: Often slightly wider at the forefoot. Ideal if you notice that your toes get cramped quickly. Their leather shoes are of top quality, but really need that 'warmth' from your foot to start molding. Be patient with Bloch, the reward is a shoe that lasts for years.
Capezio: These are known for their fantastic fit around the instep. They often feel a bit 'snugger' right away. With Capezio, use the 'massage method' for the sole especially, because their suede soles can be a bit slippery on a laminate floor at home in the beginning. So be careful!
Rummos & Werner Kern: Although these are often more towards salsa and ballroom, they also have techniques we use in ballet. Comfort is paramount for them. If you switch from another brand to one of these, pay close attention to the sizing; it can deviate quite a bit from your normal shoe size.
Are you looking for something for the little ones? Our girls' collection is specially selected for softness, so those delicate children's feet don't have to suffer from stiff material.
Say goodbye to blisters: My secret weapons
Blisters are the enemy of every dancer. They are caused by friction. If your shoe is not yet perfectly broken in, your foot slides just a millimeter too much, and voilà: a blister. Here are my 'life hacks':
- The 'Second Skin' trick: Feel a burning spot? Apply a blister plaster or sports tape immediately before it becomes a blister. Prevention is better than cure.
- Talcum powder: A little bit of talcum powder in your shoes absorbs moisture. Damp feet slide more, which causes friction. Plus: it keeps your shoes fresher.
- Thickness of the socks: In the beginning, you can dance with slightly thicker cotton socks (if the size allows). This provides an extra buffer layer while the shoe stretches.
- Check your nails: It sounds silly, but toenails that are too long push your foot backward in the shoe, causing your heel to slip. Keep them short and cut straight across.
Don't forget that the rest of your outfit also has an influence. Tights that are too tight can squeeze your toes together, which can also cause blisters between the toes. Choose quality ballet clothing, such as our ballet dresses which often come with matching, comfortable shorts or tights.
Longer enjoyment of your shoes (and your money!)
You now have the perfect fit, but how do you keep it that way? Ballet shoes are delicate instruments. Never throw them directly into your bag after class and leave them there for three days. They need to breathe! Sweat attacks the leather and the canvas, making it hard and brittle.
Take them out of your bag at home, shake them out and let them air dry (not on the radiator, because that dries out the leather and causes it to crack!). If you have canvas shoes and they start to smell like... well, a dance studio... wash them by hand with a mild soapy water.
And a golden tip from a pro: use your ballet shoes only in the studio. Do not walk on the street with them, not even just to the car. The concrete outside eats your soles within five minutes. Only put them on when you are on the dance floor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ballet
1. What is the meaning of the word "ballet"?
The word 'ballet' originally comes from the Italian 'balletto', which is a diminutive of 'ballo' (dance). It came into our language via French. At its core, it simply means "a little dance", but we all know that it has since grown into one of the most complex and beautiful art forms in the world!
2. Is ballet the toughest sport?
Many sports scientists say so! Ballet requires the endurance of a marathon runner, the strength of a weightlifter and the flexibility of a gymnast – and all that while you have to smile and act like it takes no effort. It is physically and mentally grueling, but that makes the satisfaction when you land a pirouette all the greater.
3. What is the best ballet school in the Netherlands?
That depends on your goal! For professionals, the National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam is the top. But for beginners and amateurs, there are great schools throughout the Netherlands such as Schone Kunsten or local dance schools that are affiliated with Dansbelang. The most important thing is that you find a teacher with whom you feel safe making mistakes.
4. What are the ranks in ballet?
In a professional company, you usually start as an 'Élève' or in the 'Corps de Ballet'. After that, you can climb up to 'Coryphée', 'Sujet', 'Soloist' and ultimately the highest honor: 'Principal' or 'Etoile' (star dancer). But remember: in my class, everyone is a star, regardless of your level!
5. How tight should ballet shoes be?
They should fit like a second skin. No empty space at the toes (you don't want to trip), but your toes must be able to lie flat. If they curl, they are too small. Think of a firm hug for your feet.
6. Can I put my ballet shoes in the dryer?
Absolutely not! The heat of the dryer destroys the glue and causes the leather to shrink or the canvas to deform. Always let them air dry.
Ready to shine?
Now that you know how to tame your shoes, there is nothing holding you back. Breaking in your shoes is the first ritual of every dancer. It shows that you are serious about your passion and take good care of your body.
Is your equipment not complete yet? Or have you concluded after reading these tips that you really need a size larger? Don't worry, we are ready for you. Check out our extensive collection of ballet shoes and find the pair that fits you. Don't forget to take a look at our leotards and skirts to complete your look.
Dance with passion, take care of your feet, and I'll see you on the dance floor! Do you have any questions? Send me a message via the Miss Salsa customer service – I'd be happy to help you personally. Toi toi toi!
