| Capezio shoes always need breaking in. There's a quick way to do this:
Run them under lukewarm water very briefly so the leather gets almost soggy.
Bang them really hard against a wall or the edge of the sink.
Put them on immediately before they get a chance to dry.
Dance around and have fun for about a half hour, or until the shoes are perfectly dry.
Spanking new dance shoes should always be a bit tight at first. The tightness you feel (if you're wearing the correct size) comes from the strength of the material. Once broken in and weathered, they should relax and comform perfectly to your feet. Just like Birkenstocks. They form from use, not fit. If you've ever done ballet en pointe, it's the same concept.
Capezio makes shoes in sizes, then the dancer determines the fit. This is why the very best dancers have the worst-looking shoes.
It may be that you're in the wrong size. If that's true, try the Bloch's brand. Their sizing tends to be more precise. It's more expensive, though. But I once bought both tap and point shoes in Bloch's, and they lasted for about 8 years. |