Professional ballerinas spend $100 for each pair of pointe shoes, and they only last 3 days — why can’t they be made to last longer?

Question

Professional ballerinas spend $100 for each pair of pointe shoes, and they only last 3 days — why can’t they be made to last longer?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Durability is not the priority for the shoes, especially when professional ballet dancers can afford all the shoes they need for the performances.

EDIT: Explaining why durability is not a priority.

The shape and direction of a ballerina’s feet are an important part of the artistry in ballet. Therefore thick long lasting footwear that might be seen in other dance styles are just not acceptable.

If you want to preserve the accepted shape of a dancer’s feet that is custom in ballet, the shoes have to be very thin. Durability has to come second to safety and treating the shoes as disposable is how most dancers trained and therefore feel safest.