Ballet pointe shoe

A ballet pointe shoe for use by a ballet dancer, said ballet pointe shoe comprising:

• (a) an insole;
• (b) an upper having a foot compartment and a throat by way of which a foot of the ballet dancer enters said foot compartment, said insole being disposed inside said foot compartment, said upper including a toe box having a base, said upper further including a tunnel disposed beneath the insole, said tunnel extending longitudinally into at least a portion of said base of said toe box, said tunnel having an open mouth which is revealably concealed beneath said insole, said mouth of said tunnel being accessible by way of said throat and said foot compartment;
• (c) an outsole disposed beneath said upper;
• and
• (d) a shank insert, a portion of said shank insert being removably and replaceably received in said tunnel when said shank insert is installed in said tunnel, said shank insert being removable from the ballet pointe shoe by withdrawing said portion of said shank insert from said tunnel by way of said open mouth of said tunnel and said throat of said upper, said shank insert being replaceable by inserting said portion of said shank insert into said tunnel by way of said throat of said upper and said open mouth of said tunnel.