--- title: "Actble’s 3D printed pointe shoes take center stage" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/actbles-3d-printed-pointe-shoes-take-center-stage/ date: 2026-07-27 modified: 2026-07-27 lang: en author: "Tess Boissonneault" description: "While many elements of ballet remain strictly traditional, there is one area where dancers are eager for innovation: the pointe shoe. These shoes, integral to ballet since the 19th century,..." categories: - "3D Printed Footwear" - "Consumer Products" - "Sports Equipment" - "Wearables" tags: - "future" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/actble-2-640x576.jpeg word_count: 704 --- # Actble’s 3D printed pointe shoes take center stage While many elements of ballet remain strictly traditional, there is one area where dancers are eager for innovation: the pointe shoe. These shoes, integral to ballet since the 19th century, feature a rigid toe box and allow dancers to stand on the tops of their toes to create seamless long lines and a weightless appearance. They are also known for their discomfort, painstaking breaking in process, and propensity to wear.  [![Actble](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/actble-soles-1-427x640.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/actble-soles-1-scaled.jpeg) Having personally experienced the challenges associated with pointe shoes, ballet dancer Sophia Lindner, founder of Actble, set out to design a new dancing shoe that would have the same function as a traditional pointe shoe but offer greater comfort, support, and longevity. The result is a modular pointe shoe with 3D printed inner soles, a compression-fit skin, and laces. As part of the modularity, each of these components can be customized based on size, color, and performance level. Not only that, but each of the 3D printed pointe shoe parts can be replaced as needed. Traditionally, pointe shoes—which succumb to wear within 10-20 hours of dancing—would have to regularly be replaced in full, not only costing dancers a lot, but also generating a fair amount of waste. Actble’s product allows dancers to only replace the parts that tend to wear down faster, like the knitted upper and laces. The shoe itself reportedly has a longer lifespan than traditional pointe shoes, which are constructed from a toe box made of glue, paper, and fabric; a stiff shank along the inner sole made of leather, plastic, or cardstock; a leather sole; and a satin shell attached with ribbons or elastic. According to Lindner, Actble’s shoe has a lifespan up to five times that of a conventional pointe shoe. She [said](https://www.actble.de/en-ca/blogs/about-athletes-the-future-of-dance-and-more/interview-act-ble-sophia-lindner-s-mission-to-revolutionize-the-centuries-old-pointe-shoe): “The shoe eliminates the conflict between flexibility and stability. Our sole, which is new for the area, is constructed with incisions. This geometry allows free movement for the foot, whereas a physiological walking pattern is not possible with conventional shoes. On the other hand, the support function is ensured by the closing and blocking of the segments. That also means that the sole doesn't get destroyed easily or quickly. In combination with a knitted custom-fit “ShoeUpper”, the pressure is canalized through compression zones, and the musculature is relieved. According to a modular system, the sole and the knitted upper shoe-skin can be interchanged later once worn out. So dancers don't have to buy a completely new shoe.” [![Actble](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ballet-pointe-show-1-340x284.jpeg)](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ballet-pointe-show-1.jpeg)Actble’s pointe shoes were developed and are manufactured in partnership with [Something Added](https://www.voxelmatters.com/decathlon-brand-launches-kipnext-3d-sneaker-made-using-mjf/), a Barcelona-based company that specializes in 3D printed footwear using [HP’s MultiJet Fusion technology](https://www.voxelmatters.directory/company/hp-inc/). According to the company, it was approached by Lindner and her team to 3D print soles that could meet the technical demands of professional ballet dancers while also offering precision, consistency, and iterative agility.  “We were looking for a production partner who could reliably 3D print the highly technical soles for our modular pointe shoes," explained Lindner. "The sole is the core functional component of the product, so precision, material consistency and the ability to continuously refine the design were essential. Our objective was to create a sole that supports the dancer—very stable, carrying the body weight on the toes—while still allowing the foot to articulate naturally." 3D printed from TPU, the inner sole integrates specially engineered incisions, which allow for flexibility without requiring dancers to break the shoes in. When dancers are on their toes, the inner sole segments “lock into place”, giving the wearer the support they need. The integrated toe box also features slits for an adaptable fit along the width of the foot. The overall design is intended to increase comfort for the dancer by alleviating toe pressure and minimizing pain in the achilles. Actble’s 3D printed pointe shoes have been on the market since 2023 and are now being used by dancers across 55 countries. Feedback for the innovative shoes has been overwhelmingly positive, with dancers citing the durability and comfort as key benefits. As one customer said in a review: “I’ve been using act’pointes for a few months now and I’m honestly impressed by how comfortable and supportive they feel. My feet have become noticeably stronger, my teacher has seen a big improvement in my dancing.”