I have no knowledge of dance and my baby isn't in tap class, so not sure how much weight you should give this - but the shoes are gorgeous (with cute string to tie the bow).  She wears them everywhere and they've already withstood a lot of abuse quite well.  A better mother than I would have realized that they are very slippery (by nature of the taps) and provided ample warnings; my daughter has taken a few spills, but refuses to take them off.  She sleeps in them!  Best nine bucks I've ever spent through the warehouse deals.  It's hard to get her to take a bath now though. :).  They are nice and shiny and the ribbon is a good quality.  Because she wears them all the time, sometimes the heel kind of caves in?  But that's because we abuse them, probably.