Despite what some people may think, the return of sneaker heels - largely attributed to Sara Blakely, the inventor of world-renowned Spanx, and now Sneex - happened by accident. "Our founder did not set out to create a sneaker heel. She set out to create the world's most comfortable high heel and this is where the innovation led her," a brand rep says.
Not only are they supportive, they add noticeable bounce to my steps, which actually makes walking in high heels sort of . . . fun?
Nevertheless, merely one year in, the company can report that The Tepper in Silver ($595) sold out in just 24 hours after launch and accrued an 11,000-person waitlist. One-third of the brand's customers have already invested in a second pair. And celebrities from Jane Fonda and Sofía Vergara to Reese Witherspoon and Suki Waterhouse have already been spotted wearing them. "The Sneex customer is responding to sneaker heels because they want height and wearability," the Sneex rep says. "Women want comfort, but they also want style. We don't believe they have to be mutually exclusive. This trend validates that women want shoes that combine fashion and functionality. As we head into 2025, we expect this demand to grow."
On that note, Sneex has released two new colorways for spring - The Blake in Lavender ($545) and the The Icon in Sand ($395) - the latter being the pair I stepped into on a lovely spring day when - spoiler - I discovered the most comfortable (heeled!) walking shoes I'd ever worn. Blakely sheds light on her meticulous design process, which effectively masters equal weight distribution, a wider toe box, and a smaller gap between the bottom of the foot and the sole of the shoe. The next question was: how would I style them? Ahead, you can read my full review of Sneex, which details what it's like to walk in them and touches on their versatility within anyone's wardrobe.
About Sneex
- It took eight years to create Sneex, which launched in August 2024 and are the product of Sara Blakely's mission to create the world's most comfortable high heel for women.
- The difference between Sneex and classic heels is a wider toe box; a 50/50 weight distribution between the ball and heel; and a smaller gap between the heel and toe for stability.
- Sneex are available in full sizes 5-11 and retail from $395-$595.
- They are currently offered in three different styles: The Icon, with a wide band at the upper and five colorways; The Blake, with two suede velcro straps and four colorways; and The Tepper, with a single velcro strap and three colorways.
- The heel is 78mm or just over three inches.
- Sneex have a rubber-like sole with tracking at the toe, are lined with 100 percent napa leather, and are made in Spain.
- You can purchase silk ankle socks or silk no-show socks on the site for lightweight options with the right grip to prevent sliding.
- You can finance your Sneex purchase with four interest-free installments.
- Sneex offers free ground shipping for orders over $50.
- Returns and exchanges are accepted within 14 days of receipt, with a $15 shipping fee on returns.
What I Like About Sneex
Sneex are without a doubt the most comfortable heels I've ever slipped my feet into, so rest assured founder Sara Blakely delivered on her mission. Not only are they supportive, they add noticeable bounce to my steps, which actually makes walking in high heels sort of . . . fun? And while I was first blanking on styling options, I found that these shoes actually work seamlessly with plenty of outfits in my wardrobe - at least on the casual end of the spectrum. They added both a sporty twist to a casual Friday look with jeans for the office and provided an unexpected touch of eccentricity to a retro-leaning weekend brunch look. What's more, I tried wearing them both with and without my own socks and experienced zero slippage, discomfort, or - the worst - blisters.
What to Consider Before Buying Sneex
Regrettably, Sneex only go up to a size 11. They also do not come in half sizes. However there is a helpful sizing guide on the site where the brand recommends sizing down to the next whole size if in-between sizes. That being said, I'm typically a 6.5 and tried on both the 6 and 7, and actually preferred the size 7 overall.
Perhaps I need not mention that the aesthetic of these heels are more sporty-casual than fancy-elegant, so they likely wouldn't work for events such as black tie weddings, upscale dinners, and the like - unless you're a particularly adventurous dresser. In that regard, the price point is on the higher end for a casual shoe - especially compared to some similar models on the market - but I will remind you that these heels proved much more versatile than I originally thought, and the quality/comfortability really does speak for itself.
Where Are Sneex Available to Shop?
Sneex are available to shop on the brand's website. Similar shoe silhouettes currently on the market include the Steve Madden Model ($130), Untitlab Black Lace Up Heel Sneakers ($345), Bershka High-Heel Slingback Soccer Shoes ($70), and Jeffrey Campbell Rally Up Statement Pump ($100, originally $185).
Rating
Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.
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