I Tried Sneex, the Viral Sneaker Heels by Spanx’s Founder

Regardless of what some folks might imagine, the return of sneaker heels — largely attributed to Sara Blakely, the inventor of world-renowned Spanx, and now Sneex — occurred accidentally. “Our founder didn’t got down to create a sneaker heel. She got down to create the world’s most snug excessive heel and that is the place the innovation led her,” a model rep says.

However, merely one yr in, the corporate can report that The Tepper in Silver ($595) offered out in simply 24 hours after launch and accrued an 11,000-person waitlist. One-third of the model’s prospects have already invested in a second pair. And celebrities from Jane Fonda and Sofía Vergara to Reese Witherspoon and Suki Waterhouse have already been noticed sporting them. “The Sneex buyer is responding to sneaker heels as a result of they need peak and wearability,” the Sneex rep says. “Girls need consolation, however in addition they need model. We do not consider they must be mutually unique. This development validates that ladies need footwear that mix style and performance. As we head into 2025, we count on this demand to develop.”

On that observe, Sneex has launched 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 stunning spring day when — spoiler — I found essentially the most snug (heeled!) strolling footwear I would ever worn. Blakely sheds mild on her meticulous design course of, which successfully masters equal weight distribution, a wider toe field, and a smaller hole between the underside of the foot and the only of the shoe. The subsequent query was: how would I model them? Forward, you possibly can learn my full evaluate of Sneex, which particulars what it is prefer to stroll in them and touches on their versatility inside anybody’s wardrobe.

About Sneex

What I Like About Sneex

Sneex are surely essentially the most snug heels I’ve ever slipped my ft into, so relaxation assured founder Sara Blakely delivered on her mission. Not solely are they supportive, they add noticeable bounce to my steps, which truly makes strolling in excessive heels kind of . . . enjoyable? And whereas I used to be first blanking on styling choices, I discovered that these footwear truly work seamlessly with loads of outfits in my wardrobe — not less than on the informal finish of the spectrum. They added each a sporty twist to an off-the-cuff Friday look with denims for the workplace and offered an surprising contact of eccentricity to a retro-leaning weekend brunch look. What’s extra, I attempted sporting them each with and with out my very own socks and skilled zero slippage, discomfort, or — the worst — blisters.

What to Contemplate Earlier than Shopping for Sneex

Regrettably, Sneex solely go as much as a dimension 11. Additionally they don’t are available in half sizes. Nonetheless there’s a useful sizing information on the location the place the model recommends sizing all the way down to the subsequent entire dimension if in-between sizes. That being mentioned, I am usually a 6.5 and tried on each the 6 and seven, and really most well-liked the scale 7 general.

Maybe I needn’t point out that the aesthetic of those heels are extra sporty-casual than fancy-elegant, in order that they doubtless would not work for occasions akin to black tie weddings, upscale dinners, and the like — until you are a very adventurous dresser. In that regard, the value level is on the upper finish for an off-the-cuff shoe — particularly in comparison with some comparable fashions available on the market — however I’ll remind you that these heels proved rather more versatile than I initially thought, and the standard/comfortability actually does communicate for itself.

The place Are Sneex Obtainable to Store?

Sneex can be found to buy on the model’s web site. Comparable shoe silhouettes at present available on the market embrace the Steve Madden Mannequin ($130), Untitlab Black Lace Up Heel Sneakers ($345), Bershka Excessive-Heel Slingback Soccer Sneakers ($70), and Jeffrey Campbell Rally Up Assertion Pump ($100, initially $185).

Ranking

★★★★☆

Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the affiliate director of Procuring at PS. With loads of expertise within the commerce market, a eager curiosity in web optimization, and 10 years as an editor on the model, she enjoys writing throughout the life-style and health-and-fitness classes. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Put on, Elite Every day, Byrdie, and The High quality Edit and goals to amplify minority voices in all her work.