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

Regardless of what some individuals 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.

Nonetheless, 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 clients 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 carrying them. “The Sneex buyer is responding to sneaker heels as a result of they need peak and wearability,” the Sneex rep says. “Ladies need consolation, however in addition they need type. We do not imagine they need to be mutually unique. This development validates that girls need sneakers that mix vogue and performance. As we head into 2025, we anticipate this demand to develop.”

On that word, 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 probably the most snug (heeled!) strolling sneakers I would ever worn. Blakely sheds gentle 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 type 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 unquestionably probably 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 type of . . . enjoyable? And whereas I used to be first blanking on styling choices, I discovered that these sneakers truly work seamlessly with loads of outfits in my wardrobe — at the very least on the informal finish of the spectrum. They added each a sporty twist to an informal 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 carrying them each with and with out my very own socks and skilled zero slippage, discomfort, or — the worst — blisters.

What to Think about Earlier than Shopping for Sneex

Regrettably, Sneex solely go as much as a measurement 11. Additionally they don’t are available in half sizes. Nevertheless there’s a useful sizing information on the positioning the place the model recommends sizing all the way down to the following complete measurement if in-between sizes. That being stated, I am sometimes a 6.5 and tried on each the 6 and seven, and truly 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 equivalent 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 related fashions available on the market — however I’ll remind you that these heels proved far more versatile than I initially thought, and the standard/comfortability actually does communicate for itself.

The place Are Sneex Out there 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 Footwear ($70), and Jeffrey Campbell Rally Up Assertion Pump ($100, initially $185).

Score

★★★★☆

Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the affiliate director of Procuring at PS. With loads of expertise within the commerce market, a eager curiosity in search engine optimisation, and 10 years as an editor on the model, she enjoys writing throughout the approach to life 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.