Are Sneaker-Heels the Future? We’re Leaning Towards “Yes”

These sneakers would be so much better if they were three inches off the floor. The thought might not have ever crossed your mind, but it’s part of what inspired Sara Blakely’s polarizing sneaker-heel brand, Sneex.

Well, not exactly that thought. Rather, Blakely wanted to wear heels that felt like sneakers. “I’ve been publicly saying someone should invent a comfortable high heel and I just kept waiting,” Blakely told Vogue in an August interview. “I’m not waiting anymore. Clearly, this is not on anyone’s agenda.” So, the pursuit of more comfortable footwear became the top-line item on her own. And Sneex was born, sneaker-heel cyborgs combine a slip-on trainer’s rubber-like sole and upper (made from Italian mesh, in case you were wondering) with a going-out pump’s skinny, three-inch stiletto.

Blakely is no stranger to a billion-dollar idea, having founded Spanx in 2000 with $5,000 of her own savings. She dreamt up Spanx after using her own control-top pantyhose to smooth out her silhouette before a party. She hopes Sneex will similarly fill a gap in the market: the perfect shoe for when you want a slightly dressier alternative to sneakers that aren’t quite as OTT as stilettos. The shoe’s aesthetics inspire divisive reactions, but whatever your opinion on the style may be, they mainly claim to be comfortable, with added arch support and engineering for proper weight distribution.

But are Sneex really less painful than standard heels? After wearing a pair to New York Fashion Week, an editor at the Cut says “my feet were screaming” — but she was wearing the wrong size. While we haven’t been able to secure our own pair of the $395 (and up) shoes yet, we asked a podiatrist whether sneaker-heels are indeed the healthier choice for your feet, or if they’re just a fashion statement.

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Sidney Weiser, DPM, is the founder of Quality Podiatry Group.

Are Sneaker-Heels Better For Your Feet?

“You might get smiles, looks, and stares as you wear your new high-heeled sneakers. But be careful — adding a high heel to a sneaker can cause the same imbalance as a high-heeled pump, and you may experience foot pain, back pain, imbalance issues, and possible trauma,” says Sidney Weiser, DPM, founder of Quality Podiatry Group. “Sneakers allow the toes more freedom of movement, less crowding, less rubbing, and less irritation to hammertoes and bunions. On the other hand, high heels cause inherent imbalance, and for many [people], though they look good, they are not necessarily comfortable.”

Still, many people clearly find the Sneex in particular appealing, with several sizes already sold out on the brand’s website. While the buyers may just be fans of the shoe’s unique look, Dr. Weiser says that for some, sneaker-heels may be more comfortable than traditional heels due to features like the higher and wider toe box.

Are Sneaker-Heels the Next Big Footwear Trend?

There may be an initial temptation to write sneaker-heel hybrids off as absurd or impractical. But Sneex isn’t necessarily worried about mass appeal. With price tags ranging from $395 to $595, the sneaker-heels (sneals?) are being marketed as a “luxury hybrid stiletto.” And, again, with some pairs already selling out, it’s clear that they’ve got a healthy market on lock.

That said, the concept isn’t entirely groundbreaking. We’ve seen past versions of heeled sneakers with Isabel Marant’s sneaker wedges, Miu Miu’s heeled soccer cleats, and Simone Rocha’s platform Crocs. Given the ongoing rise in athleisure and the enduring love for the ugly shoe trend, it’s certainly looking like sneaker-heels are the future.

Although the comfort of Sneex continues to be disputed, there’s something about an ugly shoe (no disrespect) that feels hard to resist. Will these end up being the most timeless shoes in your closet? Probably not. But at the very least, you’ll stand out from the crowd . . . and that’s something you might fall head over sneaker-heels for.

Chandler Plante is an assistant editor for PS Health & Fitness. Previously, she worked as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributed to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group. In her free time, she overshares on the internet, creating content about chronic illness, beauty, and disability.