Sneex. Is it a Sneaker? Is it a Shoe?
There comes a time in every woman’s life when comfort in footwear becomes non-negotiable. While I love the extra 2-3 inches of height heels provide—and let’s face it, they can absolutely make or break an outfit—finding heels that are truly comfortable has always been a challenge. For me, block heels and wedges are typically my go-to, but even those aren’t always guaranteed to be pain-free. So, when Sara Blakely announced she was reinventing stilettos to make them comfortable, I was intrigued. Comfort in a stiletto? Now that’s a game-changer. This woman is a genius.
When I first saw the ad for Sneex, my initial reaction was mixed. I thought, “Is this a sneaker-heel hybrid? This isn’t quite what I envisioned.” I wasn’t particularly excited by the look at first, to be honest. But as someone who understands the dedication and innovation that goes into creating a new product—after all, I’m a patent holder and inventor myself—I knew this wasn’t just about appearance. It reportedly took over ten years of research and development to bring Sneex to life. For that reason alone, I decided to invest in a pair, even at $400, to see if they lived up to their promise of comfort.
First Impressions: Breaking the Mold
When my Sneex arrived, I captured the unboxing on video. My reaction? “I’ve never seen anything like this before.” And I meant it. At first glance, I thought these shoes might only work for a business-casual look, perhaps paired with slacks. A dress or skirt seemed out of the question. But after some thought, I realized the key to styling Sneex is reverse engineering your outfit—start with the shoes and build from there.
Since my wardrobe is primarily black (a habit I’ve had since my teenage years, much to my mother’s dismay), I opted for the black Icon style. This shade fits seamlessly into my closet, allowing for easy integration with my go-to looks.
The Real Test: Comfort Meets Style in Las Vegas
My first true test of Sneex was at a trade show in Las Vegas, where I wore them all day long. To my surprise and delight, my feet didn’t hurt by the end of the day! Normally, after a few hours, I’d be desperate to switch to flats—at that point, I no longer care about the aesthetic, just the relief. But with Sneex, I made it through the day pain-free, which is a rare feat for heels.
For the occasion, I styled the Sneex with a simple Michael Kors dress, a black-and-white silk scarf, Kate Spade earrings, and my white Gia Mini Tote (designed by yours truly, of course). The result? A classic, comfortable, slightly sporty, and professional look. To top it off, I received plenty of compliments on both the Sneex and the Gia Mini Tote, proving I had successfully pulled off the outfit. My Ferragamo sunglasses added that final touch of chic as I navigated the streets of Vegas.
Innovation Isn’t Always About the First Impression
Here’s the thing: not everyone loves the look of Sneex, and I understand that. As human beings, we like to categorize things neatly—do they go into the sneaker bucket or stiletto bucket? The truth is, Sneex don’t fit into either bucket, and that’s what makes them revolutionary. They’re breaking the mold, just like the Macintosh Classic did back in the day.
When Steve Jobs introduced the Mac Classic, it wasn’t sleek or sexy by today’s standards, but it could do things no other PC could. It even greeted us with a friendly “HELLO!” Fast forward to today, and we have ultra-stylish laptops and iPhones that have evolved from that original innovation. I see Sneex following a similar path. The first version may not be the pinnacle of style for everyone, but it solves the biggest problem heels have always had—comfort.
Looking to the Future of Sneex
I can’t wait to see what Sneex evolves into. Whether it’s Sneex 2.0, 5.0, or beyond, I’m confident this is just the beginning of something much bigger. Now that the comfort challenge has been conquered, Sneex can focus on refining the style and pushing boundaries even further. Perhaps the future holds designs that will appeal to more traditional tastes, or maybe they’ll continue to disrupt the way we think about footwear altogether.
What matters is that the foundation has been laid. Comfort and innovation are now intertwined in a way they’ve never been before in heels, and that opens the door to endless possibilities. This isn’t just about the shoes we have today—it’s about what’s coming next.
