Spanx Founder Sara Blakely Introduces Sneex, a Sneaker-Heel Hybrid Starting at $395 a Pair

Mar. 15, 2025

Sara Blakely.Photo:Kristian Schuller; Leslie UnruhThe creator of Spanx is on a mission to reinvent women’s shoes — and she’s not giving up fashion for function.Sara Blakely, who founded the revolutionary shapewear company in 2000, is introducingSneex, a sneaker-heel hybrid that “blends the style of a traditional high heel with the performance and comfort of a sneaker,” per a press release.Sneexsets out to solve three major pain points of the typical high heel design — lack of support, unequal weight distribution and the squeezing of the toes.“Men invented the high heel centuries ago, and its basic construction hasn’t really changed,” Blakely says via press release. “There has been a void in comfortable footwear, and women deserve a new option. I wanted to create a luxury high heel that prioritizes how women feel, not just how we look.“She continues, “We are fed the line that ‘beauty is pain’… but I don’t believe it has to be. As a consumer, I have wanted to solve this problem for years.”Sneex.Leslie UnruhBuy on for $545The businesswoman also said that Sneex was born out of her personal desire for a more elevated sneaker option that didn’t previously exist.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Sara Blakely.Kristian Schuller“Consumers are dressing much more casually now,” she says. “While sneakers have been embraced as an option, there are many times I put on clothes and still want the height and look of a heel with the vibe of a sneaker. There was an opportunity there.“The patent-pending design, available in three styles and ten colorways onSneex.com, features fine napa leather and suede from Italy and Spain. Sneex are handcrafted in Spain with prices ranging from $395 (for styles likeThe Icon) to $595 (The Tepper) in whole sizes ranging from 5 to 11.Sneex.Leslie UnruhBuy Now for $395Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.As is the ethos behind Spanx, Blakely put comfort at the forefront of Sneex in a way that challenges long-upheld ideals in the fashion industry.“You have to try them on to feel the magic hidden inside,” she says. “Women either cry, dance or take off running. They can’t believe it’s a 3-inch heel!”

Sara Blakely.Photo:Kristian Schuller; Leslie Unruh

Kristian Schuller; Leslie Unruh

The creator of Spanx is on a mission to reinvent women’s shoes — and she’s not giving up fashion for function.Sara Blakely, who founded the revolutionary shapewear company in 2000, is introducingSneex, a sneaker-heel hybrid that “blends the style of a traditional high heel with the performance and comfort of a sneaker,” per a press release.Sneexsets out to solve three major pain points of the typical high heel design — lack of support, unequal weight distribution and the squeezing of the toes.“Men invented the high heel centuries ago, and its basic construction hasn’t really changed,” Blakely says via press release. “There has been a void in comfortable footwear, and women deserve a new option. I wanted to create a luxury high heel that prioritizes how women feel, not just how we look.“She continues, “We are fed the line that ‘beauty is pain’… but I don’t believe it has to be. As a consumer, I have wanted to solve this problem for years.”Sneex.Leslie UnruhBuy on for $545The businesswoman also said that Sneex was born out of her personal desire for a more elevated sneaker option that didn’t previously exist.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Sara Blakely.Kristian Schuller“Consumers are dressing much more casually now,” she says. “While sneakers have been embraced as an option, there are many times I put on clothes and still want the height and look of a heel with the vibe of a sneaker. There was an opportunity there.“The patent-pending design, available in three styles and ten colorways onSneex.com, features fine napa leather and suede from Italy and Spain. Sneex are handcrafted in Spain with prices ranging from $395 (for styles likeThe Icon) to $595 (The Tepper) in whole sizes ranging from 5 to 11.Sneex.Leslie UnruhBuy Now for $395Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.As is the ethos behind Spanx, Blakely put comfort at the forefront of Sneex in a way that challenges long-upheld ideals in the fashion industry.“You have to try them on to feel the magic hidden inside,” she says. “Women either cry, dance or take off running. They can’t believe it’s a 3-inch heel!”

The creator of Spanx is on a mission to reinvent women’s shoes — and she’s not giving up fashion for function.

Sara Blakely, who founded the revolutionary shapewear company in 2000, is introducingSneex, a sneaker-heel hybrid that “blends the style of a traditional high heel with the performance and comfort of a sneaker,” per a press release.

Sneexsets out to solve three major pain points of the typical high heel design — lack of support, unequal weight distribution and the squeezing of the toes.

“Men invented the high heel centuries ago, and its basic construction hasn’t really changed,” Blakely says via press release. “There has been a void in comfortable footwear, and women deserve a new option. I wanted to create a luxury high heel that prioritizes how women feel, not just how we look.”

She continues, “We are fed the line that ‘beauty is pain’… but I don’t believe it has to be. As a consumer, I have wanted to solve this problem for years.”

Sneex.Leslie Unruh

Leslie Unruh

Buy on for $545

The businesswoman also said that Sneex was born out of her personal desire for a more elevated sneaker option that didn’t previously exist.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Sara Blakely.Kristian Schuller

Kristian Schuller

“Consumers are dressing much more casually now,” she says. “While sneakers have been embraced as an option, there are many times I put on clothes and still want the height and look of a heel with the vibe of a sneaker. There was an opportunity there.”

The patent-pending design, available in three styles and ten colorways onSneex.com, features fine napa leather and suede from Italy and Spain. Sneex are handcrafted in Spain with prices ranging from $395 (for styles likeThe Icon) to $595 (The Tepper) in whole sizes ranging from 5 to 11.

Buy Now for $395

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As is the ethos behind Spanx, Blakely put comfort at the forefront of Sneex in a way that challenges long-upheld ideals in the fashion industry.

“You have to try them on to feel the magic hidden inside,” she says. “Women either cry, dance or take off running. They can’t believe it’s a 3-inch heel!”

See More from PEOPLE ShoppingThis $27 Nylon Tote Bag ‘Holds So Much’ — Even a Change of Clothes and ShoesWayfair’s Coastal-Inspired Furniture Storefront Has Pieces to Revamp Your Patio for Spring — Up to 60% OffThe 50 Best Amazon Deals Happening This St. Patrick’s Day Weekend — Starting at $7

See More from PEOPLE Shopping

This $27 Nylon Tote Bag ‘Holds So Much’ — Even a Change of Clothes and ShoesWayfair’s Coastal-Inspired Furniture Storefront Has Pieces to Revamp Your Patio for Spring — Up to 60% OffThe 50 Best Amazon Deals Happening This St. Patrick’s Day Weekend — Starting at $7

This $27 Nylon Tote Bag ‘Holds So Much’ — Even a Change of Clothes and Shoes

Wayfair’s Coastal-Inspired Furniture Storefront Has Pieces to Revamp Your Patio for Spring — Up to 60% Off

The 50 Best Amazon Deals Happening This St. Patrick’s Day Weekend — Starting at $7

source: people.com