United Kingdom 
Insolia Comfy Heels Challenge
What is Insolia®?
Insolia® was developed after ten years of research by a world renowned podiatrist. He discovered that high heel shoe discomfort was due to foot alignment and weight distribution.
When a woman stands in a high heel shoe she effectively stands on a ramp. What happens is all the weight is shifted forward directly onto the ball of the foot. Over prolonged periods of time, the load is magnified to the point of discomfort.
Using state-of-the-art pressure mapping technology, the exact angles and contours for the optimal interior of the shoe were calculated and formed into a clever insert which is then incorporated into shoes. The contours of the insert cradle the foot reducing the weight shift problem by distributing the wearer's weight more effectively.
Rather than to hide or pad the pressure, we change it with a patented formula which fundamentally changes the inside of high heel shoes, shifting weight off the ball of the foot back to the heel. It actually feels like you’re wearing much lower heels. This weight shift improves body alignment and balance dramatically reducing leg and lower back fatigue while reducing pressure on the ball of the foot.
The Challenge
Every woman dreams of owning a pair of gorgeous heels that don’t kill their feet. With the Insolia® range promising just this, we’ve put it to the test. After spending an entire day in a pair of high heels, four of the UK’s top fashion bloggers review the Insolia® range. See how they rate them out of five!
"When I heard that M&S had launched a comfy shoe I said this cannot be true. I love heels anything that will make me look taller.”
Read full review"Much as it pains me to admit it, I have a bit of a rocky relationship with high heels. My feet are on the wide side, which in practice means I could never wear at least half the shoes I write about and admire - in particular the heels”
Read full review"I have a ridiculous amount of '2 hour heels' and by this I mean, I know that after 2 hours, its game over for my entire outfit .have to pack flats into the handbag along with the mandatory gel pads and plasters just to make it through the 2 hours of hell before i give in and get into the flats!”
Read full review"I have a confession to make...I don't really like heels. I know, you're all probably thinking "WHAT?!" but seriously, the pain outweighs the height benefits (and god knows I need that)”
Read full reviewStyleCartel
About: Style Cartel is a blogzine headed up by editor Charlotte Smith. The online publication reports on fashion and beauty trends via a mix of contributors with a range of talents, ages, opinions and styles.
Style Cartel rates Insolia
When I heard that M&S had launched a comfy shoe I said this cannot be true.
My girlfriend who lives in Paris loves M&S and encouraged me to take on the Insolia Comfy Killer Heels Test. So I thought why not. Off to Paris and back I went with the Red suede numbers that M&S wanted me to try.
I usually prefer a platform because I also cannot walk in heels, but the shoes were really comfy and the heel was not bad at all. It gave me the height and comfort to walk and enjoy the sun. I spent the entire day in the shoes with no side effects. Wow a shoe like this cannot be possible!
Shoewawa
About: Shoewawa is one of the world's leading women's shoe blogs and editor Abi Silvester certainly knows a thing or two about shoes!
Shoewawa rates Insolia
Much as it pains me to admit it, I have a bit of a rocky relationship with high heels. My feet are on the wide side, which in practise means I could never wear at least half the shoes I write about and admire – in particular the heels, which tend to force weight forward on to the shoes. A few years back I got so frustrated with my failed attempts to wear heels that I all but gave up wearing them.
A few weeks ago, I heard about a new type of heel on the market that was made to be comfortable but look great at the same time - the killer heel that doesn't kill. It sounded too good to be true of course, as this was not the first time I'd heard such a claim being made. But determined in my quest to find such a combination, I gave them a try. The shoes were from Marks & Spencer's 'Insolia®' range and the pair I chose were cut very elegantly, with a substantial heel and a dainty bow detail.
I took my Insolia® shoes along to a Broadway Premiere in New York I happened to be attending last week (a lucky coincidence; my life is not always this glamorous!) and am happy to report that they were the perfect choice for evening shoes: smart and stylish enough to look great with an evening dress, but comfortable enough for me to make a spirited dash for a taxi at the end of the night. By contrast my old heels, which I wore this morning to make a comparison, restrict my movement far more; a problem I was not aware of until I'd tried both styles. The Insolia® shoes have a springiness to them that my older pair do not, which prevents that horrible 'rigid' feeling when trying to move quickly in heels. While running for a bus en route to work this morning I certainly longed for the Insolia® pair.
Notting Hill Girl
About: Noting Hill girl is a fashion blogger originally from Melbourne Australia now living in London. Her Blog is a personal style diary as well as talking about her love for the latest fashion trends.
Notting Hill Girl rates Insolia
I have a bit of a confession to make… I don’t really like heels. I know, you're all probably thinking "WHAT?!" but seriously, the pain outweighs the height benefits (and god knows I need that).
When M&S asked if I would like to take the Insolia® comfy killer heels test, I jumped at the chance! As I like a bit of leopard print, I chose the 4.5 inch Black Suede T-Bar platforms below and kept a diary of my experience:
1.30pm: Put shoes on to walk down the street to get lunch. The shoes instantly feel more comfortable than normal heels, and I don't feel as wobbly as I normally do. Comfort = 4.5/5
3pm: After lunch on Westbourne Grove, I walk home and head out to Soho to meet a friend for drinks. Comfort = 4.5/5
3.30pm: Meet friend and realise restaurant we want to go to is shut on Sundays so walk around for 20mins looking for a replacement. Comfort = 4/5
6.30pm: After sitting in bar for 3 hours catching up, we head to another bar to meet her housemate which is about 10mins away. Comfort 4/5
9.30pm: Getting a little worse for wear so call boyfriend to pick me up. Comfort = 3.5/5
10pm: Arrive home and surprisingly aren't ripping off my heels as usual. After hours of wearing the heels I would rate them a 3.5/5 when I would rate my normal heels 0/5 after hours of wear! I would definitely recommend trying them out. NHG x
Mynewbestfriends
About: Mynewbestfriends is a fashion focused blog written by founder and editor Karena Sedgwick. The blog is filled with style tips from a hectic, workaholic social butterfly bringing you daily entertainment on latest trends.
My New Best Friends rates Insolia
The dream of every woman in heels is to have a pair they can run around in all day without getting sore feet, blisters or discomfort. I have a ridiculous amount of '2 hour heels' and by this I mean, I know that after 2 hours, it’s game over for my entire outfit! I have to pack flats into the handbag along with the mandatory gel pads and plasters just to make it through the 2 hours of hell before I live in and get into the flats!
When M&S announced the launch of their 'Insolia® Technology' shoes (a range of shoes designed to give you 'all day comfort') I couldn’t wait to try them out.
06:30 – I'm sceptical and therefore the usual daily pumps and emergency kit is packed away in the D&G bag for the day. I worry as I put them on as I have slightly wide feet and without prior ‘wearing shoes in’ can lead to a disastrous situation!
07:30 – These heels fit my wide clown feet perfectly and you can instantly feel a cushioned softness on the ball of your feet.
12:10 – Wowser, it's lunchtime and I have been dashing about all over the office, more speed, less haste today and not one whinge to my colleagues as yet.
14:30 – Went for a stroll at lunch, apart from navigating my way through cobbled streets, not one pinch of uncomfort.
19:30 - Heels still on, and I’m not just saying it! They actually are... I just got home to work, and my flats are still packed in my bag as I haven’t needed them all day. Marks & Spencer, you have done me proud.
