Saturday, July 26, 2014

Review: Solemates High Heelers

A Bride On A Budget received these products for review. All thoughts and opinions belong to ABOAB.

I ended up with three pairs of shoes on my wedding day. It's not that I was trying to have a trio of costume changes for my feet and, honestly, I don't even think people knew. It was just that different parts of the day required different footwear, so I came prepared.

I started the day in my wedding heels. I wore them for the church ceremony and our bridal party photos (which we took on a boardwalk and then on a cobblestone street ... you know, great places for heels). Our reception venue was on the beach, so when we took photos out there, I wore white flip flops. And then, during the reception (when everyone was getting down on the dance floor), I changed into personalized Converse that Pete and I created ourselves.

Even though I only wore them for the first third of the wedding festivities, my poor wedding heels look beat up.

purple heels

The bottoms (where Pinterest tells me brides are supposed to have their bridesmaid sign their names) are completely scuffed up. The sole of the heel is pretty dark (although it did hold up pretty well considering Pete and I played a round of hopscotch during our photos).

What's troublesome to me is that the bottom of the heel itself is really dirty. The shoes I bought (and had dyed to match the bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's tuxedo vests and ties) aren't waterproof. I knew I wouldn't be running in the beach with them (although I did do a shoe change, just to be extra safe), but any sort of moisture ruined the dye. Not that anyone but me is really going to be inspecting the heels, but I'm sort of bummed.

It makes me wish I had Solemates High Heelers before my wedding

The High Heelers, made of plastic, are available in three sizes (narrow, classic, and wide) and four colors (clear, silver, black, and gold). The concept is simple: slide the Solemates High Heeler onto the heel and protect your heel from sinking into grass, getting ruined on cobblestone, and pretty much just keep you protect from normal (wedding) wear and tear.

I didn't have these until after my wedding, so I grabbed my wedding heels to try it out.

 solemates

The Solemates High Heeler wouldn't fit on my heel. I tried the classic first and it was too small, so I grabbed the wide. It, also, was too small and, I'm not sure how well you can see it, but it took a small bite out of my heel, leaving a white spot. My heart sunk. I quickly rubbed my finger on it to try to fix it, which pretty much did, and then I snapped this shot.

I figured that I might be better off testing these on a pair of heels that is less sentimental.

I grabbed my favorite pair of heels (which I actually ended up wearing for our rehearsal dinner, but since I've had them for years and wore them to tons of other occasions, I wouldn't be too upset if the heel got bit also).

I tried the narrow one first and though these heels appear thin, they're not thin enough. I grabbed the classic and those slid on easily.

solemates
The Solemates High Heelers give a lot of stability to the heel. It increases the size of the bottom of the heel substantially, which is cool. Because it creates a base platform, your heel won't sink into the grass (or, I would guess, cracks on the sidewalk too). It's a great concept and pretty undetectable as compared to its counterparts.
The Solemates Shoe Essentials pack would have definitely helped with the scuff on the bottom of my shoes. The pack contains a pair ball of foot cushions, a pair of heel cushions, and a pair of anti skid pads. The latter is what goes on the bottom of your shoe, which would definitely protect the base. I actually used Dr. Scholl's ball of foot cushions in my wedding heels to help a little bit with sizing and a little bit with slipping (or, well, making sure I didn't slip). I am obsessed with putting them in my heels. I use them all the time. They're removable, so I just switch them between pairs. The ones in the Solemates Shoe Essentials pack aren't removable, so make sure you put them in the right way when you use them (you'd think it's a no brainer, but in the intensity of wedding morning, my mom actually put them in my shoes upside down. So, there I was, wedding morning, about to walk out the door, stopped, plopped down in my wedding dress, flipping around ball of foot cushions.
wedding
Such a funny moment, caught by one of our amazing photographers (plus, what an unsuspecting shot of my shoes, huh?).

BRIDAL BABBLE: How often do you wear heels?

40 comments:

  1. I love the high heelers, probably clear :)

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  2. The high heelers are perfect. I am going to have an outdoor wedding and it has a lot of grass, definitely will be getting some for me and my girls.

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  3. high heelers. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net

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  4. Some great items - wonderful that they were sent to you to review - wish they had these 5 years ago when I got married!!

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  5. The Solemates sound like lifesavers for my feet! :)

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  6. My October 11th wedding includes lots of grassy areas and a slate paver garden path. This would be a great kit to share with the bridal party!

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  7. I could really use the Solemates Shoe Essentials.

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  8. These shoes are such a pretty color!

    Aria H.

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  9. I really love the Solemates High Heelers.

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  10. Oh, those look really cool! I've seen people talking about the heel covers, but those protections for the sole would also be really neat, especially with how you're talking about the wear.
    - Kat

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  11. Those High Heelers and the SOS kit look amazing!!! Even if I don't win, I'll be buying these and recommending them for my bridal party!!

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  12. I could definitely make use of the S.O.S. Shoe Rescue Kit

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  13. I'm getting these for all my girls since my wedding is on the grass, but I am on the fence about the kit because of my budget!!

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  14. the anti-skid pads in the Shoe Essentials are the most interesting to me! I hate when you have to scuff up soles before they're ready to be worn!

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  15. I would like to have the Complete Care Collection. I could use a little indulgence.

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  16. Solemates Shoe Essentials

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  17. These would be sooo helpful for me because I'm having an outdoor wedding!

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  18. This would be sooo helpful since we are having an outdoor wedding!

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  19. I would have to say the wedding SOS kit

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  20. i have to go with the solemates as being my favorite.

    danielle marie xdanimarie(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. I love all of their products! I really like that they have the foot care collection too!
    addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

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  22. I've seen these mentioned countless times as we have begun preparations for our big day, but have never used them. Though we are having an indoor ceremony we are planning pictures in a park/woods so I am thinking the High Heeler is going to be worn by myself and my 4 gals...I mean my shoes are like kids to me :-p gotta take care of them!

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  23. I would love the Solemates Shoe Care.
    Brittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com

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  24. I'm having an outdoor wedding on my parents farm so the high heelers would be perfect!

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  25. I like the SOS shoe rescue kit. These are great!

    arifamily

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  26. I like the black ones and I love the S.O.S. Shoe Rescue

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  27. I would also absolutely love the Complete Care Collection.

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  28. Holy cow, what a genius product! I like the SOS Wedding Rescue pack, my little sister is getting married in March and I guarantee I will be needing many of those items!

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  29. PS - I lovelovelove the colored shoes you picked!

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  30. The shoe bags are a cute idea. I am always traveling and it would be nice to have a separate little thing for my shoes.

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  31. I love the High Heelers Complete Collection

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