Solemates: Saving Heels From Gaps, Grass, and Cracks in the Pavement
Jeanne and I were headed to her family’s outdoor party this past weekend and I was trying to figure out what kind of heels I could get away with. The occasion was fairly dressy and I hate wearing flats, but it was mostly outside. I had visions of getting stuck in the patio pavement and hopelessly sinking 3 inches into the grass.
Then another friend mentioned Solemates, a clear plastic guard that fits at the bottom of your heel providing a wider base on which to stand and offering about an inch of protection from scraping. They were pretty widely carried, including a few miles from the party, so we planned to pick some up. I was skeptical but hopeful and packed both my slender 4 inch heels and my wedges.
The packaging is pretty unobtrusive, so I nearly missed it among all the Dr. Scholl’s offerings. They run about $10 a pair on the Solemates website, but we snagged them for $7.99 at Harmons (Bed, Bath, & Beyond).
So it turns out that their softer plastic, which means you’re not going to clack or clang your way on hard surfaces. They fit pretty snugly too, so if I got caught in a crack I don’t think I’ll be leaving it behind.
Are the clear ones unobtrusive? Not really. Most people didn’t notice them for the first couple of hours but they certainly weren’t invisible. If I was wearing black heels I think I would definitely try to get a black pair and I’d avoid the gold and silver glitter ones entirely. Are they ugly? No. The benefits of comfortably wearing beautiful heels instead of flats far outweighed the slight aesthetic cost.
 
Do they work? Yes. I pranced around in the soft ground for several hours and barely left an indent. On pavement it helped a bit, but not significantly. If there’s gaps larger than a normal heel width, you’re going to get stuck. However, for those small sidewalk cracks it’s going to be a huge help. Even if you do get stuck, your heel tip isn’t going to get wrenched off (my pet peeve) nor is the fabric of your heel going to get scuffed or dirty. Who hasn’t unconsciously walked around on a rainy day with clay caked on their heels at some point or another.
With replacing heel tips averaging $10 a pop, donning these whenever you’re hitting the streets or the backyards will make life easier and break even.
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Heels First is the travels and tribulations of two twenty-something frequent fliers jumping into the world of travel. Join Keri and Jeanne as they tackle mileage runs, elite status, and of course–the perfect travel accessories.
