Hotter Shoes has revealed that one in three UK women carry a comfortable pair of shoes with them to swap into because they are anticipating pain, according to a new survey.
Women who work, rest and play are going to great lengths to remain on their feet longer, despite 81 per cent admitting to experiencing pain by wearing killer heels on a night out. But don't think that it's just fashionistas suffering for their art as an incredible 46 per cent of women admitted to walking in comfortable shoes to meet friends then changing into killer heels at the last minute.
The study into the footwear choices of 2,000 women was conducted by comfortable shoe specialist, Hotter Shoes which is looking at what motivates women's shoe choices for occasions.
Lisa McCarten of Hotter Shoes said: "The research highlights the amount of pain women encounter in uncomfortable shoes but shows they are willing to do something about it – logically shoes that look good and feel fantastic are the answer."
She added: "We were astounded to find comfy shoes often being seen as 'handbag accessories' in women’s daily lives. Shoes shouldn’t have to be worn in - it should be a pleasure to put on a brand new pair of shoes not a pain. At Hotter we know that women want shoes that look good and make them feel fantastic whatever they are doing."
A staggering 84 per cent of women wear killer heels on a night out, despite only one in ten saying they can find comfortable high heels.
34 per cent of women anticipate experiencing pain from their shoes within an hour of leaving home and 60 per cent carry plasters because they expect a blister or cut. More than half have ended an evening bare foot as they couldn't walk further in their uncomfortable shoes.
Half of the women surveyed said they buy new shoes to take on holiday and almost 60 per cent of them have experienced pain whilst abroad.
One in three has had to buy another pair of shoes when out of the house due to the level of discomfort experienced in the shoes they were wearing. A third of women in the UK walk to work in a comfortable pair of flats before changing into heels at their desk.
About Hotter Shoes:
The company, which was established in 1959, now has one of the most successful production facilities anywhere in the world. The 'Comfort Concept' in every pair of women's shoes includes features such as smooth internal seams; removable insoles; soft leather uppers and soft padding. The 1.7 million pairs of shoes that will be designed and made in Hotter's UK factory this year have shock absorbing soles which contain millions of air bubbles that make the shoes incredibly light and give a feeling of walking on air.
Hotter shoes makes a range of womens shoes and mens shoes that are designed to look stylish but secretly hide a raft of comfort features including padding at heels; roomy toe boxes and removable insoles. The shoes made in the Lancashire factory have polyurethane soles that contain millions of tiny air bubbles, making them incredibly lightweight, flexible and shock absorbing. The company also manufactures work shoes and extra wide shoes, as well as several other ranges.
Melanie Killilea, Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes, 2 Peel Road, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 9PT, 01695 712720, www.hottershoes.com
