Review: Nova Trainers from Hotter Shoes

AD/Gifted. Last week two things happened. Firstly my favourite pair of trainers fell apart; then I got an email from Hotter Shoes to say I’d won a pair of shoes at the Blog On Conference and would I like to visit my local Hotter store and pick out a pair. This is a classic case of the universe taking away with one hand, and giving something better with the other. “Yes”, nice Hotter lady, “I would indeed like to pick out a new pair of shoes”. So off we went to Bury near Manchester on a new shoe mission.

I visited the Hotter store during their “Fit Fortnight” (13th to 27th May); two weeks designed to help their customers find perfectly fitting shoes by measuring their feet and providing expert advice. Hotter shoes come in sizes 3 to 9 with some half sizes and extra width fitting options; so they’re pretty sure they can find the best Hotter shoe for you.

Nova Trainers from Hotter Shoes

We arrived bright and early as the Bury store was opening and we were welcomed in. They boys, whose main role was to sit quietly and grunt appreciation at my feet made themselves comfortable on the sofa and I explained my needs to the lovely shop assistants.

“I need some new trainers, my old ones have died”, said I, and I was pointed in the direction of the Hotter trainers. There were lots of different styles to choose from. I am heavily sold on the Hotter trainers which come with a memory-foam insole. My dodgy back prefers the cushioning and can really tell the difference between walks I’ve had wearing Hotter trainers and walks I’ve had with normal trainers. Thankfully they have pretty much rolled the memory-foam insole out throughout their range.

Nova Trainers from Hotter Shoes

I have recently had my feet measured by Hotter, so I knew I was a 6.5, but preferred the 7 because my toes enjoy some wriggle room. I picked out a few different styles to try on and so began my brief modelling career. The boys grunted appreciatively in all the right places, but I ended up plumping for the Hotter Nova, one of the cheaper options. Not because of the price, or especially the style, but because they were by far the most comfortable.

The Nova Trainers are described as everyday active trainers, which seem just the thing for me. I wear special dance trainers for my dance classes down the gym, but I walk miles everyday with the dog, and to and from school; so everyday active trainers are exactly what I needed.

The Nova Trainers are so comfortable, they’re like walking on air. They fit well and hug my foot well in all the right places. I opted for the navy blue colour which I thought was a really smart option and would look great with jeans. The Nova also come in Pebble Grey and Mauve Multi. They do look great with jeans, don’t they? They cost £59 and I reckon I’ll be buying another pair because my back is really enjoying me wearing them.

Nova Trainers from Hotter Shoes

Hotter have recently launched the Hotter App which is free to download. You can use it to create wish-lists, see how other people style their shoes and access exclusive discounts and sales.

If your feet like being comfortable in nice shoes, you should check out Hotter Shoes online, or visit your nearest Hotter Store.

Disclosure: I was given a pair of Nova trainers in exchange for this review. All images and opinions are my own.

Walking for health with Hotter Shoes

Regular readers will know I have a bad back, it’s so bad that it’s probably going to be fused sometime this year so I have to be careful about what kind of shoes I wear. I can’t wear heels or anything especially frivolous, but that’s fine because heels and frivolity aren’t much called for on the school run. I’ve had my eye on a nice pair of Hotter Shoes for a while, so I was really excited when these beauties turned up in the post.

Aren’t they beautiful? They’re called Star and they are described as a “smart ladies sports shoe”. For me they are a really comfy pair of trainers. I do a lot of walking, so a good, comfortable, supportive trainer is essential. It has a deep PU sole which is filled with millions of tiny air bubbles which help give the shoe a bit of bounce.

I wore them out and about on the school run, visiting a couple of clients, going out for coffee with friends and for a leisure walk I try and do a couple of times a week for exercise. These lovely trainers from Hotter Shoes were really comfortable and supportive. Not only that but they look seriously great, one sporty Mum asked me if they were high performance trainers and several other people commented on how cool they looked.

They certainly turn heads but for the right reasons. Admittedly I did choose what I thought was the funkiest colour available, in my favourite colours, teal and navy so they do match approximately 80% of my wardrobe anyway. I love them, I really love them.

Made in England, this shoe has a suede like upper which is made from Microfibre and leather and the sole is Polyurethane, and has contrast stitching which I love. I take a UK size 7 standard width fitting. These are a really good fit, comfortable to walk and run in with no wiggle or rubbing, new shoes always rub me but these didn’t. I wore them for six hours on the first day and they were comfortable from when I put them on to when I took them off.

Importantly for me, some shoes can alter my posture which makes my back hurt more than usual, the supportive nature of these helped me stand correctly and they didn’t increase my pain levels, for this reason and because they look so darn good too, I’ll be treating myself to more Hotter Shoes in the future. Honestly, they feel like your feet are having a lovely warm hug.

Note: I was sent a pair of Hotter Shoes free of charge for review purposes. All images and opinions are my own.

Fitness Shoe Review: Avon Workout Trainers

My friendly neighbourhood Avon lady dropped round my order this morning. I was excited, not just because I like getting goodies, but because I’d ordered the new Avon Workout Trainers and was keen to see what the fuss was about.

Avon describe them as –

“Everyday trainers designed for low impact on joints with increased comfort. Thermoplastic and polyurethane. Super grip flexible sole to provide traction on multiple surfaces. Helps encourage leg muscles to work harder. Designed to help improve overall balance and posture.”

What do I think about the Avon workout trainers?

I was a big fan of their fit-flop style flip flops but having recently had some back surgery I was excited to try these out. Plus the trainers were on offer at only £20, how could I resist?

Fitness Shoe Review: Avon Workout Trainers

My first impression of these Avon workout trainers was they were very pink. I’m not really a pink kinda girl but I’ll soldier on with these. I gave them a good look at all over and noted that the sole was slightly rounded, similar to MBTs but not quite as defined. This would be really great for my back and my posture as I’ve been hunched for months and need encouragement to stand up straight.

I popped them on and they were comfortable, they seem a good size and fit. Because of the rounded soles they took a little bit of getting used to; but after a couple of trips up and down the stairs and round the house it was time to road test them.

I didn’t walk far because I can’t walk far yet, but immediately I noticed my general posture was improved. I was standing and walking straighter and taller. I’m really weak after my surgery but I could feel a pull in my stomach and bum muscles. I know I’ll never look like Jessica Ennis, but I reckon if I wore these for a little while each day they’d help get me stronger quicker than regular trainers would.

I like these Avon workout trainers, I like them a lot. They are very pink, but I imagine Avon will eventually do them in another colour. They are called workout trainers but I wouldn’t wear them to the gym. There isn’t enough bounce in them to protect your joints properly; but they’d be great for pottering about in and doing all the things you do as a busy Mum. Plus for just £20 you can’t go far wrong.