These heels were made for walking.
The science-focused women’s footwear brand Vionic, owned by Caleres, has used its expert knowledge of biomechanics and foot health to create what it calls the “most walkable heel ever invented,” slated for release in February.
The forthcoming footwear options hail from the brand’s VioLab, or Vionic Innovation Lab, which was launched last year with eleven professionals helming the initiative, including podiatrists, a sports chiropractor and a fitness expert.
One of Vionic’s upcoming heel silhouettes.
Robert Bomgardner
“This is for women who value form, function and style in equal measure,” Natelle Baddeley, senior vice president and chief design and product officer at Caleres, told Footwear News. “It’s less about age and more about mindset. She cares how a shoe looks, but she’s equally attuned to how it supports her life in motion.”
Vionic’s upcoming heel styles utilize the new trademarked Vio Motion VI technology to enhance the experience of walking in heels, which, famously, can be a perilous and uncomfortable task for those who bear the challenge. The technology was created through extensive research, Baddeley explained.
“We set out with a very specific design intention. While we’ve always had some form of dress shoes in our collection, we never specifically went into R&D to apply our legacy science and VioLab medical experts to solve specifically for dress shoes,” she said.
The process to create the “most walkable heel” began with asking questions related to topics like foot position and finding the ideal pitch, Baddeley explained.
“Over 18 months, our team collaborated with biomechanical experts and podiatrists to reengineer how a heel supports the body,” she said. “Every component — inside and out — was evaluated to improve alignment, stability and pressure distribution. The result is a collection that feels noticeably different the moment you put it on.”
Baddeley also shared that Vionic learned how the foot changes position when elevated on a heel. “The biomechanics of walking in heels require targeted support in specific zones to maintain alignment and balance. This informed everything from the multidensity cushioning pattern to the metatarsal dome placement and outsole flexibility. We designed for the entire gait cycle so the shoe could move naturally with the wearer,” she said.
Vionic decided to launch this product now, as the company sees a shift in women’s footwear expectations. “They’re not willing to sacrifice health or movement for style. Launching now allows us to meet that demand with a truly differentiated product: a heel that reflects both where the market is heading and where our brand has been investing in innovation. Additionally, the collection is perfectly timed to meet the increased demand for dress that Caleres is seeing in the market as more companies return to the office,” Baddeley said.
Baddeley also communicated that Vionic aims to serve faithful customers with their new products but also sees this latest innovation as a way to spark fresh conversations with retailers, allowing the brand to strengthen relationships and create new opportunities.
Comfortable and practical footwear is often associated with a sacrifice of style, but Vionic worked to fuse fashion and function into these heel creations. Offering three silhouettes, the collection encompasses a pump, a slingback and a sandal.
One of Vionic’s upcoming heel silhouettes.
Robert Bomgardner
“We designed from the inside out and the outside in simultaneously,” Baddeley said. “While the biomechanics team perfected alignment, cushioning and support, the design team focused on creating silhouettes that are modern, versatile and beautifully made. We used premium leathers and glove‑like uppers to ensure the shoe flatters the foot while delivering an effortless fit. The goal was for the technology to disappear visually, leaving only a heel that’s elegant, understated and wearable.”
Former professional volleyball player Gabrielle Reece, who was announced as Vionic’s first well-being ambassador earlier this year, will model the walkable heels for a spring campaign. She also has her own Gabby sneaker coming out with the brand soon.
