Alleviating aches and pains, the Sole Bliss Hero trainer is the supportive, smart-casual style I'm wearing on repeat

Autumn is here and I, for one, am excited about the prospect of putting some actual shoes back on. When it comes to footwear, regardless of the trainer trends for 2026, I am pretty loyal to my best white trainers, and I think after 20 years in fashion, I've worked out the best fits and styles that work for my wardrobe and my feet.

For me, having the most comfortable trainers is paramount, and while I don't want to compromise on style, I am at a point in my life where I simply won't tolerate discomfort either. White trainers are an intrinsic part of my everyday wardrobe. They go with pretty much everything and work year-round, and the Sole Bliss Hero trainer - available in six colourways really does live up to the hype.

Although the brand was created to meet the needs of those with bunions, the tech and design know-how Sole Bliss uses means the shoes are supportive, wider-than-average fit, anatomically designed, and with great cushioning for all-day comfort. With a host of celebrity fans, including Ruth Jones, Nigella Lawson and Dame Helen Mirren, this is a brand stars rely on both on and off the red carpet.

Available in six colourways, with everything from sleek tan suede to navy and white, there is a great choice on offer. I wore my Sole Bliss Hero trainers pretty solidly for a fortnight to give them a good run around, and wore them for everything from nipping to the shops to evenings out and long days taking public transport around London. So I really have put them to the test.

My first impression was that they were very stylish. I really liked the platform sole that made them feel a little more modern and added height whilst still being a trainer. They came with both white and a set of silver metallic laces, which echo the silver zip detailing and add a bit more fun to the classic, round-toe, tennis-style trainer.

Despite the wider fit, they actually look fairly slimline, which is a bonus. Although the zip fastening doesn't really negate the need to fumble with laces, because honestly, for the best support you do want to use both, they definitely help with the ergonomics.

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Sole Bliss Hero Leather Wide Fit Trainers: Comfort & Support

I think the support on the Sole Bliss Hero is brilliant. They look and, in many ways, feel like a fashion trainer, but with plenty of additional comfort and contouring technology. They definitely do need some wearing in, but are worth the perseverance. As they are more of a sleek, smart-casual shoe than a sporting style, the low-cut back doesn't have any cushioning, so at least on my part, socks (even trainer ones) are recommended.

I thought the zip would provide a shortcut to getting them on and off, but in truth, for the best fit and support, you do want to use both the zip and the laces. The zip is ideal for making them easy to put on, but then you do really want to unlace, or loosen the laces, to zip them back up and then re-tie them to get maximum support around your foot.

I don't have bunions, but I do have wide feet. I wouldn't say they were the widest trainers I've tried, but they did certainly offer a supportive fit that feels like it gently hugs your foot. A week in, my Sole Bliss Hero trainers actually got rid of a lot of foot pain that I now realise was from unsupportive summer shoes that were comfy to chuck on, but doing me no favours.

With minimal rubbing, after two weeks they definitely now feel worn in, and while I will always wear them with socks, I'm finding I can wear them for long periods and not have any pain when I take them off. I do miss the easy on-and-off that I've got with other shoes; these are certainly not a pair you can kick off, but I do really appreciate the support across the whole foot.

Sole Bliss Hero Leather Wide Fit Trainers: Style

If you're after a shoe for smart-casual outfit ideas, then the Sole Bliss Hero is a great option. In the classic all-over white, they are a timeless buy, and despite colourful trainers having a major fashion moment right now, I'm fairly sure that white trainers will come back bigger and stronger. And as a shoe that goes with everything, I have no plans to swap mine out for anything bolder right now.

I love the zip detailing echoed in the eyelets and in the metallic laces; it adds a little day sparkle and makes them feel slightly dressier, without compromising on those sporty nods. The platform sole is ideal for those who want the illusion of subtle height, with none of the inconvenience and pain of a heel.

Sole Bliss Hero Leather Wide Fit Trainers: Cleaning & Care

Crafted with a 100% leather sole and upper, these are very much a clean-with-water-and-a-microcloth kind of shoe. If you do need to clean them, I always suggest trying a small, discreet area, if you're looking to use water or products, to check that no marks are left.

Learning to clean white shoes is important, as the light colourway will always result in dirt and scuffs, and to keep your shoes looking their best, you will want to give them a brush or wipe down after most, if not every wear.

While I love a shoe I can just chuck in the washing machine - I do this all the time with my Vivaia sneakerinas, I do think the fit and support delivered by the Sole Bliss Hero is worth the washing machine sacrifice.

Sole Bliss Hero Leather Wide Fit Trainers: Verdict

My verdict on the Sole Bliss Hero Leather Wide Fit Trainers? Absolutely worth the money. At £189, they are pretty steep for a pair of white trainers, but having tested a lot of shoes and gathered quite a selection of white trainers, you really are paying for the comfort, contouring and support technology.

Like every shoe, everyone's feet are so different, but as a wide-footed woman, I have spent years struggling with shoes. And the recent foot pain I had experienced after a summer in sandals was almost instantly alleviated by the Sole Bliss Hero.

A trainer with style or substance, they might not be the widest, but despite this, there wasn't any side rubbing or painful side blisters, and they really do hide all the technology in the shoe, so no one will know your trainers come with an extra helping hand, as it were.

I already swear by the brand's heels, and it's clear why it has garnered a legion of celebrity and Royal fans, and these trainers have become my everyday go-to until boot season arrives.