Air & Grace Sadie platform shoes review

We expect a lot from our coaches. These are the shoes you switch to when the ballet flats you’re trying to break into are honestly breaking you, and the style you choose most days.

Technical data

Price: 189 pounds

Size range: Great Britain 3-9.5 (36-43)

Clasp: Lace-up

Upper/sole material: Leather upper and lining, rubber sole on a 4 cm platform

I must admit that I am a novice when it comes to platform trainers. I usually stick to flat soles and expect to feel like a Spice Girl when paired with a 4-inch platform. But Sadie’s Air & Grace shoes proved me very, very wrong indeed.

If you’re looking for comfortable sneakers that deliver both style and quality, these are sleek and sophisticated styles that you can wear to the office or out to dinner without feeling the least bit sloppy. And they give you extra height – what’s not to love? It’s much more than just a backup option you can dress up as.

As the logo suggests, Air & Grace produces feather-light shoes and sneakers loved by stars such as Alison Hammond and Trinny Woodall.

The brand is celebrating ten years of producing comfortable shoes this year and may give big brands like Adidas and Superga a chance to buy sports shoes.

Air & Grace Sadie platform sneakers: comfort and support

I immediately did what I’m sure you do NO what to do when putting on new sneakers: walk a mile in them! For a moment I thought the heel was starting to rub, but it was actually my sock, and once I got over it, the padded suede heel was a dream.

The padding is what really stands out here. The sides under the ankle and even the tongue have extremely flexible lining, making them very comfortable.

I would say that I think the size is a bit smaller, as is often the case with sports shoes. I am a UK size 3.5 and chose a 4, but in hindsight I could have chosen a size up, especially if you wanted to wear a thicker sock. They range up to 9.5 in the UK, which is impressive.

The platform shoes take a while to get used to because the sole isn’t as flexible as usual, but honestly, after half an hour I forgot they were platform. They’re certainly heavier than flat sneakers, but Air & Grace’s patented Tender Loving Air comfort insert (multiple layers of high-performance foam) does what it says on the box.

(Image source: Future)

Air & Grace Sadie platform sneakers: style

They are elegant and don’t look bulky when worn. The 4cm high platform sole gives a striking impression and I really like the perforated A-line detail on the side. Grain leather is incredibly soft and looks simply expensive.

For my first test, I wore them to dinner after work and I can’t tell you how perfect they were for that. They feel a little more elevated (literally!) than regular sneakers and just added a bit of charm to my plain look.

I’d say these are the perfect shoes to wear with wide-leg pants, but since then I’ve often worn them with casual jeans. They go well with wide leg jeans to make your legs look extra long, but I also wanted to pair them with more cropped styles to show them off!

(Image source: Future)

Air & Grace Sadie platform sports shoes: cleaning and care

Air & Grace has prepared a helpful video showing how to care for Sadies shoes and recommends Collonil Clean & Care shoe cleaning foam.

So far, any scratches or marks on my unit came off easily with a damp cloth and it still looks pristine.

Air & Grace Sadie platform sneakers: the verdict

At £189, the Air & Grace Sadie Platform Trainers are an investment but are incredibly well made and are priced at around the same level as similar styles in other high street stores.

They really give the impression of a luxurious piece. From the sturdy platform sole to the high-quality packaging, the whole experience feels much better than repeatedly buying cheaper canvas sneakers. They also have a distinctive style, so if you’re tired of seeing the same sneakers over and over again, these will make you stand out. I would definitely recommend them!

Buy sports shoes

Air & Grace Sadie platform sports shoes in white

Air & Grace Sadie platform sports shoes in navy blue and metallic

Air & Grace Sadie platform sports shoes in silver, metallic color