Come fall, this ballet-flat wearing New York City dweller struggles a little bit. How to stay stylish while not risk losing a limb? (I’ve stupidly donned ballet flats in 30 degrees Fahrenheit, 0/10 do NOT recommend.) I have long loved a good pair of boots, but riding boots aren’t quite my style, and I’m intimidated by the sky-high stilettos I see the cool girls strutting around in. I’d face-plant in a minute. I knew that Inez made good boots; PureWow contributing editor Stephanie Meraz raves about her Palomas, but even those felt too high for me. Then, I discovered the brand’s Belen boots ($515), which have a much friendlier 2-inch block heel. After wearing them for weeks as the autumn chill has set in, I can confirm: They’re some of the most comfortable boots I own. Ahead, my full review—and why I firmly believe they’re worth the investment.
Inez’s Belen Boots Are My Autumn Shoe Staple
Made for walking to the office and running to dinner
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The PureWow100 Score
- Comfort: 18/20
- Design: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Durability: 18/20
- Value: 17/20
Total: 91/100
The PureWow100 is a scale our editors use to vet new products and services, so you know what’s worth the spend—and what’s total hype. Learn more about our process here.
What I Like
- no break-in period
- slightly inset heel is more comfortable for walking
- can style the suede material as slouchy if desired
What I Don't Like
- limited size range
- flexible nature of suede material makes shoes a little unstable
Inez
Fast Facts
- Colors: 3
- Material: kidsuede or calf leather
- Heel height: 2 inches
- Silhouette: tapered toe, knee-high shaft (suede can be pulled into slouch)
- Footbed: proprietary design with arch support and heel cushion
- Size range: 6 to 10.5
The Pros
Inez
No Break-In Period
I wore these right out of the box and promptly walked a couple miles. (To see the New York Liberty in the playoffs!) The material is supple and flexible, didn’t rub and I had—and still have—zero blisters in sight. The boots also feature the brand’s signature footbed with arch support and a heel cushion.
Beautiful-But-Practical Design
Inez uses kidsuede and calf skin for the Belen boots, which are carefully crafted in Spain. The boots feel luxe and can be easily dressed up or down, and the 2-inch heel provides enough height to rise to the occasion (ha!) while still allowing me to commute on foot. With the kidsuede in particular, you can style it two ways: Pulled up to the knee or a tad slouchy. As the cold really starts to settle in, I’ve started wearing these with medium-weight wool socks, and my toes have plenty of room in my regular size 6. (This may differ for calfskin, though the material will also stretch a tad with time and wear.)
Amazing Craftsmanship Meant to Last
When I shop, I try, when I can, to prioritize high-quality, and sometimes more expensive shoes, over cheaper pairs that aren’t made to be maintained. Really good shoes, in my opinion, are designed to be repaired over the years. I’ve done this with many beloved pairs of ballet flats, and they look like new. At the rate I walk, I go to the cobbler about once every three or four years, and the price of repairing the soles of my shoes is about one-third that of buying a brand new pair. This allows me to keep wearing my favorite discontinued styles while still looking polished, and I fully expect to do this with the Belen boots.
The Cons
inez
May Not Be Suitable for Wide Calves and Petites
The Belen boots are a pull-on style with a high shaft, which may make it challenging to pull on over pants, especially if you have wider calves. I will say that a friend of mine with wide calves often takes her boots to be resized at a cobbler, and they are able to add an additional panel that looks fairly seamless. The best weapon in your fashion arsenal is a good tailor and cobbler, so it’s something worth considering.
Additionally, due to the shaft height, I don’t recommend these boots for anyone under 5’5”. I’m 5’6’’ and these hit me mid-knee. Unless you love the slouchy look, petites may find that the Belen becomes an over-the-knee boot.
High Initial Investment
$515 is not small potatoes, so it is a consideration. I am a price-per-wear person, and rather than shopping heavily every season, I tend to keep my clothing, shoes and accessories for years. So far, I’ve gotten these boots down to well under $200 per wear, and I suspect that by season’s end, I’ll have knocked it under $100.
Suede Style Is a Little Unstable
I went with the kidsuede over the calf skin boots, and while I love how flexible they are, I did notice, walking on New York’s uneven, cracked sidewalks, that they lack the stability of a stiffer material. I’ve rolled my ankle a few times on an errant acorn, which I don’t think would have happened if I had been wearing a more structured boot.
The Bottom Line
Inez
The Belen boots are beautifully crafted shoes that are versatile and meant to stay in your closet for years. If you appreciate the slow-fashion approach with artisan flare, then these might just be for you. I, for one, am pulling them on tonight.
