Hotter - UK made shoes with comfort you won't believe

I'm generally rubbish with shoes. I have my 13 year old pair of Doc Martins that should have gone in the bin 3 years ago, my Fit Flops I haven't been able to wear since I broke my leg, and I have my faithful old purple Converse. When I was packing to go to Britmums Live it was painfully obvious that I need to get some proper shoes, but I like comfort! I had a look around and didn't see anything that was comfortable and grown up. I hadn't looked at Hotter.

Hotter have been around since 1959, when they opened a slipper making factory. Coincidentally Stewart Houlgrave, the current head of the company and son of Hotter's founders, was also born in 1959, and has grown up alongside the company. He wanted to make shoes that were as comfortable as slippers, and in the early 1990's launched the 'Hotter Comfort Concept'.

Today Hotter are the biggest UK shoe manufacturer, making one pair of shoes every 20 minutes at their Lancashire factory.

Along with a few other bloggers I was invited along to the Bury branch of Hotter to have a look around, and be introduced to the Comfort Concept. It was really evident and lovely to see as we listened to the presentation that all of the staff who work in the shop know all about the shoes they sell. Having well-trained staff is something Hotter are rightly very proud of.

Each pair of Hotter shoes has a sole full of millions of air bubbles, and built into the base is a type of gel cushion. The shoes are breathable and the soles are really flexible. All of this means that your Hotter shoes are ridiculously comfortable, and also incredibly light! In addition Hotter shoes are available in half sizes, and extra wide and extra narrow width fittings, and every shoe has wiggle room for your toes - even those with heels.

Hotter's biggest seller is still their very first shoe, Dew, first sold in 1996, and available today in 9 different colour choices. Dew is mainly bought by the more mature market, but Hotter have all kinds of styles grouped into type including Gore-Tex, Active, Classics etc. They really do have something for everyone - and when it came time to choose shoes to review we were all excited!

The staff were incredibly patient and knowledgeable, making suggestions and helping us to get the correct fit and style to suit our needs and feet.

Cheers to Colette from 'We're Going On An Adventure' for the photo

I was very tempted by these shoes in either bright red or blue...

But then I spotted the shoes for me, nestling there on the second shelf down....

Okay they're a bit pumpish, but I wouldn't have it any other way really...

I wore them in the shop for about half an hour, and then I changed back into my Converse to go home (so I didn't ruin the newness) and I couldn't believe the difference. I genuinely felt like I was walking on pebbles. The Hotter shoes are so comfortable that you really should go and try some on. It is like wearing slippers and gel soles, there's no exaggeration.

Not only are they incredibly comfortable, they're also really nicely made. The attention to detail is lovely. There are no lumps or bumps inside the shoes to rub or annoy your feet.

I couldn't be happier with my new shoes, they're everything I'd ask for, and more. 

My Oasis shoes retail at £49. Hotter have 68 stores around the country, or you can order online. I have a discount code for new online customers - PKCTEN - this will give you 10% off and free delivery*.

Hotter love to see customer's photo's - you can share your #shoesies on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook or by email to weloveshoes@hotter.com. You can also join the Hotter Comfort Club for news updates, competitions and offers. 

*10% off plus FREE delivery is for first orders only. You are entitled to 10% off the total order value of any full priced items in the Hotter range (excluding shoe care products) plus FREE delivery.  This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or on Sale or Factory Clearance items and gift vouchers.

I was given my shoes to review.