High heels don’t always equal pain; even if you adore the look of spindly stilettos, there are ways to find comfy footwear to wear all day long.
Consider shopping comfortable high heels based on heel height, occasion and features to find viable alternatives to wobbly pencil-thin heels.
Platforms
For an elevated look without straining your feet, platform heels offer more surface area for your feet to balance on and may help relieve pressure from calves. According to Dr Lee, platform heels also distribute weight more evenly.
To ensure a more comfortable fit, opt for sandals with adjustable straps. It allows for customized fit so your feet won’t become cramped after long hours of wearing them. Wide-base heels also add stability. Chunky heel sandals have become increasingly popular among young women as their weight distribution makes them more comfortable than other options.
Wide Toe Box
Toe boxes play an integral role in whether heels are comfortable. Narrow toe boxes common among high heels can lead to bunions, hammertoes and other foot issues while shifting weight forward of the foot, leading to pain. An ideal shoe would feature a generously wide toe box that stands tall with no taper at its tip.
Heels with square or rounded toe boxes are preferable since pointed ones can exacerbate bunions by encouraging big toes to curve inward and press against each other, further pressurizing the bunion area.
Vivaia’s heeled booties have earned the approval of podiatrists, sitting near the lower end of the expert-recommended heel height range to give toes enough room to spread and move freely. Furthermore, these comfortable high heels that feature knit fabric booties have an ergonomically rounded toe box to reduce pressure on feet; reviewers also praise them as comfortable even after hours of wear! Vivaia offers them with slip-resistant soles, which reduce any chances of slipping and falling.
Adjustable Straps
If sneakers or Birkenstocks won’t do, a stylish pair of heels can add the perfect finishing touch. Unfortunately, however, heels often cause painful hobbling after just an hour’s wear – but don’t despair; modern designers offer comfortable heels designed specifically to meet all your favourite activities!
One stylish trend to try is a modern square-toe heel with a padded insole. Perfect for desk-to-dinner events and professional engagements alike, these versatile heels from Each x Every or Margaux provide style while remaining comfortably stylish all day long.
Nordstrom offers an excellent selection of comfortable heels that come in both narrow and wide widths, making finding them easy. Lulus also provides stylish options that fit every occasion; their heels have all received four-star ratings, with multiple sizes and width options available at an incredible value. A helpful tip when purchasing heels online: make sure that they match up to your true size to avoid blisters and discomfort!
Cushioned Insoles
Add cushioned insoles to make your favourite pair of heels even more comfortable by increasing heel pressure reduction and preventing long-term effects such as hammertoe deformities, bunions, calluses, and neuromas. These inserts fit comfortably into most shoes and help reduce heel pressure for reduced discomfort during long hours spent wearing high heels – including deformities of the toe, bunions, calluses and neuroma.
This gel insole product was specifically created to offer comfort to women wearing high heels. The extra-thick gel material allows users to stand for extended periods without discomfort, relieving foot pain. These insoles are washable and reusable as well as easily adjustable with scissors for personalized fit; their carbon filters help control odour caused by sweaty feet odour control as well as provide carbon filter odour-reduction properties. Ideal for work and special events where wearing heels may be required, this insole comes in multiple colours with an extended 12-month warranty coverage.
Blister Cushions
Heels constructed from soft, malleable materials are a game changer. When searching for heels made from premium leather or suede (vegan versions available too), look for pairs crafted from these premium materials as they will conform to your feet over time and become extremely comfortable – plus, they’re much easier to balance in than hard and slippery materials such as Lucite or Perspex (which Dr. Splichal describes as being uncomfortable to balance on).