iguring out how to dress in your 20s and beyond can be tough – some of the latest fashion trends just feel too teenage for a bona fide adult. Not to mention that while those office siren looks are undoubtedly gorgeous, they would get you sent to HR in a heartbeat in a real corporate environment. So how do you take your style up a notch? Whether it's a pair of dressy business pumps, elegant heels for everyday wear, or sexy strappy shoes on a night out, heels are a timeless way to elevate your look… if you can fight through the pain of wearing them.
Few fashion items exemplify the idea that “beauty is pain” quite like a towering pair of stilettos. Sure, they make your legs look long and strong, give your assets an instant lift, and can seriously boost your self confidence – but who wants to deal with painful blisters and bunions at the end of the night? No thanks!
If you’re thinking there has to be a better way to wear heels, don’t worry – you’re right! They wouldn’t have survived this long if they were *completely* impractical, and there are some easy steps you can take to make heels a stylish and comfortable addition to your daily outfits. In this article, we’ll be going through how to make heels more comfortable, including:
- How to choose high heels that look good + won’t hurt your feet
- How to break in heels
- And even how to walk in heels
Sound like all of the information you’ve ever needed about making high heels pain-free? Let’s get started!
1. Choose shoes that fit and support your feet.
Not all heels are created equal, especially when you consider that not all feet are created equal, either. If you want to be able to wear your heels all day or all night long, you may not be able to go with sky high Italian-style heels – or if you do, it may take some working up to.
Choose a Style That’s More Supportive
Some heel styles are naturally more supportive than others. As a general rule, platform heels are going to be a bit more comfortable than heels with thin soles, and the blockier the heel, the more comfortable the shoe. That means wedges and chunky heels are going to be more beginner friendly than, say, boulevard heels or stilettos.
Similarly, when buying shoes with ankle or toe straps, wider straps are generally more comfortable than thinner ones.
Consider options like these that won’t break the bank, but won’t sacrifice comfort, either:
- Ankis Women’s 2 Inch Wedge Heel (multiple colors)
- DREAM PAIRS Women’s Chunky Square Toe Ankle Strap Comfort Sandals (multiple colors)
- Couto Women’s Mary Jane T-Strap Pumps (multiple colors)
Another factor to consider when choosing a style of heel is whether the heel curves under the foot at all. Heels that go straight down from the back of the shoe (sometimes called an Italian heel) can put more pressure on the ball of the foot. For maximum comfort, choose a heel that curves slightly under your foot, where it can better support your weight.
Consider heels that are more centered under the heel of your foot, like:
- Ollio Faux Suede Strappy Stiletto Heel (multiple colors)
- Coutgo Women’s Slingback Stiletto Heels (multiple colors)
- Minshluu Pointed Toe D'Orsay Zip Up Dress Shoes (multiple colors)
Choose a Heel Height That Works for You
Your heels don’t need to be sky high in order to look great. In fact, for some people, higher heels actively work against the natural shape of their foot.
People with flatter feet will generally have a harder time with higher, steeper heels. For greater comfort, try to stick with heels that are about 2” tall (or shorter).
People with high arches can typically get away with higher heels, including mid-height heels (2-3”) for everyday wear or higher 3-4” heels for shorter intervals like a night out.
Kitten heels and other low-height heels make a great everyday option for people with any foot shape:
- JOY IN LOVE Low Heel Pointy Toe Kitten Pumps (multiple colors)
- Vince Camuto Fazia Heeled Sandal (multiple colors)
- DREAM PAIRS Nina Low Heel Pump (multiple colors)
How High Heels Should Fit
Did you know that a 2018 study found between 63 and 72% of people were wearing the wrong shoe size? Not only that, but wearing shoes that didn’t fit properly was associated with various types of foot pain and even foot disorders. Yikes, right?
So when it comes to making your heels more comfortable, finding the right fit is really important.
This really comes down to three factors: toe position, heel position, and arch. In properly fitted heels, your…
- TOES should be held in the toe box well enough to feel stable, but still be able to wiggle comfortably.
- HEELS should likewise be snug enough to be secure/not rub or lift, but not be so tight that it’s digging into your skin.
- ARCHES should have a slight gap, but not rub uncomfortably. The middle of your foot should also not bulge into or beyond the sides of the heels.
When you have the option, it’s generally easiest to buy heels in person at a brick and mortar shoe store location. The best way to tell if a heel fits properly is to throw them on and walk around the store a bit, and you can have a sales associate help you fine tune your size if needed.
However, we don’t always have the option of running out to the shops. When buying shoes online, it’s essential to get an accurate measurement of your foot to check against the size guide. Consider tracing your foot on a piece of paper and measuring to get accurate numbers.
You may have heard that it’s important to size up when buying heels, but that tip can be a little bit misleading. Since heels do hold your foot in a different position and come in different shapes, you may find that your typical size doesn’t work for you when it comes to buying heels. However, it’s still important that heels fit properly and are not too loose in order to cut down on the risk of blisters and bunions.
2. Break in new shoes before wearing them.
There are tons of ways to break in new shoes, but we’re interested in getting your heels wear-ready as quickly and painlessly as possible.
- Wear your shoes around the house for a few hours. Wear a pair of thick hiking socks or a few pairs of regular socks to break them in faster.
- Rough up the bottoms of your heels with sandpaper if your shoes don’t have a lot of traction right out of the box.
- Place newspaper or rags in your shoes when you aren’t wearing them to prevent them from shrinking and stiffening when not in use
Moleskine can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a ton of time to break in new shoes. Apply it directly to areas that often experience blisters or rubbing for some added protection.
And at the first sign of a blister, be sure to put on a blister bandage to provide relief from the discomfort and prevent your blister from getting worse. It’s always good to have a couple of these tucked in your purse or backpack just in case.
3. Wearing heels uses different muscles than wearing flat shoes – so warm up.
Okay, so you don’t have to hit the treadmill at a full sprint in your stilettos in order to train your feet for heels, but there are some helpful exercises you can do to make sure your muscles and tendons won’t be feeling the burn after wearing heels to the office.
Focus on leg strength and ankle mobility. In particular, keep in mind that regularly wearing heels can shorten or irritate your achilles tendon over time – so make sure you’re taking the time to stretch your ankles, taking off days from wearing heels, listening to your body, and otherwise taking care of yourself if heels are going to be a major part of your wardrobe.
4. Dress for success.
Before you hit the town in your heels, there are a few more additions to your wardrobe that can make heels more comfortable: specifically, shoe inserts and the right pair of socks.
Different High Heel Insoles Do Different Things
If the ball of your foot hurts, use soft silicone padding that goes under the ball of your foot.
If you have high arches, use a teardrop shaped pad to support the arch in the center of your foot.
If you have bumps or bunions causing pain, wear a silicone shield that slips over your toe to reduce friction. Also, make sure the toe box of your shoes is either shorter than your toes (does not reach the bunion) or covers that joint entirely rather than opening up at exactly the bump in your foot, where it will cause extra pressure.
With so many insoles on the market, which ones are worth buying? Trendy “couture” insoles that are taking over social media with their weight shifting technology might seem sleek, but they may not be as effective as more traditional options like:
- Walkize Silicone Metatarsal Pads for Ball of the Foot
- Dr. Scholl’s Arch Support Inserts for Heels and Wedges
- Zen Toes Bunion Relief Silicone Toe Protector
Reducing Friction in Your Heels
Dressy socks and stockings are often silky and slippery, and there’s a reason for that – the less friction pulling in your foot, the more comfortable it will be in your heels. Tights and pantyhose work well – just be careful of options with small designs, bulky seams, or fine fish netting that may dig into your feet over the course of the day.
Otherwise, there are plenty of options to fit every heel style, including:
- Silky Anti-Slip Cotton Sole Reinforced Ankle Tights (12 pk)
- Winterlace Womens Trouser Socks (more options)
- EVERSWE Opaque Black Tights (more colors)
If you’re wearing sandals, you can always add a few swipes of deodorant to the bottoms of your feet before heading out if you need to reduce the friction without socks.
5. Take a pointe-r from ballerinas.
Ballet pointe shoes are notoriously tough on the toes. If you need a quick DIY way to relieve some pressure from your feet, tape your third and fourth toes together with medical tape to help stabilize them.
If you’re really in a pinch, you can get a similar effect with a hairband you have in your purse – just be sure it’s not so tight it cuts off circulation. And get home to kick off your heels asap!
6. Practice walking in heels.
Finally, it’s important to master proper technique if you’re going to wear high heels without pain. Here are a few pointers on how to walk in heels correctly:
- Keep your legs steady and your weight driving through your heels in order to avoid pressure on the ball of your foot
- Engage your abs to stay balanced
- Swing your hips slightly – the momentum helps you keep balance while moving
- Stand up straight! Think about dropping your shoulders rather than “shoulders back” for correct posture
- Walk so your foot lands heel → toe (if you’re finding it difficult not to go toe → heel, your heels might be too tall for you)
Making heels more comfortable is easier than it seems.
Heels are a great way to elevate an outfit in a way that flats and sneakers simply can’t, but that doesn’t mean you’re signing up for foot pain when you slide on your favorite pumps. We hope that these tips help answer the age-old question of how to make heels more comfortable – but if you have any other secrets to pain-free heel wearing, we would love to hear them! Drop us a line or comment below.
