Guide to Comfortable Heels

Cole Haan - Air Talia PumpThis shopping guide for comfortable heels is inspired by one of our all-time top posts from 2010, The Quest for Comfortable Heels. We’ll try to revisit the text of this page from time to time; in the meantime please add your own comments about comfortable heels on this page. Please keep all comments on this page strictly on topic. Last updated: January 8, 2013.

Forget the Holy Grail — the quest for comfortable heels can be a lifelong hunt for some women. As one might expect from all the Mary Jane and other comfortable-type shoes I post (what? I wear ‘em with pants) this author has problem feet — it’s incredibly difficult to get shoes that both feel and look great. Not only does it seem like there are variances within each brand (e.g., some of my Cole Haans I love, others I want to throw across the room), but shoes that were favorites in previous seasons become hated things in newer ones (and never get better). (Pictured above: Cole Haan – Air Talia Pump (Black Leather) – Footwear, available at Zappos for $198.)

Brands for Comfortable Heels: The brands of heels most often touted as comfortable ones can be broken down into these price ranges, and then into two categories: the first is the stylish/trendy brand that everyone swears by for comfort (whether it’s marketed as a “comfort shoe” or not).  The second line is the ones that are marketed for comfort — but they’re often a bit funky/clunky next to, say, a pencil skirt.  For specific shoe recommendations (both from Kat and the readers) check out our regular Hunt feature (hunting for one wardrobe basic in a range of prices) or our afternoon Coffee Breaks (which often feature shoes).

In our last poll on comfortable heels, readers mentioned other favorites including Alfani Step n’ Flex, Brooks Brothers, Butter, Calvin Klein, Coach, Corso Como, Enzo Angiolini, J.Crew, Joan & David Circa, Seychelles, Vanelli, and Via Spiga.

Alleviating Pain Caused by Shoes, During: I got the chance to try some Insolia inserts, and they really do make a difference for heels — something about the slim pieces of plastic helps my flat feet feel more comfortable in heels. (Read my Insolia review here.) I’ve also been a longtime fan of ball-of-the-feet inserts, like those by Dr. Scholl’s or Foot Petals. Finally, if you really can’t walk far in your heels, there are a number of foldable ballet slippers that you can stash in your purse, including CitySlips, Footzyrolls, and Dr. Scholl’s Fast Flats.

Alleviating Pain Caused by Shoes, After: The book Your Feet Don’t Have to Hurt has a bunch of great foot exercises that help flex the muscles that might be sore after walking in heels — things like drawing the alphabet with a pointed toe, or spending a few minutes, barefoot, trying to pick up a pencil with your toes. I would heartily recommend the book if only for that section! Yoga Toes can also be miracle workers after a long day in heels or on your feet.

Finding Great Deals for Shoes: 6pm.com (Zappos’s sister site) has a lot of great deals on shoes, including regular Cole Haan Air sales; you can also occasionally find good deals at Bluefly, DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse), Last Call by Neiman Marcus, or Sierra Trading Post. Amazon has some killer deals, but the site can be difficult to navigate. I highly recommend using Shop It To Me if you only want to know when specific brands hit a specific price range,  ShopStyle alerts if you are stalking a particular brand or Shopping Notes if you’re stalking a particular shoe. (Read my other internet shopping tips.)

Commuting in Heels? Although some rockstars can walk for miles in their five inch heels, don’t worry too much if you can’t. Some people who walk to work prefer to wear wedge heels, my personal secret has always been to have a pair of Clarks or Danskos that are nearly the same height as my office pumps, and then switch into the prettier ones at work. If you prefer to commute in flats, though, there are products that help you fix your hem, such as Zakkerz. (Check out our guide to hem lengths for thoughts on which lengths look best which what kind of shoes.)


* Please remember that peep-toe shoes are not appropriate for every office; same with knee-high boots and shoes with heels higher than 3.5″ — we’ve even addressed whether Louboutins are appropriate for the office. Also, don’t forget to check out our @corporettedeals Twitter stream for deals on shoes and more.Readers, which brands are your favorite for comfort? Do you have any tips and tricks for making high heels more comfortable?

Also, please don’t forget to check out other Corporette shopping guides, or The Corporette Bargains page.

(L-#)

Comments

  1. Meg :
    02/09/2011 at 11:52 pm

    Ecco. The style can often lean toward the clunky, but occasionally you can spot a good work shoe. I bought a pair of Ecco pumps after recovering from a pretty severe ankle break – for a long time they were the only non-flat shoe I could wear. Not only comfy all day long, but even after wearing them almost daily that year, they still look great!

    Reply
    • SadWriter :
      01/03/2013 at 2:27 pm

      Second the Ecco shout-out. I heart the Ecco Junction. Incredibly comfortable and sleek, and not at all chunky-heeled.

      Reply
  2. Coaster :
    05/18/2011 at 5:01 pm

    This is such a great list. Stewart Weitzman and Cole Haan are my general go-to brands, but I’ve also bought some pretty nice shoes from Ara, David Tate, and Easy Spirit (they do actually make a few stylish pumps).

    Reply
  3. Anon. :
    07/20/2011 at 1:09 pm

    ROCKPORT PILOT PUMPS. Enough said. They are AMAZING and at least half the price of Cole Haans.

    Reply
  4. Ashe :
    09/20/2011 at 11:19 pm

    Only have the one pair, but I’ve found Paul Green to be exceedingly well-made. Comfortable for their height and style, and I’m super picky.

    Reply
  5. Hollis Pana :
    09/29/2011 at 9:01 am

    Thanks for a informative material; I enjoyed it very much. Hollis Pana

    Reply
  6. Nan :
    10/06/2011 at 7:55 pm

    If price is no object, I recommend Thierry Rabotin ($400 +). Beautifeel are wonderful, but a bit pricey ($200+). Munro American makes very comfy shoes you can buy for less than $200, but they are generally best with pants. There are so many more comfort shoe brands today than there ever used to be. It’s wonderful!

    Reply
  7. Meghan :
    01/11/2012 at 2:30 pm

    I LOVE Ivanka Trump. I have her Indico pumps in several colors. And I have to 2nd Cole Haans. They are beautiful, and last forever when well taken care of.

    When I travel for work I’ll spend a good 16 hours on my feet (or more if I’m at a dreaded trade show) I have to go with Naturalizer. Nothing else will do on those days.

    Reply
  8. Govtgrrl :
    01/11/2012 at 3:26 pm

    For the funkier corporettes DV by Dolce Vita makes incredibly comfortable platforms! Love mine!

    Reply
  9. Nathalia :
    02/03/2012 at 1:59 pm

    I think one of the hardest things about finding comfortable heels is, height of the heel aside, I’ve got small feet. I’m a size five foot and even in that case, my feet have almost a half-size difference between them. I can and (sometimes) do wear kids’ shoes because they fit better – but when I want heels, a shoe that might be painful becomes one that doesn’t fit and is definitely painful on me.

    Most mall stores don’t even carry my size – stores like Wal-Mart (crappy quality, incredibly cheap) are sometimes my only choice, given that my budget doesn’t accommodate designer shoes yet.

    Reply
  10. InHouse :
    02/14/2012 at 9:21 am

    Sofft shoes are my go-to brand for work! Like walking on air.

    Reply
  11. mahans :
    05/15/2012 at 8:30 pm

    I’m new to this site and building my wardrobe for a conservative office and have a few shoe-related questions:

    1. How high is too high? I prefer cone-shaped mid-low heel (2.5 inch max) but am finding this to be quite limiting in terms of style and colour.
    2. I have lots of black and dark brown shoes and want to expand. Is bone or beige inappropriate office wear?
    3. What color shoes is appropriate with a navy/almost black shift dress?
    4. What color shoes is appropriate with a dark brown pant?

    Thanks! :)

    Reply
  12. Marcy :
    08/03/2012 at 6:17 pm

    Just wanted to post a site for shoes that are gorgeous at a great price! Go to shoedazzle.com and shop till you drop!

    Reply
  13. Nicole :
    10/09/2012 at 1:44 pm

    Quiet the sound of your heels while also protecting them and making them more comfortable! Clickless is the revolutionarily simple invention that silences your footsteps in heels. Check them out at http://www.BeClickless.com!

    Reply
  14. joyce :
    01/14/2013 at 7:19 pm

    Stuart Weitzman’s Chic Pump is my go-to work shoe. I’ve got it and black and dark navy patent, black leather and brown suede. It’s an incredibly comfortable shoe. I can, and have, walked over a mile in them with surprising comfort. My only note is that the leather is a bit larger than the patent and suede. I had to put a pair of insoles into the leather pair although they are the same size as all of my others.

    http://www.stuartweitzman.com/products/chicpump/?F_All=Y

    Pictured on the Weitzman website, but I’ve also purchased a pair at deep discount on Rue La La

    Reply
  15. SVTechLawyer :
    01/15/2013 at 12:38 pm

    Alfani Step N Flex shoes at Macy’s, particularly the Gracie pump. A classic pointy toed pump I can wear all day, even tromping around in The City and my feet are happy. I have them in several colors. Budget priced too $59.98 EDV price, but can be less when they decide to end a color. Lucky size 6 in navy suede currently $41.98 – http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/alfani-womens-shoes-gracie-step-n-flex-pumps?ID=773465&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results

    Reply
  16. M :
    04/14/2013 at 2:00 am

    Pricey, dressy but comfy: Chanel, YSL and Dior (in that order). I need a bigger toe box because of my bunions and these are fab. I can walk in Chanel all day.

    I just got my first pair of Fluevog. They’re buttery soft, no breaking in required at all. But I had to pick the less chunky styles.

    Reply
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