Guide to Comfortable Heels

This 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 11, 2012.

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 sorts of categories:

• Designed by master craftsmen, incredibly comfy, but incredibly pricey: the usual suspects: Manolo, Louboutin, Choo (I’ve read that the Manolo team thinks 3″ is the highest heel a woman can comfortably walk on, whereas the 4″ Louboutins* are worn by all the celebrities because the stacked platform makes them very comfortable)
• Designed for comfort and mid-range pricey ($200-$500): Cole Haan Air, Stuart Weitzman,  Taryn Rose (the brand is designed by a orthopedic surgeon!), Salvatore Ferragamo, Donald J Pliner
• Funky or clunky, depending on your taste, but comfortable investments: John Fluevog, Frye, Born
• Lower-cost comfortable (more likely to be classic or slightly trendy): Isolá, Franco Sarto, Sofft, Geox, Peter Kaiser, Sudini
• Lower-cost comfortable (but also often clunky): Clarks, Beautifeel, Tsubos, Dansko
• Particularly great for high-heeled winter boots*:  Aquatalia by Marvin K., La Canadienne (most are waterproof!)
• Mall stores that bring trendier shoes to you at a more reasonable price: Aerosoles, Link to Zappos.com Brand Pages.

Readers have also called out Joan & David Circa and Enzo Angiolini. as well as Nordstrom’s brand Linea Paolo (no longer available as of January 2012).

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.

* 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″.  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!

(L-#)