These are some of our favorite heels as of 2022, but check out our entire Guide to Comfortable Heels!
Pictured above, some of our favorite black heels for the office: one / two / three / four / five
Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
Today we’re hunting classic, comfortable work heels — perfect for interviews, a starter work wardrobe, keeping at your office, and more. A few things to note at the get-go:
- of course you don’t have to wear heels to work — check out our recent roundup of cute flats for the office
- a note on comfort: comfort/walking with confidence is the top thing to look for — e.g., if you feel uncomfortable walking in 4″ heels don’t get 4″ heels! — you should feel comfortable standing in your heels for at least an hour (such as at a networking event) and feel comfortable walking at least three blocks (such as to go to a restaurant near the office with clients). You can change into your commuting shoes for longer treks or other more specialized situations, of course
- don’t forget you can wear black with navy
- take care of your shoes — scuffs, scraped leather, and more can be taken care of pretty quickly either by yourself or by a shoe professional — you can also replace heel tips and even the soles of your shoe with rubber portions to increase the comfort (here’s our post on how to make your shoes last longer if this is a big problem for you!)
Ladies, let’s hear from you — what are your most comfortable work heels? Are you Team Block Heel, Team Kitten Heel, or Team Stiletto? How long on average do your work heels last for you?
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Our Latest Favorite Comfortable Work Heels
These are some of our favorite heels as of 2022, but check out our entire Guide to Comfortable Heels!
Pictured above, some of our favorite black heels for the office: one / two / three / four / five
Low heels can be extra comfortable, also…
These are some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2022! one / two / three / four (also Ferragamo, MMLF, Talbots, and Sarah Flynt!)
And if you’re comfortable with traditional “comfort” brands, these are some stylish comfort heels…
Stylish comfort heels for 2022: 1) Naturalizer 2) Clarks 3) Naturalizer 4) Trotters 5) Lifestride (not pictured but see also!)
In general, check out brands like Clarks, Naturalizer, Trotters, Cole Haan, Vionic, and Lifestride if you’re seeking affordable, stylish comfort heels!
And here are a few specific categories of interest for those seeking comfortable work heels
:
(Curious for our other roundups of black pumps? In addition to the several specific shoes mentioned in our Guide to Comfortable Heels, here are our roundups from 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2016, 2015, 2013 (interview pumps AND our low heel roundup), 2012 (under $250) and 2008, as well as our comfort-focused roundups of 2016 and 2010 and our posts on extended sizes for professional women’s shoes.)
And now to some featured pumps for today:
 These $29 pumps from A New Day (basically the new Merona line) are best-sellers at Target. They also come in mint and lavender, and sizes 5-12 (medium and wide sizes). They aren’t marked as being Gemma heels, but I believe Target’s new “shades of nude” line of pointed toe pumps are also Gemma heels. Gemma Pointed Toe Pumps |
 I like the melding of the d’Orsay cut and the block heel — and all for $59. The shoe comes in five colors, sizes 5-12. Note that because the shoe is part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, the price will go back up to $89 when the sale ends August 6. Sisteen Half d’Orsay Pump |
 Naturalizer has a bunch of shoes that have been around for a while (for example their platform pump and their crisscross strap pump), but I don’t remember seeing these sleeker pointy-toe heels. They’ve got 81 reviews at Zappos with a 4-star average, they use the N5Contour technology, and they come in a range of nude-for-you options. Huzzah. They’re $99, available in sizes 5-12 and four size ranges. Naturalizer Natalie |
 I don’t know if we’ve included Banana Republic’s “12-Hour” line in our previous Hunts, but they’ve been around for several years now and seem to be great sellers for them. “Wear them for 12 hours a day (or more) thanks to flexible leather, injected insoles for heel stability, comfort pods at the sole and skid-resistant outsoles.” AND, bestill my beating heart, “insole with added stability in the heel.” Nice. It’s a 3.3″ heel, available in sizes 5-12, and they come in many colors. Madison 12-Hour |
 Readers have always been huge fans of Stuart Weitzman comfortable heels — and so for the best several years I’ve been bummed to see that their work heels were kind of waning as the brand seemed to focus on their Nudist sandal and the OTK must-have, the 5050. So it’s good to see that the Azalea pump pictured here is a bestseller at Bloomingdale’s — and it’s on a killer sale today, down to $199 plus another 20% (down from $398). (DSW and Zappos also both have the pump as well.) Azalea Leather Pumps |
 I don’t usually like a bow pump — but this side bow from Prada really is lovely and, as Nordstrom notes, it “adds a jaunty touch.” Amazingly this is only a 3″ heel — it looks a lot taller to me. It’s $780 at Nordstrom. Note that Italist has versions with lower heels (some on sale!), as does Farfetch. Logo Bow Pointy Toe Pump |
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Anonymous
Can anyone recommend a comfortable heel for my foot shape?
I have very narrow heels that slip out of most traditional pumps, but my forefoot is not narrow enough for narrow widths (so I have a elongated triangular shaped foot). AND I have high arches, which does make heels more comfortable than flats but also means I appreciate substantial support.
LIz
My foot is similar shaped and Clarks are my go-to work shoe. The Artisan line, though, not the regular line. I also had good luck with a few pumps by Bandolino.
Velma
Seconding LIz. My feet are similar to yours. Clarks Artisans (many styles over the years) have been great for me; sometimes I need to size up half a size. Sofft, Ecco, and very occasionally Dansko (when the styles pass muster) also sometimes work for me. Arch support is key, or I really suffer by the end of the day.
Lana Del Raygun
I don’t have high arches but my footprint shape sounds like yours*, and I like the Karmen pumps from Payless. They’re the only ones I can wear barefoot or with slippery hose and not have my heels slip out of.
*I always think of myself as having wide toes rather than narrow heels, but it’s usually a problem of my heel slipping out when the toe and the length fit correctly, so narrow heels is probably a better way to put it.
Anonymous
My most comfortable heels are the Karmen from Payless. I have shoes that cost considerably more, but on days when I will be on my feet a lot, I always reach for these.
Lana Del Raygun
Same, but I noticed today they only have the “nude” patent, and only a few sizes, and it’s on clearance! If they discontinue this shoe there will be riots.
They also have one called “Karma” which seems to be the Dexflex Comfort alternative, though.
Anon
Anne Klein Sport Wedges are literally the most comfortable heel I have ever worn. They’re not exactly going out shoes, but they work well for any work event and I can stand in them for hours, walk a couples miles in them, etc.
I’ve been trying out the Bandolino Tad in black leather recently. It’s a little tighter in the toe box, but is reasonably comfortable, looks just a little nicer than the Anne Kleins, and has the perfect low wedge height.
Karen
I love my Ferragamos, but for less expensive (still not inexpensive, warning), still amazingly comfortable option, try M. Gemi’s Lustro – amazing.
so
i just can’t do heels at all, but the go-to shoe for a lot of SF lawyers is the pointed toe ballet flat from rothys https://www.talkable.com/x/zQ7X4N
so
i just can’t do heels at all, but the go-to shoe for a lot of SF lawyers is the pointed toe ballet flat from rothys
Eleacouise
Louie et Cie’s Jena pump comes in lots of colors & the crisp cross keeps them firmly on your feet. Great if you have to walk a lot at work.