Guide to Comfortable Heels

‘This shopping guide for comfortable heels for work is inspired by one of our all-time top posts, The Quest for Comfortable Heels. We update the text of this page regularly and invite you to add your on-topic comments as well. Last updated: Nov. 2024.

Forget the Holy Grail — the quest for comfortable heels can be a lifelong hunt for some women. In general, if you can find one pair of shoes you like, try other shoes from that brand (although there can be variances within that brand as well).

Note that for interviewing, you should be able to walk a few blocks in your heels comfortably; I would say the same for your first day on the job as well as any big meetings (since you may walk to lunch at a local restaurant).

Of course, flats are acceptable for interviewing and beyond, as well!

Note that for interviewing, you should be able to walk a few blocks in your heels comfortably!

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Some Of Our Favorite Comfortable Heels

Brands for Comfortable Heels

The most comfortable heel brands can be broken down into four price ranges, and then into two categories.

The first group holds the stylish/trendy brands that everyone swears by for comfort (whether or not they're marketed as “comfort shoes”).

The second group of shoes are marketed for comfort but often a bit funky/clunky when paired with, say, a pencil skirt. 

For specific shoe recommendations other than those pictured below (both from Kat and the readers) check out our roundup of Top Ten Comfortable Heel Brands, as well as our regular Hunt feature (in which we hunt for one wardrobe basic or basic accessory in a range of prices) and our afternoon Coffee Break posts (which often feature shoes); you may also want to check out our post on upgrading your shoe collection.

The Most Comfortable Heels, Designer Edition

“Investment shoes” such as Christian Louboutin (but please know your office before considering thick platforms or 4″+ heels, see more things to consider below), Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Aquazzura, Sarah Flint, and Miu Miu (one of the favorites in our Newbie Guide to Designer Shoes)

Special mention for comfortable (but pricey) professional flats: Chanel.

{related: here are our favorite investment ballet flats if you want something slightly fancy}

The Most Comfortable Mid-Range heels, $200-$800:

Stylish/trendy but reportedly comfortable heels:

The hands-down reader favorites are Stuart Weitzman and Salvatore Ferragamo — also try AGL (particularly for flats, but they make heels too), Marc Fisher LTD, Cole Haan, Paul Green, and Sarah Flint

Designed for comfort, but may be funky or clunky, depending on your taste:

Arche, Beautifeel, Earthies, Eileen Fisher, FLY London, Gentle Souls (by Kenneth Cole), Margaux, Pikolinos, Vionic, and Vivaia

Special mention for comfortable flats in this range: AGL, French Sole, Salvatore Ferragamo

Affordable Comfortable Heels (under $200):

Stylish/trendy but reportedly comfortable heels:

Donald J Pliner, Franco Sarto, Sam Edelman, Sofft

Designed for comfort, but may be funky or clunky, depending on your taste:

Aravon, Børn, Camper, Clarks, Dansko, Ecco, Miz Mooz, Munro

Special mention for comfortable flats in this range: Børn

Budget-friendly Comfortable Heels (often under $100)

Anne Klein (particularly the iFlex line), Bella Vita, Comfort Plus by Predictions (still around even though Payless has closed), Lifestride, Sam Edelman, and Trotters. Read our other tips on great shoe bargains, below.

Other Notes on Comfortable Heels:

Particularly great for high-heeled winter boots*: Aquatalia (still around but the brand is shutting down), Frye, La Canadienne (most are waterproof! See our roundup of weatherproof shoes for work here.)

Mall stores that bring trendier shoes to you at a more reasonable price: Naturalizer (particularly their N5 lines) and Rockport

Brands that you can still find on eBay and other resale sites: Anyi Lu, Butter, Cole Haan Air (from Cole Haan's late, great collaboration with Nike), Corso Como, Hollywould, Sacco, Sudini, Taryn Rose

Comfortable flats: We've mentioned a few brands or styles for comfortable flats in each price range, above — do check out our previous discussions on comfortable flats and flats for job interviews, as well as our best tips on how to look professional if you ONLY wear flats. (It can be done!)

In our last poll on comfortable heels, readers mentioned other favorites including Alfani Step n' Flex, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, J.Crew, Seychelles, and VANELi

We've also named names for some of our least comfortable heels (brands and styles). If you're looking to upgrade your shoe collection in general, you may want to check out our discussion on the different tiers and levels that people consider for shoes.

Special Sizes: Wide heels can be found; we've also talked about general shopping tips for problem feet. In our more recent Hunts, we also try to include picks for wide/narrow widths, extended sizes, and (for boot round-ups) wide and narrow calves.

Avoiding Pain in Heels

Alleviating Pain Caused by Shoes, During:

Inserts can make a big difference with heels! I've liked Dr. Scholl's and Foot Petals and others that we rounded up in our post on the best insoles for women.

Note that some shoe maintenance (such as asking a cobbler to put rubber soles and rubber heel tips on your new shoes) can increase comfort as well as extend the life of your heels. 

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:

Alleviating Pain Caused by Shoes, After:

YogaToes can also be miracle workers after a long day in heels or on your feet. 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.

We rounded up some of those exercises in our post for how to make your sore feet feel better, such as 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!

Commuting in Heels?

Although some rockstars can walk for miles in their five-inch heels, don't worry too much if you can't.

My personal secret for walking to work has always been to have a pair of commuting heels like Clarks or Danskos that are nearly the same height as my office pumps, and then switch into the prettier ones at work. As of 2024, wedge heels may be coming back, too.

(Check out our guide to hem lengths for thoughts on which lengths look best with what kind of shoes.)

Finally: Shoes are so much more comfortable (and last longer, and look better) when they're properly taken care of — don't skimp on shoe care to make your shoes last longer, and take steps to keep your shoes odor-free.

Where to Find Great Deals on Comfortable Heels

If you know the exact name of the brand or the style name you're looking for, Amazon is hard to beat — they often have sale shoes in lucky sizes for steep discounts. 

Beyond that, Nordstrom shoe sales are great (particularly with their generous return policy!). You can also occasionally find good deals at discount stores like DSW, Nordstorm Rack, or TJ Maxx.

{related: check out my other internet shopping tips!}

For pricier shoes, resale sites like eBay, Poshmark, The Real Real and more can be a great way to get lightly used merchandise at a good price (but proceed carefully).

* Know your office before buying! Remember that peep-toe shoes are not appropriate for every office; the same goes for shoes with heels higher than 3.5,” over-the-knee boots, and even knee-high boots (yes, really).

Readers, which brands are your favorite for comfort? Do you have any tips and tricks for making high heels more comfortable?

Liked this article? Don't forget to check out other Corporette shopping guides.

2020 updated images via Deposit Photos / IgorVetushko (woman in pants suit, trying on d'Orsay heels while sitting in beige chair). Earlier social media images via Shutterstock / Martin Novak (woman with pink sneakers changing into black heels) or Deposit Photos / studio-fi (woman trying on black heels while sitting on black leather tufted bench).