‘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: July 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!
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Some Of Our Favorite Comfortable Heels
Hunting for comfortable work heels? We've got a whole guide just for that, but some of our favorites include Marc Fisher LTD, Sam Edelman, M.M.LaFleur, and Cole Haan. On the pricier side, check out Ferragamo, Stuart Weitzman, and Sarah Flint. For comfort-first styles, look to Vionic, Sofft, and Naturalizer.
These are some of our favorite comfortable low heels for work as of 2024… also check out CK Calvin Klein, Trotters, Sam Edelman, and Sarah Flint!
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
Hunting for investment heels? Some of the bestselling, highest-rated designer heels for work in 2024 include Ferragamo, Stuart Weitzman, Sarah Flint, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, and Prada.
“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-$500:
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), Cole Haan, Kate Spade (the brand's wedges were apparently a favorite in DC on political campaigns in years past), Paul Green, and SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker
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), John Fluevog, Pikolinos, Taryn Rose, Think!
Special mention for comfortable flats in this range: AGL, French Sole, Paul Mayer, Salvatore Ferragamo
Affordable Comfortable Heels (under $200):
Stylish/trendy but reportedly comfortable heels:
Donald J Pliner, Franco Sarto, Geox, Isolá, Sam Edelman, Sofft
Designed for comfort, but may be funky or clunky, depending on your taste:
Aravon, Børn, Camper, Clarks (particularly the Indigo or Artisan lines), Cobb Hill (by Rockport), Dansko, Ecco, Josef Seibel, Miz Mooz, Munro, Ros Hommerson, Tsubo, Umberto Raffini shoes at The Walking Company
Special mention for comfortable flats in this range: Børn, BP
Budget-friendly Comfortable Heels (often under $100)
Anne Klein (particularly the iFlex line), Bella Vita, Comfort Plus by Predictions (at Payless, now also at Amazon), Corso Como, Soft Style (by Hush Puppies), Sole Society, and Trotters. Read our other tips on great shoe bargains, below.
Other Notes on Comfortable Heels:
Particularly great for high-heeled winter boots*: Aquatalia by Marvin K., 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, Cole Haan Air (from Cole Haan's late, great collaboration with Nike), Hollywould, Sacco
, Sudini
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!)
Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2024 include M.M.LaFleur, AGL, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!
In our last poll on comfortable heels, readers mentioned other favorites including Alfani Step n' Flex, Brooks Brothers, Butter, Calvin Klein, Coach, Enzo Angiolini, J.Crew, Joan & David Circa, Seychelles, VANELi, and Via Spiga.
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.
Some of our favorite comfortable wide heels as of 2024 include (below): 1) Sam Edelman 2) Naturalizer 3) Walking Cradles 4) A New Day (under $30!) 5) LifeStride (also, N.B.: the styles at Inez, Margot, Ally Shoes, and Poppy Barley all look great and come in wide widths!…) You can also try this link for a Zappos search narrowed to just the best brands and wide widths.
Comfortable Heels in Narrow Widths & Small Sizes
In our last roundup of classic black heels for business attire, we rounded up some pumps that came in extended widths, including:
- Extended widths (AA, C, W): Target (M/W), Vionic (MW), Rockport (NMW), Ferragamo (2A, B, C), Trotters (M,W, WW), Sam Edelman (NMW), Bella Vita (AA-EE), LifeStride (AA-E), Naturalizer (N-WW),
- Extended sizes (4-13): Target (5-12), Calvin Klein (4-13), Ferragamo (4-11),
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.
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.
While some women who walk to work prefer to wear wedge heels, my personal secret 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.
(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 or Nordstorm Rack.
{related: check out my other internet shopping tips!}
For pricier shoes, resale sites like eBay or The Real Real 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).
Meghan
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.
Govtgrrl
For the funkier corporettes DV by Dolce Vita makes incredibly comfortable platforms! Love mine!
Nathalia
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.
InHouse
Sofft shoes are my go-to brand for work! Like walking on air.
mahans
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! :)
Marcy
Just wanted to post a site for shoes that are gorgeous at a great price! Go to shoedazzle.com and shop till you drop!
Nicole
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!
joyce
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
SVTechLawyer
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
M
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.
Anonymous Texan
I have had great luck with Vaneli and their shoes are QUALITY and made of real leather. Cole Haan fits great and I could walk for miles in them but the new Nike ones are wider and too big for my narrow heel. Naturalizer heels are also comfy in the lower height versions but the quality is not as good (they have not lasted long for me).
Anonymous
An inexpensive, but super comfy , decent quality would be jessica Simpson ! They’re very padded and you can read reviews for yourself …they’re great. I have 3 pairs of platform heels made by her and must say theyre a great buy. Check them out.
Cat
Ivanka Trump pumps are well priced and not made of fragile leather, so stand up well to cobblestones and heating grates.
Anonymous
Perfect for the neo-Nazi on the go!
Xanthia Johnson
I just wanted to thank Corporette for all the invaluable information provided on the site. Right now, I’m in search of a pink/nude pump, with a preferably mid-length heel. The A2 Big Ben Aerosole faux leather seems to be sadly discontinued. But I am confident that by perusing your site’s links, I will find a noteworthy replacement.
Corporette saves me so much time in internet researching, allowing me to focus more on successfully growing my business/private practice. And at this point in my career, it is important to me that I look & feel authentically me. Your website gives me unique & unchartered ideas on how best to do that. Please keep up the great work!
Xanthia Johnson LPC, LCPC, RPT-S
DC Metro Area
TheLizzyIzzi
I can vouch for the comfort plus heels at Payless shoes. Normally I wouldn’t recommend cheap shoes, since they’re typically not comfortable for very long (they tend to wear out pretty fast). However, if you’re just starting out on a tight budget, these are a good pick. Typically they’re about $20 (look for a coupon online) and they’re very basic without looking cheap.
Also, be sure to talk to the sales people and don’t be afraid to try on more than one pair of the same shoe. No matter what your price point is, each pair is going to have slight variations that really can make a difference. In addition, sales people can help you get a better fit. A good sales person will be able to stretch shoes that are too narrow, or tighten up shoes that are just a bit too big (via things like heel grips and sole pads).
LawGirl
I swear by Geox and Donald J.Pliner, although the latter is harder to find where I live. I also like Calvin Klein for affordable comfort. Either of the three I’m comfortable walking from the office to Court and around all day. I am going to eventually splurge on Louboutins, so I’m glad to hear they’re comfortable!
Em
Gentle Souls More Rupert just ended the quest.
Classic black pumps. So comfortable I forget I’m wearing them.
SS
I agree Nine West, and some Naturalizers and Easy Spirits, are the most comfortable. However, I do miss the pumps and flats from the late 80’s-90’s, that had nylon tricot lining and mostly made in America. Regardless of brand, most shoes toaday are made in China and are not that comfortable, even when worn with hose
Alex
Have you heard of Bared Footwear (www.bared.com.au). It is a brand designed by a podiatrist to be good for your feet without looking ‘daggy’ or ‘comfort’. They have been lifesavers for me and I too have troubled feet but love nice non sensible shoes.
Omie Dove
I just wanted to say that I love my Soffts shoes. They’re very comfortable to wear. (They cost around $100 if purchased at full price.)
TrilleJ
Most shoes on this page are normal high heels with a thicker / gel filled sole. You should add http://www.roccamore.com.
Cute Danish brand launched on Kickstarter with a super comfortable orthopaedic insole that distributes the body weight.
And they’re not made in China but in Italy. Hence the price? :0
Michelle
For comfort, mid range pricing, and something that accommodates my foot which has a narrow heel but wide toes, I like Beautifeel, Paul Green and Thierry Rabotin. All of these brands have flexible latex soles which helps with my foot fatigue. Just be aware of sizing though bc these are all over the place
Kirsten Beauchesne
I use Killer Heels Comfort to make my high heels more comfortable and to keep my foot from sliding forward. I find they work well in many of my shoes. Kirsten B
Anonymous
I’ve tried Killer Heels Comfort insoles and are the only ones I like and would wear! They relieve pressure in the right spots and feel as though I’m walking in much shorter heels (they make 4 inch heels feel like 2 or 3 inch heels instead). I love how they provide extra support and prevent my feet from slipping/sliding down so my toes aren’t crunched up or my straps aren’t digging into my feet. Best of all, I forget that I’m wearing them (that’s how comfortable they are)!
nikanika
Ros hommerson. I like the Valeda-though it is not very stylish.
Crocs wedges. Super comfy and stable.
Skuze Shoes
A comfort Footwear or Shoes will make you more beauty. I would like to thank you for providing such a great Information about the “Guide to Comfortable Heels”. It helps me a lot to know about the different shoe, Features, Price, etc…. Your points are highly beneficial to have a complete understanding of the Comfortable Heels.
Eshika Roy
Thank you for posting this informative and helpful blog. We all know that wearing high heels for a prolonged period of time is painful. Also a lot of things depend on the kind of heel we are wearing. I gained a lot of knowledge about heels and how and on what occasions to wear them. I am looking forward to reading more helpful blogs in the future.
John In va
i am wondering how high my wife’s heels should actually be , She is a corporate environment promoted to administrative assistant to executive vise president . Now she is walking around in taller shoes and constantly complaining about her feet . She says all the other women wear even higher but when ever I go there most the other women are in i inch or flats. Whats the real on this , And whats considered appropriate height ? Most of the time her feet are under a desk so why bother even at the round table meeting , again under the table ? no ?
Virve Georgeson
Hi John, re: how high should my wife’s heels actually be? If her feet are in the medium range size 7-10 then a heel height of 3″ or less is ideal in that it is high enough to be a ‘high heel’ if she wants that for a professional look, yet low enough that the heels can be made very comfortable with the addition of foam inserts. Look for inserts that hold the foot back from sliding forward so that the heel does not gap and the toes don’t crush, plus provides good cushioning under the ball of the foot that does not bottom out. The inserts should not crowd the foot which will increase pain, or be so bulky that they push the foot upwards out of the shoe at the heel end which will increase instability.
Any high heels over 3″ can’t be cured from causing pain with the help of foam inserts if the pain is in the ankles. Ankle pain is a result of the ankle being in an extended position with weight bearing down on it. The ankle bones were not meant to bear weight in this position except for very brief periods of time. Often women have several pairs of heels in different heights to wear to the office that are kept at their desk. This can work well because then the higher heels are worn only for limited periods of time – and when you know for sure the actual amount of time.
Gwen in Milwaukee
For comfort and style, I like Fidji, Fly London, Think!, and Reikers. They are on the funky side, which is great by me. I try to go no higher than 2″, maybe 2 1/4″ max. I go for comfort, but I still want to be stylish.
Trille
My favourite comfortable heels are roccamore. I have a pair with a 8 cm heel and I can walk in them all day without any pain. My feet are also quite wide, which has been a problem with the fit of other high heels, but not with roccamore.
Emma Braun
High heels can be a real pain sometimes, and if they are pencil heels then chances of pain surely increases, that is why I personally like wedge heels if they are to be worn for longer duration or for longer distances. https://www.otbtshoes.com/collections/wedges, these are the wedge heels on which I am having a crush these days, they are amazingly stylish and surprisingly comfortable, a must try for all women who are looking for both style and comfort.
Virve Georgeson
Hi Emma, There is a misconception that wedge heels cause less pain than pencil heels of the same heel height. This is true only in a very limited way, which is if your main source of pain is from heels being more wobbly, & not from their height.
Pain in high heels is nearly always in direct correlation to the height of the heel. Wedge heels do provide a more stable base with more square inches of contact with the ground, but they do nothing to alleviate pain from pressure on the ball of the foot, or from toes being squashed into the toe box, or from blisters from heel gaps. These types of pain can only be alleviated by choosing lower heels, either pencil heels such as kitten heels, or low wedges, or ‘ net height’ lower high heels such as platforms. Another way of alleviating pain is to add custom fitted foam pads into your heels that will cushion the ball of the foot& hold the foot firmly in place both at the toe end & at the heel end.
Virre Georgeson
Hi Emma, I took a close look at the shoes you like at otbtshoes.com I can see why they are probably comfortable. They have ergonomically shaped insoles with a generous flat area for the heel and a gentle upturn at the toes. The bottoms area also shaped for ease of walking with a rounded end on the heel and a rocker sole. I especially like the Nomadic Navy Wedge Sandals, a gladiator style cage sandal in denim jeans colour. This has a 2.28″ heel and a platform, so the net height is just over an inch.(The platform thickness is not given so this is an proportionate estimate taken from a side view) It looks like it could be a very good walking shoe and great with jeans or dresses. The fact that it has adjustable straps and a back zip would make it easy to customize exactly to fit. I looked at another shoe, Journey in Pecan Closed Toe Wedges with a 3.86″ heel and 1.77 ” platform. This could be a comfortable shoe, but it may also be very uncomfortable if it doesn’t fit properly and if the material of the bottom is dense and heavy. Although the heel is only about 2″ in height, the shoe is a mule style. There is danger that the heel of the foot will fall off sideways at the heel from a height of almost 4″, and if the bottom is really heavy just lifting the shoe at every step could result in blisters on the top of the foot as it rubs against the vamp.
Laura
I have enjoyed reading this column with its excellent advice from you and your readers about comfortable high heels. I noticed that you reviewed some high heel inserts but you have neglected to review the best high heel inserts ever that are the newest ones out there. These are the Killer Heels Comfort brand of inserts. I have worn them in my heels and they really are the best. Please do your readers a big favor and review them for your column.
Christina
Are 2″ or kitten heels work appropriate?
Christina
I feel like they might look like “you’re not trying hard enough…”!
Jessica
I only wear heels under 2″ or flats. Even 2″ is sometimes too much for me. I refuse to destroy my feet or be uncomfortable all day. Will depend on your work though. We are truly business casual where “nice” jeans are acceptable.
Alice
I’m a dream pairs heels fan
Stephanie Caraway
I have knee problems and one of my legs is longer than the other. If I don’t have enough arch support, I am in a lot of pain. I wear Birkenstock almost exclusively, but that doesn’t work out with a suit. Naot is one brand for heels, but they are in the funky/clunky category. Vionic makes pumps with arch support. Taos is another brand that is pretty good, but their shoes can also be more on the clunky side. The Walking Company’s website has a good selection of comfortable dress shoes.