The Top 10 Most Comfortable Heel Brands
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Here's something we haven't talked about in far too long, ladies — which are your top 10 most comfortable heel brands? It's been a few years since we did a roundup, so we're going to update our picks to reflect the brands that readers swear by for comfortable heels.
While there are definitely well-known comfort brands that are maybe a bit frumpy or funky, I've always thought the magic lies in knowing which regular, popular brands are ALSO really comfortable… I'd love to hear your list, ladies!
Here are my top 10 brands for comfortable heels — many of them have been reader favorites for years, but others may be new on your radar…
The above photo is a stock photo, but these heels may be similar to the ones pictured: Anne Klein and Lifestride (Suki and Giovanna).
Executive Summary: Editor's Picks for The Most Comfortable Heel Brands in 2026
- Best Overall Luxury Heel: Sarah Flint
- Best Luxury Classic: Ferragamo
- Quiet Luxury: Tod's
- Modern Designer Comfort: Stuart Weitzman
- Best Under $200: Sam Edelman
- Best Modern Office Pumps: Marc Fisher LTD
- Best Value: Naturalizer
- Cushioned Comfort Heels: Sofft
- Most Supportive: Vionic
- Best Under the Radar Pick: Ann Mashburn
How we chose: We considered years of reader discussions, our editors' experiences, current availability, comfort technology, size inclusivity, and whether each brand currently offers professional heels we'd recommend to readers today. We also reviewed recent reader discussions to make sure our recommendations reflect what professional women are loving right now.
There are a lot of other brands we considered for this list, including Aquatalia, Cole Haan, Everlane, AGL, Clarks, Rockport, and more. In many cases, we love the brand overall but found the current heel selection is limited, or we think the brand is stronger in another category (like flats or boots). As always, we'd love to hear which brands you'd add in the comments.
N.B. This post was originally written in 2019, but updated almost entirely in June 2026 by Kat Griffin.
Why You Should Trust Corporette®
At Corporette®, we’ve been covering professional women’s workwear since 2008, and we've talked about comfortable shoes a lot here on the blog! Our big roundup is our constantly updated Guide to Comfortable Heels, but we've rounded up the best brands for comfortable work shoes in general, the best brands for comfortable work heels, and asked the readers about their most comfortable heels and least comfortable heels. (We've also talked about the best flats for work, the best business-casual sneakers, non-sneaker shoes that are so comfortable you can walk for miles, and extremely comfortable business casual shoes!)
The Top 10 Most Comfortable Heel Brands for Work
Sarah Flint: Overall Investment Pump
Sarah Flint is more or less the gold standard — the brand focuses on classic styles with anatomical arch support and extra footbed padding. Their “Perfect Collection” of shoes have expanded over the years to include sandals, slingbacks, pumps (and yes, flats!). Prices are generally $395-$595 for flats, heels, and short boots (with taller boots being $850+).
Ferragamo: Classic Luxury
If you're looking for a brand with extended sizes and widths, AND open to splurging on a heel that's $500-$700, look to Salvatore Ferragamo — it's hard to find a more reliable “fancy comfortable heel.” Readers were just talking about how most female law partners they know wear Varas (pictured) — and there are always seasonal colors and prints or sculptural heels if you want a bit more “fashion cred.” We haven't updated our guide to designer shoes in a long while, but other brands on my radar for comfortable heels in this price range include Jimmy Choo, The Fold, Miu Miu, and Aquazzura.
Tod's: Quiet Luxury
Something I noticed when looking through Corporette reader comments – a number of people were mentioning Tod's as being really comfortable and “worth it” when it came to heels and loafers. These are some of the most expensive ones on the list, but from what the readers say: they're worth it, and they last forever. (You can also find the brand at Nordstrom!)
Weitzman: Modern Designer Comfort
Stuart Weitzman shoes are another longrunning favorite with the readers, whether it's their sophisticated heels or must-have minimalist sandals and boots. I'm happy to see they have a low kitten heel back in their lineup again; their Poco heels were huge favorites amongst the readers when they were sold.
Sam Edelman: Best Under $200
If your budget is under $200, Sam Edelman continues to hit the sweet spot between style and comfort. The brand offers classic pumps, block heels, and slingbacks that work well for professional wardrobes without feeling dated. Plus, many colors are available in multiple widths and extended sizes 4-13. (Readers also love their loafers!)
Note that you can find them at Nordstrom, Zappos, Amazon, and other retailers! The Hazel is their longest-running bestselling heel.
Marc Fisher LTD: Best Modern Office Pumps
For years, this brand's block heel was THE answer to “what shoe should I wear to work?” It was the correct answer for interviews, for court, for conferences, and more. The block heel (the Zala) is STILL around and still very popular — but the brand has a number of other cute styles if you're looking for something on the trendy side. (Their Chelsea boot was also wildly popular for years!)
Naturalizer: Best Value
Naturalizer, I think, is heads and shoulders above a lot of the “mall comfort” brands — they often come in extended sizes, they're one of the ONLY brands left with a reliable selection of “nude for me” colors, and they're affordable, comfortable, and offer a nice blend of classic and trendy styles. Their extremely low slingbacks have been a stalwart these past few years,
Sofft: Cushioned Comfort
If you have fussy feet then you NEED to give Sofft heels a try. They have always been wildly comfortable and extra cushioned; the most recent pair of shoes I got from them surprised me all over again in a good way for how shoes should feel. Their heels tend towards the classic more than trendy. (The brand also has great sandals and waterproof boots!)
Vionic: Best Foot Support
Vionic is another great brand for fussy feet — many Vionic products carry the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, and the brand's VioLab is full of more podiatrists than designers.
The brand also has a line of shoes designed to be great for travel (packable but comfortable), and their almost-sold-out Minna heel was a Holy Grail heel for years (and you can still get it at Amazon).
Ann Mashburn: Best Under the Radar Pick
I was torn between Ann Mashburn and Margaux for this final slot — each brand has sophisticated style that wins rave reviews from readers. I mostly hear readers extolling Margaux flats, though — so Ann Mashburn is getting the Corporette nod of approval for one of the top brands we'd recommend if you're looking for comfortable heels. I love the little details on the shoes — the buckle on the heel (also available as a flat), the slight square to the vamp of the slingbacks, and more.
More Brands We Love for Comfortable Heels for Work
Budget-Friendly Comfy Heels
Worth the Upgrade
- Margaux
- Paul Green
- Cole Haan (not a ton of heels at the moment, but historically a reader favorite!)
Fashion-Forward Picks
Cult Favorites
(These may both seem a little bit out there, but they have been recommended for years by readers here!)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most comfortable heel height for work?
The most comfortable heel height is the one that you can walk in for several blocks, not just down the hallway. Most women find something between 2″-3.5″ to be the best height (or you will see a LOT of brands with 50mm or 85mm heights).
How can I make my heels more comfortable?
When we've discussed this before, we've generally mentioned inserts like ball-of-feet cushions, no-show socks, and blister blockers. Asking your cobbler to add rubber soles to your shoes can also make them more comfortable, as well as last longer.
How else can I make my heels last longer?
Let them air out for at least 24 hours between wearing them! Shoes are not designed to be worn back to back every day. Another tried and true trick for many women professionals: commute in flats, then change to heels when you get to the office. I had a full collection of heels that basically lived under my desk.
Do I have to wear heels?
You do not! There are many other options right now — we've rounded up a ton of great flats, loafers, boots, and even business casual sneakers.
Are there any heels that are not office appropriate?
There are a few. Know your office really well before wearing any heel that is taller than 4″ (although my hat is off to you for even considering it!) — readers have cautioned over and over that “you want to avoid looking like a baby giraffe” with your heels. Hidden or small platforms are fine, but I'd also be wary of very thick soles or platforms. Although sandals have come a long way, I would generally advise you towards closed toe pumps, at least until you know your office well.
How about you, readers? What are your top 10 most comfortable heel brands? Which ones do you swear by for style AND comfort, and which ones are just so comfortable that you're willing to sacrifice style (and maybe use them for commuting shoes)?
Stock photo credit: Fotolia / blacksalmon.
I have high arches and wide feet with bunions and I highly recommend Sofft – I used to buy these at Nordstrom. Very comfortable with no need to break in
THANK YOU a million times for this very specific rec…my duck feet appreciate you.
I would love more brand recommendations for triangular feet/ bunion feet / narrow heel wide forefoot. So far, I am only comfortable in my custom Adams Boots shoes and my USA Dawg slippers.
Whitten, Origo, and Lems all work for me and my sister. No bunions, but we do have narrow heels and wide toeboxes.
I have a lot of Sam Edelman and Franco Sarto and can vouch for their comfort level. Unfortunately, I bought a pair of Naturalizers that were low heel and cute for singing and they were so uncomfortable, I gave them away. My feet fell asleep!
M.Gemi is absolutely amazing.
Okay guys, bear with me here. If you do write off a brand “because they’re available in a mall,” uh, where are your preferred brands available instead? Are they online-only? Are they in fancy schmancy stores that eschew malls in favor of … where? I always thought lah-di-dah brands were just sold in lah-di-dah malls. What’s up here?
Yeah no clue. If I wanted to buy Ferragamo Varas I’d do that at the mall.
Plus, Aerosoles are no longer available at malls – they closed down all their brick and mortar stores like a year ago and they’re online only now (and I guess at DSWs and the like, but not at their own branded stores).
I agree with you. I think Kat meant “at the mall” as in small stores at the mall, like Nine West. But I have always objected to using the “mall” term this way, because, like you, fancy brands come from the fancy mall.
I have really wide feet and am super sensitive to how things feel- I order on zappos a lot. It’s a little pricier, but you can filter by width and read people’s reviews. It’s also super easy to order & return (I do it for my shopping averse husband too when he needs new shoes).
I also order mall brands online because of the sizing issues.
My feet are sensitive due to neuropathy , wide feet and bunions but walk better in 2.5 inch heels , but need comfy lol , so thank you
mmm, I think sometimes people use “mall brand” colloquially to mean *relatively widely available in a mall*, like, if you’re at a mall, you are almost always going to be able to find this. As opposed to brands whose brick and mortar store may well be in a mall (schmancy or otherwise) but you aren’t likely to find if you go to a *random* mall.
Just bought a pair of heels shaped similarly to the ones in this post’s photo. The back of the shoe, at the top, rubs the back of my heel. The part that rubs isn’t just the inside though, it’s the top of that area too, which feels rigid against the flexibility of my heel skin (if that makes any sense). How do I remedy this?
For me, that’s an immediate return because the shoe is the wrong shape for my foot and no amount of finagling or aftermarket sticky things will improve the situation.
I have always had a prominent heel (from birth and not a Haglund’s deformity, but effectively the same shape). Shoes that have a heel cup that comes up higher in back are less likely to cause me problems in that area. It also helps if the shoe’s heel cup has a more visible curve that mimics the shape of my heel, but that’s not always necessary.
Some of my dress shoes are styled with a little leather tab (not a loop or actual pull tab, just a little short, upright flap). The tab is soft and I don’t think it does anything in and of itself, but it also means the top edge of the heel is not sharp. I like to try on shoes that have this feature when I run across them and they are usually quite comfortable out of the box.
Also Bally. All I wear for court shoes.
+3 for me, my mom and my sister!
I have the naturalizers in 3 colors I love them so much
Same!
I really like Bandolino shoes. They are classic and professional and I can wear them all day. And they don’t cost a fortune. I also live in Franco Sarto.
I have Bandolino booties from TJMaxx that I love and wear all the time.
Aww I had black patent Bandolino block heels as my very first lawyer shoes. I liked them a lot after they were broken in. My current office is so casual I’ve been wearing the same uncool pair of Chelsea boots for years. Sometimes I miss wearing nice shoes but I am just out of fs to give.
I bought the Edelman Hazel based on the many recs on this site. I have triangle-shaped feet with wide bunions and a narrow heel, and I wear heels only a few times per year. I found the Hazels to be comfortable to stand in for a 6-hour meet and greet, right out of the box. Very pleased with them.
It pains me to say this, but Ivanka Trump pumps are super comfortable. I have three pairs that are about five years old and I refuse to replace them, but I will wear them for as long as they last…. Michael Kors also makes comfortable heels. For “mall” shoes, Nine West all the way.
Ugh, me too re Ivanka Trump. I had a pair in regular rotation until I started working from home significantly more in 2016.
The question then is who makes them for that brand??? Can they be purchased under a different brand name???
Marc Fisher.
I went down this rabbit hole. Marc Fisher is not cut the same. I went with Kate Spade instead.
I tried them and they are just not quite the same….sad face.
My guess is Vince Camuto, but there are others under the G-III umbrella
They’re just shoes. Good for you for being a big girl.
how gross
If you have wide feet/aren’t good at heels- payless dexflex is so great (not terrible looking and not pricey either!).
Definitely Sofft. I have a pair of pumps from about 10 years ago that are the perfect taupe pump from Ann Taylor. They no longer make them and I’m constantly scouring ebay for another pair.
In the upper end of the scale, in my experience, Miu Miu shoes are SO uncomfortable. Comfortable are Louboutin Simple 70s, Manolos, and Jimmy Choo – if you buy them large.
i find aquazurra pretty comfortable!
Miu miu are super uncomfy but I consider them art pieces. My burgundy platform heels from 1998 live as a display item, having been partied in. Still in great condition and a fun reminder of great times!
Poppy Barley! Not a ton of selection but so comfortable.
They’re based in my hometown, so I’ll add that their colors change seasonally (they just released a gorgeous caramel and a metallic silver…) , and they’ll replace the soles with rubber as they wear out. Plus you can get custom made boots – calf height and width, in a bunch of styles. I’ve had my eye on riding boots forever, I just can’t decide between oxblood and cognac…
Poppy Barley! So comfy
I am a dedicated fan of AGL’s pumps, purchased at Nordstrom. I can give plant tours in the block heels – comfort and quality. Also a fan of Jimmy Choo. I need a wide toebox due to bunions and my Prada pumps are tried and true – I’ve had them for years and they are amazing. I recently discovered Botkier and they’re also very comfy at reasonable price.
I wear (very inexpensive) Anne Klein heels from DSW all the time and think they are as comfortable as flats.
Thanks for this post. My dress shoes are getting so worn. I just ordered two pairs of Rockports. Both pairs were on sale and today they are having a buy one get one half off sale at Rockport.com, so I got both pairs under $80 total. I wouldn’t have thought of ordering from this brand otherwise. I hope they fit.
I’ve had good luck with Rockports before.
Rockport total motion pumps are my favourite for cheap heels that I can walk in all day. I hope they fit you as well as they fit me!
I have narrow feet, which leaves me with very limited options. However it does require me to buy well constructed shoes. I like Naturalizer, Trotters and SoftWalks (their old liners were so much better). Your grandmother may have worn Trotters but they have gotten much more stylish in recent years.
M Gemi is a good stepping stone as well between Cole Haan and Ferragamos. They’re along a similar price point as Cole Haan at full price, but aren’t on sale or discounted as often (can’t find them at Rack or Amazon). I’ve now bought three pairs and all are perfect straight out of the box. No blisters, no pain and fantastic quality.
+1 for a post on shoes (especially heels) for wide feet & narrow heel. Incredibly annoying that the brands who do offer wide don’t carry them in-store, even in NYC flagship stores.
Killerheelscomfort.com sells inserts that I’ve found work really well for comfort/cushioning! Stops your foot from sliding forward and rebalances weight to heel. Wore unpadded 3.5″ sandal heels to a wedding and lasted 6 hours with lots of standing & dancing. I just started wearing heels again after time off for knee issues so my feet were used to cushy Cole Haan zeroGrands, not heels.
Shoes of Prey might work for some wide/narrow. Well priced and great concept. Sadly, their toe box was too short for my long toes.
J. Renee for wide, Amazon & Nordstrom. Not comfy but at least I can fit my feet in them, which is step one (no pun intended)
Has anyone tried the Antonia Saint pumps?
How about Bally
Anyone know which heels the model in the main picture is wearing?
Prada pumps with 85mm heels in black vitello leather = my “go-to” pump for everything. I’ve had my pair treated with a local cobbler in every way possible to make sure they last as long as they can because I wear them so much. They give me more height than the Ferragamo Vara (although I have red patent leather Varas that I wear for art events and museum visits and love those too). The Prada pumps are a splurge, but they are beautiful and comfortable and will last a really, really long time.
Ferragamo. I also had one incredible pair of Tory Burch heels that I wore into the ground, and even got re-soled. I have small, narrow feet.
Now I don’t wear any heels and am happier for it.
Kinda surprised not to see Gucci loafers listed. They have been a classic for decades, also their boots.
Aravon are my comfort dress shoe. I only wear a slight heel, so these do the job for me. I have wide feet, use orthotics when the footbed (of anything, including snow boots, roller skates and water shoes) doesn’t provide the right support, and have a bunion on my right foot. I get full and partial orthotics every other time period that they are covered by my health insurance.