The Top 10 Most Comfortable Heel Brands
Here's something we haven't talked about in far too long, ladies — which are your top 10 most comfortable heel brands? We last did a roundup of everyone's favorite brands for comfortable heels maaaany moons ago (2012!) and there have been some changes since… which are your favorites?
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…
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The above photo is a stock photo, but these heels may be similar to the ones pictured: one / two / three / four
10. Affordable Comfortable Heels: Dexflex Comfort
Readers have long sung the praises of this classic comfortable, affordable heel, but the whole line gets good reviews if you're looking for budget-friendly comfortable heels! Note that Amazon also sometimes carries the line.
9. Widely Available Comfortable Heels: Sam Edelman
Not only does this brand have a great cushioning system, but many colors are available in multiple widths and extended sizes 4-13. Other contenders here: MICHAEL Michael Kors and Calvin Klein.
We're picturing all of the Sam Edelman heels in black, but you'll be surprised by how many colors, prints, fabrics and textures they come in… Note that you can find them at Nordstrom, Zappos, Amazon, 6PM, Bloomingdale's and Lord & Taylor.
8 & 7. Not a Surprise Comfort Heels: Rockport & Clarks
Rockport's Total Motion line has been a reader favorite for years, particularly because of the cushioning system that used Adidas technology. (Update: Looks like Adidas and Rockport have parted ways — if you liked the brand in the past, stock up now!)
Rockport, pictured above: one / two / three
Clarks can definitely run on the funky side, but readers have always sworn by the brand for their intense cushioning system, and with the full price being under $125 (and frequent sales!) they're definitely a great affordable option. A similar brand in this price point but not a lot of heels right now: Vionic.
6 & 5. Comfortable Heels You Can Buy In a Mall (Tie): Naturalizer & Aerosoles
Don't discount these brands just because they're available in a mall — there are great options for style, particularly trendier things. Obviously, both brands are sold at Zappos; Naturalizer is also found at Nordstrom.
Naturalizer's N5 Contour system is pretty great. They describe shoes with the system as offering extra cushioning, a breathable lining, balanced heel to toe, and flexible soles, and note that they are made with lightweight but durable materials.
The Aerosoles wedge pictured below (#2) is a best seller at Zappos and occasionally comes in fun prints; for example right now you can get a black leather upper with a leopard wedge.
4 & 3. Stylish Heels You Didn't Know Were Comfortable: (Tie) 1.State and Franco Sarto
Franco Sarto is old on the scene, whereas 1.State is relatively new — still, both brands are worth checking out if you want things that are a bit more on the trendy, stylish side. Another brand to keep an eye on: Marc Fisher LTD — in particular, their block heel pump is hugely popular right now.
2. OG Comfortable Heel: Cole Haan
Cole Haan Air was, for many years, the default comfortable heel for women getting started. It was a collaboration with Nike Air! The shoes were mostly affordable (generally under $300!) and super stylish! There have been some fits and starts in the years since the collaboration ended but they're still going strong. Their bow pumps are still some of the brand's best-sellers (there's a waterproof version now 60% off at Nordstrom!), and while Nordstrom doesn't carry their classic 75mm heel anymore, Zappos does. The shoes pictured below are all under $200.
1. Splurge-Worthy Comfortable Heels: Salvatore Ferragamo
If you're looking for a brand with extended sizes and widths, AND open to splurging on a heel that's $500-$700 — 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 below) — 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, Miu Miu, and Aquazzura.
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.
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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.
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
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?
Also Bally. All I wear for court shoes.
I have the naturalizers in 3 colors I love them so much
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.
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.
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!
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 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.