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Today’s reader mail has to do with the quest for comfortable heels…
I was wondering whether you had heard of Tsubo shoes. I recently posted on Facebook about my quest for comfortable heels, and instead of the usual “get the Cole Haan Nike Air pumps” suggestion, two people posted about Tsubos. I checked out the site, and the shoes really do appear to be very well made and at $100 to $150, a reasonable expenditure, even for me. Thought it might be worth a post. Many of your readers certainly must be walking to the courthouse regularly, and are probably looking for fashionable yet professional footwear that won’t cause them to limp by the end of the day.
Seriously, forget the Holy Grail — this is one of my lifelong quests. As one might expect from all the Mary Jane and other comfortable-type shoes I post (what? I wear ’em with pants) this author has problem feet — it’s incredibly difficult to get shoes that both feel and look great.
Not only does it seem like there are variances within each brand (e.g., some of our Cole Haans we love, others we want to throw across the room), but shoes that were favorites in previous seasons become hated things in newer ones (and never get better).
Whine, whine — perhaps I just need a higher tolerance for pain. In terms of pain, I actually read a book about feet a while ago that contained some helpful exercises 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 — but that doesn’t help with the comfort of shoes to begin with.
Regarding Tsubo: I’ve heard of them, but have never owned a pair — one of the pairs we considered buying on Zappos several months ago seemed to have a number of comments about the leather stretching. But that doesn’t mean we’d never try the brand in general.
The brands we’ve heard most often touted as comfortable ones can be broken down into these sorts of categories:
- Designed by master craftsmen, incredibly comfy, but incredibly pricey: the usual suspects: Manolo, Louboutin, Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo (we’ve read that the Manolo team thinks 3″ is the highest heel a woman can comfortably walk on, whereas the 4″ Louboutins are worn by all the celebrities because the stacked platform makes them very comfortable)
- Designed for comfort and mid-range pricey ($250-$500): Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman, Taryn Rose (the brand was founded by a podiatrist!)
- Funky or clunky, depending on your taste, but comfortable investments: Eileen Fisher, Fly London, Dansko, Paul Green, John Fluevog, Frye,
- Lower-cost comfortable (but also often clunky): Børn, Clarks, Sofft, Geox, (we’d put Tsubos in this list)
- Mall stores that bring trendier shoes to you at a more reasonable price: Aerosoles, Naturalizer, Rockport
These are some of our favorite heels as of 2024, but check out our entire Guide to Comfortable Heels!
With that said, we still find that luck — not research — nets us our most comfortable pairs of shoes. In fact, our favorite 3 pairs of shoes right now are from the following brands:
- Clarks — a simple pair of black boots (the “Luna Reef”) for wear with pants — comfy, walkable
- Sacco – black leather and suede pair of 3″ pumps that we keep at the office (got several seasons ago)
- Naturalizer — a wee bit embarrassing, but we have a pair of pointy-toed kitten heels from years ago that we can walk for miles in. The sole is actually wearing out on these babies (in a non-replaceable way), so we desperately need to find a new “I’m wearing a suit, standing for 3 hours, and then walking a mile” pair of shoes.
But perhaps I just need a better breaking-in procedure — a friend told us that the trick was to wear the shoe barefoot and then saturate the leather with perfume — something about the alcohol shrinking the leather to your foot. I’ve never tried this (and actually, if memory serves, one of the main points to the book was that there is no such thing as “breaking in” shoes; they either fit or don’t).
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! If you definitely want a stable base, check out brands like FLY London, Dansko, Eileen Fisher, Børn — they’re great as commuting heels (because you can maintain height for pants hemmed for heels), but they may also be just the ticket if you want something more comfortable.
What are your favorite three pairs of shoes right now (if possible, post links!)? Which brands are your go-to ones for comfort? Do you do anything to break in your shoes?
Psst: here are our favorite comfortable flats, too!
(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.)
Social media picture credit: Deposit Photos / © sbotas.
Sarah
I also have problem feet, but I haven’t seen my problem come up yet. My right foot is a size 8.5, medium width. My left food is a size 7, wide width. Both feet have such high arches that you can see the bottom of my feet through the sides of my pumps (you can’t see the arches when I wear tennis shoes, obvi :-) ) and I need to extend most Mary Jane straps because the top of my foot is so tall. This is a problem for taller heels, which usually don’t have the support (regardless of the brand) to stop my left arch from collapsing from the angle. My personal godsend has been Nordstrom, which has a policy that they will sell you two different size shoes, as long as the different sizes are at least a size and a half apart. Also, they will do pretty much anything in terms of punching new holes through straps, building up a sole, stretching out the leather, etc. They have a customer for life in me. I moved from Chicago (with the Michigan Ave. Nordstrom shoe dept…sigh!) to Central Penna (with…………) and I’ve tried to get Macy’s to do the same thing, and the managers look at me like I have 5 heads. You would think that if I were about to buy 5 pairs of shoes, they would accommodate?
In any course, I had a pair of Munros forever in high school and college (I did speech and debate tournaments, so needed suits with pumps for a long time) which I am desperate to find again. The insole had a little cushion for the space between the ball of the foot and the bone on the outside of the foot, as well as arch support. I could sleep in those shoes, they were so wonderful, especially since I would have to wear them from 5AM – 8PM. I’m a law student, so the Louboutins, et al., are a bit too dear for me. However, I do have a few pairs of the Sofft pumps, which are pretty nice, until you hit hour 3. I also have a pair of the Nordstrom brand pumps (2 inch heel, black pointy), which are super excellent and take me to hour 7, which I’m fine with.
legalicious07
If you have (a) problem feet (flat with a corn on each baby toe, narrow ankles), and (b) are on a budget (e.g. are a student like me and can’t spend three figures on shoes), I can tell you what shoes to AVOID:
UNCOMFORTABLE
1) Nine West shoes. The only exception: These black NW kitten heels are super comfy – http://www.ninewest.com/Oaks/3065048,default,pd.html
2) Steven Madden shoes.
3) Cole Haan Nike Air (purchased at TJ Maxx, of course). I have the Melinda (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130354001248&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=M*F%3F&GUID=5cdba9281250a02653520a82ff9aa713&itemid=130354001248&ff4=263602_263622) and the Miranda (http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7559897/c/136579.html) and I’m simply not impressed.
COMFORTABLE
Honestly, I haven’t found the most comfortable shoes ever. I can recommend three shoes that start out quite comfortable, but you still don’t want to walk a mile in them. They are fine, however, for every day light use.
1) BCBG Millineum pump (http://www.amazon.com/BCBG-Millenium-Leather-Pump-Black/dp/B0031TQ3EY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1263062252&sr=1-1)
2) Kenneth Cole Reaction Inner Space (http://www.shoes.com/Shopping/productdetails.aspx?catalog_name=web&pg=5072501&p=EC1108470&CMP=OTC-GoogleBase&partnerid=GoogleBase&cpc=GoogleBase&=campaign=KENNETH+COLE+REACTION&category=W&cpckw=KENNETH+COLE+REACTION+Womens+Inner+Space+Shoe+%28Black+Patent%29&CAWELAID=213957633)
3) Cole Haan Lorilee (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330388318699&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=M*F%3F&GUID=5cdba9281250a02653520a82ff9aa713&itemid=330388318699&ff4=263602_263622)
For some shoes, I could only find Ebay versions. I promise that those are not my Ebay ads! :-b
Philly123
The best work shoe brand hands down is Ecco. Ecco boots, pumps, and flats are all great!
bgrh
Hi – Google found the comment regarding Insolia Inserts and I came to take a look. If you are interested in trying them, here is a coupon code good for 15% off your first order, “corporette”. You can learn more at “insolia.com”.
They are positioned at the heel, and prevent you from sliding into the front of your high heels. Three inch heels put 75% of your weight on the balls of your feet – with Insolia Inserts installed that drops down to about 50%.
Most women will find they can wear their heels up to three times longer before the pain sets in. Really.
peg
I have a pair of 3″ Enzo Angiolini leather heals that are super comfy. Also, the heal is not leather wrapped which is a huge deal since I frequently get stuck in sidewalk cracks.
My last pair of comfortable 3″-ers were Nine West — one of those pairs of shoes that I wish I would have bought 3 of when I bought them.
peg
Oh, and I should mention that Jessica Simpson’s shoes are the most uncomfortable shoes known to wo-man. Seriously, they look cute in the store and you think you could wear them to a cocktail party and then 15 minutes into the party you want to saw your feet off.
Cynthia
I own a pair of the Tsubo Nabu’s. They were an impulse buy and I must admit, sometimes my impulses are right on! They are so comfortable that I even wear them when I know I will be doing a lot of walking. For you creative types, this particular style has an edge to them.
tobster
ARA made in Germany. They are the ONLY shoes that never cause me foot pain. Between $60 & 250 depending on sales. Only available online in the States.
Bunkster
My 2 most comfortable pairs of shoes are made by Athena Alexander. I think it’s ones of Nordstrom’s house brands. There is extra padding in the footbed. Unfortunately, the brand only seems to make sandals and open-toe shoes. So I’m out of luck now (Boston in December, 2 days after the blizzard), but come summer (actually, probably May) I’ll wear them every day.
Paige
The most comfortable shoes I own are Chinese Laundry Cashbox. http://www.dsw.com/shoe/chinese+laundry+cash+box+sandal?prodId=200682&brand=300080
I bought them in tan then livedvthem so much I bought them in black. They are 4″ heels with a little platform and I can wear them all day. I wear them bare legged in the summer and with dark or black hose in the winter
EverSince
Louboutins – probably 15 years old at this point – with a thin, 3-4 inch heel, rounded toe, black patent. Can wear them all day, walk forever, and feel elegant and appropriate. Would not wear them in front of a jury, no (red bottoms, you know). One down side – they are black patent. Most brilliant shoe repair man in the city, who has cleaned these a few times, has informed me: patent hits a wall. At a certain point, now matter how well you clean them, they just don’t retain that mirror shine. Next investment heels will be plain leather.
Sirena
The most beautiful styles high heels are seen today ..but most of us women want to feel great and don’t want to break a leg ..
I still hope one day somebody will cut half of the heel height and make us all look beautiful!!
Wearing ugly pumps is not for a enchanting night out!!
Jenn
Love your post but minor correction … Taryn Rose is an orthopedic surgeon, not a podiatrist (or pediatrist, which I assume is a typo). Calling an MD a podiatrist is perhaps as annoying as calling a JD a paralegal.
emmaglenn
BANDOLINOS!!! They are my go-tos for dancing or anytime I know I’ll be on my feet all day. They are definitely classy, simple, and demure enough for the office, and I always get complimented on them from my female boss. I’m telling you they are the secret comfort brand that isn’t marketed as a comfort brand. Give them a try!
Also Jessica Simpson makes surprisingly comfortable and well-made shoes (the ones that aren’t extra tall anyway…which don’t look work appropriate).
Aerosoles are also great if you can find them in a trendy-enough shape. They also might take some getting used to because they are structured differently than most brands. Once you adjust, though, you’ll love them.
I am a business consultant, and I’m constantly running here, there, and everywhere. I wear heels all day every day. Usually 3 inches tall. I buy in mass quantities so i can’t afford the super expensive brands, but you can get some really nice shoes at DSW for $50.
swally
I wish Ferragamo’s were actually affordable. I can’t justify wearing a mortgage payment on my feet. Tsubo looks like the winner for me looks wise. Let’s hope they’re comfy.
Malin
As a waitress the brand Ecco saved my life! Heels and flats alike they are amazing, my very first pair saved my feet, back and legs from pain (and probably permanent damage) and lasted 7 years until they were worn down (yes i wore them very often and no they didnt break at all they were simply walked down). Definitely worth a try! :)