High heels that won't kill your feet, this is how to choose them

High heels got a bad rep amongst women who value comfort. Butthe truth is - heels don’t have to hurt. As someone who wore, danced for hours in, and walked miles and miles in extra high stilettos, we state it with confidence.

Not every shoe works for every foot, even when it is the right size. It takes experience, determination, and some luck to find a pair that feels like it was custom-made for you. But when you do, you’ll feel unstoppable. We truly believe that magic happens when a woman wears heels. They are indeed a genius invention.

Shop heels with platforms

If you don’t have any preference for the types of heels, opt for chunky ones, ideally with the platform, as they are stable and keep you firm on the ground.

Be very careful with stiletto shoes as most of them look like a dream but are, in fact, silent assassins. Thankfully, some of this on-trend footwear comes with platforms of different height, to balance the heel and the toes. These are the ones you will feel most comfortable in regardless of how high the heel is.

Inspect the heel cup

Indya Brown from Who What Wear recommends paying attention to the heel cup. She writes that the manufacturers put a stiffening agent in the heel area, aka the counter of the shoe, so it retains its shape. As a result, the stiffness of the counter makes it a prime spot for friction and blisters.

You can tackle the problem by opting for footwear made of leather or suede, as they are more pliable than synthetic materials. They will mould to the shape of your foot, thus reducing chafing after a few wears.

Shoe-shop in the evening

As your foot expands slightly throughout the day, try your heels on towards the evening. If you buy shoes in the morning when your foot is at its slimmest, they may be too tight for daily wear and pain-free feet.

Don’t buy on a whim

If walking in high heels is an art, choosing them is a science. That is why it’s so important not to do it on a whim. In this climate emergency age, less is more, and a good pair of shoes that will last you a while is worth more than ten hardly wearable ones, bought on emotions.

It can sound obvious, but don't compromise the looks for comfort, and make sure you buy the size that fits you perfectly. As a rule, there should be a thumb’s width from the front of the inside of your shoe to the end of your longest toe. Leaving this space is crucial for your foot to have a little wiggle room as it moves within the shoe, rather than forcing it to create friction against the sides.

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