.jpg?w=1280&resize=1280,640&ssl=1 "8 Greatest Comfy Heels of 2025, Examined by SELF Editors")
Should you just like the look of excessive heels however can’t stand how they make your toes really feel, then you definitely’re on the identical web page as your complete SELF crew. Once I first requested my fellow coworkers to rec their favourite pairs, they instructed me that they normally give in and prioritize type over consolation—as a result of discovering heels which can be straightforward to put on may be like looking for a needle in a haystack (nearly not possible).
However we’d by no means accept pinchy slippers or too-small operating sneakers, so we got down to discover some cute, foot-friendly heels. First, we requested a podiatrist for tips about what to search for in a pair of stilettos, heeled boots, or wedges. Then, we examined a couple of dozen sneakers from manufacturers which can be recognized for his or her cozy types (some are even created by podiatrists, so we had excessive hopes!).
Under, you’ll discover our ideas—good and not-so-good—on each excessive heel we examined.
Our prime picks
- Greatest Boots: Rothy’s The Traditional Boot
- Greatest Stiletto: Inez Mila
- Greatest Platform: Dr. Scholl’s Unique Pleasure Platform Clog
- Greatest Knee-Excessive Boots: Vionic Bixby Slouchy Knee Excessive Boot
- Greatest Pump: Inez Frida
- Greatest for Work: Rothy’s The Mary Jane Heel
- Greatest for Extensive Toes: Naturalizer Pierson Excessive Heel Shootie
- Greatest for Particular Events: Naturalizer Anna Pump
On this article
Which options ought to I search for in excessive heels?
Preserve these elements in thoughts as you store to search out your excellent pair.
Any heel above two inches will pressure your foot right into a place that places strain on the balls of your toes, Leakna Ung, DPM, a podiatrist at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedics Institute, tells SELF. So going with a heel that’s two inches or shorter is the comfier alternative. (Fortunately, kitten heels are very on development proper now.) In order for you peak, although, search for a platform that has a smaller heel-to-toe drop.
“Should you’re in a stiletto, you’re already shifting your physique weight and heart of gravity ahead, so that you’re partaking your hamstrings, knees, and your backbone, and that might trigger quite a lot of generalized orthopedic points,” Dr. Ung says. As a substitute, attempt a block heel or a wedge, which can distribute strain extra evenly to assist take the load off the balls of your toes. Additionally, “the [extra] floor space will present slightly bit extra stability,” Dr. Ung explains.
Apart from form and peak, be sure the shoe’s heel is positioned straight beneath the middle of your heel (as a substitute of the very again of the shoe), Dr. Ung says. This comes all the way down to the shoe’s design and match—in case your foot slides ahead in a pair or there’s an excessive amount of wiggle room on the perimeters, the 2 may not line up, she explains.
The entrance of the shoe, a.okay.a. the toe field, must have sufficient room for your entire toes (no cramming!). Should you discover any redness or irritation in your massive toe or the perimeters of your pinky toes, that’s indicator that your heels are too slender, in keeping with Dr. Ung.
One other professional tip: “Individuals at all times take into consideration the width of a shoe, however they really want to consider the depth,” Dr. Ung says. Should you’re carrying closed-toe sneakers, the tops of your toes shouldn’t rub up in opposition to the within of the toe field—that’s an indication your excessive heels are too shallow, she provides.
Typically, there’s no fixing a excessive heel that’s too small. You’re signing up for probably painful friction in your toes, heels, and the outsides of your toes, Dr. Ung says. Undecided which measurement is best for you? She recommends choosing bigger over smaller—it’s higher on your toes in the long term.
How can I make uncomfortable heels extra comfy?
Padding, padding, and extra padding. Squishy cushions may also help soak up shock and forestall friction, Dr. Ung says. A pair of metatarsal pads can take some strain off the ball of your foot; I personal a pair which have made my heeled boots way more bearable. You can even get a set that sticks to your sneakers, which can work higher with sure types.
And heel pads are an excellent funding—I’ve put them in each single pump I’ve owned. If the shoe is slightly massive, they may also help fill within the gaps and cease heel blisters of their tracks.
How we examined these excessive heels
We wore these heels to work, brunch, dates, errands, and wherever else we went for weeks. As we walked, we famous how simply every pair was to put on—did we all of the sudden have to take the elevator as a substitute of the steps? Did we’ve got to change into commuting sneakers to make it via the day? Then we gave our last evaluations.
Store the perfect comfy heels
Whereas no excessive heels will really feel as good as your go-to sneakers (particularly on lengthy days), these are the comfiest pairs we’ve discovered to this point.
Greatest Boots: Rothy’s The Traditional Boot
Professionals
- Barely any break-in time
- Further cushioned midsole
- Simple to slide on, even with no zipper
- Waterproof higher
Cons
- Woven higher attracts lint
- Solely is available in one width and the model says it runs small
- Costly
I’ve been on the hunt for the proper pair of black boots for seemingly my whole life. I would like to have the ability to put on them whereas strolling round New York Metropolis a number of days per week, so I believed a heeled pair was out of the query. Enter: Rothy’s Traditional Boot.
These have a delicate, cushioned footbed—we’re not speaking Hoka-level padding, however nonetheless sufficient that I can really feel it beneath my toes—and a low, 1.5-inch block heel that doesn’t make me tip ahead. To place them via their paces, I wore them for 2 days straight: After day one, I didn’t have any sizzling spots, soreness, or blisters. By the tip of the second day, I seen some irritation across the entrance of my foot, however nothing main. One other good contact: The higher has sufficient stretch that it flexes with my toes as they swell all through the day.
Whereas I’ve heard good issues about Rothy’s, I didn’t anticipate my first pair to go this arduous. Should you’re going to spend nearly $300 on a pair of sneakers, you need ones which can be cozy and well-made. The Traditional Boot matches the invoice.
Sizes: 5 to 13 | Colours: 4 | Heel peak: 1.5 inches | Supplies: Merino wool, plastic water bottles
Greatest Stiletto: Inez Mila
Professionals
- Contoured footbed
- Cushioned insoles
- Modern, trendy design
Cons
- Costly
- Not out there in several calf sizes
One SELF tester has been desirous to attempt Inez since discovering out concerning the model’s comfort-first strategy to designing sneakers. “I’ve no endurance for pinching, rubbing, too-thin-soled heels which you could’t stroll in,” she says. “I test-drove the Milas out to dinner one evening, and contemplating how effectively I used to be in a position to power-walk to the subway in them, I made a decision they have been prepared for a full day of wear and tear.”
Spoiler alert: They held up within the workplace too. “I can affirm that these are comfy sufficient to put on for a lot of hours at a time. I’ve commuted in them and worn them for a complete work day, with minimal soreness by the point I acquired house,” our tester says. The Mila boots have a contoured footbed that supported her excessive arches and a foam insole that prevented ache within the balls of her toes. Seems, stylish and (comparatively) cozy stilettos do exist—go determine.
Sizes: 6 to 10.5 | Colours: 5 | Heel peak: 2.8 inches | Supplies: Leather-based, rubber
Greatest Platform: Dr. Scholl’s Unique Pleasure Platform Clog
Professionals
- Platform design evenly distributes strain
- Cushioned footbed
- Comfortable sufficient to put on throughout lengthy, busy days in your toes
Cons
- Few colour choices
- Solely out there in a single width
One factor about us? We’re right here for a clog. This pair from Dr. Scholl’s is “tremendous cute, versatile, and most significantly, cozy!” our tester says. Their cushioned insoles hug her toes to make each step really feel slightly softer.
Plus, the platform design provides peak whereas maintaining toes comparatively flat, to alleviate strain. “I like that I can gown these up or down actually simply,” our tester says. “I wore them from 8 a.m. to six:30 p.m. and will have continued carrying them. They took me to the subway, work, grocery retailer, and again to my residence.” That’s all our containers, checked.
Sizes: 6 to 11 | Colours: 3 | Heel peak: 2.75 inches | Supplies: Recycled water bottles, leather-based
Greatest Knee-Excessive Boot: Vionic Bixby Slouchy Knee Excessive Boot
Professionals
- Water-repellent higher
- Out there in vast sizes
- Not as expensive as different boots on this record
Cons
- Not out there in several calf sizes
- Few colour choices
A tall, slouchy suede boot with barely Western vibes? We’re into it. “I have been carrying these boots persistently for just a few weeks, and I’ve to say I’m a giant fan,” our tester says, including that they’re a simple strategy to gown denims and a T-shirt up for the workplace.
Most vital: “These boots are additionally comfy. The structured, padded insole supplies assist and cushioning, making it straightforward for me to remain on my toes for an prolonged time frame (I’m scripting this overview after trekking a mile and a half again to my residence from dinner with pals, actually!).” Whereas these are leaps and bounds higher than different heeled boots she’s tried, they might use some extra cushioning beneath the ball of the foot—our tester seen some aches there after carrying all of them day lengthy.
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Colours: 2 | Heel peak: 2.25 inches | Supplies: Leather-based, microfiber, EVA foam
Greatest Pump: Inez Frida
Professionals
- Extensive, sq. toe field
- Very sturdy
- Is available in slender and vast sizes
Cons
- Costly
- Not out there in lots of colours
Our tester hard-launched these pumps by carrying them to the workplace on day certainly one of testing (courageous!). However due to their foot-forward design, all of it labored out: “They’re straightforward to stroll in—no heel slipping or wobbling, due to the sturdy block heel—and I discovered the footbed to be padded sufficient to forestall the balls of my toes from getting sore,” she says.
These sneakers have been slightly unfastened on our tester, so she doctored them up with heel pads, which did the trick. “That helped with the match and in addition lowered the rubbing on the aspect of my foot,” she says. “Pumps generally should not a simple shoe for me to put on, however I do suppose these made good on their promise of consolation!”
Like another pairs on this record, the Frida is an funding. Nevertheless it’s well worth the splurge for the way versatile they’re, in keeping with our tester: “When you have the cash to spend, these are dependable sneakers which can be comfy sufficient to get via a day of board conferences or a marriage. They’d make an excellent impartial bridesmaid heel!”
Sizes: 6 to 10.5 | Colours: 3 | Heel peak: 2.5 inches | Supplies: Leather-based, rubber
Greatest for Work: Rothy’s The Mary Jane Heel
Professionals
- Stretchy higher makes them straightforward to slide on
- Nicely-cushioned insoles
- Light-weight and simple to pack for journey
Cons
- Could be too slender for vast toes
- A better heel than others on this record
We additionally tried these candy Mary Janes from Rothy’s. “They’re tremendous stretchy and simple to placed on, even with out unbuckling the strap,” our tester says. At two inches tall, these heels are approaching our consultants’ cutoff, however they pleasantly stunned our tester: “The consolation and arch assist within the insole is next-level. They’re positively the comfiest heels I’ve ever worn,” she provides.
We’re additionally followers of their fashionable silhouette, which appears to be like cute with nearly any outfit. Plus, our tester says their canvas-like materials doesn’t appear like cloth from afar, to allow them to go for dressy in a pinch. FYI: She seen some wiggle room behind the shoe that brought about slightly rubbing (nothing heel pads couldn’t repair!), however she nonetheless recommends staying true to your measurement.
Sizes: 5 to 13 | Colours: 5 | Heel peak: 2 inches | Supplies: Plastic water bottles, rubber
Greatest for Extensive Toes: Naturalizer Pierson Excessive Heel Shootie
Professionals
- Finances-friendly, particularly for actual leather-based
- Sturdy block heel
- Outsole has deep treads for higher traction
Cons
- These heels are excessive, even with a slight platform
- Not comfy sufficient for plenty of strolling
Naturalizer is one other model that pops up usually within the cozy heel house, so we examined just a few totally different pairs. First up: This loafer-turned-pump, which is “vast toes accepted” by our tester.
Our tester recommends these for days whenever you’re not doing too a lot strolling (learn: they’re higher for the workplace or going out to dinner than they’re for operating errands). As she wore them, she seen some pinching and rubbing on the toe field and heel. Including a pair of thick socks helped lots as she broke them in.
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