We were tasked with finding heels that don’t cause blisters, look fab and can be worn for hours without noticing. We won’t tell you how many pairs were discarded in this experiment, as that may make you cry. But we’ll share the winners. Should you run a marathon in them? No. But you can make it through a wedding without needing to exchange them for those horrible flip-flops that the couple may graciously pass out to all the other women.
Sarah Flint Perfect Round Toe Pump 70
The handmade shoes have a built-in insole created to echo your natural arch so that your feet won’t get tired. On the heel, there’s an inset to provide height without the traditional heaviness of a heel. Throughout the footbed, there’s padding so it feels more like a sneaker whenever you take a step. And unlike the heels that pinch your toes, this is a bit wider at the top, so your toes won’t be crowded. $445 at SarahFlint.com
Clarks Ambyr Joy Black Leather
These incredibly durable heels are made with thread instead of glue so they will last years, rather than months. Clarks is known for its comfort technology that offers literal layers of comfort so that every step you take absorbs shock to reduce pain in your heel, arch and ball of foot. $95 at Clarksusa.com
Top Moda Women’s Hanna Platform Chunky Heel
I purchased these bargain heels for a wedding, expecting to change into the obligatory flip-flops halfway through the first song … but I was the last woman standing in heels on the dance floor at the end of the night. The wide strap around my toes combined with the chunky heel makes these strappy shoes very comfortable. Pro-tip: Prone to blisters? Wear a thick sock with these around the house for an hour before venturing outside. That’ll stretch them to perfection. $20 at Amazon.
Pashion The D’Orsay
These are convertible heels. Wear them as heels or pull off the heel in seconds to wear them as flats. They have a memory foam midsole for arch support, and while the heels are very comfortable you can always remove them if you need to run to catch a train. From $185 at Pashionfootwear.com
Cole Haan Grand Ambition Pump
Cole Haan worked with the biomechanics lab from the University of Massachusetts to create a heel that doesn’t hurt. We totally approve of the experiment: It worked. These have layers of cushion that pad your entire foot with each step, and I honestly felt like they were as comfortable as sneakers. (You may not be able to go back to wearing any other heels after these.) Bonus: They look fancy, too. $180 at Colehaan.com
Dr LIZA bootie 2.0
Created by Liza Egbogah, an osteopath chiropractor who is a body and posture expert, you can tell that these booties were made with your comfort as a top priority. They were already fitted with an orthotic insole as well as a shock-absorbing platform. Designed in Canada and crafted in Brazil, these booties have a deep heel cup to remedy pronation. $495 at Drlizashoes.com
M.Gemi The Cinzia
Made in Italy, these have a long, wide base that makes them surprisingly walkable. I say “surprisingly” because of just how chic they look. The heel is also wide, which makes these even more stable. Can you wear these every single day for the rest of your life? Probably not. Can you wear them for an entire evening without feeling tired at all? Absolutely. $328 at Mgemi.com
The Girlfriend Staff
