Picture this: you’re heading out for the night in a killer pair of brand new heels. You walk into the party oozing with confidence, looking and feeling your very best. Nothing ruins the vibe worse than your feet starting to scream at you—we’ve all been there. Even so, it’s hard to imagine life without heels. They make your legs look miles long and literally elevate your outfit. There’s something so empowering about that sound of your feet clacking against the ground with each step. What if we told you that you don’t always have to sacrifice comfort for fashion? If you’re searching for how to make heels more comfortable, we’re here to help.
“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” — Marilyn Monroe
How To Make Heels More Comfortable Starts With Choosing the Right Pair
The first step in how to make high heels more comfortable begins with selecting the right pair. Let’s start with the basics of finding your solemate—if you can’t walk in the shoes, don’t buy them. Trust us, your feet will thank you. A good rule of thumb to keep top of mind is, if you’re a high heel novice, keep the height under three inches. The higher the heel, the more strain on your feet. We recommend starting low and working your way up. Now that you’ve got a pair in perfect height, let’s figure out your correct shoe size.
How To Make Heels More Comfortable: Choose the Correct Shoe Size
If you’re looking for how to make heels more comfortable, choosing the correct shoe size is the first step. This may seem obvious, but wearing the right size is key to keeping your feet happy. A little extra wiggle room can amount to a lot more comfort for your toes. Your heels should have between a quarter to a half-inch of space in front of the longest toe. Many of us have one foot that’s slightly larger than the other, so it’s important to fit your shoes to your biggest foot. If you find your toes are feeling squished after a few minutes, don’t hesitate to go up half a size. You may have to play Goldilocks while shoe shopping, but eventually, you’ll find a pair that’s just right.
How To Make Heels More Comfortable: Choose Platform Shoes
For the next phase of how to make heels more comfortable, let’s discuss the most sensible and stylish silhouettes. Platform heels are typically more wearable than stilettos because they offer the same height but at less of an angle. It’s surprising how much the shape of your shoe impacts the level of comfort. A platform heel cuts down the distance between your heel and the ball of your feet. This means they’re not as taxing on your arch, which alleviates a lot of pain associated with wearing towering heels.
Platforms with a rounded toe box are also a shoe-in for comfort, as it allows your toes to lie flat. You can try pointed-toe styles, as long as the point stretches out instead of ending right where your toes rest. Reach for chunkier heels and wedges when dressing for a garden party to avoid sinking into the grass.
Our Top Tricks for How To Make Heels More Comfortable
If you’ve ever Googled “how to make heels more comfortable,” you’ve probably come across a ton of interesting ideas. From stretching your shoes to adding layers of protection to your feet, there’s a never-ending list of heel-saving hacks. Next up, we’re breaking down our top tricks for maximum high heel wearability. Because painful blisters and fabulous shoes just don’t mix.
Wear Them in Before You Wear Them Out
If you’ve treated yourself to a new pair of heels for an upcoming event, leave time to break them in beforehand. Start by wearing your heels around the house for at least an hour. This will help you identify any potential pain points, and also allows the shoes to mold to the shape of your feet. Take it up a notch by pairing thick socks with your new heels. While this might seem weird, it will slightly stretch all the areas that could otherwise pinch your feet.
Another trick for how to make high heels more comfortable involves a blow-dryer. After squeezing your feet into heels with thick socks, blast them with a blow-dryer until warm. Walk around your house for a little while, allowing the shoes to slightly stretch. The heat lets your shoes reshape and mold specifically to your feet. This trick works best on leather heels, but can have a similar effect on vegan leather. Even if your heels don’t feel too tight, keep in mind your feet will swell throughout the day. This step can minimize the unfortunate side effects of unwelcome friction and rubbing. Break up with that uncomfortable break in period.
How To Make Heels More Comfortable With Inserts
Once you’ve given yourself time to break in your heels, you may have found a few areas of discomfort. No need to push those gorgeous shoes to the back of your closet. They are salvageable with the help of padded inserts. Silicone or gel inserts are an easy answer for how to make heels more comfortable. Here’s why: they’ll hold your feet steady in shoes. This means your feet aren’t sliding forward as much. How does this help solve high heel pain? Your weight redistributes on your heels rather than the balls of your feet. This shift in pressure on your feet can be a game changer.
If you’re not head over heels for inserts, an anti-blister stick can be just as effective. It acts as a barrier between your foot and your shoe. This instantly reduces rubbing on the skin, which in turn prevents those pesky little calluses from forming. An anti-chafe balm or even deodorant can also work as a barrier to your feet if you’re in a pinch. And just like that, you’re ready to dance the night away without the worry of blisters.
Stylist Tip: Experiencing soreness on the balls of your feet? Tape your third and fourth toes (counting from the big toe) together with medical tape. This may seem strange, but it can alleviate aches. How does this work, you ask? These toes have a tiny nerve between them that causes pain when pressed. Wearing heels increases this sensation. By taping your toes together, you’ll block some access to that nerve while also rebalancing the foot. Give this trick a go and see how footloose and fancy-free you feel.
Adapt the Way You Walk
Believe it or not, there’s an art behind walking in heels. This is a key component of how to make heels more comfortable. The way you walk in flats is not the same way that you walk in high heels. That’s because walking in heels means you have to pay more attention to the rest of your body. Start by acknowledging that you are not on a casual stroll in your sneakers. Engage your core and walk heel-to-toe. Posture is essential to adding flow to your stride. Have trouble keeping your spine straight? Imagine a string attached to your head and pulling you up toward the sky. As you walk, use your hips to shift and lift your legs to the center with each step. It will feel more like a bounce than a normal stride. Before you know it, you’ll be doing the Tyra Banks sashay everywhere you go.
Give Your Feet Time To Rest
As we wind down our guide on how to make heels more comfortable, let us leave you with this thought. Nobody’s feet can stand up to wearing high heels all day, every day. (Unless you’re Carrie Bradshaw, of course.) It’s important to give your feet a break. Avoid wearing high heels more than two days in a row, and try to leave a day’s rest in between. Time heels all wounds and the same goes for your feet. Soak them in a warm mineral bath and finish with your favorite moisturizer. Drawing an imaginary alphabet with your big toe is another trick for stretching out your sore feet. Give these a try, and you’ll be ready to get back in your heels in no time.
How To Make Heeled Boots More Comfortable: Specific Tips To Bet Your Boots On
Your boots are made for walking, so why not take a few measures to ensure they’re as comfortable as possible. That unpleasant rubbing feeling you may experience while wearing heeled boots typically occurs when your feet are sweaty. Wondering how to make your heeled boots more comfortable? Moisture-wicking cotton socks can be a lifesaver for your feet this boot season. Try a crew-length pair with platform lug sole booties and you’re ready to hop on board the normcore trend.
No need to stress about how to make your high heels more comfortable. Another trick to reduce friction while wearing heeled boots is adding an extra layer on areas that tend to become rubbed raw. Add a moleskin patch to toes, heels and the sides of your feet to protect these vulnerable spots. What is moleskin, you ask? Fortunately, it’s not actual animal hide, but a soft cotton flannel with an adhesive backing. It molds to the shape of your foot better than a bandage. You can also cut and apply it to any blisters you feel coming on. Whether you’re wearing your boots with jeans or going glam with a gown, you’ve got comfort covered.
Finding the right heels is no easy feet. Luckily, our style experts are here to help you find the perfect pair. Take your style quiz, order a Fix and request heels you can rock all day long. Sit back and relax while five curated pieces are sent your way. Buy what you like and send back the rest. If you prefer, head over to Stitch Fix Freestyle™ to instantly buy heels. Shipping, returns and exchanges are always free.
