Last Updated on August 29, 2023
Wondering how to make heels more comfortable? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve had my fair share of sore feet moments after nights out in stilettos, which left me with painful blisters, sore ankles and even bleeding feet. There’s nothing like a good pair of heels to make us feel our most confident, but we’re not believers in the phrase ‘beauty is pain’. Nobody should have to suffer needlessly if there’s an alternative, and I’m here to tell you that when it comes to shoes, there are ways to make them less agonising. Promise.
While I’d love to tell you that all heels are comfortable, we all know that’s not the case. Some are more comfy than others, so it’s about picking the styles that you can actually walk in. If you own a pair of shoes that kill your feet the moment you put them on, I’m sorry to say they may need to go in the chuck pile – but wait! There are some handy tips and tricks you can try before making that move, and I’m sharing them with you here.
If you’re looking for more help, read about how to stretch out jeans and how to clean suede shoes.
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Choose the right height for you
In this case, height really matters. Yes, 4-inch heels will make your legs look longer, but they could also really hurt your feet. Weigh up if it’s really worth it and if not, choose a lower heel height; maybe one to two inches is okay. Kitten heels and slingbacks are great options! Once you’ve become accustomed to walking in lower heels, maybe then you can graduate to higher heights.
Break them in
Stretching out your shoes before wearing them out is the key to making them more comfortable. You can either buy shoe stretchers to make some extra room or you can wear them around the house. Try adding thick socks to speed up the process. If they have the potential to give you pain, you’ll quickly find out. It doesn’t mean they won’t ever become comfortable. If they’re leather or suede, it will mean they just need to get used to your feet.
Shoe Stretchers, £12.97, Amazon – buy now
Opt for heels with straps
Straps and buckles keep the shoes closer to your feet and ankles, meaning they don’t slip off while walking. You’ll feel way more secure in heels with straps, and you’ll look more natural walking in them too. Mary-Janes are one of this year’s key shoe trends, so not only will you feel comfier, you’ll be on trend too.
Add gel inserts
These babies will be your best friends. Add some gel inserts to your heels, and you’ll be able to wear them comfortably for hours. There are a variety you can pick from, but my favourites are Scholl’s Party Feet. These sit under the ball of your feet, near the front of the shoe and reduce burning pain in this area. You can clean and re-use them too!
Scholl Party Feet, from £5.90, Amazon – buy now
Try platforms
Platforms might look terrifying, but they’re one of the comfiest pairs of heels you can wear. Unlike stilettos, they don’t have a pointed toe and they’re far more structured. Your entire foot is usually levelled out, so instead of your feet being tipped forward, your entire foot rests on a heightened sole. As you can imagine, this is so much comfier than regular high heels.
Tape your toes
It might sound wild, but taping your toes together than help alleviate some of the pain caused by heels. Use medical tape or a plaster to tape together the third and fourth toes. This will help to reduce strain on the nerves in your feet, reducing the pressure on the balls of your feet.
