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I live in New York City, so I'm always walking. Most days, I walk about two to three miles between walking my dog, running errands on foot, and walking to and from the train. Because NYC requires so much walking, most people's everyday uniform includes some sort of sneaker. But not me. Not only am I always trying to add a little bit of height, I'm also always walking around in dresses during the summer. And no matter how trendy the dress and sneakers look is, I would much prefer to wear heels. Custom Made Leather Sandals
So I embarked upon the ultimate test: the quest to find the most comfortable heels in every category. After trying dozens upon dozens of different heels (and getting dozens upon dozens of blisters), I've finally found the best of the best.
Margaux makes an amazing selection of carefully designed comfortable heels. This one is a slightly higher version of their City Sandal — another winner when it comes to construction. But at a full three inches high, The Platform takes the cake for the best heel overall when it comes to combining height with walkability.
There are lots of features that contribute to the comfort of this fabulous heel. First, it has five millimeters of cushioned padding on the sole that makes it feel like you're putting on a slipper. Plus, the toe straps form Margaux's signature "X" which adds stability that you wouldn't get from a narrow, single strap. And finally, these shoes are handmade in Spain, meaning that there's a ton of effort focused on the construction of the shoes that you won't find in just any shoe made on an assembly line.
Overall, I found these to be so walkable that I started using my pair as an everyday shoe — and not just the pair of cute heels that I only pull out for special occasions. In fact, I'm going to pack them for walking around and sightseeing when I'm in Italy, which is a huge testament to this heel's top spot as the most comfortable heel.
Make sure you check out Margaux's other shoes (like The Heel, a pump) for similarly stellar construction. We even reviewed Margaux's Demi Flats and loved those too.
Fit notes: Though I found it super comfortable on my typical-to-wide feet, some reviewers note that the heel area is a little wide for people with narrow feet. Also, there are reviewers who note that the ankle strap is a little bit loose. If that's an issue for you with these (or any shoe), I suggest getting a leather hole puncher to add extra holes for the buckle. I have one and use it on everything from purses to belts and more!
These are some of the most comfortable heels I've ever tried — and the fact that they're platforms makes them all the more walkable. The rubbery sole is as shock-absorbent as a thick clog, which means you can walk in it for hours without your feet getting sore. Plus, the fit is super customizable because you adjust it with — wait for it — a Velcro ankle strap.
This is probably my first pair of Velcro shoes since elementary school, but I kind of love it. It's so easy to change the fit and you can make subtle changes that you don't get to make with a typical buckle closure that has a set number of holes.
Fit notes: I was amazed at the number of comments I saw on this shoe about how it's great for narrow feet. I have feet that are on the wider end of typical and I found them to be the perfect width. It's billed as a medium-width shoe, but don't be afraid to purchase it if your feet are slightly narrow or slightly wide.
You may not think of a wooden platform as a candidate for the most comfortable heels, but these prove that the right bells and whistles can make even the least ergonomic-looing footwear into a sensible shoe.
The footbed is padded with a memory foam cushion, which is a game changer. Plus, the wood part is hollow so it won't be heavy on your feet when you walk, so you can capture the '70s vibe of chunky wooden shoes without any discomfort of wearing lumber on your feet.
Each strap on this shoe — even the two that crisscross at the toes — is adjustable. It's so convenient and a great feature for people whose feet are slightly different widths!
Fit notes: My slightly wider feet are right on the edge of being able to fit comfortably on the memory foam part of the shoe. If your feet are super wide, the adjustable straps might allow you to get them on your feet, but keep in mind that it might be uncomfortable to have the outer edges of your feet on the wooden border of the sole.
M.Gemi is a quiet luxury brand that makes high-quality leather goods — from purses to loafers and, of course, heels. Made of Italian leather and giving off Italian vibes (especially in periwinkle), this peep-toe kitten heel is Positano chic with Milan craftsmanship. I paired mine with a nap dress from Hill House in blue botanical for a seaside summer outfit that got tons of compliments.
The heels were comfortable all day — not owing to a padded footbed or tons of adjustable support — but just simple artisanship. The ruching at the toe is also made of incredibly soft Italian Nappa leather that gets more comfortable as you wear it.
Fit notes: These are super comfortable if you're a seasoned heel-wearer — but they're not for beginners. It takes a bit of time to get used to how to walk in heels and someone who's just starting their journey might find these a little precarious. Unlike other picks, which have lots of adjustable straps or support to hold your foot in, these just have the toe strap.
This is our second pick from Cole Haan for the most comfortable heels and for good reason. These are the perfect casual mule for spring and summer. Like lots of the picks on this list, the sole is cushioned — which makes all the difference when it comes to comfort. The fun straps start at your toes and go all the way up your foot — so you won't hear an annoying clop clop when you walk. Plus, the heel is the perfect Goldilocks height for lengthening your leg without being too high.
This comfortable heel is great for times when sneakers or Birkenstocks just won't cut it, but you don't want to have to pull out formal pumps or strappy stilettos. Pair them with jeans for brunch or wear them with a simple slip dress for rooftop happy hours.
Fit notes: These are a great fit for feet that are atypical to slightly wide width. If you have feet that are significantly wider or narrower than normal, you might want to opt for a shoe with adjustable straps.
I got these shoes a few years ago and I keep coming back to them every time the weather is warm. Their original price is $109, but they're always on sale for around $50-$60. And for that price, these are an amazing buy that won't give you blisters or need time to break in. In fact, they feel almost flat, so you won't get any pain in the balls of your feet.
I have them in the nude color and they're a perfect neutral that will give you a little bit of height no matter what you're wearing. And the outfits you can wear with these ultra-neutral shoes are endless. They'll pair just as well with a pair of linen pants for brunch as they will with a maxi dress for a summer wedding.
Fit notes: The only thing that I wish these shoes had is a slightly wider toe strap. The one on these shoes is a little bit narrow, which leaves something wanting when it comes to stability.
At nearly four inches with a three-inch pitch, these shoes look a little intimidating — but don't let that fool you. They're super lightweight, with a cushioned insole and a thick strap that wraps around your ankle for stability.
When I wore them for the first time, I was blown away by the construction. This is a true stiletto heel. And yet, I didn't feel any of the discomfort of basically walking around on my tippy-toes for hours.
It's a little on the pricier side, but it's a perfect choice for a wedding — whether it be yours or one you're attending as a guest. It has the rare combination of being a classic, formal stiletto while also being a shoe that you can dance in all night.
Fit notes: When I first tried this, I had buckled it too loosely around my ankle. It felt much less comfortable because my foot was wiggling around too much. Make sure you fasten these on tightly (even tighter than you think you need to) for the best fit.
Frankie4 is an Australian brand founded by podiatrists and focused on all-day comfort. The secret is their proprietary footbed that doesn't just focus on arch support, but also cradles the ball of your foot. When you put on a Frankie4 shoe, you can definitely feel the difference a great footbed can make.
But these definitely don't look like orthopedic shoes. The Juliett II is a beautiful sling that comes in tan and black. The pointed toe and open back are elegant without feeling too stuffy, so you can wear them to work and then to dinner. In fact, these would pair just as well with a great suit as they would with a flowy summer dress.
And Frankie4 doesn't just make comfortable heels. They also make sneakers and flats with the same proprietary footbed that I wish all my shoes had.
Fit notes: I got a 7 in these shoes, which is my normal size, but they're just a little too big. I would suggest going down a half size.
One look on the inside of these pumps and you'll see why they're so comfortable. Vivaia's pressure relief insoles have padding exactly where you want it. Incredibly, there's extra cushioning on the area between your heel and ankle where blisters usually appear so there's no uncomfortable rubbing. The sole also has arch support, padding under the balls of your feet, and a shock-absorbent heel rebound.
All of these bells and whistles combine to create a pump that you'll want to wear all day. In fact, these actually feel like wearing sneakers! I'm never afraid of wearing these out of the house, no matter how far I'm going to be walking. Plus, the nude color makes these almost disappear so that you can pair them with anything.
Fit notes: If you're looking for the pressure relief insole, make sure you get the Melody Pro. The regular Melody is $20 less expensive and still has some features like the blister cushion, but it doesn't have all the comfort features of the Pro.
This is a great heel for dressing down on the weekend or dressing up for a formal event. If you're getting it for a wedding or summer gala, make sure you check out the sparkly versions that are flecked with gold.
Like most of this list, this heel has —you guessed it — a cushioned sole. One thing I really love about these shoes is how flexible the sole is. There isn't any stiffness or rigidity that can make a heel really hard to break in. Plus, the block heel is flared so you get lots of stability.
These are perfect for wearing right out of the box. If you're looking for a great basic block heel, this is it.
Fit notes: If you've ever noticed that your foot is on the thicker side, this shoe may not be for you since the toe straps don't have a lot of give. Thicker feet can happen if your foot muscles are super developed from sports like running or you have a swollen foot because of an injury. So if this applies to you, it's best to opt for a shoe with an adjustable toe strap like the Nomasi platforms.
We reviewed Sarah Flint's Emma pump before and had amazing things to say about the padded footbed, the flexible lining, and the light weight. But since the Emma is a secure block heel, I decided to put a shoe that was a little more risky to the test. I tried Sarah Flint's Perfect Pump in the 85 mm version, which has an ultra-high and narrow stiletto heel.
When you look at the footbed, you can see the unique padding that offers arch support and toe cushioning. And when you put the shoe on, you can feel how it cradles your feet.
When I first put these on, I felt a little bit of pain. But as I started to break them in, I could feel the shoe molding to my feet more. And while these might not be the most comfortable shoes on this list, they are one of the most impressive. There's no platform on these, so you'll have to bear the brunt of the whole three-inch pitch yourself. And making these comfortable enough to wear while still maintaining the silhouette of a traditional, high-heeled pump is no small feat. For what they are, it's nothing short of a triumph.
These might be the most elegant pair of shoes I own. If you're someone who has to dress up a lot for work, these are absolutely the shoes you want for running around to meetings and commuting at the end of the day.
Even celebrities like Meghan Markle love these comfortable heels.
Fit notes: How comfortable this heel is for you depends on how well your feet fit the mold of the cushioned footbed. I also tried the block heel along with this shoe, and the arch of my foot was too high to sit comfortably on the footbed. As a result, my foot kept slipping out of place so I got lots of blisters. I think that the pump fit me a lot better because the closed toe forced my foot to stay in the right place. Unfortunately, the only thing you can do to make sure your foot fits the mold and stays in place is to test it for yourself. Just make sure that you return it within 21 days if it doesn't work for you.
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