Even if two pairs of heels are precisely the same in height, one pair will hurt while the other won’t.
Why?
Here you will learn how to wear high heels without pain or how to prevent pain from high heels.
Gradual Slope
Identifying a gradual slope is the first piece of advice.
Let’s compare two pairs of heels that are exactly the same height, three and a half inches. However, when I pair them back to back, I can see that one shoe has a longer distance from the ball of the foot to the heels.
The slope I’m referencing is that distance. Your heels will be more comfortable if the distance is greater and the shoe’s slope is more gradual.
And vice versa. Your feet are more prone to suffer foot pain the shorter the distance and the steeper the slope.
That explains why I can stand or even walk for a long period in a single pair of high heels without experiencing foot pain. However, in another pair, it gradually becomes painful.
In general, the likelihood that the slope will be steeper and, hence, more painful, increases with the height of your heels. However, it isn’t always the case.
For instance, I can wear my four-inch heels painlessly for a continuous 10 hours. The more gradual slope of this pair is one of the key explanations.
When I put the three and a half inches heels and the four inches heels back to back, the slope is almost the same, even though one of them have higher heels.
But if you want to work four-inch heels for ten hours straight, like I do, there are additional factors to consider. There is more involved.
Height of Your Ideal Heel
You are wearing heels that are higher than you can comfortably bear, which is one of the main causes of how painful your heels are.
In actuality, there is a perfect heel height for each individual, and that number fluctuates.
You must first measure the length of your foot. You must measure a measurement starting at the tip of your toe and ending at the back of your heels.
Make sure your measurements are in centimeters. The following step is to divide that number by seven centimeters.
What is your number?
My personal number is three, which helps to explain why most of my heels are three inches high.
It seems quite obvious to me. I need to be very picky and careful since my heels are considerably more likely to hurt if they are higher than three inches.
Your number will be different from mine.
Keep in mind that the length of your feet has something to do with this number. Therefore, the larger your foot size, the higher your number will be. That implies that you can wear heels that are higher.
Your ideal heel height will probably be higher than mine because I have small feet.
Silicon Inserts
What if you have a situation where you need to wear the highest heels?
You must wear stilettos.
Yes, stilettos will be useful in that situation. But regardless of your reason—you might simply adore wearing higher heels—you’ll need silicone inserts.
Dr. Scholls silicone insoles are what I advise. The entire length of your foot, from the ball to the back of your heels, is covered by them.
When wearing high heels, this will give you the maximum support and comfort.
My secret weapon for wearing four-inch heels all day and night long is this. With the aid of these insoles, I can dance and walk.
They are clear, which is what I love about them because nothing will show when I wear them in the summer with sandals.
However, I pretty much wear them with anything, even my boots, booties, and pumps with higher heels. With this, they’re going to be a lot more comfortable and won’t hurt as much.
Platforms
In addition to silicon insoles, I also have a big hack for you.
Wear platforms.
This is the shoe I can wear for 10 hours, even though it’s four inch heels, but it does have a platform of about half an inch. Therefore, this equates to heels that are three and a half inches high.
I do want to warn you regarding platforms.
Make sure your platform is not too thick.
This is a mistake I see women make all the time, especially shorter girls and women with short legs.
Going with higher heels is highly tempting, and you might believe that higher platforms will be more comfortable.
That is somewhat accurate.
The issue is that if the platform is overly thick and high, it will add too much bulk to your feet. For women with shorter legs, they are not flattering.
When I wear shoes with very thick platforms, I find it really difficult to walk in them and very simple to trip over them. They might even be harmful.
Position Matters
Not all high heels are made equal. The way they feel on your foot will differ even though they may be the same height.
For instance, these shoes
will be more comfortable than these shoes
The reason is because the heels are positioned differently on the shoes.
Your heels will be at the very edge of your shoe and will drop straight down from there if your shoes are like the ones in the second example.
Because the heels in the second example are closer to the center of your foot and will ensure that your body weight is distributed more evenly while you are wearing them, they will be less comfortable than the heels in the first example.
Align With Your Arch
Here’s one more important tip for you.
Make sure the arch of your heels properly aligns with the arch of your feet whenever you’re shopping for heels and when you try them on.
The easiest technique to avoid pain from high heels is to ensure that your entire body weight is adequately distributed throughout the heel while you walk and stand.
You will notice a space between your heels and your foot’s arch if they are not exactly in line. It won’t be very comfortable.
Soft Bottoms
When I compare the comfortable versus uncomfortable heels, there’s one more thing I found that seems quite clear. One thing all comfortable heels have in common is a soft insole bottom. This is without any inserts.
I feel my feet are adequately padded when I wear them. They are therefore rather simple to walk in without hurting my foot even without any inserts.
On the other hand, some painful heels have an extremely hard, cushionless bottom, which makes them hurt more, especially when you walk in them on rough surfaces.
Does Price Matter?
I don’t necessarily believe that the cost of your heels and how comfortable they are are related.
Despite the fact that I own a pair of incredibly costly designer shoes, I am unable to walk a lot in them.
On the other hand, some of the less expensive brands do offer heels that are really comfortable.
