These Super-Comfortable Yet Stylish Heels Won’t Absolutely Kill Your Feet

Heels can, quite literally, *elevate* any outfit (sorry, had to), but while they look stylish, wearing them often comes at a price: You have to sacrifice your precious toes, arches, and ankles, stock up on bandaids, and/or buy extra inserts to relieve the pain. Ever want to take a pair of shoes off the second you put them on? Same. Not very fun.

Dr. Robert K. Lee, board-certified podiatric surgeon and chief of podiatric surgery at the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, says some common injuries from wearing heels include ankle sprains, bunions, tailor's bunions, or hammertoes from narrow toe boxes, as well as metatarsalgia, which is essentially pain in the ball of your foot from the increased pressure.

When shopping for heels, Dr. Lee recommends seeking out certain features for as much comfort as possible. Platforms put "less pressure on the forefoot when walking," heels with wider bases "provide more stability when walking and reduce risk of twisting the ankle," and open-toed designs, because they "don't apply that same pressure to the toes" as closed-toe styles often do.

Also, you might be tempted to opt for a heel that's slightly larger than your normal size to avoid any blisters or rubbing, a la Meghan Markle and other celebs. Spoiler alert: it doesn't work! "Like with Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you want the shoe size to be 'just right,'" says Dr. Lee. "If your shoes are too small, they will feel too tight, and the pressure from the shoe against the toes in the forefoot will cause pain. But if they're too loose, you will have more movement of the foot within the shoe when you're walking, and that will cause more rubbing and blisters due to excessive friction."

Another pro tip: look for heels made from high-quality leather because it's a flexible material that'll conform to the shape of your foot better than synthetic stuff. "More rigid, 'plasticky' materials are less forgiving and will put more pressure on the forefoot causing more pain," says Dr. Lee. "Additionally, better leather breathes more, so you have less moisture in the foot from sweat, which reduces the incidence of blisters." So, if you're willing to invest some moolah in a quality pair of heels, take comfort in the fact that they'll most likely be less painful (and last longer!) down the road.

Some pain-reducing shoe "accessories" can be worth it, too. Dr. Lee says you can place gel pads into the plantar forefoot area of the shoe for more shock absorption. Heel grips help provide more stability and less slippage if the heel area is too loose. Also, moleskin and anti-blister sticks can lessen friction when applied to blister-prone areas of your feet.

With ALL this expert guidance in mind, it might seem overwhelming to find a heel that’s both chic AND comfy. But the good news is, they’re definitely out there—even if it takes endless internet browsing to scout ’em out. Lucky for you, we’ve already done the work and compiled a list of the 25 most comfortable high heels in various silhouettes, textures, and heights. You're sure to find at least one that works with your personality. From mules to platforms, we have you covered with all the actually comfy styles you could ever ask for. Wave goodbye to achy, sore feet and say hello to your new fave heels below.

Our top picks for the most comfortable heels to shop in 2023:

For even more heavenly shoes that won't hurt your feet, click the links for the best sneaker brands, the best flats, the most comfortable overall shoes, and the most comfortable sandals.