The Most Comfortable Designer Heels, According to a Podiatrist
It’s hard to forget Carrie Bradshaw’s fabulous wardrobe, especially her shoes. In fact, the lead of “Sex and the City” was rarely found in anything but sky-high stilettos and pointy-toe pumps from her favorite designers — whether walking countless city blocks or entertaining for hours. While, of course, TV doesn’t always reflect reality (and we’re sure there were lots of scene breaks involved), the question still remains: Wasn’t Carrie suffering in those beautiful yet painful-looking styles?
Fact of the matter is, heels often skimp on comfort — with designer options being some of the worst offenders.
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“Most designer heels provide little support,” New York-based podiatrist Dr. Allyssa Knowles told FN. “This causes ankle instability and little to no shock absorption, which in turn can lead to a lot of foot and back pain.”
Thankfully, however, all hope is not lost if you have a penchant for luxury footwear. According to Dr. Knowles, there are a few high-end labels that are actually getting it right in the comfort department. And for even longer wear, she suggests taking the shoes to a local cobbler, who can add a rubber tip near the toe box and rubber heel cap for elevated shock absorption.
Read on to discover the designer brands that made the cut, as well as some of her favorite styles from each label.
Key Features to Look For:
Moderate heel height (under 4 inches)
Platform base for styles with heel heights over 4 inches
Wider toe box styles, like round or square toe shapes
Block or cone-shaped heel styles
Contoured insole
Tory Burch Adrien
“The Tory Burch style offers the comfort of a loafer with the confidence of a heel. The square toe accommodates wider feet, and the rubber block heel provides great shock absorption for extended wear.”
Marion Parke Devon
“Marion Parke shoes are the first luxury-label heels to be engineered by a foot and ankle surgeon. After all, who better to construct a pair of heels than someone who not only wears them but has studied and operated on the human foot for years? These sleek boots are just one outstanding product from the brand. They offer a pointed toe effect but round off ever so slightly to avoid cramping of the toes. From the side view, the heel looks stiletto-like, but on the oblique view you can see the squaring of the heel — which is a much more stable construct. The look is an illusion, but the comfort is real!”
Marion Parke Millie Booties
“The soles of this boot contour to the foot and provide slight cupping on the medial and lateral aspect, giving great stability.”
Marion Parke Alanis
“If you look closely at the inside sole of this sandal, there is great support to avoid pronation (the foot rolling either inward or outward) and arch pain. The platform at the ball of the foot makes up for the heel height, so in reality, there isn’t much strain on the foot. Not to mention, the look is super-stylish.”
Tamara Mellon Mister
“Again, the block heel! It allows for extended wear, as the shape is much more stable and helps absorb shock. The leather in this pair is also accommodating even though it covers a pointy toe box.”
Tamara Mellon Siren
“Although this style includes a higher heel than recommended, the clear area at the toe box provides support while still giving a very sleek illusion. The inside sole also has slight cupping for some arch support.”
Tamara Mellon Stardust
“The round toe box accommodates wider-width feet, while the triangle heel gives a stiletto-like appearance yet provides support at the heel of the foot before it tapers down.”
All products featured have been independently selected and curated by our editorial team. If you buy something through the links included on our site, FN may earn a commission.
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