5 Ways to Tell If Heels Will Hurt Before You Buy Them
By Kat Collings
We have a love-hate relationship with heels. The four-and-half-inch stilettos that make you feel like you own the world Friday night leave you scarred with blisters the next morning. What’s a girl to do? Get smarter about heel purchases.
1.
Manufacturers put a stiffening agent in the heel area, or the counter of the shoe, so it retains its shape. The stiff nature of the counter makes it a prime spot for friction and blisters. Opt for shoes made of real leather or suede, because it’s more pliable than synthetic materials, and will mold to the shape of your foot, thus reducing chafing after a few wears.
2.
Your shoes are guaranteed to hurt if you buy them too small! There should be a thumb’s width from the front of the inside of your shoe to the end of your longest toe. Leaving this bit of space is crucial for your foot to have a little wiggle room when it moves in the shoe, rather than forcing it to create friction against the sides.
3.
Don’t just stand up in the shoes and walk a couple steps, go for a cruise around the store. In department stores, the shoe sales floor is specially padded to heighten the appearance of comfort, so it helps to walk out of the area—if it’s available, try walking on tile. Secondly, close your eyes so your sense of touch is heightened, and focus on how your feet feel. Look out for pressure at particular points, which is a sign of future blisters.
4.
All of these things work to take pressure off your foot, leaving you with pain-free feet at the end of the day. Conversely, you can expect that very high, single-soled stiletto heels will likely hurt your feet.
Related: The Secret To Wearing High Heels Without Any Pain
5.
Your foot expands slightly throughout the day, especially in the summer, so if possible try to shop for shoes toward the end of the day. If you buy shoes in the morning when your foot is at its slimmest, they may be too tight by the end of the day.
Shop some of our comfortable shoe picks:
Reed Krakoff Suede and Leather Ankle Strap Sandals
Related: Quiz: Which Shoes Should You Buy This Season?
Loeffler Randall Remy Block Heel Pumps
Ann Demeulemeester Chunky Heel Sandals
Related: Why I Think Expensive Heels Are Totally Worth the Money
J.Crew Barrett Suede Ankle Boots
Photos by Adam Katz Sinding of Le 21Eme
More From Who What Wear:
7 Awesome Heels to Pair With Your Jeans This Fall
The Complete Guide to Dressing for YOUR Body Type
The Secret To Walking Gracefully In Heels: 7 Tricks That Work
