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New here, don't know if they will get any love?

Just received several new heels. The X-Straps fit so well and the Slings are fun to wear.

Short video of me streetwalking with a friend

Hi to you all! I tend to mostly wear thigh boots or chap boots when I work at home and knee boots when I’m driving….knee boots with a 3” heel. My thigh and chap boots have 4” heels. Here is a picture of my comfy Fernando Berlin thigh boots

Many of you are familiar with the following commercial, which came out about 5 years ago. The relevant portion of this is at about 0:23, which is screen shot at the end, along with my photos: This model appears to be wearing CL Merci Allen, but perhaps a custom pair, because I've never seen this color before. In any case, if she were my size, those heels would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 1/4 - 5 1/2" on a size 40 or U.S. women's 9. Notice how she is able to take a reasonably big step and still keep her knees perfectly straight. This is one of the main keys to looking good when walking in heels. We wish we could see this model walk for a distance in these heels, preferably outside, to see how that would actually look in real life. Unfortunately, we get about one second of walking, and several more seconds of dancing in a highly edited package. After reviewing this commercial, which I had forgotten about for several years, I decided to see how I would fare in a similar situation. So I made videos of me walking in various heights of heels, just to see what is possible for a normal person. There is nothing scientific about this, it's just for fun, and for self-awareness. The first thing I noticed is that due to the shape of my legs, my knees don't straighten out quite as nicely as the model's. Even if my knees are locked, they are still sort of more prominent than the model's. Nothing I can do about that, but I have found in my research that it doesn't matter if you don't keep your knees perfectly straight as you take that forward stride, they just have to be pretty close. A few degrees of bend is acceptable. 10 degrees of bend is unacceptable. The pictures at the end are as follows: Screenshot of the model in her 5+ inch heels, me in 3" heels, me in 4" heels, me in 4 3/4" heels, me in 5+" heels. I've got the lower heels handled as far as ankle flexibility. I did better in the almost not quite 5 inchers than I thought I would, but this is an encapsulated, relatively controlled moment, and I won't be wearing these in public for a while, if ever. The super high ones, well, you see the best I can do. Not good enough. Anyway, I thought it was something fun to share.

I think the heels in these pictures are ugly. When you see these shoes on men it will never take off. Show a normal pair of heels on a normally dressed guy be it in a pair of jeans a skirt or dress pants or leggings even. But when you see these ridiculous outfits it makes us look like idiots

I like seeing these articles that state men wearing heels is starting to catch on. But all they show is pictures of male models on the runway wearing outfits and heels that can only be worn on the runway. No man on the street would be caught dead in any of those heels or outfits, even if it was more socially acceptable. Until we start seeing men in heels at places like home depot and starbucks for example, that statement for me will always be false!

I haven't posted on here in a while, as there seems to be little interest. I really don't blame people, I've got nothing new to say, and perhaps that's a good thing. It means I am able to lead a normal life wearing heels, and there are a finite number of things to say about that. There was a radical change in the weather here in Central Iowa this past week. It seems like one day it was in the 90s for temperature (close to 35º C), and a few days later, it dipped into the mid to upper 50s (around 12-15º C). As a result, I wore long pants and long sleeves to the farmer's market, and I'm glad I did. It started out a little hot, and I was thinking I could have worn shorts, as many of our customers did. However, our customers didn't have to stand outside in one spot for five hours, and by the time eight o'clock rolled around, I was quite appropriately dressed. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have probably worn my ankle boots or knee high boots. I wore these oxfords, which are my oldest continuously serving pair of shoes, because I knew they wouldn't bite me back, and they didn't. I did not bring a pair of backup shoes or load-in/load-out shoes with me. The little bit of ankle showing I feel interrupts the visual line. I got only one comment on that evening, and it was a "I don't understand how you can deal with heels that high" kind of comment.

As most here ,not as often as i would like. couple times a week, 5 to 6 inch. as i get older i find these harder to wear i get cramps in my calfs.

Got these today on a local buy and sell. They are black patent ASOS brand with a 4 1/2" heel. They are brand new. They have weird sizing however. They are marked 8 on the bottom. But the ad said that was equal to a US 10. I check their website and sure enough 8 and 41 is a US 10. I still wasn't sure if they were going to fit though. So I tried to talk them down on the price. Lucky for me, the last shoes I bought from another company had the same weird sizing, And those fit perfectly! So I was willing to take a chance if the price was right. I ended up paying only $25. As soon as I got home I tried them on and wouldn't you know it, a perfect fit! And they are surprisingly comfortable too.

I have had several interactions and observations this past week. === I wore my Freebird Canti sandals for my pedicure last week. I’ve known these women for over a decade. The other women, who was working on someone else, told me she likes the style and ask what brand they were. I told her Freebird and she loves their boots but they are out of her price range. Somehow, she is on a list and gets their ads all the time. We talked for about Freebird boots for a while with the women get her pedicure chiming in as well. Going to wear a different pair for my next pedicure. (see the last story for the picture) === On Friday I was in LA and took my mother to an upscale resort for dinner. Her choice. Most of the women where in heels, about 30% in the 4-inch range and half of those stilettos. I was in my black Freebird Blaze. === On Saturday I went to a 50-year reunion. Lots of heels and many great stilettos. === At my room key didn’t work when I got back to the hotel so I had to go the front desk and get it new key, aka card made. Getting off the elevator a guy commented “awesome heels dude”, “thanks”. As I was leaving the front desk, I hear the other front desk agent (a women) say to the agent that took care of me, “did you see his heels?” I turned around and asked, “do you like them?” “Oh yes, I love them.” These Freebird Blaze were a great hit this weekend.

If you are familiar with the brand, I think you are good to go. It's not a 100% indicator, but in my experience it is highly indicative. This works both ways, both good and bad. Bad experiences I've had are with Michael Kors and Vera Wang. Neither of these brands seems to be very sturdily built. Old Nine West is good, new Nine West is hit and miss. I could go on. Like I said before, the two pair of Sam Edelman I do have, you could probably use as jackstands for your car, but they are chunky-ish clogs. As far as I know, it's a decent brand.

Answer carefully. I sometimes side step slightly.

Very true. My asumption is that the woman is a professional dancer. I used to be a reasonably good fencer and at one point in my life definitely had that level of flexibility in my ankles. I still have a lot strength and flexibility in my ankles, although not so much as I did back then. And I agree that men are more likely to take a serious interest in walking well in heels. We're a self selecting group - we wear heels because we like them, not because we are expected to. And we like them sufficiently to risk the withering scorn and ridicule of a censorious society. Having made that level of commitment we'd naturally go the etra mile - so to speak - to learn to walk gracefully in them.

Lots of stretching. Yoga for runners. Practice

Maybe a little more respected here. Jessica Simpson Winsey, 10

Gee, I guess I am not a REAL man of many clogs, I only play one on TV. I have only 10 pairs of clogs , and 3 of those you might not consider to be true clogs, but are merely clog-like. I found a picture of one pair, and the date range on this photo is pretty easy to guess, ha! These are BCBGeneration "Milliard." I have them in brown and black. They are very comfortable, but after a while they stretch out enough to where you've got to use some sort of fitment aid to keep your foot from sliding forward too far. Checking my records, I've worn the black pair enough to have had them reheeled.

First, I think it's quite possible that the model is also a professional dancer. More to the point, my opinion is that walking well (really well) in very high heels is not only athletic but also an art form that requires practice and dedication. Very few women possess the skill. Many look challenged when they try... some look downright clumsy. IMO, more males that love to wear high stiletto heels (not platforms) are prepared to dedicate some effort to become skilled. And the odd reward to this effort is that very high (5"+) heels are far more comfortable to wear for extended time and distance when the wearer is very good in the high heels.

Well I am just a regular guy who likes to wear "regular" gals high heels, unlike the, in my opinion, bizarre mag pics shown above. Those heels don't look attractive on guys or on a gals. Sometimes those "fashion" folks are out of touch with reality, my reality at least. Smile sf

First sentence you wrote is better said. Guess I should have used the 24 hour rule. Just aggravating when I see this stuff , from my point of view, guys wearing heels will never be mainstream. I agree if they were to show more normal outfits AND heels that someone like wear out of there house to a dinner it would go a lot farther to promote “our cause” rather then seeing someone in an outfit they have in a lot of these articles. Even I would cringe if I were out and about in a typical “CAT” outfit and came across someone in one of these outfits

It doesn't make us look like idiots, but rather it makes the idea of men wearing heels seem idiotic. On the other hand the looks worn by many menbers members of this forum - if photographed stylishly and presented on the pages of a glossy magazine would go far towards selling the idea of men in heels to a skeptical public. But becsause we wear them naturally, without affectation, there's no clickbait angle, no gasp - ad so no interest. Shock sells - or as they used to say, if it bleeds it leads

Honestly not sure why anyone would need classes, unless your doing modeling. They don't walk like humans anyway. Heel to toe, heel to toe. If you can't straighten your during the step, lower your heel height. I've been walking in heels for 40 yrs now. People often say I do it well. I always just say I've been doing it for a long time.

5.5”/6” everyday except for gardening,carrying heavy loads and meeting with some people I think it’s better not to do.

I forgot one more conversation. I was talking with a woman I have known for over 60 years. I said something like "I liked those stilettos" another woman was wearing. My friend said she did too, but she would fall over if she tried to wear them. I then said, "I could wear those with ease, but their not my style." She looked at me with a puzzled look so I show her the heels I was wearing. Now a shocked look appeared. 😀

I have come a long way since I first discovered all the support from guys here at hhp. I wear all my boots in public with the heels in plain view and uncovered now. Feels so liberating indeed. Now, I just have to go to the next level and wear my boots over my jeans, or perhaps show off my red boots in public.

several new mules from AliExpress. These have very high and well supporting arches, incredibly comfortable. The blues ones are why I now have these others. My light beige ones are at work, pictured the other day.

Hi I’m Dave from the UK. I’m happily married and been a boot wearer for 30 years….mostly behind closed doors but occasionally drive in boots and go for short walks. I’ve always viewed as a guest but now want to meet like minded people as life is too short! Hope to chat with you soon. Dave

I miss in-person. I tend to wear my heels all day when out. But at home I might walk around barefoot half the time. Wearing stilettos around the house is alright, wearing stilettos to work is divine.

Working from home has totally changed my boot wearing. Happily I can now do this most days in comfort and my walking in heels has dramatically improved…..practice makes perfect!

The trouble is that those stilettoes would sink into the ground at construction sites and gravel would be hideous.

Thankyou Shyheels….I also have some Fernando Berlin knee boots as well…just uploaded a photo to my album. Do you like the style?

Lucky you buddy, looks like a great time indeed

I wear my stiletto pumps next to every and all days with some exceptions. I mean, who wouldn't want to in heels like these:

I love all three pairs but I would steal those green slingbacks if you left them unguarded.

Very poorly. I really hate a lateral slope in stiletto heel shoes. Downhill is bad enough but a side slope can be impossible.

Yesterday I attended an all day joint retreat between 3 governing boards in the downtown area. Our "free" parking (otherwise $32) was 5 blocks away. I wore my black Charles by Charles David gladiator sandals. (12 hour day) As usual I had a woman tell me that they envied my heels but could wear them herself - she was <5 feet tall. And another woman asked if I drove in heels, especially the 8 hour drive the weekend before in which I "attended" another retreat while driving. My answer was of course, YES. However, the sidewalk was not flat - horizontal, it sloped from the building towards the street. I had trouble walking down the two blocks like. Almost tipped over once when it steep 15 degree slant. The question for you all: How do you navigate slanted walkways when the slant is perpendicular to your direction of travel?

Your stride length, as expected, gets shorter with height. Don't sell yourself short, your step and legs in the 5 inch heels looks fine. Your knee bend is minimal and seems consistent from shoe to shoe. Thanks for the comparison shots. Your neighbors like mine are fully aware of your heels but must been wondering, what in the world is he doing". 🙂

Well, I guess I will adopt of "middle of the road" opinion on this. True, many of the runway type pictures of guys in heels don't appeal to me at all. But some do. My issue (is being my own worst enemy as my Mom would say), is that I feel I could never successfully "pull off" most of the outfits/heels I find appealing. True, most of these runway outfits are not practical for everyday heeling/life, perhaps only a special night out/occasion. I guess that media photos need to learn to walk before they can run. In other words, show "normal guys" wearing sensible heels with regular outfits. Oh well. So, it seems like much will rely on guys like us to encourage other guys by wearing heels in public.

My experience was just put the heels on and get out there walking around. For me the learning curve was pretty fast. But ALWAYS, ALWAYS hold the handrail when on a stairway!! Hint, hint... Have fun, sf

One difference is that people here generally take a lot of trouble to look presentable and dress tastefully - your CAT style, for example, may be very different to what I would wear but I totally admire the good taste and panache with which you put the look together. Collectively we present a great variety of styles which offer looks that would suit the tastes a far, far wider range of people than those pit together by naval gazing designers whose imagination is limited to the shock value of the outlandish

https://www.vogue.com/article/mens-platform-heels-trend/amp All based off of this look: https://fashionista.com/.amp/2021/07/olivia-rodrigo-white-house-outfit

I wear knee boots quite often, over my jeans, some with heels some without. Some pair of boots go better with certain jeans etc than others. I wear them as I woukd any other footwear

Really attractive and classic stiletto pumps. Wear them in good health... and often.

I had not seen almost all these folks for over 30 years. Pot bellies galore.

I agree - and end up with your two legs stretched to slightly different lengths and you would spend the rest of your life walking round in circles! (But, if you ever did decide to go ahead, you'd have to change your name to 'kneeshigher'.)

What suits the media and their narrative I suppose. If it didn’t suit their narrative, they don’t get a say or won’t say something positive as it could omit their argument. Eventually times will turn, and they will look stupid. I was reading something recently where it was suggested that men will start to wear heels more regularly than women do. Whilst not the slim sexy stiletto, however a block or slim block heel.

Got a pair of Pleaser Rapture platform boots with skulls detailed into the platform and imprinted on the foot leather, too. Very comfy and easy to walk in.

Hi all, it's time for another new pair of shoes! I am actually several pairs behind, but these are special because I think I have finally found a pair of nude (or beige) pumps which suit all of my needs and desires. Well, except for one, and that comes at a price I'm unwilling to pay. I had bought a pair of Steve Madden "Daisie" pumps in nude a while back. They were a very pinkish beige, but that didn't bother me. They were super pointy, had super thin heels which approached the 5 inch territory, and were super easy to walk in. The only problem was that the sock liner of the shoe had started to deteriorate due to age and exposure to air. Or sunlight. Or something. I'm no chemist, but the insides of these shoes were peeling off, and it wasn't because of heavy use--there wasn't a mark on the soles or heels. I was/am unable to find another pair in that color and in my size. The other model that is of the same basic idea is the "Vala," but it has an extreme setback heel which I think looks ugly. Naturally, those can be had everywhere for a little bit of nothing. Anyway, I ran across these Madden pumps on Poshmark which were called "Klory." They looked to be the ticket. High, thin heel, pointed toe, but less extreme than the Daisie. Supposedly, they were brand new. The seller wanted something like 80 bucks for them. "Nah, I'm not paying quite that much for a plastic shoe that I can't try on," I said to myself. "If they come down to 50 bucks, then we'll see." It took a while, but the seller did eventually come down to 50 bucks. I couldn't go back on a promise, so I bought them, and I'm glad I did. Although I have yet to truly wear them outside, I can tell you that they seem to have all the good characteristics of the Daisies without the peeling insides. Actually, I like them better in some aspects. The not-quite-4 3/4" heel (119 mm to be exact) is incrementally thicker than the Daisie, at 5/16", or 8 mm, but more importantly, it curves inward, toward the front of the shoe, which I find more attractive and desirable than a more set back heel. Fit is what you'd expect from a size 9 Steve Madden, so that was a relief. They seem a little bit steeper than the Daisies, even though the heel height is virtually the same. I'll have to actually wear them somewhere to comment on that, but the heels are rock solid, so any awkwardness I may experience is user error, and not the fault of the shoes. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase.

communism / tyranny is bad for children and other living things. putin and his ilk are murdering war criminals and must be neutralized... no smiles here..... sf

The farmer's market season has begun. I have refrained from putting an exclamation point behind that first sentence because the novelty has long worn off, and I am less than excited by the prospect of having to spend all of my Thursday nights hawking egg rolls. However, this does have an upside, and that is I get to wear high heels all evening, as my wife has long stopped objecting. Not only does my choice of footwear not hurt business, there is the slim possibility that it might actually have the opposite effect. It was not warm. I was better prepared than most, and I was still never really warm the entire four hours. I chose to wear clogs rather than sandals, which turned out to be a good idea. When I was deciding at home, I was waffling between my Dansko wedges (which are super comfortable but boring) and my BCBG wooden heeled clogs, which are also comfortable, but are considerably higher, having right at 4" of height difference between heel and toe. I finally decided to go big or go home, and went with the BCBG clogs, pictured below. I got two compliments, one of which was probably good for my wife to hear, because the lady came right up to our tent at a time when we didn't have any customers and went on at some length about how much she liked my heels, and how I was better than most women at walking in them, and how she couldn't wear heels anymore. What was my wife to do except smile and nod? Mostly standing in 4" heels for five hours is one of those conditioning things, and I am out of condition. I found that a quick trip walking around the block was good for another 30 to 45 minutes of standing comfort. By the end of the night, however, I was ready to get out of those clogs. I wouldn't call it pain, but my feet were very tired.