krazykev64

Well I'm already starting to organise my next fundraising walk.  Again I will be wearing the black Mary Janes which were so comfortable during October last year although I dont think they will be very comfortable after 13.5 miles.

This year in August I will be attempting a half marathon.  Thats well over 13 miles.  I will be fundraising for MacMillan nurses.

I chose this charity because my Auntie died from lung cancer last year and 3 days before the funeral I find out that my mother has just been diagnosed with lung cancer.

If ever there was a charity worth fundraising for then MacMillan is the one. 

I will of course keep you informed

well for the members who never managed to get a copy of chat magazine on 24th december here it is

Thanks guys.  I was well pleased to have my story in the magazine.  They donated £200 to my charity (NSPCC) for the story.

Guiding you through the photos in the album starting with part one

TOP PHOTO.  Taking a break on my 10 mile walk for Cancer research in August 2010.  I was wearing 6 inch stiletto sandals

BOTTOM PHOTO:  Me and my wife, Wendy.  I am wearing the 4 inch Mary Janes that I wore during October 2014 to raise money for the NSPCC.  They are actually quiet comfortable if I'm wearing socks, stockings or nothing at all. 

Now for part two

TOP PHOTO:  The 6 inch stiletto sandals I wore on the 10 mile walk.  Also used to raise money every year for Children in Need

MIDDLE PHOTO:  Shopping in my 4 inch Mary Janes during my month in heels challenge during October 2014 to raise money for the NSPCC

MAIN PHOTO:  Taken during my very first high heel walk in August 2009.  I walked 5 miles wearing a pair of 7 1/2'' block heeled sandals to raise money for Help for Heroes.  Very difficult to keep balance in but fairly comfortable worn with stockings. 

if anyone asked me what my favourite heels are that i have worn i would say in order

1/  7.5'' inch black sandals (purely for the challenge).  i could easily of done the 10 miles wearing them

2/  4'' inch mary janes as they are very practical and suitable for daily use

3/  6'' inch stiletto sandals.

Well my fundraising story has now been published in Chat magazine which came out on christmas eve.  for anyone who missed it or cannot get a copy here is the article

To answer your questions:

 

1.  You can wear them as a man - they are no more 'unmasculine' than my avatar boots (2.75" heel), which I wear quite often under normal length jeans (shaft concealed, heel visible)

2.  Yes, pretty well unisex

3.  If it comes to a vote, probably 'women's' - but only because you and I know that such styles are not too readily offered to men

4.  As 3, because I'm aware of such things

 

I agree that 'cowboy' boots are not readily available in the UK, and then tend to be low-heeled and expensive.    But cuban-heeled 'Beatle boots' are not hard to find, try Atom Retro and look at the 'Madcap' boots with pointed toe and 2.5" heel - very comfortable and true to size (mine are UK11 in black suede).   I too have had back problems and a heel helps - just plucking up courage to wear my 5" Miguel Jones boots in public more.

 

Where do your tan boots come from, please?

The tan boots are from marisota.  they only go to a size 10eee

the mary janes i wore for the month were actually very nice to walk in.  up until the 28th i had no problems.  they were a nice fit although a little lose fitting.  only on the 28th did i get a small blister on my left little toe.

if im honest i could easily wear them every day but i want a pair of more masculine looking heels with a block or cuban heel around 2.5 to 3 inch high.

Well october is now over.  In total to date I have raised nearly £600.  This includes £200 from Chat magazine who have brought the story of my high heel fundraising.  The story will be in the December 24th issue 2014 so make sure that you keep an eye open for it so you can grab a copy.

I really enjoyed doing the challenge especially the street collection on 28th October where I walked round Swansea dressed as a witch wearing the heels all day long.  I had one small blister on my left little toe although it was so small its now healed up. 

I am now after a pair of masculine looking heels for everyday use because I have found that heels contribute to relieving the pain I get in my back.  I have had no pain now for well over a month.

Also on the street collection day I had a meeting at the local NSPCC centre where there was a local photgrapher.  You can see the photo of me in my heels and witches outfit at

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Penlan-grandfather-goes-extra-mile-heels-NSPCC/story-23885164-detail/story.html

These are the boots I am thinking of getting for everyday use (See photos)

You may of read about my charity challenge where I will be wearing the heels in my avatar for a complete month (October 2014 - 31 days)

Well a few days ago disaster struck as one of the elastic parts of the straps that holds the buckles snapped.

I had it repaired for free by timpsons as a charity gesture but the elastic was slightly narrower.

Well it snapped again a couple days later but this time I decided to have a go at repairing it myself.

What I done was to use wider elastic from an old fishing headlamp and then I used braided fishing line to sew it back in place.  There is no way the line will snap as it is rated at 30lbs/bs.  trying to snap it by hand will lead to a very deep cut in your fingers

If this does not hold what would you suggest to replace the elastic? 

im now 15 days into my challenge and enjoying every single step in my heels.  the fundraising is going well and it looks as if i have secured the sale of the story to ''CHAT'' magazine.

i had a scare a couple of days ago as the elastic that holds the buckle snapped.  luckily for me i took it to my local timpsons branch and they repaired it free of charged because its for charity. 

i had one small blister but i have managed to dry it up.  it was caused by not using talcum powder when going bare footed with the heels..

i now make sure that i put talcum powder in the heels when going bare foot as well as putting a plaster on my little toes.

the heels are lovely to walk in and i am now used to them.  i feel that i could wear them for a lot longer than a month.  walking in my trainers actually feels strange.  overall im wearing the heels for at least 8 hours per day and up to 14 hours.

dont forget that you can follow my daily progress at

www.facebook.com/heels4nspcc

i have looked for mens cowboy boots with a heel around 2.5 inches but they al seem to be no more than 1 to 1.25 inch at the most.  the idea of wanting a 2.5 inch heel is because this height eases the pain in my lower spine.  i dont think the missus will be too happy if i started to wear my MJ's every day.

i really do like them and at £20 a pop they are a bargain.  i also much prefer the lower style although they will be hidden under my jeans.  i really look forward to a pain free back especially during the winter months

You may of read that i have been wearing high heels from the start of october 2014 which is a challenge to raise money for the NSPCC.

During this challenge i have noticed that i have suffered no pain at all in my lower spine.  i aint even needed any medication of any sort.  to be honest i now enjoy wearing the heels purely for the fact that im pain free.

i have decided that i want to purchase a pair of heels for everyday use but i dont want anything that is too girly.

i have found the following cowboys boots but they are sold as women's boots.  personally i would say they are more unisex than purely woman's.

they have a 2.5 inch heel with no platform.  they are also available in size UK10EEE which should hopefully fit my man size 10 feet.  the womans heels im wearing for my months challenge are also a size uk10 wide fitting and they actually feeel slightly too large for me.

i have shown the boots in the pictures below to my wife and she thinks they are too girly for a man. 

back in the 1970's i had a pair of cowboy boots when i was in school which were sold as boots for boys / men and they also had a heel around the same height although they had a higher leg.  they also had more detail but were the same colour (tan)

can you please give me your opinions.

1/  are they too girly to be worn as mens footwear

2/  unisex suitable for both sexes

3/  cant tell if mens or woman's

4/  never realized they were womens boots

I have been wearing the mary janes in my avatar since the start of the month 9 days ago.  It is for a charity fundraising event I organised

I have worn them with thick sports socks, thin nylon womens socks and also bare foot. 

My feet are OK in the nylon ankle socks but feel a little warm in the sports socks.

When I go barefoot in them my feet get very sweaty and sticky.  I found the best cure is a little talc inside the shoe which keeps my feet dry and fresh smelling and also reduces any minor rubbing which could possibly cause blisters. 

As the shoes are made from a man made material the problem is even worse especially with a smooth hard insole. 

If I had been doing the challenge in the summer I would of obtained a pair of sandals or something similar to what DWW is wearing in his avatar.

Back in 2010 I walked in high heel sandals that had padded insoles made from pigskin and these were fantastic.  My feet never sweated at all.

When im not wearing heels my normal shoes are only made from leather, suede or cloth.  I hate man mad material as a rule.

Its also very rare that I wear any sort of foot garment and much prefer going bare feet regardless of the type of footwear.

My advice is if you suffer from sweaty feet is get a pair of high heel sandals for the warmer months preferably with a padded suede or pigskin insole.  The secret is to allow air to flow round your feet and toes.

The picture below is of my sandals that have the pigskin insoles

i am sure that since i have been wearing the mary janes in my avatar for the last seven days that i have found a cure for my aching back.  i have had them on my feet every day for between 10 and 14 hours except when im driving.  my back is pain free and im not using any painkillers of any sort.  i no longer walk like neanderthan man as i have a good posture.

normally i would only wear heels for fundraising but now i am seriously thinking about getting a pair of ankle boots with a block heel around 2.75 to 3 inch high.  i also want a flexible sole with no platform. 

i have seen a few styles that i like but finding them in a size UK10 with a wide fit is going to be hard.  i dont want to spend too much either.  i quiet like the open boots as well.  below is a picture showing what i would consider suitable for everyday wear.  does anyone know of a supplier of these boots in my size?  i dont want anything thats too girly looking.  i think i could pull off the open boot with no problems.  its surprising how many people have not noticed my mary janes.

i am so much loving my pain free back

I have just been doing a bit of reading regarding DWW's medical condition.  This is the page I was reading

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/ankylosing-spondylitis/what-is-ankylosing-spondylitis.aspx

Although I have been diagnosed with spondylitus and osteoarthritus, I have in the past suffered from reactive arthritus which has lead to my current health problem regarding my back.

I seriously believe that I may also suffer from DWW's condition although I would need to be tested and re-assessed to confirm this.

I think I should book an appointment with the quack and explain my findings and the effect that high heels have on my back.

I have now asked the wife for a pair of heeled cowboy boots for my birthday.  I have found this one for £20 which has a 2.5 inch heel

Glad things are going well for you on the challenge & the Mary Jane's are shaping up well. Your photos look fantastic & I, (along with most of the people following this thread, I suspect), would love to see you in a red pair with shorts

 

While not wishing to duplicate previous posts, I can wholeheartedly agree with you that wearing heels can benefit the back. There's a thread in 'The infirmary' entitled 'Dodgy backs & high heels' that you may be interested in, if you haven't clocked it yet. I can recommend wearing boots to cure back pains.

 

Good luck with the rest of your challenge...

I think you read my mind.  im seriously considering a pair of heeled boots with a block heel around 2.75 to 3 inches.  they need to have a thin flexible sole and be a size 10eee (or wider).  i may even consider a pair of open toe boots so i can wear them all year round or maybe a pair with cut out sides.  My back has never had it so good.  during the last week i have been wearing the mary janes for up to 14 hours a day with not the slightest problem.  they really are nice to wear and dead easy to walk in.

Well its day five of my challenge.  Things are going very well and the shoes are so far proving to be very comfortable even with no insoles of any type.  I find I prefer to wear them with the anklestrap on the lose side allowing them to move on my feet while walking. 

since I started there is one thing I have noticed.  I do not walk with a stoop while wearing them.  In my normal mens shoes I used to walk like neanderthal man.  My posture is now much more upright.  Even my back is feeling the benefit.

Donations have been made in person and on my just giving site.

My only regrets are that the shoes are not red and if it had been warm outside I could of got away with wearing a pair of shorts meaning the high heels would be easy to notice.

Not once have I heard anyone making strange comments behnd my back.  Overall the public have been fantastic giving me much needed support. 

So far I have been wearing the heels in a few high profile places such as in a busy city centre and a supermarket.  On Monday I will be taking a trip to the dentist wearing my heels.  I have also been wearing them around much smaller shops as well as at home while doing the housework.  I am also looking forward to the 28th of October which is when I dress up as a witch to do a street collection in the City Centre.  My heels will be on full display and easily noticable with my green stockings (see my new avatar)

I have also come to the conclusion that i may be in the market for a pair of heels for daily use purely for the benefit of my back.  im not sure what to get but i dont want anything girly and i dont want a thick platform.  i have seen some nice boots both closed and open toe with a heel around 3 inches with a thin platform.  i dont want to spend too much but they need to be a wide fit UK10

Anyway here are some pictures of me in my heels during my challenge

i brought a brand new pair of pleaser stiletto sandals to do a 10 mile charity walk.  the first thing i done was have the tips changed for steel knowing the nylon tips would probably wear out within 5 miles as im 15 stone (210lbs) in weight.

after walking 10 miles with the steel tips they had hardly any wear at all.  i also used them again for another charity walk where i walked around another 4 or 5 miles and they still have lots of metal on them.

depending on how you walk in steel tipped stiletto heels i see no reason why you cannot exceed 50 miles before having to fit new tips again

I put 4 to 5 inch.  The reason is simple.  I have never tried to walk in anything higher than 4.5 elevation.  I have walked 10 miles in a pair of platforms that had a 1.5 inch platform and 6 inch heels. There again if I can walk that far in those I think I could possibly walk in a pair of 6 inch heels but nowhere near as far.  I also believe that the larger your feet the easier it is to walk in heels of a given height.  I'm a UK10.  If I was a UK15 then they would of been even easier to walk in.

My dream is to attempt to walk in the worlds highest heels.  Apparently they only have a 3 inch elevation.  The problem is balance.  The heels are 20 inches  WOW.  Now you know why my user name is Krazy Kev

In two weeks time i am attempting my biggest challenge to date.  i will be wearing the shoes in my avatar for a complete month (oct 2014)  the heels are 4 inch and they have a 1 inch platform so the elevation is only 3 inch. 

regarding the worlds highest heels being 20 inch.  i am actually in contact with the maker on facebook and im hoping that a pair will become available so I can try and set a record for walking in them.  the elevation is only 3 inches so that makes the platform 17 inches high

 

I have said it before so I will say it again.  If you want to get over your fear of wearing heels in public you need a reason.  The best reason is to do it for charity.  You will be amazed at the support you get.  If your heels are a fair height say around 5 inches you will feel even better.  Just wait until you have women come up to you and tell you that you have sexy legs.  You wont want to take your heels off.

The secret is NOT to hide the heels.  SHOW THEM OFF

Here is a picture of me and my mate raising money for Children in need 2013.  I am wearing a pair of yellow 6 inch stiletto platform sandals.  My mate started off with a pair of 5 inch stiletto sandal boots but his heel tip broke off so he had to put his trainers back on.

So come on.  Its only two months to go.  Get a couple of yards of spotted material to make a skirt and get fundraising.  You will love it and get over the fear of going public

My next challenge is wearing the heels in my avatar for a complete calender month (October 2014).  They will be my only form of footwear with the only exception being when im driving or mowing the lawn and this is purely for safety reasons.

You can follow my progress at www.facebook.com/heels4nspcc

I'm also considering the next major challenge.  It may just be a half or even a full marathon.

I also find high heels don't cause me problems with my bad back.  I suffer from osteoarthritis of the lower spine and have done for the last 25 years.

I first walked in high heels back in august 2009 to raise money for charity.

I walked 5 miles in a pair of 7.5'' platforms with a chunky sole.  if im honest my back felt better for walking in them.

the following year i walked 10 miles again for charity wearing a pair of 6 inch platforms but with steel tipped stiletto's.

again no problems and my back felt great.

My calf muscles also felt great on both walks. I'm sure walking in heels is good exercise and tones your muscles.  Well that's my theory anyhow.

In two weeks I am starting my latest charity event.  It involves wearing a pair of 4 inch platforms with chunky heel for the whole month of October.  This will surely tell me or not if I benefit wearing heels.  I will of course let you know my opinions at the end of the month.

At present i only wear heels for fundraising but if i thought i would benefit wearing them all the time i would consider purchasing a pair for daily use.  I would be looking at a pair of heels maybe an open toe ankle boot with flat sole or thin platform and chunky heel of around 3 to 4 inches.  Problem is finding a wide fitting high heel ankle boot in size UK10

To be honest I rather like the style although I would call it a sandal with extra ankle support. 

If I was given the choice to pick one style of high heel I think I would pick this style purely for its functionality.

As long as its not worn with any form of sock or tights I think they look great.

With a flat sole or small platform up to three quarter inch they are also a lot more masculine.

i really like these two

Just updated my avatar to the Mary Janes I will be wearing for a month (October 2014).

Heel is 4 inch high.  Very easy to walk in and they dont pinch my toes.

Its been a fair while since I updated this post so I think its about time I bring you up to date with progress.

It is now only 2 weeks to the day that I will be walking around in high heels for a whole month.

The heels are a pair of 4 inch Mary Jane's with chunky heels.

Donations have already been made totalling around £60.  This is great as I have not even started yet.

So back to the shoes.   I have only waked in the house with them but they are easy to walk in compared to my previous heels which in comparison were poor fitting. 

I have set up a facebook group which is here at  www.facebook.com/heels4nspcc

My fundraising page is at www.justgiving.com/heels4nspcc

On the 28th October I will be doing a street collection in Swansea city centre wearing the heels as well as being dressed up as a witch. 

Publicity has been very good and I have been in the local paper as well as being mentioned on various web sites including ITV.

My facebook group page will be updated daily with my progress so this is the best place to view my progress if you are a member.

im really looking forward to getting the heels on and shocking a few members of the public into getting their money out of their pockets and putting in the collection tin.  I will also be taking donations in person as well as on line.  Nobody will miss me as I will be wearing a green NSPCC T-Shirt with ''A month in heels'' added to it.

If anyone wishes to meet up with me the only option would be when im doing the street collection dressed up as a witch as my movements will be restricted to a small area.  I will be easy to spot as I will be dressed as a witch with green stockings and face. 

To change the comfort factor I have used a random organizer to pick if I wear thin ankle highs, sports socks or bare feet on a daily basis.  Neither of them will be worn more than 3 days in a row

In the meantime here I am in my heels and witches outfit minus the green face

I put 4 to 5 inch.  The reason is simple.  I have never tried to walk in anything higher than 4.5 elevation.  I have walked 10 miles in a pair of platforms that had a 1.5 inch platform and 6 inch heels. There again if I can walk that far in those I think I could possibly walk in a pair of 6 inch heels but nowhere near as far.  I also believe that the larger your feet the easier it is to walk in heels of a given height.  I'm a UK10.  If I was a UK15 then they would of been even easier to walk in.

My dream is to attempt to walk in the worlds highest heels.  Apparently they only have a 3 inch elevation.  The problem is balance.  The heels are 20 inches  WOW.  Now you know why my user name is Krazy Kev