Good "training" shoes ?

[OLC]

Hi ! I found this web-site yesterday while scouring the Internet for high-heel resources.

I've been lurking and reading, but didn't see this question answered - if it has been, just point me to it !

I've always loved high-heels, but only saw real *high* heels a few years ago and have been wanting them ever since (previously, I was including sky-high heels in a lot of drawings ).

Unfortunately, the highest pair of heels I own in 4", and while they manage to impress other people, I still want that amazing U-turn heel and to actually wear it, not just look at it or wear it "in bed" and have been inspired by the videos I've seen of people actually doing it naturally and gracefully.

So I was wondering if anyone had any feedback on experience with cheap shoes like Ellie and Pleaser. I've been thinking of buying a pair or two to practice walking in, but don't want to damage my feet, either - they look like they probably need added arch support to me.

Does anyone have experience with certain styles being better than others ?

And what heel sizes might I start with ? My feet are about 24.8cm/9.75in and I usually wear an 8 or an 8.5. I really want to be able to wear 6" heels eventually, for the duration of an evening out or a special event. I had ballet as a kid and adapted to pointe very easily, but have not done so for years. I've never had trouble walking in heels and can run and jump and whatnot in 4" ones - but don't know how much of a step up I can take from there to start with.

I know this isn't a very interesting topic, but I would greatly appreciate any advice and tales of personal experience !!

These are my dream shoes ==> http://www.orientvisual.com/6inchforever/gallery/pb0289bcp.jpg , but I don't want to buy them and kill myself in them.

[spiker]

Firstly, OLG welcome!!! I hope you'll enjoy it here in the company of like minded people! I personally find my Pleaser shoes very comfortable indeed, my favorites to look at are my Hotties from the highest heel (Louboutin clones). These are about 5 1/4 inches, and you know you're in heels. The Pleasers I have are about 5 1/2 inches, and are so comfortable they feel much lower than the Hotties. The only thing I would say is that I find the toe box quite small, and I find it more comfortable if I put some moisturiser on my feet before I put them on. That way my feet slide into place better. Hope this helps. Spiker.

[OLC]

Thank you !

I'm really glad I found this place !

I've been reading a bunch of stuff and am disappointed to hear about the poor customer service from 6IHF, but am excited about all the new stores to investigate. I just really loved those bows.

How have you found the fit of those two ? I've heard about people having to order a size larger with high heels, but if anything I've found that I wear a 1/2 size *smaller* - but that's with 4" heels.

[raincat]

Hi, OLC, and welcome to this forum. Judging from your dream shoes, you have a good eye for attractive footwear. I wish you the best of luck in finding, purchasing and wearing shoes similar to them. Go, girl, go!

[OLC]

Thanks !

Those perfect little leather bows just make me all warm and fuzzy.

So far, I've only seen bows on mules - which I just don't think would be... um... practical for an evening out.

[hoverfly]

Welcome to the hh board. So you want to wear 6 inch heels huh? Well best way to say move up a half an inch at a time for every day wear. A point you can wear them all day with no problems. Think of it as exercises regiment and slowly work your way up. Going from 4 to 6 inch heels is going to take a few years maybe less depending on how dedicated you are to the high heel life stile. Heels that high are a 24 seven deal.

I suggest if you want to wear those open toe with a bow I would go with a pair of the 5.5 inch versions instead for now and save them for wearing them around the house, they will help you to adapt to the every day lower heels faster.

No one can really recommend a good training shoe, proper fitting shoes can be the cheaper Ellie, Janet or Pleaser or the more expensive. Feet come in several shapes so no one manufacture will be the same as they actually manufacture to one or a few feet shapes. Fitting is an important as ballet pointe, you all ready know this...Example I have narrow heels and a wide foot. So a narrow pointed toe box is a no no as my toes get squashed. But shoes form Monda Spana and Via Spiga fit me, the toe box is semi pointed or much wider, Ellie, Jane and Pleasers shoes do not work for me. As the saying goes if the shoe fits wear it. If the shoe does not fit properly than don't buy it. The best way if finding a good training shoe is to try before you buy or with mail orders they should have a good return policy like Zappos. Also another fitting hint, the arch of the shoe should fallow your foot arch all the way, unsupported arches bites, they become closet queens.

[crotchboots-m]

i agree with spiker...pleasers are certainly comfortable,especially considering there very resonable cost. sizing is pretty consistent as well between products.

[Dr. Shoe]

My advice would be to buy more "up market" heels and real leather too. You should be able to manage 5" heels with feet your size but you might be better off with boots for the ankle support and then "graduate" to pumps or sandals later as you start to walk naturally. you could then go up to 5.5" heels which will be a huge difference for you... these you could start to wear for longer and longer periods and these should also be boots to start with.

[tallguyinheels]

These are secure and easy... Pleaser Seduce 460 at 5" Demonia 460 at 6" for an upgrade, Sturdy secure and my avitar.

[OLC]

My advice would be to buy more "up market" heels and real leather too. You should be able to manage 5" heels with feet your size but you might be better off with boots for the ankle support and then "graduate" to pumps or sandals later as you start to walk naturally. you could then go up to 5.5" heels which will be a huge difference for you... these you could start to wear for longer and longer periods and these should also be boots to start with.

I'm not a boot person, but I understand the need for ankle support - and I was thinking of perhaps sewing something like a very sturdy "spat" that would go like a stirrup (fairly far down the arch) and up over the ankles - out of something like velvet-covered double-layer twill (with comfortable lining !), perhaps with a couple pieces of boning on the sides for added support.

But I don't know if that would actually work.

I think 5.5" is a nice height that would achieve the look I want - it's just hard for me to tell since so many shoe websites don't mention what size the "model" shoe is and if they change heel height proportionally.

These are secure and easy... Pleaser Seduce 460 at 5" Demonia 460 at 6" for an upgrade, Sturdy secure and my avitar.

I'm looking into them right now. The funny thing is, I remember that a few years ago in my high school the "fetish Oxford stiletto" type shoe was REALLY popular - one girl in choir had a pair that looked almost like the 5" 460s, but brown !

i agree with spiker...pleasers are certainly comfortable,especially considering there very resonable cost. sizing is pretty consistent as well between products.

Thanks, that's good to know - I have a pair of low go-go boots in a 9 and they're definitely much too big (but they were just for Halloween, so it wasn't a big deal) !

Welcome to the hh board. So you want to wear 6 inch heels huh? Well best way to say move up a half an inch at a time for every day wear. A point you can wear them all day with no problems. Think of it as exercises regiment and slowly work your way up. Going from 4 to 6 inch heels is going to take a few years maybe less depending on how dedicated you are to the high heel life stile. Heels that high are a 24 seven deal.

I suggest if you want to wear those open toe with a bow I would go with a pair of the 5.5 inch versions instead for now and save them for wearing them around the house, they will help you to adapt to the every day lower heels faster.

No one can really recommend a good training shoe, proper fitting shoes can be the cheaper Ellie, Janet or Pleaser or the more expensive. Feet come in several shapes so no one manufacture will be the same as they actually manufacture to one or a few feet shapes. Fitting is an important as ballet pointe, you all ready know this...Example I have narrow heels and a wide foot. So a narrow pointed toe box is a no no as my toes get squashed. But shoes form Monda Spana and Via Spiga fit me, the toe box is semi pointed or much wider, Ellie, Jane and Pleasers shoes do not work for me. As the saying goes if the shoe fits wear it. If the shoe does not fit properly than don't buy it. The best way if finding a good training shoe is to try before you buy or with mail orders they should have a good return policy like Zappos. Also another fitting hint, the arch of the shoe should fallow your foot arch all the way, unsupported arches bites, they become closet queens.

Thank you !

I think I'll also be trying some of the basic exercises we did in ballet and see if that will help, especially for calf / ankle strength and endurance.

I'm not sure how dedicated I'll be, this summer it will probably depend on where I get a job (I don't think 5" heels would be a safe work choice in the food-making industry with all the spills and such !).

I actually never though about foot shape (I would guess mine in kind of average... I think O_o ), it's a really good point that different styles work for different feet. I was also wondering if anyone had any horror stories about the cheaper ones breaking very easily since slowly but surely I am learning the lesson of spending more for a product that doesn't need to be replaced/fixed.

[Histiletto]

Hi! OLC and welcome. I can't really add much to the advice that has been given. However, you have to know the measurements of your feet for the fit and the limits they can endure. Take for instance, wearing a nine inch heel. Your feet are only 9.25", so without platforms, you can only wear ballet heels. Let's say your feet measure 6" from the back of your feet to the opposite side of your ball joints to the toes. Depending on your feet, you might be able to wear 6" heels, but you will probably be putting all your weight on the ball joints, instead of the heels. So a lower heel might work better. When I was experimenting and learning about heel heights, a 7" stiletto without platforms use to be my ideal choice before I knew what my limits were. Then I found a store that had heels up to the 7"ers. I couldn't even stand up in them unless I was leaning on something, not to mention walking. Then I tried some 6"ers. Standing in them felt like heaven and I was standing without help. Then I walked around in them and I knew those black patent leather 6" stiletto heeled pumps with pointed toes were the ultimate footwear of my dreams. They fit perfectly and I was able to walk fairly well in them without help. Even now, I am still trying to master a graceful gait in them, but I have come to learn that my feet do better public heeling, at least for right now, in heights up to 5" heels. I could walk in 5.5"ers, but my endurance hasn't met the challenge necessary for the length of time I would be out. You might be able to reach your height limit soon, but practice a bit at home, before you venture out. It would be best for a while if you heeled on ideal weather days, until you have the experience of such high heels. Good hunting for the pair of your desires and let us know about your experience. Also, there are always a bunch of people here for any questions or advice you might want to give us.

[hoverfly]

I'm not a boot person, but I understand the need for ankle support - and I was thinking of perhaps sewing something like a very sturdy "spat" that would go like a stirrup (fairly far down the arch) and up over the ankles - out of something like velvet-covered double-layer twill (with comfortable lining !), perhaps with a couple pieces of boning on the sides for added support.

But I don't know if that would actually work.

I think 5.5" is a nice height that would achieve the look I want - it's just hard for me to tell since so many shoe websites don't mention what size the "model" shoe is and if they change heel height proportionally.

I'm looking into them right now. The funny thing is, I remember that a few years ago in my high school the "fetish Oxford stiletto" type shoe was REALLY popular - one girl in choir had a pair that looked almost like the 5" 460s, but brown !

Thanks, that's good to know - I have a pair of low go-go boots in a 9 and they're definitely much too big (but they were just for Halloween, so it wasn't a big deal) !

Thank you !

I think I'll also be trying some of the basic exercises we did in ballet and see if that will help, especially for calf / ankle strength and endurance.

I'm not sure how dedicated I'll be, this summer it will probably depend on where I get a job (I don't think 5" heels would be a safe work choice in the food-making industry with all the spills and such !).

I actually never though about foot shape (I would guess mine in kind of average... I think O_o ), it's a really good point that different styles work for different feet. I was also wondering if anyone had any horror stories about the cheaper ones breaking very easily since slowly but surely I am learning the lesson of spending more for a product that doesn't need to be replaced/fixed.

You are going to be replacing heel tips quit often if you plan to wear heel allot, finding a shoe repair shop will be a bonus. Also with all leather shoes they can be repaired, considering the prices the repairs can be economical.

Basic excesses are great for high heels wearing, straighten the ankles and wearing boots won't be necessary. Stretching is a good idea, however you probably all ready quite flexible form ballet, but it will help in injury prevention if you twist your ankle and end up wear flats for a long time.

One other suggestion, you know about shorting tendons in you legs, this will eventually with prolonged heel wearing will prevent you from wearing flats. Sometimes however it does help in wearing extreme heel heights. So remember to vary heel heights if you can during the day and mabye wear flats once twice a week.

[OLC]

You are going to be replacing heel tips quit often if you plan to wear heel allot, finding a shoe repair shop will be a bonus. Also with all leather shoes they can be repaired, considering the prices the repairs can be economical.

Basic excesses are great for high heels wearing, straighten the ankles and wearing boots won't be necessary. Stretching is a good idea, however you probably all ready quite flexible form ballet, but it will help in injury prevention if you twist your ankle and end up wear flats for a long time.

One other suggestion, you know about shorting tendons in you legs, this will eventually with prolonged heel wearing will prevent you from wearing flats. Sometimes however it does help in wearing extreme heel heights. So remember to vary heel heights if you can during the day and mabye wear flats once twice a week.

Thank you !

My friend knows of a cobbler... I'll have to ask her where they are again. Though I seem to go through shoes very slowly. Probably because I don't walk a lot in everyday life.

When I've worn heels to dances, I never took them off (because I thought it looked silly when other girls did that) but I made sure to wiggle my foot around to stretch everything out once in a while.

Hi! OLC and welcome.

I can't really add much to the advice that has been given. However, you have to know the measurements of your feet for the fit and the limits they can endure. Take for instance, wearing a nine inch heel. Your feet are only 9.25", so without platforms, you can only wear ballet heels. Let's say your feet measure 6" from the back of your feet to the opposite side of your ball joints to the toes. Depending on your feet, you might be able to wear 6" heels, but you will probably be putting all your weight on the ball joints, instead of the heels. So a lower heel might work better.

When I was experimenting and learning about heel heights, a 7" stiletto without platforms use to be my ideal choice before I knew what my limits were. Then I found a store that had heels up to the 7"ers. I couldn't even stand up in them unless I was leaning on something, not to mention walking. Then I tried some 6"ers. Standing in them felt like heaven and I was standing without help. Then I walked around in them and I knew those black patent leather 6" stiletto heeled pumps with pointed toes were the ultimate footwear of my dreams. They fit perfectly and I was able to walk fairly well in them without help.

Even now, I am still trying to master a graceful gait in them, but I have come to learn that my feet do better public heeling, at least for right now, in heights up to 5" heels. I could walk in 5.5"ers, but my endurance hasn't met the challenge necessary for the length of time I would be out. You might be able to reach your height limit soon, but practice a bit at home, before you venture out. It would be best for a while if you heeled on ideal weather days, until you have the experience of such high heels. Good hunting for the pair of your desires and let us know about your experience. Also, there are always a bunch of people here for any questions or advice you might want to give us.

From measuring my feet, it looks fairly iffy for 6" - it looks like it's just barely 6" from the heel to floor when I'm on tip-toe. I'm not that concerned about the number, though, so if a 5.5" inch heel achieved the look I wanted, I would be happy.

I've been learning a lot about arch support, and noticed that my arches when wearing my 4" heels are so high on the inside, they practically stick out of the shoe, like in this picture : http://z.hubpages.com/u/42642_f260.jpg

It seems pretty common, but I don't know if it's bad or not - and I think I'm going to look into some kind of arch support since I've noticed that my feet want to slide down in the shoes I have now (which are definitely "snug", not tight, but they're in no danger of being too big) and I think supporting that hollow area might help that, but I'm not sure. :c

Thankfully, it's getting warmer and I haven't seen snow for a while. The people around here walk painfully slow, too, so if I slow down in 5" heels, people will think I'm finally walking normally and we'll finally be able to finish all those conversations we missed having since I was ten feet ahead of everyone.

Thank you ! All the advice is much appreciated and I've learned a lot lurking around too.

[Histiletto]

Hey OLC, As for your foot sliding into the toebox from wearing high heels, I understand you can stick some padding or ball-joint pillows to cushion the ball-joint toe area and help keep your feet in the shoe properly. This would also act as a kind of a cushioned platform to add another sum to your overall height and make it more comfy. I can relate to the walking faster than most people and you'll have to get use to being the one catching up depending on the heel height and platform ratio. I have walked down the sidewalk in 4.5" heels at what I thought was a fairly fast gait and have been passed readily by others wearing 5" heels as if I was close to standing still.

[Pernilla]

Hi. My first pair of really highheeled shoes was a pair of Ellie 8260 pumps. They have 15cm high stilettoheels and no platforms!! They are perfect to learn walking in, since they give great arch-support and have rocksolid heels. Even though the heels are very high, they are quite easy to walk in:) I can recomend them , I have had a few pair of them since my first pair. Kind regards//Pernilla

[Rob]

Hi OLC, There is some good advice in this thread. I would just repeat much of what has been said already. Work your way up a quarter of an inch at a time. Wear each heel height everyday as much as possible until you get fully competent in them (which may take weeks, months or even longer). Then progress to up another quarter inch. But listen to your body. If your feet start to hurt or ache, them swap to some lower shoes and try the higher ones again the next day. Don't be tempted to push through pain. To do it right takes time and dedication but gives the best results. Think of it as training for an Olympic event. You need to keep training every day - if you miss a few days training it sets you back. But don't push yourself in to injury. Finally make sure anything you get has a good fit and keep in mind that boots give better ankle support as you move to a new height. You can start right now by trying to wear the highest heels you currently own as much as possible and your lower ones less often. Let us know how you get on.