Knee-High Boots - Need Some Advice (Pleaser Boots)

[jwhite44]

My current shoe collection consists of several pairs of ankle boots (2 1/2" - 4 3/4" heights), and a couple of pair of pumps.  I've done outings in some of the boots.  [i've listed questions in italics]

 

One type of footwear I've always been interested in was a calf or knee boot.   I always viewed them as addding some rigidity at the ankle, reducing the flexibilty (compared to a shoe), and thus providing a different feel (is this correct)?

 

Having a size 13 male shoe size (Payless's 13's were great; I've gotten into a 12W from Naturalizer) severly limits the selection.  I started at http://www.sexyshoes.com, since I knew that carried large sizes in just about every style.  I stumbled across these http://www.sexyshoes.com/p-3639-ss-39803.aspx which looked appealing.  

 

Although I could see that they were made by Pleaser, they looked different from another pair I was comparing to on Amazon, which I thought were the same, but listed different heel heights.  It took me a while to determine that the Sexy Shoes pair were the Pleaser Domina-2020's, and the Amazon shoe the Seduce-2020.  As best I can tell, the only different is the heel height:  Domina's are 6", Seduce 5".  Can someone confirm this?

 

[FYI - I did look at this thread http://www.hhplace.org/topic/22177-domina-2020-boots-questions/?hl=domina-2020 ]

 

Assuming I go with one of these:

 

1. Both are available up to size 16.  Any recommendations on if 15 (male 13 + 2) would be okay, or should I add another size, since I thought I've read Pleasers can tend to run small?

 

2. I don't like the shiny patent look.  Is is worth the extra money (close to 2x) to get the leather version instead of PU (polyurethane)?  For "hobby" shoes (I wouldn't be wearing them out), I'm not thrilled with having to spend more.  On the other hand, I've read that leather will have more stretch and give and man-made materials.  Any advantage I get for to accomodate a man wering them might be worth it.

 

3. I'm leaning towards the Domina's, because one of my other wish-list items was to get a pair of 5+" heels, and experience what that feels like.  I guess if there's no other differences between the Domina and the Seduce, this is just personal preference. I want to stay with "true heel height", ie. no platorm.  Anyone know in sz 14-16, what the Domina '6" heel' size migjht actually be?

 

4. A review I saw said that the hook lacing can be a hassle, as sometime/often you need to completely relace the boots, even though they have full side zippers.  It was suggested that a version with eyelets (or d-rings) might be better.  It looks like Seduce-2024 is a d-ring version.  However, with no Domina (6") version, shiny d-rings vs black hooks, and a different look, this style doesn't do much for me

The -2000 model for both styles appears to be zipper only, no laces.  I'm not sure that would be good, as it provides no adjustability around my calves.  Plus, to me it look high heel pump, with almost a leather stocking to make it a boot.  I much prefer the -2020 look.

 

 

In the Domina thread I mentioned above, I incorrectly interpreted a post as meaning, "Check out Skyscraper heels...", which I discovered to be Skyscraper Heels out of Chicago, specifically http://skyscraperheels.com/boots/index.htm 

 

I looked at this site.  My guess is their shoes are probably constructed better.  There are some boots with a "heavy" (chunkier) heel that for outdoors wearing, could be more practical to support my larger frame.  I'm not sure that's an issue if they'll be strictly for indoors.  They have a few boots with 5" heels, nothing higher.  Appearance-wise, there's maybe one that looks as attractive as the Pleasers.

 

 

Given what I'm looking to get, does anyone think there's anything out there better than the Domina-2020?  Pleaser always seemed like they owned the market for large size, ultra-high heels.  It's perhaps inevitable that I'd eventually need to buy from them.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Bikergoth]

Hiya

 

I don't think I can answer all of your questions but I'll try what I can based on my experiences...

 

I wear knee or over the knee boots most days with four to five inch heels, depending which pair I choose. I find that knee boots give my ankles a lot of support as they are more rigid than shoes by design - they cover the ankles tightly, (especially lace-ups), and in my experience feel a lot more stable than shoes when walking on rough ground. I also find that a small platform can help when doing a lot of walking on hard ground such a tarmac or concrete, (my preference only). If you wish to wear them indoors only on carpet then I see no reason for the need to add a platform.

 

In answer to you questions...

 

1. I take a US 11 & bought a Pleaser Nurse's platform boot in a US 13. My feet rattle around in them & I need to wear two pairs of socks over my stockings. One thing I must say is that these boots were not a five inch heel - they are about a three inch rise at the most with the platform. I'm not sure if you would need to go up a size or two with stilettoes. Ideally you need to try them on in store, but I know that's not an option for many of us who either can't get to a local store or don't feel comfortable wearing heels in public yet.

 

2. I always buy real leather over PVC as it's well worth the extra expense in the long run. Not only do the boots look, smell & feel better, leather allows your feet to breathe, stretches slightly & moulds itself to the shape of your foot. Leather also tends to last longer - I have several pairs of Pleaser/Demonia boots that are coming up for ten years old & the PVC is cracking up &/or flaking off. Leather boots of the same age are still in very good condition. Obviously both types have been worn, cleaned &/or polished regularly. I also find that PVC boots make my feet sweat, (not a very pleasant experience!).

 

3. Not at all sure on this one...

 

4. I prefer ski hook lacing over D Rings. On a D ring boot the laces are usually too short to be undone without unthreading them from the D rings - pain in the ass to re-thread & do up again! Zipper only is good if you need to get them on & off quickly, & you are correct about the zipper/lace combination - I find that all my boots with zippers & laces need re-lacing most of the time I put them on. I also find that the ski hook lacing is very easy to re-lace if you thread both laces at the same time pulling them tight across the front of the boot. A little tip that I discovered for the lace/zipper boots... If you gently push down on the ski hooks after the boots have been laced & gently trap the laces, they won't come undone again when you un-zip the zipper. In my opinion, lace up knee boots look far better than zipper only knee boots or lace/zipper knee boots and definitely provide more support to the ankles.

 

Unfortunately the link to Skyscraper heels of Chicago didn't work, but I think you are right about thicker heels being better for wearing outside. The art of wearing heels is all about balance & if you're not too sure, (as I think we all were when we first started wearing heels), it makes sense to be as comfortable as you possibly can.

 

There's an eBay seller in the UK by the name of 'emmdf99' who sells various boots & shoes in male sizes & mails items worldwide. He may be worth checking out. I've heard a rumour that he may be one of the ex-leatherworks guys, but not sure if that's true. Leatherworks were a fairly good UK manufacturer of leather boots in large sizes.

The other option is to surf the net & find a company that will custom make them for you. I haven't had the pleasure of having a pair of boots custom made yet but I'm fairly sure it will be quite expensive. Maybe someone else on this site can help with that one...

 

Hope all this is of use to you...

[jwhite44]

Here's that Skyscraper link, maybe a bad cut & paste http://skyscraperheels.com/boots/index.htm

 

Thanks for the feedback. 

 

I just ordered a pair a pair of the Domina 2020's in leather.  Your comments on leather echo what I'd seen others comment about.  And the Domina only comes in hook laces; no d-rings, no zipper on them.  So that made the decision a bit easier.

 

Amazon listed 1 pair left of sz 15's from a merchant that offered free return shipping.  I figured that would cover me if they turn out to be too large.  The same merchant also has a pair in sz 13 available; I'm not sure if I want to order them too.   My luck,  I'll probably be a 14!  I just hope with all the sizes they come in, I can find a pair that fits well. 

[Bikergoth]

Glad you found the info useful & good luck with your new boots.

 

Please let us all know how you get on with them when they arrive...

[Rockpup]

Pleaser's in leather are still a decent value. I doubt I will get any non leather boots from them in the future

[Thighbootguy]

I wear a mens 11-12 and wear Pleasers 8899H5 thigh boots in a 14.  They fit comfortably.  I echo the comments on leather boots than PVC.  I do find boots much more supportive (and comfortable) than pumps.

 

Do let us know how your new boots work for you.

[jwhite44]

I wear a mens 11-12 and wear Pleasers 8899H5 thigh boots in a 14.  They fit comfortably.  ..

Hopefully that means the 15's (geez that sounds large!) will be the best size.  Would have been a nice time to have Amazon Prime w/ 2 day shipping...

[jwhite44]

So the boots came today.  Big cardboard shipping box.  Big inside Pleasers red & black box.  Definitely won't mistake these boxes for a shoe box with flats in them!

 

If you're used to pumps, even ankle boots, knee high boots are significantly larger and more impressive looking.  With 15 eye hooks, it was almost painful how long it took to lace them the first time.  I REALLY wanted to get them on to see how they felt.  

 

The good news is that the size 15's definitely are not too large.  They don't fit too bad, actually they fit pretty well.  I have a number of other shoes where I have to squeeze my feet into them, the compromise I need to make to get my sz 13 ft into sz 12, sometimes sz 13 womens shoes.  These boots don't seem to have that problem.  The calf comes just to below the back of my knew, I'd say perfect. 

 

And I'm very happy I got the model with the laces.  Once they were laced, they stayed laced when I used the side zippers to take them off.  Not only do the laces look much nicer, but they'll provide a almost infinite adjustment, so I can either really cinch them on, or make them looser.

 

What I'm trying to decide is if I think the sz 16's might be better.  I'm not used to having a larger size to go to, so I'm not sure if they might provide a little more room, or if they'll be too big.  I think I'm going to way to see if Amazon will offer the 16's with free return shipping.   I'll give them two weeks; if it doens't show online, then I'll order them with free shipping one way.  That should give time to return these original ones if I decide to keep the larger size.  For now I'm just wearing these while I'm sitting, lying down, or walking on carpet.  I don't want to do anything that would create wear on the soles, and make them unreturnable.

 

In terms of dealing with the 6" heel, I'm really excited.  There's no doubt that this is a signifcant increase from any other shoe or boot I have.  That's good - it's what I wanted.  My limited walking in them so far has been the classic "bent knee".   Obviously practice,practice,practice will be the words for these boots.

 

I'm not sure if I should be disappointed with the heel height.  I'm attaching two pictures:  one of the full heel, and the other of where the top of the heel meets the bottom of the shoe (I think "the seat").  The heel measurement looks to be 5 7/8" (which was the same measurement a poster in another thread referred to his 2020's); the seat is 6".  I really wanted a shoe that was without a doubt a full 6" or more.  So mentally that 5.xx" meaurement is a little annoying.  I know other shoes tend to have larger than advertised heel heights at larger sizes.  I would have thought next to the largest size, I might have gotten at least an 1/8" over advertised heel height. 

 

So far, I can definitely recommend them to anyone else looking for a similar boot.

 

An update - I checked Amazon this morning, size 16's through them didn't include free return shipping.  However, I checked the merchant's website, (www.shoebuy.com), and if ordered directly through them, they do offer free shipping both ways.  Great!  So a 2nd pair is ordered.  I'll get to see which pair fits better.  Hopefully no issues returning whichever one goes back.

[Thighbootguy]

When it is time to have the heel tips replaced, have the cobbler flair the new heel tips, it will double he life of the new tips (it may even add ⅛" to the heel).  I tend to severely wear the toe of my boots so I have the cobbler install a steel toe plate (tap) and that also really extends the life if my boots.

 

With a heel that high on a pointed the boot, it is important that your toes are not jammed into the point area.  There needs to be enough room for your toes and boot needs to hold your foot so that doesn't happen.  You ought to be able to move your toes in the boot.

 

As for the heel height... your ankle may be glad it's only 5⅞".  Like you said, "Practice, practice and more practice."  I can wear a 5¼" heel all day but moving to a 5½" is a real challenge for me.  Take your time in getting to that 5⅞".

 

TBG

[Bikergoth]

I'm so happy that you like your new boots.

 

This model of boot really does look stunning & I'm glad you're happy with the laces - seem to take forever to lace up initially but very easy to adjust should you need to.

 

I echo your & TBG's comments - Practice, practice & more practice. I eventually learned to walk in ballet heels & it took forever, wearing them for half an hour a day just to get used to the 'feel' of them, before even attempting to try & stand in them. Take it slowly, practice regularly & you'll soon be walking in them without even thinking about it.

[jwhite44]

The size 16's arrived today.  Now for perhaps a stupid question: how do I know  which pair fits better?  What do I look for?  How do I know if say the 15's feel tighter, if it's due to the boot being smaller, or me have the laces tighten too much?   I usually never have an opportunity to choose a smaller or larger size.

 

If I was going just on appearance, I'd pick the 15's:

- the 16's are noticably bigger (in the footbox,around the calfs - I guess what one would expect a larger size to be!)

- the 15's have more of a shine, to me it seems like a bit more depth, on the leather, than the 16's.

 

I have the 15 on one foot, the 16 on the other, trying to compare.  I'm able to lace up the 16's so the the two sides touch underneath the laces (no gap at all), and they feel about as tight as the 15's with a gap.

 

Thanks for any help.

[Guest]

if I get another pair of platform demonia boots I'l prob. get the ones that are wedge-shaped with the star in the heels- they look like they would feel better on my foot while while walking .

[jwhite44]

An update - I tried to sleep with the boots on, but didn't succeed.  "Woke up" (if I was even asleep) once to adjust the sz 16, then 15+ min later the 15.  Finally around 1:30am (less than 5 hrs after having them on), both were uncomfortable enough that with today being a workday, I needed to take both off so I could get some actual rest.  Disappointed.

 

From what I remember, it was the bottom of my heel, and the back of it, that had almost a burning sensation.  I don't remember discomfort (well as much) around the toes (a regular concern; the footbox for women's shoes always seems smaller than what my male feet are).  I also don't remember any discomfort around the ankles (due to the angle of a 6" heel).

 

I'm going to try again tonight, swapping which foot gets the 15 & 16.  I'm hoping I'll find a pair that seems well, at least pain free "at rest".  Otherwise that wouldn't seem to bode well for when I'm trying to stand and walk in them.

 

Oh one other question, and not sure if it's specific to Pleaser shoes, or just sky-high heels in general.   How much risk is there of me breaking the heel?  It's a standard size stiletto heel, doesn't appear anything extra think or beefy to handle a 6" height, or the extra weight a male would.  I'm not an experienced heel wearer, and this boot for sure will push me to the limit. 

Do I constantly need to be concerned that every potential misstep I take, not having the correct sole to heel balance, that I risk damaging the shoe?  I'm guessing it's not something my local shoe cobbler will be able to easily fix!  If the answer is yes, that's fine, I'll just need to keep that in mind as I try to walk in them.

 

Thanks.

[Shafted]

I will never understand the whole sleeping in heels thing.

[Steve63130]

Jwhite,

 

Are you just starting out wearing 6" heels or have you worn 6" heels a lot so you can walk gracefully and have the confidence to look good? If you're new to 6" heels, you probably need to plan to spend a lot of time practicing walking in them. Otherwise a fall or fail is likely in your future, and you could experience pain and discomfort as well. You need to build up to that height gradually. Just sayin' - good luck with the new boots!

 

Steve

[jwhite44]

I will never understand the whole sleeping in heels thing.

To me a big part (difference) of wearing heels is the change in foot position:  the new angles of the ankle and the toes.  They're in those different position while you are walking and standing, but when heeling is just inside, then there's a lot of sitting and sometimes lying.  Then, it's easy to "cheat", and have your foot go back to the 90 degree position relative to your leg.   One of the reasons for finally getting a pair of knee-high books was to eliminate that: effectively have my foot locked into a "high heels" position.   And it's been the case.  There's barely any flexibility, and if I tighten up the laces, there's practically none.

 

Sleeping in them is a way for me to get some time in this position. By keeping them on last night vs taking them off, I got 7 extra hours in a "heeled" position.  That's not time I can easily make up during awake hours.  I got a huge cramp in one leg when I put it on the ground and was ready to put weight on it.  I expected my calves to be sore, but not like that!  I'm disappointed I had to cheat, and take the one boot off completely to work it out, but hey it was progress that I was able to get through the night with them on!  I can fell some tenderness in my calves, and it will be interesting to see in a few minutes what my legs feel like when they are "de-heeled".

 

Speaking of my overnight wearing, I had one time where one of feet had that burning sensation again.  It wasn't as bad as the previous night, and it was the same foot that had it first before.  Since I was wearing a different size on that foot last night, that might mean it's not size-related.

 

I'm still trying to evaluate the sz 15's vs 16's.  The left foot 16 (what I wore last night and now) seems bigger then the right foot one.  I'll need to put both on to compare.  The larger footbox on the 16's seems to be better.  I'm hoping I can find the 15's to be adequate, if not overall better, as I think that's the pair I'd prefer to have.  More testing on the weekend.

Jwhite,

 

Are you just starting out wearing 6" heels or have you worn 6" heels a lot so you can walk gracefully and have the confidence to look good? If you're new to 6" heels, you probably need to plan to spend a lot of time practicing walking in them. Otherwise a fall or fail is likely in your future, and you could experience pain and discomfort as well. You need to build up to that height gradually. Just sayin' - good luck with the new boots!

 

Steve

 

Jwhite,

 

Are you just starting out wearing 6" heels or have you worn 6" heels a lot so you can walk gracefully and have the confidence to look good? If you're new to 6" heels, you probably need to plan to spend a lot of time practicing walking in them. Otherwise a fall or fail is likely in your future, and you could experience pain and discomfort as well. You need to build up to that height gradually. Just sayin' - good luck with the new boots!

 

Steve

No experience in 6" heels at all.  For stiletto shoes, I have have a pair of pumps with a 4 3/4" heel (advertised as 5" (: ), with a traditional thin heel, and a pair of lace-up ankle boots with a 4 1/4" heel (that's about 3x the diameter (and 2x as wide as these Pleasers).  Almost all my other shoes / ankle boots (2 3/4" up to I think 4 3/4") all have chunky heels. 

 

If I was getting an ideal pair of 6" heel boots to train in, I'd have gotten a chunky heel one.  It's enough to deal with the height of 6" heel, let alone have the extra complication of getting the landing correct with the stiletto heel.  But to me this Pleaser has the classic high heel boot look.  So it will be a lot more effort to learn how to deal with both aspects at the same time.  I'm hoping at least the boot structure provides some additional support.  A 6" pump w/ no ankle support - now that could be an adventure!

[Shafted]

Sorry, I still don't see the logic in it. Most people have a natural tendency to toe down anyway when they sleep.

 

Wearing them while asleep doesn't really help because the foot and leg aren't under load.

 

Holding the foot in the toe down position is merely a stretch and stretches should not be held for extended duration.

 

Only time on you feet will help.

[bionicbabe]

I bet these 6inch heels at size 13-16 have the same effect as a girl with size 5-7 wearing four inch heels

[jwhite44]

I decided to keep the sz 15's.  They are a light tight in the footbox area; either mentally or physically I always think my perfect-fit shoe is 1/2 size different.  But I realized the 16's were just too big.  The 15's felt SO much better, exactly what I was hoping a knew-high boot would feel like.

 

With the 16's on their way to be returned, now I can focus on practicing in the 15's.  One thing I've noticed already - after wearing these boots for any extended time, wearing any other of my lower-heel shoes or boots almost feels easy.  I had the 6" Domina's on for 12 hrs.  When I took them off and put on my next highest pair (4 1/2" ankle boots), I think for the first time I actually walked flatfooted in them (sole, then heel).   Great feeling!  If nothing else, the higher heels make for great training heels, to make walking in your desired lower heels that much easier.

[SleekHeels]

I have the 15 on one foot, the 16 on the other, trying to compare.  I'm able to lace up the 16's so the the two sides touch underneath the laces (no gap at all), and they feel about as tight as the 15's with a gap.

 

I guess it depends on the style of the boot, but having the two sides touch when you pull the laces does sound like the 16's are too big. So long as the 15's are ok with the length of your foot, it sounds like you made the right choice going with those. I sometimes have a similar dilemma between sizes, usually when the length is right but the width too tight (smaller size) or the width is right but the length is too long (bigger size) in which case I don't buy the shoes, I look for an alternative that fits better.

 

Boots can be a little different because you have the choice of wearing socks. I have a couple of pairs of ankle boots that won't zip up even with thin socks, but they fit great with hosiery, the back of the shoe doesn't cut into my foot and my toes don't feel at all numb after wearing them for an hour or two. Conversely the next size up would've been too big, and even with thick socks the arch support wouldn't have been right, and I'd have felt that with pain in my arches after an hour or two walking around in them. Another time a pair of court heels fit fine when I first tried them on, but felt really loose after I walked half a mile in them. I bought insoles for the toe area and they feel great now, there's no way I'd have squeezed into the next smaller size. That's my experience of some things to look out for with fitting.

 

Your trying different sizes on each foot is an interesting strategy, but you should maybe swap and try the other way around too because most people have a slight discrepancy in size between their left and right foot and you might get misleading experiences. Personally I'd be more inclined to try the bigger size on both feet for a couple of hours, rest a while, then try the smaller size for a couple of hours, and compare that way.

 

In any case, it sounds like you made the right choice for you in the end.