Your most comfortable heels?

[RPMindy]

My new girlfriend is enjoying my shoe fetish (heels on her, that is) but seems to like me picking them out. On the other hand, I want to get her shoes that are comfortable for her. Are there any brands that you women find are more wearable than others? ... more comfortable, or better-made?

My lady also enjoys me picking out her shoes and buying them for her. as long as I don't try to influence too much how often she wears them.

but she has told me that i tend to pick very comfy heels for her.

I look at many factors beyond brand to pick a comfy heel for her. (and i've only twice not hit a comfy shoe)

I look at the material.. does it have some give, but not too much give.

I look at the at the stiffness of the heel and sole of the shoe. I want a flexible sole at the front with padding inside the shoe.. and i want a much much stiffer arch support and a heel that doesn't wobble under pressure!!! (that is realy critical for her longer wear)

I look at how much toe-cleavage there is... the more cleavage, the less support for the toes.. the more pressure on the toes

i look at the toebox shape.. the more closely it resembles the shape of her feet (bear withe me here).. the better it is. she likes pointy shoes.. but not all pointy shoes are pointy the same way. some are pointy favoring the big toe.. others are pointy favoring the middle toe. given her foot shape.. i need one that favors the big toe.

I know she's a bit flat footed.. and i look for a shoe that has a bit of an arch built into the shape of the middle of the shoe.. i find that those are more comfy for her and she feels more confident in them.

for 'open' shoes (beit open side.. open toe.. open back... ex slings).. i make sure the shoe isn't going to be biggish on her so that her foot fits snugglly.

lastly.. the inside sole.. is it padded.. gel or foam..and how extensive is the padding.. does it go into the toebox or stops short.. in the toebox.. is there a 'print' of a foot or not. (the 'print' helps her foot not slide forward into the toebox and hence less toe squeeze).

when i stick to those things.. i've got a 90% plus chance of her loving them no matter the height of the heel. when i miss a point in the list.. she finds that they get uncomfy rather quickly (meaning after a few hours with them on) i've gotten good enough.. and she's bragged enough.. some of her friends want me to help them shop for shoes.

took a while to get this good.. and i've got a long way to go to be really good at picking heels for her. (same rules apply to her flats too)

but either way, she loves it when i pick out shoes for her and she tends to wear mines more than the ones she gets. but now.. she's buying hers along a similar criterion and is steady increasing the heel height she's wearing.. and that makes me super happy!!!

RPM

p.s. hope this really helps. and yes.. many of the brands suggested to you do carry shoes that fit the bill. ChineseLaundry, Steve Madden, BCBGirls, Aldo,Apostrophe,Guess just to name a few

[jmc]

RPMindy -- it sounds like you know your lady very well. You know what she looks for and likes in shoes and you are fortunate to have each other in your lives. May you continue to grow closer.

[RPMindy]

thanks! my next challenge.. in the new trends of wedges and plats coming out.. picking something she likes visually and also is comfy. i'm getting there. RPM

[Guy N. Heels]

Leather does go through a number of processes in its transformation from cow-hide to leather material, then a number of more processes to become shoes. Some of these processes involve some fairly harsh chemicals, such as the tanning solutions and dye solvents, but most of those chemicals are driven out of the product at the end. Even with all this, leather is considered a natural material while PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PU (polyurethane) are clearly synthetic.

Personally, I find the natural materials to be vastly more comfortable than synthetics. Leather, pigskin and cotton fabrics "breathe" while synthetics often feel like plastic bags. Synthetics are getting better in this regard but they have a long way to go.

My most comfortable -- Fitzwell "Fallara", pictured below. In my size, US 12, the heels rise 3 inches and the rounded toe has plenty of room.

Thanks! I have till yet to see any live animals wearing leather coats.

BTW, I love those boots. Perhaps a little tall for me, but I l love 'em anyway.

My most comfortable heels are a pair of 4" White Mountain wedgies with a 1" plat. I feel like I'm walking on air with 'em.

[JeffB]

Below is a link to a post I made yesterday about the rsvp Crysta pumps I bought recently:

http://www.hhplace.org/discuss/121635-post29.html

After a few outings in these shoes, the Crystas are like butter on my feet. Speaking just for myself, these might just be the most comfortable women's I've ever owned. You can read more about my review of these shoes via that link.

[pumpedup]

I am in LOVE with the Gabriella Rocha "Faire" pump! There are a few other pumps by this maker that are really sweet, too that i want. I am going to go to Zappos.com and order a pair of the "Faire" pump this coming friday. I have Jessica Simpson's "Niva" pump, and it feels very nice on the peds! Also, the Two Lips pumps known as "Sasha" are very nice! I just found out about Naughty Monkey pumps the other day, and they look really good! I am gonna inquire about them. A very comfortable pump that i wear is Nine West's "Freda" pump. VERY nice and comfortable!

[johnieheel]

Tuff decision but i can go in these all day and night.

[brugge71]

These are verry comfortable i can wear them the hole day

[Elegant]

I love your cowboys, they obviously ain't too feminine!

[metalspikes]

My new girlfriend is enjoying my shoe fetish (heels on her, that is) but seems to like me picking them out. On the other hand, I want to get her shoes that are comfortable for her. Are there any brands that you women find are more wearable than others? ... more comfortable, or better-made?

While the brands that build reputations for high quality do have a better chance of being more comfortable, better looking, and more durable than "cheap knockoffs," this is not necessarily always the case. Even good brands can produce "lemons," and brand consciousness can cost you many terrific bargains-- high quality, beautifully designed shoes that are "sleepers" because they are labeled with a brand that you ordinarily would not consider, or have never heard of before. RPMindy, who I quote below, has what I think is a more effective approach, which is a set of criteria he looks for in the shoes he considers for purchase.

Everyone has different shaped feet and so you cannot recommend a shoe that is comfortable on one person to be comfortable on someone else, it has to be trial and error.

When it comes down to your buying decisions, which should include wearing your new shoes at home on carpet for a while until you are sure, I would have to agree with that. However, I think it is possible to say a few things in general in terms of guidelines for selecting shoes that are most likely to turn out to be comfortable. RPMindy has done exactly that, and written the beginnings of an outstanding guide to buying comfortable heels. I think I can, however, add to what he's already written.

Good heels are like good hand tools, in this sense: both, when well designed, do as much of the work as possible, making life easier for the user. An example in the tools arena are the ergonomic handles being put on everything from tennis racquets to tooth brushes. Likewise, well designed heels provide support for and relieve strain from the feet, ankles and legs as much as possible. Assuming that one is going to be standing and walking all day, the difference shows in how sore and fatigued your muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments become by the end of the day.

I look at many factors beyond brand to pick a comfy heel for her. (and i've only twice not hit a comfy shoe)

I look at the material.. does it have some give, but not too much give.

The whole deal about this animal/vegetable-derived materials vs. petroleum-based long-chain polymer plastics debate, it seems to me, is how quickly (if at all) does the material shape itself to the feet. In an ideal world, we could all afford to have our shoes custom made by expert cobblers who know us well, on lasts made from recent castings of our feet. In the real world of mass production, a good fit at the store is usually just the beginning of the story. If the shoe is already close to a perfect fit, then the adaptability of the material may not be so important. But elasticity and "memory" are important qualities when the material needs to be stretched in specific areas and directions. And yes, there has to be a balance between enough "give" to adapt and enough firmness to provide support.

I look at the at the stiffness of the heel and sole of the shoe. I want a flexible sole at the front with padding inside the shoe..

Again, there needs to be a compromise between a sole that flexes enough to walk in, with one that is rigid (firm?) enough to provide support. The smaller the heel point (stiletto), the more a low-flex sole will relieve side-to-side ankle strain. With many single-soled stilettos, the sole becomes rounded. It requires as much ankle strength to keep these heels vertical as it does to stand in ice skates. Modest platforms (no more than an inch thick) are actually easier and less stressful to walk in because the flat sole and rigid support from the sole, through the arch, and to the heel relieves most of the side-to-side ankle strain inherent in most single-soled stilettos. I just bought such a pair of (stacked wooden sole and stiletto heel) platforms; even though they are slingbacks and lack the support of enclosed heels, they do not feel like stilettos.

and i want a much much stiffer arch support and a heel that doesn't wobble under pressure!!! (that is realy critical for her longer wear)

That cannot be over-emphasized. Rigid, solid arch support connected to a heel that does not flex or wobble is crucial to proper support of the foot and ankle. Lack of this support is actually dangerous, and can result in a twisted and sprained or broken ankle.

A factor of shoe design that I seldom see mentioned on this board is, for want of a better term, the way the arch is balanced. It's the sort of thing that can make a well-balanced pair of 5" heels feel like walking in flats, and a poorly balanced pair of 4" heels feel precarious and produce muscle fatigue within minutes. One of the more obvious things I've noticed is that, in some shoes, the "arch" is a straight incline from the ball of the foot to the heel, while others have a true curving arch that raises high to fit and support the arch of the foot, and then levels out to support the heel. Footsmart makes a 3/4 insole that provides arch and heel support in shoes with a "flat incline" arch.

I look at how much toe-cleavage there is... the more cleavage, the less support for the toes.. the more pressure on the toes

That's another tradeoff-- boots provide the most support, strappy sandals (especially those with only one or two straps) the least.

i look at the toebox shape.. the more closely it resembles the shape of her feet (bear withe me here).. the better it is. she likes pointy shoes.. but not all pointy shoes are pointy the same way. some are pointy favoring the big toe.. others are pointy favoring the middle toe. given her foot shape.. i need one that favors the big toe.

Seems natural to favor the big toe because it's...bigger. Lots has been written about good fit, and that definitely includes the toebox shape. There are all sorts of tricks for producing an elegant, aesthetically pleasing toebox shape and still leaving enough room for the toes.

I know she's a bit flat footed.. and i look for a shoe that has a bit of an arch built into the shape of the middle of the shoe.. i find that those are more comfy for her and she feels more confident in them.

Good arch support is important to prevent flat feet. Plz. see above.

for 'open' shoes (beit open side.. open toe.. open back... ex slings).. i make sure the shoe isn't going to be biggish on her so that her foot fits snugglly.

Even on closed courts (and most styles excepting boots and sandals), a snug fit is necessary to keep the shoe on the foot, and to provide adequate support. This is another tradeoff-- snug enough to provide support, without pinching the toes.

lastly.. the inside sole.. is it padded.. gel or foam..and how extensive is the padding.. does it go into the toebox or stops short..

We are finally starting to see padding in more than just platforms. Ariat has managed to revolutionize the world of equestrian riding boots by adopting many of the technologies originally developed for athletic shoes. Someone may eventually adapt them to create high-fashion heels that feel more like trainers.

in the toebox.. is there a 'print' of a foot or not. (the 'print' helps her foot not slide forward into the toebox and hence less toe squeeze).

I've thought of that, but have never actually seen that feature in a pair of heels. Even something to cup the ball of the foot would help to prevent the foot from sliding forward. Aftermarket padded inserts do not do the job. That is another feature we could hope becomes more common.

RPMindy -- it sounds like you know your lady very well. You know what she looks for and likes in shoes and you are fortunate to have each other in your lives. May you continue to grow closer.

While I share your sentiments concerning their togetherness, I want to re-emphasize that what RPMindy has described are some basic guidelines and general principles that apply to anyone, and not just some criteria that are specific to his girlfriend.

[shyguy]

To answer the question this thread poses, my most comfortable heels are also my latest purchase. These came from http://www.evans.co.uk . They are such a good fit, and also have some cushioning along the footbed all the way down, and I can walk in, and wear them for quite long periods without discomfort.

[micha]

These are verry comfortable i can wear them the hole day

Oops - my beloved 4'' cowgirl boots from Evans/Essence for my alldays street heeling They are really comfortable in UK 9 even with my EU 44/45 feet. I were completely happy if they were made from true leather! But how said Mick Jagger?

"You can't get always every thing"

[johnieheel]

Oops - my beloved 4'' cowgirl boots from Evans/Essence for my alldays street heeling They are really comfortable in UK 9 even with my EU 44/45 feet. I were completely happy if they were made from true leather! But how said Mick Jagger?

"You can't get always every thing"

You can't always get what you want but if you try sometime, you'll get what you need.

[micha]

You can't always get what you want but if you try sometime, you'll get what you need.

Yes, thank you, that's the right text! Even better than my wrong citation

[johnieheel]

Yes, thank you, that's the right text! Even better than my wrong citation

correction: You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime you just might find that you get what you need.

[jim]

It would be a toss-up between my stack heeled boots by Isabella Anselmi (have 'em in brown and black) and a wonderful pair of pointy stiletto boots by Via Spiga.

Both pairs are made of Italian leather with the first being bought from Overland Footwear and a rather delightful woman from Mia Piaci sold me the second.

I wear both styles often, altho the VS points are a more dressy boot, they still work with jeans if the need arises..

Jim

[micha]

It would be a toss-up between my stack heeled boots by Isabella Anselmi (have 'em in brown and black) and a wonderful pair of pointy stiletto boots by Via Spiga.

Both pairs are made of Italian leather with the first being bought from Overland Footwear and a rather delightful woman from Mia Piaci sold me the second.

I wear both styles often, altho the VS points are a more dressy boot, they still work with jeans if the need arises..

Jim

Both are fine styles. I prefer the brown boots but the black ones are also a stylish way for courageous guys!

[Guest]

both are really nice boots jim, I'd wear either one with long boot-cut jeans (if I had them-the boots I mean)

[metalspikes]

Wow, Jim, both of those are great! If you really want to get noticed and if there is enough room in the shafts, you can wear those boots cavalry style, over the legs of your riding breeches (or your skinny jeans, failing that:silly:). Especially with those stiletto Via Spiga's, you'll likely attract a few rubbernecks.

[Shoe_Diva]

I recently purchase a pair of pumps by guess called carrie, very comfortable for 4 inch heels I’ve worn them for hours and without problems. See the reviews from zappos.

[jagman]

I think my Hush Puppies 3 1/2" wedge heel boot with a 1\2" inserts are my most comfortable boot in colder weather. Jones The Bootmaker also seem to produce very comfortable footwear. In summer I would say my Via Spiga 4" mules are my first choice.

[Amanda]

I find that wearing shoes with a strap across the front like Mary Janes helps to stop your toes from sliding forwards and jamming in the toebox. I find Boots with laces are also more comfortable for the same reasons as above and because they support your ankle. When I wear very high heels I prefer to have an ankle strap at least to stop them falling off. What shoes do you consider most comfortable and why?.

[JNR]

Ankle straps are particularly helpful on the higher heels, especially D'Orsey styles like these:http://www.sexyshoes.com/images/PRODUCT/medium/613.jpg

[Amanda]

Ankle straps are particularly helpful on the higher heels, especially D'Orsey styles like these:http://www.sexyshoes.com/images/PRODUCT/medium/613.jpg

Lool, exactly JNR, I don't think I would get very far in those without an ankle strap.

[foxylady]

I cannot wear heels with ancle straps because I have very "fat ancles" and big calfs.... I would love to wear shoes like that FL

[Amanda]

I cannot wear heels with ancle straps because I have very "fat ancles" and big calfs....

I would love to wear shoes like that

FL

That's a shame, Ankle straps really do help especially when you're on your feet all day.

[Dr. Shoe]

Ankle straps are particularly helpful on the higher heels, especially D'Orsey styles like these:http://www.sexyshoes.com/images/PRODUCT/medium/613.jpg

Got mine!

[johnieheel]

Got mine too!

[Amanda]

Got mine too!

Johnie, they lookfar more comfortable.

[high_heels]

I find boots very comfortable and also some strappy sandals (with ankle straps).