How to Avoid Painful High-Heeled Shoes

Not everyone is comfortable in high-heels, so try for a more comfortable heeled shoe.

Heels are loved for their ability to make legs look longer. These iconic fashion items were used to greatest effect in the 1950s when stilettos, or high-heeled shoes, were the only way accessorize a full-circle or pencil skirt. Yet wearing these often constricting shoes, angled so that the foot is forced forward, means that high-heeled shoes can cause extreme discomfort as well as long-term problems. Being aware of a few key strategies can provide a pleasant fashion fix.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon pop socks

Instructions

1. Try heels on in the store. Take some nylon pop-socks with you for hygiene. Ask the assistant if the style runs big or small, then try a size up or down as well as your regular size.

2. Fasten the shoes, if necessary, and stand up in them. Check that they are the correct size and that your foot does not slip too far forward, squashing toes and leaving an unsupported gap at the heel.

3. Push the front of the foot gently to check that toes are not constricted and forced into a pointed toe. Shoes that taper sharply at the front should have enough room for your foot behind the narrow section so that toes do not get forced together. Corns and bunions can start to develop when wearing ill-fitting heels, which put even more pressure on hard working feet than regular shoes.

4. Walk up and down the store, checking that there is no pinching, rubbing or other noticeable discomfort. Anything that niggles a little in the store will be an intense pain after only minutes of walking around on concrete or at work. If the heel is too high, the ball of your foot will bare all your body weight, so make sure that your weight is as evenly distributed as possible, despite the angle of the heel.

5. Check that your feet do not slip in the shoes as you walk and that the toes are not forced into a claw-shape to keep the shoes on. All of these things can lead to leg and arch pain, misshapen toes, as well as long-term strain on muscles and tendons.

6. Examine the shoes once you have removed them from your feet. Check that the heel is firm and stable however thin it may be. Run your fingers around the inside of the shoe to check for hard seams and stitching or anything that might rub and cause discomfort.

Tips & Warnings

• Popularized in the 1950s, stilettos are not the only high-heels. If you find stilettos hard to wear or you want to wear heels for a prolonged period, try wedges. These offer more support to your feet, throwing less weight onto the pad of your foot, but they also give you a fashionable lift.

• Once you've found comfortable pair of your dream heels, look after them to keep them feeling fantastic. Get them re-heeled when this starts to wear down, and ensure that you dry them carefully if they get wet, to maintain the shape and size. This not only means that they stay looking good for longer, but it can also make investing in a pair of better quality, comfortable heels more affordable.

• Beware when buying excessively cheap shoes because a well-made pair will always be better for feet. Budget heels are usually made from synthetic materials, which encourage feet to sweat and the shoes to rub. Stitching is also often hard and badly placed, sizing inaccurate and heels made from hard material that offer no shock absorption. Results of all of this can be heel pain, blisters, corns and back pain.

References

• "Telegraph"; £29m Surgery to Cure High heel Foot Damage
• Foot Health: Yamuna Foot Fitness Can't Eliminate the Dangers of High Heels
• BBC: Women Risk Feet in Fashion's Name

Resources

• "Good Housekeeping"; Tips to Avoid Foot Pain From High Heels