We know how tough it can be to find the most comfortable heels, stylish and comfy enough to last through a night of dancing and celebrating.
Whenever you were introduced to the painful world of heels, it may have made you forever fearful of any shoe over 1 inch tall. But fear not because beauty is not pain. You can still look fabulous without ending the day with blisters, sores, welts, and red toes with the most walkable shoes.
I put dozens of heels to the test — big and small — in this comprehensive review. Here, you’ll only find the comfiest options that you’ll want to wear all day long. Let me repeat that — all day long.
Below, find the bonafide picks I’d wear any day of the week.
Pros:
- Truly dreamy to walk in
- Great for any occasion
- The ankle strap and toe band offer added security and comfort
Cons:
- Some may prefer the sculpted heel to be a bit straighter
One of my most-recommended heels to my friends, family members, work colleagues and *literally* people on the street is the Dream Pairs Wonder Cloud Aphrodite Ruched Square Toe Kitten Heel Sandals. Impressively, they’re less than $50 and truly feel like a dream.
The brand, much like LifeStride, is well-known for its affinity to plush comfort at accessible price points. This wins the award for best nude heels because they’re the ones I typically reach to with a variety of outfits. Even better, they’re great for driving, commuting and partying alike.
I love wearing these shoes to weddings where I’ll dance the night away as I find they’re the perfect nude heels. The strap around the ankles is incredibly comfortable and not restricting, and the thicker band by the toes makes them blister-proof. They’re the ideal height and plush material. Seriously, everyone *needs* these shoes.
The ankle strap allows them to feel even more secure when worn. Plus, the thick band near the toes helps prevent blisters and offers another layer of support.
Size Range: US 6 to 11 | Color Options: 5 | Heel Height: 2.36 inches | Material: PU leather
Pros:
- Offered in a variety of colors (side note: you’ll want to pick up everyone!)
- Comfortable insole and equally as comfortable heel
Cons:
- The rim of the heel will become scuffed over time with frequent use
I’m not going to lie, I’ve had the LifeStride Parigi Pumps in my closet for a while. And, rightfully so, as they’re (1) comfortable and (2) look like a stock image for what a high heel should be.
At only $50, this pair of heels may be one of your best values yet. I wore them on several extracurricular formal activities (job fairs, interviews, you know the drill) and they never let me down. In fact, I ran to DSW to pick up another pair because they’re my most-worn pumps — and the most comfortable “true pumps” I own. In fact, they’re great for parading around NYC with. There’s no going back on these.
Size Range: US 5 to 12 | Color Options: 20 | Heel Height: 2.5 inches | Material: Faux leather
Pros:
- Affordable, for the comfort and look
- Polished, subtly retro design
- Comfortable at the back of the heel
Cons:
- Not entirely practical for everyday wear
Vince Camuto truly knows how to architect a heel, as evident with the designer’s Hailenda Pump. I love its polished design, with its pointed toe, which is surprisingly comfortable for my subtly wide feet. Seriously, they look so good.
I don’t know why, but these heels make me feel like I’m on the cast of “Pretty Little Liars” (in other words, I feel like a chic Ally from Rosewood). They’re available in a wealth of shades you’ll want to snatch up and they slip on like a glove. While a bit taller than what I normally wear, they aren’t restricting.
For some reason, I anticipated that these shoes would be not-so-comfy. But after years of wearing them, I found a pair of black heels I love. While I only reach for them on special occasions, this is kind of my reminder to style them more — with jeans, maxi skirts and whatever else I find in my closet.
Size Range: US 5 to 11 | Color Options: 3 | Heel Height: 3.25 inches | Material: Leather
Pros:
- Shoe converts from flats to heels
- Well made with a sturdy structure to walk in without fear of the heel collapsing
- Four shades to choose from
Cons:
- Takes a little time to break in, so I suggest bringing some bandaids along just in case
- There is a slight heel-to-toe rocking motion when in the flat position
If you’re the gal who walks to work in flats and changes to heels upon arrival or behind a flower pot (guilty), these heels are for you. And perhaps the most intriguing shoe on the market today.
The Publicist Pump is a chic heel that converts to flats with the click of a button. It was designed in Los Angeles. It allows you to pop open the sole, where a button clicks the heel into place. When you’re done, click the button, and it collapses back into a flat without anyone knowing the difference.
“Honestly, it’s been a real game-changer running around the streets of Manhattan,” Emma Sutton-Williams, commerce writer/reporter, shared. “I enjoy a pop of red, but these shoes also come in black patent, black silk and gold patent.”
Size Range: US 5 to 12 | Color Options: 4 | Heel Height: 3.7 inches tall and 1.3 inches flat | Material: Leather or Silk
Pros:
- True-to-size fit
- Comfortable, stretchy fabric that are great comfortable heels for work
- Vast size range
Cons:
- Seasonal shoes, so may not be the best pick for summer and hot climates
For a sublime pair of comfortable heels, turn heads with these chic heeled booties. The VIVAIA Square-Toe Water Repellent Heeled Boots is offered in a vast shade range and is a beloved, trusty pair.
“My regular size fits perfectly and the square toe leaves plenty of wiggle room,” Erica Radol, Page Six commerce writer/reporter, shared, naming them the shoes she swears by for the office, specifically. “The upper is a comfy, secure, stretchy fabric, so these would likely fit a variety of foot widths. I have other pairs of Vivaia and found consistent sizing across styles (the Mary Jane flats are another favorite). I appreciate that the Regina Pro booties pull on, making them a cinch to take on and off.”
Since these booties comfortably work from the office to dinner plans, are water-repellent and breathable, and can be spot-cleaned, they justify the price tag of $150. They also have a herbal, antimicrobial insole that counters any potential odor. “Based on use so far, I expect the pair to last a very long time,” Radol added. “They garner compliments, too!”
Spectacularly, everyone from Oprah to Julia Roberts has been spotted in the brand. They’re also made from recycled water bottlesm but you would never know it to look at them! “I love that they are a vegan, planet-friendly and stylish pair all in one,” Radol highlighted.
Radol noted that her foot is very comfortable in them all day, especially compared to pointy-toe boots. “There is cushioning in the sole and the bottom is anti-slip, which makes them stable, even when walking the city streets,” she reviewed.
As heels that “feel as comfortable as flats,” per Radol, this VIVAIA pair is worth the buy.
Size Range: US 5 to 11 | Color Options: 19 | Heel Height: 2.16 inches | Material: Water-repellent yarn
Pros:
- Memory foam insole
- Adjustable straps
- No break-in necessary
- Versatile style that can dress up or down
- Budget-friendly price point
Cons:
- Sellout risk
- Patent leather is a bit noisy
If you’re looking for the most comfortable heels for standing all day, the Wild Fable Sasha Buckle Slingback Kitten Heels is a no-brainer pair. After testing, it’s clear-as-day why these are an excellent value: they look cute, are extremely comfortable and naturally versatile.
“Listen, my feet are delicate and sensitive,” Meaghan Roche, senior commerce SEO manager, shared. “They start blistering at the mere mention of a stiletto, a Doc Marten boot or god-forbid even a penny loafer (yes, I’m still traumatized by my Catholic school days). I’ve had shoes that I could simply never break in because my feet would bleed every time I wore them. So, you could say out-of-the-box comfort is of high importance for me when I’m shoe shopping.”
All of that being said, Roche was in need of a cute pair of heels for her NYE outfit — on a budget and on a quick turn-around. Target surely did not disappoint, with its low kitten heel serving as the trendy and cute shoe, but it really earned bonus points for comfort when wearing (and standing) in these for a long period.
“Pointed toes can be hit or miss, but the toe bed is comfortable and designed with a good amount of space to prevent rubbing,” Roche added. “The slingback straps have stretch, but stay in place and play nicely with tights.”
But. the star of the shoe here (pun intended) is the memory foam insole. “I was really pleasantly surprised by this bonus feature, especially for the price point and this being a Target purchase,” Roche said. “The memory foam offers a nice cushiony support that only improves over time.”
Size Range: US 6 to 11 | Color Options: 1 | Heel Height: 2.25 inches | Material: Shiny faux leather
How We Tested
Some of these shoes were worn for at least one month while others I’ve owned for as long as six years and are tried-and-true staples on my shoe rack. Ahead, here’s the testing criteria I kept in mind while waltzing around in each of them:
- Comfort: This wouldn’t be a comfortable heels roundup without placing comfort at the forefront of what I was looking for. Dialing it down to the basics, if any heel tested provided me an ounce of discomfort, it didn’t make the final cut.
- Versatility: Of course, some heels are positioned to be worn for special occasions while others have a penchant for everyday wear. I kept this characteristic in mind while testing.
- Value: The saying, “You get what you pay for” is usually true, but there are some affordable options on this list that blow that expression out of the water. You can rest assured that every pair on this list is comfortable for all-day wear.
These shoes were worn to work, to weddings, to weekend brunches and everything in between. I know the struggle of ordering shoes online, so this is dedicated to everyone who wants an easy shopping experience.
What are comfortable heels for standing all day?
Regardless of your personal style, there are some key things to consider when selecting a shoe you’re going to be standing all day in.
Heels with a round or square toe, for example, may be preferable to those that are pointed. The reason for this is that they tend to be more breathable. No one wants to deal with sweaty, squished feet, right?
Heel length is another thing to look at. Higher heels generally mean more pressure on calves, ankles and feet. If you can’t stand the idea of anything below 2 inches, look for block-style heels like the ones offered by Aerosoles ($135). The chunkier base offers a larger surface to balance on, making it easier to walk.
Finally, shoes with built-in cushions tend to be more pampering. For this reason, we like shoe brands like Naturalizer, which offer lots of different styles of comfortable heels that have a supportive design.
What is the most comfortable heel height for work?
The most comfortable heel height is whatever you feel good standing for long periods in — obviously. However, as a rule of thumb, the shorter the height, the easier on your tootsies. According to our research, podiatrists tend to recommend forgoing anything above 3 inches when foot health is concerned. However, as we’ve already discussed, this still leaves a lot of options.
What brand make the most comfortable shoes?
There are a variety of brands that make high-quality, comfortable shoes that you can walk around all day in. Here are some we always look to when craving a new pair:
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