Sellers rarely tell you the heel height, especially when thrifting. So you might end up with a shoe that feels too high to be comfortable. Also, if it’s your first time shopping for high heels, you may not know the best heel height. That’s what we want to discuss in this article. Read on!
Different Types of Heels: What’s Your Favourite?
These aren’t the only ways to describe heels in the market. But they’re the most common designs.
Block heel
It has a characteristic chunky heel. Block heels are easier to walk in because of the support. Further, they distribute your weight over a larger surface.
Kitten heel
It might be the lowest heel in the market, but one that’s always elegant. Many women in corporate wear kitten heels because such shoes are sophisticated, comfortable, and don’t raise too much attention.
Stiletto
It’s a timeless heel that starts thick but thins out towards the bottom. A stiletto heel can range from one to eight inches. The higher ones have a platform bottom so that the ball of your foot is as high as the heel. Thus they’re comfortable for many women who love very high heels.
Wedge
It’s an alternative to a stiletto as the thick, chunky heel distributes your weight better than a stiletto. Also, you can wear a wedge heel longer than a stiletto.
How to Choose the Best High Heels
There’s more to choosing high heels than just looking at heel height. Therefore, we’ll discuss factors that’ll help you differentiate high heels types and brands in the market. As such, compare the following features when buying high heels.
The toe box
You might not notice the difference between the toe box width of your pairs if you wear heels for a few hours. But if you wear them for a day, you realize that your toes overlap in the small pointed-toe boxes. You’re also likely to feel this if you have different pairs, some wide and others narrow.
Seams
Shoes with seams and joints running across the toe box can restrict your stride and cause foot problems like bunions.
Material
Materials like leather let your feet breathe. Also, your shoes should stretch during the day because your feet expand as it gets warmer.
Heel height
Heel height between two and three inches has lower pressure on the ball of your foot. That’s the part where your toes connect to your midfoot. You may not know this, but that part helps supports your body weight as you stand or walk. When your heel is higher, the pressure on that part increases.
Now that you know these features, it’s time to figure out the best heel height for your feet.
How to Tell The Best Heel Height For Your Feet
There are three ways.
Method 1
- Have a friend or family member help you with this task.
- Sit on a flat surface, extend your leg and relax the foot.
- Ask the friend to measure the length from your heel to the ball of your foot in inches. That’s the heel height that’s suitable for you.
Method 2
- Put a shoe with an ideal heel height on a flat surface. Place a tape measure at the bottom of the heel. Next, slide it up to the part of the heel connected to the shoe. That’s your heel height.
Method 3
- Measure the length from your heel to the tip of your big toe in centimetres.
- Divide that foot length by 7 to get your heel height.
The Best High Heels for Plantar Fasciitis
Do you experience constant heel pain? You might be suffering from plantar fasciitis. It’s the part just under your heel bone. Shoe type is one of the many causes of plantar fasciitis. Also, you may suffer from it because of your foot structure or the type of walking surface.
You may not have control over the surface texture on city streets, but you can at least change what you can, such as the shoes you wear. So, here’s what you can do to ease heel pain if your high heels are the cause.
Avoid tight heels
We assume that snug-fitting heels help us walk better. As such, we squeeze our feet into tight heels. It needs to change. Hence, when shopping for high heels, measure the larger foot since they might not be of equal length.
Leave about a thumb’s width from the tip of your big toe to the edge of the shoe. Also, it’s best to go shopping from noon when your feet are at their maximum size.
Go for a lower heel
Although you love high heels, consider getting pairs with a heel under two inches. Also, thicker heels, such as chunky heels, have more surface area for those days you have to walk or stand for hours.
Find a comfortable heel cup
It shouldn’t grip your heel too tight that you can barely move. Also, it shouldn’t be too large that your foot slips as you walk. Buy heels with back straps because you can adjust the grip.
Choose heels with soft cushioning
You must have noted a difference in the padding of the different pairs you own. If your favourite heels don’t have enough cushioning, buy extra inserts.
Select heels with a wide toe box
Imagine walking with your toes barely straight, and you already have a painful heel. It could only get worse. Therefore, find heels that don’t squeeze your toes into a narrow toe box.
Lastly, do you have problems walking in high heels? Here are some tips.
How to Walk Confidently in High Heels
For some, it’s effortless. For others, it takes time to strut confidently in high heels. But it’s not an impossible mission, as it only takes a few attempts, and you become more comfortable in heels. Here is how to go about it.
Choose a shoe you’re comfortable in
You could start with a short and chunky heel. Therefore, buy wedges or booties. If you prefer sandals, they should have thick toe straps for support.
Wear your heels at home
Break them in by wearing them with socks at home. Additionally, you can bend and twist them to stretch out.
Add ankle stretches to your fitness routine
Try a sport or fitness routine that lets you work on arching your ankles. It’ll make them more flexible if you’ve been wearing flat shoes.
Practice on a soft surface
A carpeted floor is a safe place to start. You might have to scrub the heel bottom to avoid sliding while practising on slippery floors.
Walk like a Pro
Plant your heel on the ground first, then your toe box. It helps you balance before the rest of your foot settles on the floor so you can support your body weight. If it feels like you’re slipping, arch your foot slightly.
Further, keep your knees straight after bending them slightly to take a step. Your walk also looks more confident when you walk in a straight line. Therefore, look ahead to see where you’re walking toward instead of looking at your feet.
Another trick that’ll make you feel more confident as you walk in high heels is taking small steps. Large and fast strides may compromise your balance and cause you to crane your neck as you lean forward.
Check your posture
High heels can have you arching your back as your center of gravity shifts. Therefore, keep your head upright, arms to your side, your belly button sucked toward your spine, and your shoulders back and down. It’s okay to swing your arms naturally as you walk.
Conclusion
A heel that’s under three inches is more comfortable. If you want a higher one, choose a platform heel, as it balances the ball of the foot at the same height as the heel.
On top of that, a thick heel is more comfortable than a stiletto. Therefore, you can try wedges, block or stacked heels. When it’s new, break it in by wearing it indoors so that you stretch it to accommodate your foot shape.
