No More Pain: How To Make Ankle Strap Heels Comfortable

Last Updated on January 11, 2026 by Martina McKeough

I often find the idea of wearing a pair of strappy high heels is better than the reality as if you don’t get the shoes right you are going to have to deal with blisters and foot pain. Learning how to make ankle strap heels comfortable is an art and I think I have finally mastered it after years of trial and error.

Here are my top tips to help you wear ankle strap heels in comfort.

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How Should Ankle Strap Heels Fit?

Wearing ill-fitting heels with straps is usually the main reason why you experience discomfort, pressure or blisters in your shoes. So getting the fit right at the start of the buying process matters if you want to wear heels without pain.

Start by shopping in the afternoon when your feet are slightly wider and take your time trying on heels and walking around in them to see how they fit.

Your heels should fit snugly at the back and not feel as if they are slipping up and down. You also want to make sure that gravity isn’t making your feet slide forward as nobody wants their toes overhanging the front of your sandals or crushed feet.

The ankle strap should fit securely but not feel as if it is too tight. Generally you should be able to slide a small finger between the strap and your ankle. Also check where the buckle sits and make sure that isn’t digging into your leg or causing irritation.

It should go without saying that your ankle strap heels need to be the right width and that none of the straps feel too tight or painful.

Finally if you can see if you can find a pair with arch support as those will generally be more comfortable.

If you get the fit right from the start then you should have bought a pair of shoes that don’t pinch or rub and have an ankle strap that provides stability so you can walk in them with ease.

How To Make Strappy Heels Comfortable

One of the best tips that I have to increase your comfort levels is to make sure you break them in properly before you wear them out for the first time.

I generally wear mine around the house in the month before an event so they start to mould to my feet.

If I feel that there are any pinch points or problems this is the point where I can make adjustments. Trust me this is essential because I have vivid memories from my youth of wearing strapping heels straight out of the box and having to sit down in a car park on the tarmac because they were hurting me so much. By the time I got home my feet were covered in blisters and the shoes were tossed to the back of my closet never to be worn again.

Choose Your Strappy Heels Wisely

I would also take you back to the start of the buying process and tell you that not all ankle strap heels are equal. Whilst you might want to buy a pair of towering sexy heels they aren’t always the easiest on your feet.

It is always going to be easier to wear heels with a slightly lower heel. Try and find a comfortable pair that hits the middle ground. Too high and your feel will slide forward and walking will be a nightmare. Too low and you may as well be wearing ballet flats.

Think about buying a pair with a chunkier heel if you can as well to put less pressure on your feet. Block heels work well and will make it easier for you to walk.

Alternatively think about wedge heels. I wore some high Terry De Haviland wedge heels on my wedding day and was able to dance all night in them because wedge heels are more supportive than ordinary heels.

Also if you can find a pair with arch support and extra cushioning the soles of your feet will thank you for it and it will make walking around in them so much easier.

Plus expect to spend a reasonable amount on your new heels and try and avoid man-made materials as they are going to be easier on your feet. Cheap shoes are not known for being comfortable and are more likely to hurt your feet.

Super High Heels Are Only Car To Bar Shoes

If you have never heard the expression car to bar shoes before let me enlighten you.

These are shoes that you wear in a car or a taxi to a restaurant, bar or club. When you get to the venue you sit down in them straight away so minimal walking is required.

If you are going to events or places where you can do this then you can get away with more outrageous strappy heels.

If however you are like most people and need to walk to an event or catch public transport you clearly are not going to have the same experience. Also if you have to stand for any significant time at the venue then clearly you need a more comfortable pair of heels.

Don’t think you can buy car to bar shoes when in reality you need cushioning and lower heels.

So what happens if you have made the mistake and bought the wrong shoes? Well here is how to make ankle strap heels comfortable so they are wearable again.

How To Make Ankle Strap Heels Comfortable For Walking

Adding shoe inserts to my heels has been an absolute game changer for me. In fact I add shoe inserts into all my shoes including my flat pumps.

It doesn’t matter if you are wearing normal high heels or sandals there will be an insert created that will work that gives you that little bit of extra comfort.

In shoes I sometimes add slimline orthotics which help with arch support which takes the pressure off the balls of my feet and helps with my balance and gait.

In strappy sandals I tend to wear padded inserts that are hidden by my foot which give me extra cushioning.

These inserts also tend to have an added bonus as if you feet slide forward in your shoes they can give you a little extra grip.

Use Heel Grips

If you want to know how to make ankle strap heels comfortable that are a little too large then heel grips should be you go to product to stop blisters.

When your shoes are moving too much at the back of your ankle then the friction causes blisters and shoe bites which are really painful.

Heel grips fill the gap and stop the shoe from moving around so much as well as cushion your heels.

All you need to do is stick the heel grip to the back of your shoes and you should have an easy solution to help.

Use An Anti-Blister Stick

Another product that I use all the time is an anti-blister stick which I keep in my bag.

This is a great product as it twists like a lipstick and you rub the balm anywhere on your feet where you are experiencing any discomfort or friction.

The balm helps your shoe or strap to glide over the problem spot without causing a blister.

This is particularly useful if you have shoes with multiple straps or to use on the back of your ankle where a shoe can sometimes rub.

Buy a Shoe Stretcher

In the past I’ve discovered too late that the ankle strap shoes that I have bought hurt because they have been too tight.

Years ago I would have simply stopped wearing my shoes and hidden them at the back of my closet but now I use either a shoe stretcher or shoe stretching liquid to make a difference.

Shoe stretchers are relatively cheap now and depending on the type you buy you can either extend the instep, width or length of your shoes. Remember you will only be able to stretch the material on the top of your shoes and not you shoe soles.

Typically a shoe stretcher can add half to whole size to your shoes which can make all the difference if they were feeling too tight.

Alternatively use a shoe stretching spray that you spritz on the inside of your shoes. When you walk around in them after they have been sprayed they will stretch slightly making them more comfortable.

What To Do When Heels With Straps Hurt

Ankle straps can sometimes cause irritation when you are walking especially if they dig into a certain part of your leg or cause friction.

As these straps tend to be quite thin it used to be hard to do anything about the pain but now you can buy strappy strips which you can stick on to the heel strap for comfort.

These are just pieces of stick on foam that are easily added to your straps to cushion your ankle and they make a huge difference. In fact since I started talking about them they are become my biggest selling product on Amazon.

Detachable Ankle Straps For Heels

If you current ankle straps are too tight or are irritating your feet it may be possible to swap them out of some heels.

I know that certain designs of high heels allow you to remove the ankle strap completely. If that is the case you can buy detachable ankle straps to match your shoes which don’t hurt or cause blisters.

This may also work if your current ankle straps are too small and you need ones that are larger.

Ice Your Ankles

Finally my last tip on how to make strappy heels more comfortable is to ice your ankles.

This is only to be used in emergencies when you are out and about and don’t have any other alternatives are your disposal.

Using ice on any friction or tight spots can help to reduce swelling and numb any pain temporarily. It might help you get through the evening until you find a better solution.

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