10 Ways to Make High Heels More Comfortable

Last Updated on May 22, 2024 by Martina McKeough

Do you love high heels but find that they don’t love you back? Wearing high heels can be empowering and stylish but not when you are in pain. So here are 10 ways to make high heels more comfortable so that you don’t have to suffer for your fashion footwear.

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Our Top Tips for Wearing High Heels

There are some very simple things you can do to make sure that your high heels don’t kill your feet. Nobody wants to spend their evening cursing their footwear choices so be prepared and you’ll find there are plenty of ways you can make your heels more wearable.

Choose the Right Size

Make sure you make things easier on yourself right at the start of the buying process and buy the right sized shoes in the first place.

Be wary of shoe brands that don’t offer half sizes. If you need a half size in a shoe only go for brands that offer your exact size and don’t be seduced by the design.

Remember your feet can change size over time and every shoe manufacturer has a slightly different fit. That means it makes sense to always try on your shoes before you buy them.

If possible do your shoe shopping in the afternoon after your feet have had time to swell a little and take your time in the shop walking around in potential purchases. Any shoes that don’t feel right shouldn’t be bought.

Opt For Thicker Heels or Wedges

Pencil thin high heels may look great but they can be much trickier to wear than shoes with a thicker heel.

Thicker heels distribute weight more evenly and provide better stability in comparison to stilettos so it makes sense to choose heels that are easier to walk in.

Wedges are another great type of high heel to wear as they give you the height but because the sole is on a platform it isn’t as high as it looks making them easier to wear.

These Michael Kors Women’s Berkley Mid Sandal are a perfect example of high heels with a platform base and thicker heels that still look great.

How to Wear High Heels Without Pain In The Ball Of Foot – Use Insoles and Cushioned Inserts

I actually wear insoles or cushioned inserts in every single pair of shoes that I wear. Sometimes this is for extra cushioning and at other times for support.

Make high heels more comfortable by using gel or foam insoles. You can place these in your shoes or in the balls of your feet zone so that they reduce pressure and prevent your foot from slipping down your shoes.

There are also some great heel liners that can help as well to increase comfort.

These metatarsal pads are perfect for helping alleviate pressure and increasing the wearability of your heels.

Break in Your High Heels

Whatever you do don’t wear your high heels straight out of the box for a night out. In my youth I use to regularly make that mistake but now I am older and wiser I break them in first.

Typically I wear my heels for short periods around the house first before gradually building up the time I wear them for.

This helps to soften the heels and also makes them mold to the shape of my feet.

I sometimes even wear socks with them when I am at the start of the breaking in process and it really makes a difference.

Using Moleskin For Heels

If you have never heard of moleskin it is a type of adhesive bandage that can be stuck either to your shoes or your feet in places where your shoes are rubbing.

You can either buy long moleskin bandages that you can cut to size or look out for some of the shaped moleskin products that you can peel and stick to your heels.

Moleskin can be a lifesaver and is great at preventing shoe bites and blisters.

Stretch Them

Did you know that it is really easy to stretch your shoes at home if they are a bit tight using a shoe stretcher.

I bought a cheap one off Amazon (pick a 4 way for versatility) and it works wonders at removing pinch points in shoes overnight.

You can also buy shoe stretching spray that also does the job or use a hairdryer to gently heat your shoes to make them more pliable. Just beware that heat can damage your shoes.

Alternate Shoe Heights

Whatever you do don’t try and wear high heels every day as they will cause problems.

I tend to wear different heel heights over the course of a week so that I give my feet a break.

Remember there are high heels and very high heels and both can look good so you don’t always need to wear the skyscrapers on your feet every day.

Use Anti Friction Balms or Powder

Anti-friction balms and powders are handy products are great to use when you are planning to wear high heels.

The aim of these products is to help reduce the friction between your foot and the shoe material so that you don’t experience any rubbing.

The balms typically contain ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E that create a slick barrier on the skin.

Powders are made from finely milled materials like corn starch or talc that absorb moisture and allow the foot to glide smoothly against the shoe lining. Both can be applied to common blister zones like heels, toes, and ankle areas before putting on high heels.

A thin, even layer is all that’s needed to minimize chafing and irritation over several hours of wear. Anti-friction balms in particular are my favorite as they are relatively small so you can pop them in your pocket or bag and carry them around all day.

Foot or Leg Cooling Sprays

Foot and leg cooling sprays can provide refreshing relief if you are wearing you high heels for long periods.

These sprays typically contain menthol or other cooling agents that create a chilled, tingling sensation on the skin. So when your feet and legs become hot, sweaty, and fatigued from being confined in heels, a quick spritz of the cooling spray can instantly revive them.

The menthol works by tricking thermoreceptors in the skin into feeling a burst of coolness. This temporary cooling effect helps reduce discomfort, swelling, and overheating that often plague high heel wearers.

The sprays can be applied directly onto bare feet and legs or even through nylons and tights. The fine mist dries quickly without leaving a sticky residue. In addition to the cooling benefits, some formulas also contain anti-friction ingredients or refreshing scents. A compact bottle of cooling foot and leg spray can be an invaluable accessory to have on hand for long nights out in killer heels.

Toe Cushion Blocks

Finally toe cushion blocks are a simple but effective product for boosting comfort when wearing high heels.

These small foam pads are designed to be applied to the toe box area inside the shoe. By adding a layer of soft cushioning, they help protect against friction, rubbing, and the pinching feeling that can make high heels brutally uncomfortable after just a short period of time.

Toe cushions absorb shock and relieve pressure on the delicate toes and ball of the foot area. This can prevent painful blisters, corns, and calluses from developing.

Toe cushions are discreet and affordable and are a cult-favorite product among those in the know.

By following these tips, you can make wearing high heels more comfortable and enjoy the style without the pain.

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