Shopping Tips 5 Ways To Tell If High Heels Will Be Comfortable — Or Just Killer
Pay attention to these details before you buy high heels to ensure you purchase the most comfortable heels each and every time you go shoe shopping.
Our love-hate relationship with high heels stops now! How, you might ask? Pay attention to the following details each and every time you go shoe shopping to make sure that you buy the most comfortable heels that won’t lead to blisters, swelling and foot pain.
Only Shoe Shop In The Late Afternoon
One of the biggest mistakes people make when shopping for shoes — heels or otherwise — is shopping during the wrong part of the day. Our feet are generally at their biggest in the late afternoon, when a day’s worth of walking and being crammed into shoes makes them a bit swollen. Buying heels when your feet are slightly bigger than usual will ensure that you don’t purchase heels that will eventually feel tight during long periods of wear.
Use The Finger Test To Ensure Proper High Heel Size
High heels that are too small are bound to cause pain, so be sure you buy shoes that are your proper size. In addition to getting your feet professionally measured with a Brannock device, try using the finger test, as well. This means there should be about a finger’s width between your longest toe and the front edge of the shoe. The small amount of space will allow for slight wiggle room and prevent your toes from jamming and rubbing against the toe box of the shoe. Because not all shoes are created equally (you may be a size 7 in Louboutins, a size 8 in Bandolinos), the finger test helps ensure you buy the right shoe size each and every time.
Examine The Shoe Material
As gorgeous as they may be, high heels that are made out of non-pliable, man-made, synthtic material like plastic and vinyl will almost always cause blisters and burning. Be sure the heels are made from real leather or suede, both of which are soft, pliable and able to mold to the natural shape of your foot. This small detail has the ability to drastically reduce blisters, swelling and foot pain — and may be why many quality-made, higher priced shoes really are more comfortable.
Shop Blindly
Most people buy heels with their eyes (“Oooh, look at those beauties!”), but another way to tell if heels will be uncomfortable is by giving your eyes a break and going into your shoe purchasing experience blind. What exactly do we mean? When you have the shoes on your feet, close your eyes and focus on how the shoes feel. Not using your sense of sight can heighten your other senses, including your sense of touch and ability to feel pain.
Test Run The Heels In The Store
There’s no better way to tell if a pair of heels will hurt than to actually wear them for a while and see what happens. But rather than standing in front of the mirror for a few minutes to test the shoes’ comfort, actually walk around the store for as long as you can. If it’s possible, leave the carpeted shoe area and take a stroll on the tile to get a taste of what “real world” wear will feel like.
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