5 steps to wearing pain- free high heels

Don’t you just hate it when you’re at a friend’s wedding and your feet start to slowly die on you from the throbbing pain of being stuck in a heel for a few hours? Ever since the invention of high heels women everywhere have been suffering from foot pain and well since beauty comes at a price, we’ve been putting up with it. Lucky for you we have the answer to wearing high heeled shoes minus all the pain. Here are 5 rules to follow when wearing heels for more comfortable feet:

  1. Size matters: the most common mistake women make is wearing the wrong shoe size. It is only normal that your shoe size changes over the years so make sure to get your feet measured for length and width when buying shoes. Always make sure that there is a ½ inch space between your longest toe and the end of your shoe while having enough room to wiggle your toes inside the toe box without your heels slipping off when you walk. Don’t buy shoes thinking you’ll break them in; it won’t happen.
  2. Try them on: NEVER buy shoes online. The reason why you should try shoes on before buying them is to make sure if they’re rubbing or their texture is too stiff for your feet (even if they’re the right size). Also avoid budget buys, cheap shoes are cheap for a reason; that reason is mostly Plastic. Plastic shoes will not only cause your feet to sweat and smell, but will also cause rubbing and blisters. Leather shoes however, are softer and less likely to rub.
  3. The thicker the better: when it comes to everyday heels and soles, the thicker, the better. Save your stilettos for special occasions and invest in a comfortable chunky heel for everyday wear instead. Thin soles will cause foot pain, blistering, and calluses. A platform wedge would be perfect to take off some pressure of your feet when walking or dancing.
  4. Invest in shoe inserts: sold at supermarkets and department stores, gel shoe inserts cushion the blow to your feet. Don’t buy inserts that are too thick though, they might squeeze up your feet even more. Opt for inserts that are silicone/ gel based and for an extra kick; put them in the freezer before you wear them.
  5. When all else fails: don’t hesitate to give your feet a break every once in a while. Take off your shoes, wiggle your toes around, and stretch those troopers. Just in case, always carry a pair of extra flats and when the day has finally come to an end, dip your feet in a large bucket of ice.