The 8 heels below range from under $100 sale-priced Sam Edelman slingbacks to alignment-engineered Vionic blocks, across heights from a 2-inch steady ceiling to a 2.4-inch useful middle.
What picks one over another is where your foot already complains: the ball, the arch, the toes, or the grip. A thong post that twists as you walk will ruin a seated dinner faster than any heel height will.
1. Wedges
A wedge spreads your weight across the full sole instead of concentrating it on a single point.
That makes them the heel I reach for when I know I’ll be standing through a long dinner or an outdoor party where grass or cobblestones would swallow a stiletto.
Espadrille styles with jute wrapping work especially well for summer; the texture dresses up a plain skirt without trying too hard.
A wedge reads casual even in black, so I wouldn’t pair one with tailored suiting. For all-day wear, look for a platform that takes some height out of the actual pitch; your calves will notice the difference by hour three.
2. Kitten Heels
The kitten heel lands low enough to change your posture without changing your walk. I keep a pair in my office drawer for days when my commute ran long and my main shoes need a rest.
Slingback versions stay on better than a full pump at this height, where the heel counter can slip.
A pointed toe sharpens the line of your leg; that matters more than you’d think with a low heel, which can otherwise look like you simply couldn’t commit.
For office wear, black or burgundy covers most of your wardrobe; the beige reads more weekend brunch.
3. Sam Edelman Bianka Slingback Heels
Sam Edelman’s Bianka comes in over 30 finishes, which sounds excessive until you need a specific shade of navy to match a dress you already own.
The 2.4-inch heel sits in that useful middle space: high enough for trousers to fall properly, low enough that podiatrist Casey Pidich, DPM, recommends them for patients who need toe room and width options.
Regular and wide sizes run 5–14.
The adjustable strap helps, though some buyers note it rubs after repeated wear; I break mine in with short outings first. At under $100 on sale, they are priced to replace when the season’s color changes, not to last a decade.
4. Block Heels
A block heel gives you the footprint of a flat with the lift of a heel. The wider base means you can actually stand on a subway grate or a sidewalk grate without planning your steps ahead.
Vionic’s Zinfandel version adds alignment technology and a TPR insole, which is worth considering if you already know your feet complain by midday.
The adjustable ankle strap keeps the heel from sliding, a common problem once the width of the base starts working against you on stairs.
I find block heels work best at a moderate height; above that, the weight starts to matter more than the stability helps.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more elegant, consider these comfortable heels as the ultimate compromise.
— Vogue
5. Slip-On Heels
Slip-on heels, or mules, save the time you didn’t think you had. A single gold buckle sits at the side, but it is decorative and fixed; you still step in and step out without fastening anything.
A loud pattern works on this style because the shoe is structurally simple; the print doesn’t fight the rest of your outfit.
I use mine for the transition from work to evening, when I’m already carrying enough and don’t want to add a shoe bag.
The risk is the same as the convenience: without a heel strap, your foot can slide forward on a slope or a wet street. I avoid them on days with much outdoor walking.
6. Pointed-Toe Pumps
The pointed-toe pump is the shape that most lengthens a leg line, which is why it persists despite what it asks of your foot.
A pointed-toe pump with a black dress is the classic formula: the point extends the foot visually, the heel lifts the calf, and the overall effect reads intentional rather than apologetic.
Before buying, check whether the toe box tapers to a true point or a softer almond; the latter gives your toes room to sit flat instead of stacked.
I also look for a heel placement that sits directly under my own heel bone, not shifted back toward the shoe’s center line, which throws my balance forward. This is a shoe to try on, not to order blindly.
7. Strappy Heeled Sandals
Thin straps across the foot do less work than you’d expect; the ankle strap carries most of the load, and a block heel underneath keeps you from wobbling on grass or tile.
Aerosoles makes a version with rubber soles and cushioned footbeds that podiatrists point to for this exact combination: the height without pressure on the forefoot.
Naturalizer’s Vera runs 2+ inches with three widths and arch support, which matters more with an open style where your foot can shift.
I look for adjustable buckles at the ankle; a fixed loop will stretch and then stay stretched. The toe strap can bind on a wide foot, so try before you commit to a long evening.
8. Thong Heeled Sandals
A thong strap between the toes sounds like the opposite of comfort, but the minimal upper means almost nothing presses against the sides of your foot.
The golden brand plate on the insole is decoration; what actually changes the feel is whether the post sits straight or twists as you walk.
The thong style asks more of your grip than a full sandal, so I keep the heel lower here than I would in a strappy block heel.
A square toe helps; it gives your toes a flat ledge instead of cramming them to a point. Zara’s version runs lean in the width, which is standard for the brand.
For standing events longer than a couple hours, I’d swap to a heeled sandal with a back strap; the thong is best when you’re mostly seated or moving between cars and tables.
Choosing Comfortable Heels
Above that, the pitch tilts you forward and the ball of your foot starts doing work it is not built for.
The base matters as much as the height. A block heel or wedge spreads load across a wider footprint than a stiletto, which is why balance gets harder on a narrow heel as reflexes slow.
Arch contour in the footbed is not optional if you plan to wear the shoe for more than a quick dinner.
Breathable lining and leather or fabric that softens with wear help if your feet swell by afternoon.
Foot Health Considerations
Heels over 2 inches concentrate weight in the ball of the foot right where natural cushioning thins. That pressure can aggravate neuromas and metatarsalgia, both of which start as ache and end as surgery.
The sharp point also concentrates pressure at the front of the shoe.
A footbed that looks padded but lacks structure forces your foot to stabilize itself with every step. That overtime work shows up as fatigue by midday and pain by evening.
Smooth, hard soles on a high heel work fine over carpeted restaurant floors and feel dicey on city sidewalks or slick tile. I treat them as occasion shoes, not commute shoes.
Your foot shape and width determine which of these risks applies most. A wide foot in a narrow shoe multiplies every problem; a high arch in a flat footbed does the same.
Breaking in Heels
New heels need a breaking-in period measured in short outings, not in hours of continuous wear. I wear mine around the house first, then to a dinner, before trusting them for a full workday.
Padding is the fix most people skip.
Metatarsal pads transfer pressure off the ball of the foot; I have a set that turned a pair of boots from bearable to wearable. Stick-on versions work for shoes where a full insole will not fit.
Heel pads fill gaps when a shoe runs slightly large and stop the blisters that come from friction at the back. I put them in every pump I own.
Spot cushions and heel liners correct fit issues without requiring a different size. They help when the shoe is right in length but wrong in volume, which is common with online ordering.
Measure your feet before buying, even if you think you know your size. Width changes, and one brand’s regular is another’s narrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some comfortable and cute heels for women?
Block heels, wedges, and kitten heels give you the most comfort without giving up style.
Wedges put your weight across the whole sole instead of a single point, which is why I grab them for outdoor parties where grass or cobblestones would eat a stiletto alive.
What are the best shoes for painful heels?
Look for a wide toe box, real arch support, and a heel placement that sits directly under your own heel bone rather than shifted back toward the shoe’s center line.
Soft leather or fabric uppers give where you need it, and breathable lining wins over a stiff seam that your skin will push back against by hour three.
How do you stop your feet from hurting in heels?
Fit is the whole game: try shoes on after 5 pm, not at 10 am, because feet spread by evening and a half-size too tight pinches while a half-size too loose lets the foot slide forward and smash toes anyway.
If you already own a pair that rubs, short outings before the main event help the strap and upper soften without blistering.
