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Introducing The Kit’s new editor-tested shopping awards, the Shop Smart Guide. The idea is simple: Every month, The Kit editors exhaustively test-drive items in desert-island categories — not the season’s exciting yet ephemeral trends but the evergreen essentials you’re most likely to buy now and wear or use forever. We’re talking mascara, jeans, retinol serum, black turtlenecks, white sneakers, etc. Our hope is that Shop Smart helps you reach that mythic shopping ideal: to buy less but better. Here, our guide to comfortable heels.
I can’t concentrate in flats,” once declared Victoria Beckham, whose penchant for perilous footwear has been well documented. Recall Kate and William’s wedding, where she balanced a six-month baby bump on six-inch heels (and was presumably laser-focused). I tip my fascinator to her. I for one happen to be tragically weak-ankled. I’ve managed to break each of them more than once all whilst—I’m embarrassed to admit—simply strolling in sneakers. (As my father once quipped: “Maybe you should learn how to walk before you learn how to drive.”)
Perhaps the only upside of this anatomic shortcoming is that it makes me an excellent evaluator of shoe comfort. If I think a pair of pumps is easy to walk in, the average person could probably cross an Ironman finish line in them. So in the name of this series, I risked winding up in an umpteenth cast and searched high and low for the most practical, painless heels out there. No crampy arches or sore soles allowed. Here were the top performers.
Geox Bigliana Woman shoes, $160, geox.com SHOP HERE
The review: If you’ve always believed the phrase “comfortable heels” to be an oxymoron, your feet have never had the distinct pleasure of slipping into these. Aesthetically, they are as chic and timeless as it gets, crafted out of smooth leather and outfitted with a mid-height block heel and pointed toe. (If you prefer a round toe, I’d suggest the brand’s Pheby design.) They’re the kind of pumps that’d pair just as well with a suit at the office as they would with a floaty midi-dress at a party. But even more impressive is their engineering. While rubber outsoles aid with traction and slip prevention, they often present breathability issues. Geox remedies the problem with its trademark Respira technology: a perforated rubber outsole lined with a waterproof membrane, so air can circulate but moisture can’t get in. Smart, right? And then there’s the interior, so cushy it’s comparable to that of a luxury car. Even faced with the ultimate test—a lengthy cocktail party with nary a chair in sight—these heels rivalled the plushness of a pair of slippers.
Everlane The Italian Leather Day Heel, $258, everlane.com SHOP HERE
The colourways: Black, cream or beige, with seasonal additions throughout the year
The review: When Everlane’s Day Heel launched in 2017, it quickly racked up a 28,000-person waitlist. Five years later, the shoe remains one of the brand’s bestselling items—and for good reason. With its double stitching and oval shape, the design recalls that of a ballet slipper: graceful yet unfussy. It’s what makes them so perfect with an ankle-skimming jean (they have a definite French woman vibe about them), while looking equally smashing with skirts, dresses and tailored trousers. And though they live up to their diurnal moniker, allowing you to comfortably spend hours on end walking around your city or hopping from one meeting to the other, it must be noted that they work just as well in the evening, looking right at home at a fancy eatery or the latest trendy bar. Very importantly, the ultra-supple leather and elasticized back mean you can skip the whole “breaking in” period: They’ll fit like a glove right from the onset.
Dr. Liza Sneaker Pump, $295, drlizashoes.com SHOP NOW
Best heels for back pain: Dr. Liza
The sizes: 5 to 12, all available in regular or wide width
The colourways: A whole rainbow of options, including butterscotch leather and blue suede
The review: Don’t tell Posh, but wearing heels for extended periods of time can lead to a whole host of ailments. We’re talking foot deformities requiring surgery like bunions and hammer toe, not to mention debilitating chronic pain in the back, hips and knees, as the steep slope throws off the body’s entire alignment. As an osteopath and chiropractor, Toronto’s Dr. Liza Egbogah has seen it countless times. That’s why, in 2017, she decided to launch her own line of shoes, all of them designed to minimize pressure on the joints and help wearers maintain proper posture. Aptly named the “sneaker pump,” this model boasts a platform made of shock-absorbing ethylene vinyl acetate (a.k.a. EVA), the same stuff that’s used in high-performance running shoes. And I swear to you, that’s exactly what they feel like. (Bonus: A platform also reduces the slant between your toes and heels.) No more changing your shoes to commute or go grab lunch and—more importantly—no more back pain.
Ecco Shape Stiletto 45 Pump, $210, ca.ecco.com SHOP HERE
The review: No longer considered a “training shoe” for those learning to teeter around in stilettos, the kitten heel is making a comeback. From Prada to Khaite, designer labels are giving the style a cool rebrand and rightly so. Kitten heels exude the same sophistication as some of their much taller counterparts. If anything, their petite height only makes them all the more elegant, like they’re not trying so hard to be fancy or sexy. But of course, their biggest advantage is their comfort. Though this streamlined pair from Ecco doesn’t feature as cushiony of an insole as some of the other picks on this list, it does have the lowest heel, coming in at 4.5 cm. That means your foot gets to rest at a more natural angle, placing less pressure on the ball and reducing the need to shift your centre of gravity and compromise your posture.
Aldo Ardcarn shoes, $110, aldoshoes.com SHOP HERE
The colourways: Black or light beige
The review: Don’t let their impressive stature scare you; these towering beauties are deceptively comfortable. It’s all thanks to Aldo’s special Pillow Walk technology. Dual density foam absorbs the impact of every step while moulded soles with added padding at the ball and heel help secure your foot in place. It’s kind of like having a Casper mattress in your shoes—ultra-plush memory foam and all. Other nifty details include a sculptural heel that cleverly tapers out to a wider base to bolster stability and a sleek strap to support the ankle. Strutting in stilettos never felt so good.
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