How to Survive in High Heels for Hours

Do you long for high heels but don’t dare to wear them? We bring you a few tips that will make walking in stilettos more bearable!

Few women sigh over the comfort of hiking boots as workwear, yet we far more often admire shop windows filled with high heels, love trying them on and dream of the graceful walk of models. And it’s no wonder. Heels make us noticeably taller, give us longer and visually slimmer legs. Unfortunately, this desired effect doesn’t come for free — stilettos don’t just risk deformation of the feet and pain in the legs and back, but also painful injuries.

“I have great respect for high heels! I don’t own proper court shoes, but I did buy a pair a long time ago. They had a lower, wider heel and even though they weren’t exactly a fashion hit at the time, I always felt like a princess in them! These days, I’ve replaced them with platform shoes, which are currently more manageable for me, but I suspect it won’t be long before I get a pair whose distinctive click-clack sound will make my beloved husband turn his head. (laughs)”

Silvie Trebatická, editor-in-chief of the Generace21.cz portal

The right choice

You can twist or break an ankle even in trainers, but with high heels this risk increases significantly. That’s why it’s extremely important to choose the right size and shape of the shoe.

Stick to the rule that court shoes may be beautiful and heavily discounted, but if they don’t fit properly, are uncomfortable or unstable, don’t buy them. Another key factor when purchasing heels is the occasion. For work and shopping, opt for lower heels; in the evening, you can allow yourself to shine. However, if you’re heading to a ball, choose the most comfortable court shoes possible, ideally suited for dancing.

“I can’t live without heels anymore! (In fact, I can hardly remember the days when I wore plain trainers.) They add femininity, platform shoes are a frequent purchase for me — they give you more room to stretch your legs while preventing an unhealthy foot angle.
I often shop at zoot.cz or sexystore.cz.”

Michaela Borkovcová, culture section editor at the Generace21.cz portal

Specific selection

The more straps, the better the foot support. Source: polyvore.com

For stability, strappy court shoes are ideal. They wrap around the foot at several points, especially around the ankles, where injuries are most common. The more straps, the better the fixation and stability.

A pleasure for the eyes but a dangerous shape for your toes. Source: polyvore.com

With open-toe court shoes, comfort depends mainly on the length of the shoe. The big toe should not protrude too much from the opening; with a smaller size, you also risk unpleasant blisters. The toes and instep are fixed by the shoe itself, but at the heel you need to pay attention to the width. If the heel slips out of the shoe, the ankles are put under significant strain.

Beautiful, but treacherous. Source: polyvore.com

Court shoes with a full round toe should be chosen not only according to length, but also according to the full width of the shoe. This type must fit perfectly – there is no ankle support and only partial instep fixation. That’s why it’s advisable to choose court shoes with a strap, which at least partially prevents the foot from slipping out.

Elegant pointed court shoes. Watch out for the correct shape! Source: polyvore.com

Pointed-toe court shoes are suitable only for women with the appropriate foot shape. If the toe area is too wide, it becomes deformed in the narrowing front part of the shoe, causing blisters. You should also avoid a loose heel or choose court shoes with a strap across the instep.

Tip! Always trim your toenails before wearing court shoes. Many blisters are caused by friction between nails and toes when your toes are pushed too tightly into the pointed toe of the shoe.

That’s the theory of proper selection. But we women are vain, and no rule is sacred to us. It often happens that we give in to discounts and beautiful heels and buy shoes that don’t quite fit. In that case, the shoes either stay in the wardrobe, or we tape our feet with plasters before every wear. However, there are other solutions!

“I only wear heels on rare occasions — to the theatre, to balls, basically when I know I won’t have to walk far. I’m not very good at walking in them, so I only own court shoes with a low wedge heel, which don’t get stuck between cobblestones. I also like walking fast, which looks rather comical in heels. So I’m constantly running around in trainers, sneakers and the like.”

Bára Švarcová, theatre section editor at the Generace21.cz portal

Shoe inserts

Thanks to gel inserts, your feet will feel like they’re resting on a cushion. Source: ulevapronohy.cz

This aid is produced in several versions and from different materials, such as gel or silicone. You can buy inserts designed to soften the entire length of the shoe, or only the heel or toe area. The insert absorbs impacts and shocks. Available online or in medical supply stores.

“I wear heels too, even though I’m giraffe-tall. I feel more confident, more feminine and simply better overall in them! Trainers for nature and sport, heels for everything else. I love shoes and have quite a collection at home, but even I don’t have a favourite shop — and I also agree that gel inserts are great. (laughs)”

Eliška Marková, travel section editor at the Generace21.cz portal

Anti-slip stickers

Anti-slip stickers won’t let you slip. Source: magnet-3pagen.cz

Thanks to this clever sticker, you won’t slip in heels anymore, thanks to its roughened surface. Simply stick it onto the sole of your shoes and you’ll immediately feel more confident in your heels. You can buy them online, or even make them yourself using adhesive tape and sandpaper.

“I like heels, and they’re appearing more often in my wardrobe even for everyday wear — but usually smaller or wider, more comfortable ones. I shop in shoe stores like CCC or Deichmann, nothing particularly special.”

Alice Pazderová, editor of the V Obraze section at the Generace21.cz portal

Training

You may have perfectly cushioned, well-fitting, anti-slip shoes, but if you can’t walk in them, you’ll look ridiculous, foolish — and you won’t get anywhere. That’s why the most important thing is to get used to your shoes and “break them in” at home for several days before you decide to impress passers-by. After all, you wouldn’t master walking on stilts at the first attempt either.

Source: generace21.cz, perex image: photl.com
Image by Olga_Vatrushka from Pixabay