I'm fairly new to the shoe world, only 6 months new really and im finding it hard to break in my feet to heels.

I spent 5 years with my ex who was the same height as me so i never bothered much with heels but my current boyfriend is 6'4" (where im 5'6") and so my shoe interest blossomed

So my question is how do you get your feet used to walking in heels? do you use insoles, ball pads etc or try and walk more on the outside of your feet?

And do you tall women feel really huge when your in 5"+ heels? i know im not classed as particularly tall but sometimes i feel stupidly tall :(

Originally Posted by LadySapphire

I'm fairly new to the shoe world, only 6 months new really and im finding it hard to break in my feet to heels. I spent 5 years with my ex who was the same height as me so i never bothered much with heels but my current boyfriend is 6'4" (where im 5'6") and so my shoe interest blossomed So my question is how do you get your feet used to walking in heels? do you use insoles, ball pads etc or try and walk more on the outside of your feet? And do you tall women feel really huge when your in 5"+ heels? i know im not classed as particularly tall but sometimes i feel stupidly tall :(

If you can answer a few questions we might be able to help more.

What shoes are you wearing now?, as some designers and styles are better than others.
What type of heel and height is what you normally wear everyday?
What is your foot arch like? - have you ever done dance or ballet?

Those with a pronounced arch and who have or do dance/ballet generally find it easier to wear higher heels.

Trying to go straight to wearing 5" heels is not a good idea.

I am also fairly new to the world of heels, but my biggest problem is that my cheaper shoes wear out SUPER quick at the tips of the toes and i know they're not th best quality but they're really not that bad any where else!! Maybe it has something to do with the way I'm walking? any ideas????

@ ladysapphire the best thing i found was special bandaids especially for blisters they are great for breaking in new shoes, they were just from my local chemist! goodluck :)

I can help I think as I usually wear heels and most of my heels are 5 inches or taller. First invest in shoe's I have found (but not always) the more expensive the shoe the more comfortable again see the ( ) I stand at 5'4 with out heels and around 5'9 5'10 depending on which shoe I am wearing. Go get a good pair of inserts, I have found the gel one's are not good as they will not cushion when you walk (I use foot petals) you can get them from HSN and some of the higher end department stores. My feet usually hurt in the toe's and ball of my feet to work around this I will wear my new heels for short times to break them in or if I know I need to wear them for several hours I will take a pair I have already broken in a a back up. Some heels sadly are never going to be comfortable (I call those the go from the car to the table to the car) shoes others I can pretty much wear all day long. I have also found out that shoes made in Italy seem to be the most comfortable. Good luck finding your shoes make sure you try both shoes on and sometimes you will need to go up a half size..... Oh and one more thing I almost never go bare in heels unless they are a sandal heel I always wear a stocking or hose as protection and a corn pad (my family has a habit of getting corns)


PS. Also make sure to give your feet a break from time to time and switch to a wider shoe so you don't get bunions (the bone in the big toe) Your feet will love you

Originally Posted by kittytoes

I am also fairly new to the world of heels, but my biggest problem is that my cheaper shoes wear out SUPER quick at the tips of the toes and i know they're not th best quality but they're really not that bad any where else!! Maybe it has something to do with the way I'm walking? any ideas???? @ ladysapphire the best thing i found was special bandaids especially for blisters they are great for breaking in new shoes, they were just from my local chemist! goodluck :)

This is always going to happen, particularly with stiletto heels even better quality ones, you just have to watch and have the heel tips replaced regularly. Some cobblers use slightly harder material that lasts longer. On the toes you can have toe tips glued on by a good cobbler - either metal/rubber/leather - or a full rubber sole once you have worn them for a while.

With a good designer shoe it is worth taking them in and having new leather soles put on - but only choose a really good cobbler who knows what they are doing not just anyone .

Originally Posted by Kayapo97

This is always going to happen, particularly with stiletto heels even better quality ones, you just have to watch and have the heel tips replaced regularly. Some cobblers use slightly harder material that lasts longer. On the toes you can have toe tips glued on by a good cobbler - either metal/rubber/leather - or a full rubber sole once you have worn them for a while. With a good designer shoe it is worth taking them in and having new leather soles put on - but only choose a really good cobbler who knows what they are doing not just anyone .

Thanks that's really helpful :)

Originally Posted by Kayapo97

If you can answer a few questions we might be able to help more. What shoes are you wearing now?, as some designers and styles are better than others. What type of heel and height is what you normally wear everyday? What is your foot arch like? - have you ever done dance or ballet? Those with a pronounced arch and who have or do dance/ballet generally find it easier to wear higher heels. Trying to go straight to wearing 5" heels is not a good idea.

Right now its mainly flats as i don't drive so walk everywhere, though i do have some 4" wedges with 1" heel that i use for shopping.

i use mainly Kurt Geiger shoes and Ash, i have a range from 2 inch to 6 inch heels.

i have done dance when i was younger and i have arches trending towards high arches.

I do indeed find it easy, almost natural to walk in heels but having never worn them until 6 months ago it is the pain in the ball of my feet that causes me problems, thank you for your help :)


Flyboy2, luckily im going to italy in a few weeks so i will pick some up when im there

Originally Posted by LadySapphire

Right now its mainly flats as i don't drive so walk everywhere, though i do have some 4" wedges with 1" heel that i use for shopping. i use mainly Kurt Geiger shoes and Ash, i have a range from 2 inch to 6 inch heels. i have done dance when i was younger and i have arches trending towards high arches. I do indeed find it easy, almost natural to walk in heels but having never worn them until 6 months ago it is the pain in the ball of my feet that causes me problems, thank you for your help :) Flyboy2, luckily im going to italy in a few weeks so i will pick some up when im there

That's the place to get them you might want to invest in a couple pairs of foot ball guard you may or may not always have a problem. I have the same problem with the balls of my feet they usually start hurting if I have been in my heels all day long, I am also a FA (Flight Attendant) so I am on my feet for anywhere from 4 to 10+ hours and usually in heels for half to the full time. since you do mostly walking always make sure when you wear your heels to bring a pair of flats in your bag with you that way you can always switch if your feet are telling you too. Can't wait to see your Italian shoes when you get back

Here is a video that may help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHTNldZ9z4c

Originally Posted by LadySapphire

Right now its mainly flats as i don't drive so walk everywhere, though i do have some 4" wedges with 1" heel that i use for shopping. i use mainly Kurt Geiger shoes and Ash, i have a range from 2 inch to 6 inch heels. i have done dance when i was younger and i have arches trending towards high arches. I do indeed find it easy, almost natural to walk in heels but having never worn them until 6 months ago it is the pain in the ball of my feet that causes me problems, thank you for your help :) Flyboy2, luckily im going to italy in a few weeks so i will pick some up when im there

The pain is because that is where all the downward pressure ends up, partciualrly if you are wearing shoes that provide little support e.g. thin strap sandals. Also if the soles are thin this combined with the pressure will result in a burning sensation particularly if walking on hard or rough pavements. Shoes with more support, or slight platforms or with more insole padding might be better. Can enhance the padding with foot petals etc as well to hep.

If you are going to the right bit of Italy lots of designer outlets - good luck hope you pick up some really nice designer bargins.