The 18 Most Comfortable Heels for Weddings, Brunches & More, Recommended by PureWow Editors

These shoes come with pressure-relief insoles that should calm any worries about your feet feeling achy after wearing them all day. The chunky, mid-height heel and anti-slip sole also provide stability for when you're running around the office or want to feel cute and casual. According to PureWow’s tester, these heels run true to size, though the brand advises those with wide feet or bunions to opt for a half size up. They have a knitted look that feels unique and still sophisticated, whether they're paired with a pantsuit or jeans. PureWow Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu, who’s prone to blistering, finds them non-irritating on her sensitive skin. She says, “I really appreciate the plush heel backing, and these didn't need any break-in time. The material is stretchy—hence it accommodates wide feet even at true to size. I’ve walked at least a mile in them consecutively and they are comfortable! (I am qualified to say that because, for me, comfort is above all, and every time I want to get on the subway, it's at least one mile of walking round-trip…so I walk a lot!)”

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 1.77 inches
• Size Range: 5 to 11
• Walkability: 9

“I’m obsessed with Nina shoes in general, but these classic pumps are a must-have for any capsule wardrobe,” says PureWow Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth. The heel is high enough to feel foxy but not so much that it stresses my arches, and the shape of the pointed toe is roomy enough so it never feels like my toes are pinching. I've worn these for a full day at work and for a whole night of dancing at a wedding reception and had almost no pain to speak of. Plus they come in almost any color a gal could want.” And I know what you’re thinking, “What could be better than a lightly cushioned footbed?” Try shoes that offer sizes in both medium and wide widths.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 2.38 inches
• Size Range: 5 to 12
• Walkability: 9

“I couldn't resist jumping on the brown suede boot trend this fall, so I picked up a pair of these Aerosoles booties,” Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida admits. “Long story short, they might be my favorite purchase of the season. As a petite gal, I prefer boots with some height, and the thick, 2.5-inch heel on this design is perfect. I've worn these to walk all over the city and have experienced zero pain or discomfort, and they were comfortable right out of the box, with absolutely no breaking-in required. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from the brand, which is famous for its comfort-first philosophy.” Speaking of, they’re made with a diamond flex outsole and the brand’s signature ortholite aerofly molded footbed that ensures a comforting step.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 2.5 inches
• Size Range: 5 to 12
• Walkability: 9

The second I witnessed multiple fashion editors don these darling kitten heels at New York Fashion Week, I knew I had to try them for myself. As soon as I slipped them on, I instantly understood how the comfortable heels have accumulated more than 120,000 5-star reviews since their launch, per the brand. The magic stems from podiatrist Caroline McCulloch, who created the heels with wearability and comfort in mind. The secret lies in the brand’s LuxeStep technology, which fuses a thickness underneath the pressurized point of the forefoot area. There’s also more cushioning along the arch for all-over comfort. As someone who appreciates style over everything else, I’m so happy I’ve found a pair of sexy slingback heels that don’t make my feet throb in pain or toes pinch in the slightest.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 2.05 inches
• Size Range: 6 to 13
• Walkability: 8

Buzzy footwear brand Inez makes some of the most comfortable heels, their impressive collection of styles has actually taken social media by storm. When I chatted with Wu about the Friday pumps, she admitted to me that she owns them in two different colors: the beige patent leather and black suede. “Both are SO comfortable,” she gushes, telling me that the founder created the line for people whose feet didn’t fall within the norms. “The lining is just buttery, so I've never gotten a blister on my heel, even when I wore a pair for the first time and walked a cumulative two miles through the city. Even though the heel height is higher than my max of two inches, the footbed—which has excellent support and is lightly contoured—almost gave me the impression that I was wearing a much shorter heel.” I’d chalk that up to its supportive block heel design, plus the square-toe definitely adds some extra wiggle room.

As if that wasn’t enough, Inez offers three varying widths, from slim to standard to roomy. “These can definitely be an all-day shoe (provided there are periods of sitting) without your feet completely numb by the end of it,” Wu adds.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 2.5 inches
• Size Range: 6 to 10.5
• Walkability: 8

“These Dreamcia kitten heels are a much more affordable version of the similar Aeyde, Sam Edelman and Reformation styles,” says Sally Herrod, senior director of SEO and product at PureWow. Equipped with a striking pointy toe and metallic finish, these sexy slingbacks are daring, fashionable and comfortable despite their lack of toe space. “The soles are a little slippery and slick at first so you have to mark them up, but the low heel means you can wear them for late nights,” Herrod adds. “I wore them at a beach wedding (on the sand!) and didn't have to take them off on the dance floor later.”

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 2.3 inches
• Size Range: 5 to 11
• Walkability: 8

A classic pointy-toe pump will forever be a go-to heel, and PureWow’s Assistant Commerce Editor, Natalie LaBarbera, agrees. She says, “The Sam Edelman Hazels are honestly my go-to for events like weddings and showers. They're surprisingly comfortable, despite their height and slim stiletto heel, thanks to the cushioned footbed that's slim but makes all the difference.” The style is sleek and polished and can easily be worn for a day in the office or out on the town at night. This pair has a leather upper, and the 4-inch heel is high, but not too high, as LaBarbera mentioned. Reviewers note that they take some time to break in, but once stretched out they're as good as gold. "After I wore them for a few times, they stretched out,” one shopper writes. “Now, they are my favorite heels and to my surprise, I’m wearing heels more often because of these.”

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 4 inches
• Size Range: 4 to 14
• Walkability: 7

After years of shopping for the best black knee-high boots and obsessively eyeing these tall stunners, I finally comitted to seeing what all of the hype was about over Inez. They boast a soft square toe and semi-fitted silhouette that oozes ‘70s fashion, and if you know me, then you know this is the main aspect that won me over. They’re made in Spain from a luxe Italian calfskin leather and feature a plush insole developed by biomechanic engineers for a cushioned step that’s beyond comfortable for heeled boots. I’m the type who will wear heels on cobblestone streets in Europe no matter the level of comfort, so I’m relieved to find a pair that’ll hold up well without leaving me with blisters. My only qualm? The width of the shaft is pretty narrow (and I don’t have wide calves), but luckily Inez has extended calf options in addition to the standard.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 3 inches
• Size Range: 6 to 10.5
• Walkability: 7

If you want to splurge on designer high heels, go for a pair that will keep your foot comfortable. PureWow Senior Editor Dana Dickey loves this Gucci option for the sleek look and easy wear. “These are a nice, walkable heel,” she says. “The festive gold sparkle and leather class up my fast fashion.” The Italian fashion house’s open-toed block heels are made in Italy with a premium leather that’s also used in the lining and sole. Plus, there’s an ankle buckle strap for a customizable fit that will eradicate any unnecessary squeezing or spaciousness. Also note: According to the brand’s description and a few customer reviews, this style does run about a half to one size small.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 3 inches
• Size Range: 4 to 12
• Walkability: 8

If there’s one thing I know to be true, it’s that Wu is PureWow’s designated Margaux ambassador. “I love Margaux,” she admits. “They're the only shoe brand I buy with some regular cadence. The cushy insole is so comfortable—the balls of my feet are never achy and you can literally go for miles. The heel is my preferred height (2 inches) and the almond toe is a nice compromise between the pinchy point and round toe.” Her only word of caution: Pay attention to width before ordering. She tells me she ordered a medium width when she should have purchased the wide as the top stitching has little stretch and the tendency to dig into her foot.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 2 inches
• Size Range: 3 to 14
• Walkability: 8

Wedges pair perfectly with jeans or a breezy midi dress. This 3.5-inch wedge is padded for comfortable support, and the jute is biodegradable for a little environmentally friendly bonus. “I’ve been walking around in these, and I have to say, I was skeptical at first,” admits Wu, who prefers a two-inch heel maximum. “I think the platform does a great job of neutralizing the extra height, and they're surprisingly stable. When they first come out of the box the fabric is a little stiff and tight—which also was a worry because I usually take the wide size when available because of my bunions, and I’ve sent shoes back for being too narrow before—but the fabric stretches quickly and easily to mold to the foot.” Needless to say, with no blisters in sight, Wu is ready to wear her comfortable espadrilles on repeat come summertime.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 3.5 inches
• Size Range: 5 to 11
• Walkability: 8

If you’re searching for heels that can work with almost anything in your closet, from wedding guest dresses to jeans to midi skirts and more, then allow me to introduce you to the Yaro heels from Sam Edelman. I have owned not one but two pairs of this style for over eight years, and I always gravitate towards these suede beauties when I want to wear a comfortable heel that’s higher than three inches. Luckily, the block backing affords extra stability and makes them surprisingly comfortable. They’ve held up incredibly well, and while the steep height can make the soles of my heels hurt after a few hours of wear, there’s plenty of room in the sole to add a padded insert for more comfort. Plus, I find them a breeze to walk and run in…yes, seriously, I sometimes sprint in these if the occasion calls for it (hey, I’m always running late…pun intended).

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 4 inches
• Size Range: 4 to 14
• Walkability: 7

Not only are the braided straps trendy, but they also help keep your foot secure, and the 3-inch block heel won’t seem too steep or unstable like a stiletto would, and will make for a more comfortable walking (or dancing) experience. “Surprisingly, these are super comfy,” says Randee Cerota, senior director of brand partnerships at Gallery Media Group. “They’re inexpensive yet well-made, and I can wear them for long periods of time without the balls of my feet or back hurting.” Another buyer agrees, noting that the heels held up through hours of dancing.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 3.2 inches
• Size Range: 4 to 15
• Walkability: 8

Looking for a dazzling heel to wear to your BFF’s bridal shower and sister’s graduation? Look no further than these gorgeous slides from Loeffler Randall, which feature a padded footbed that’s designed to cushion your step and are made with a delicate pleated fabric. They’re one of the few pairs of heels PureWow Director of Audience Development Mary Rogers trusts on her feet. She says, “After knee surgery, my high heel days are mostly behind me. I got these for my wedding, and they were the best purchase. They were the perfect accessory for my dress and my feet held up through the night. I’ve used them for so many events since then and love them to add a pop of fun to even a simple black dress.” Her parting advice? Size up as these are known to run notoriously small and narrow.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 2 inches
• Size Range: 5 to 12
• Walkability: 9

Command the boardroom in these slingback pumps. Crafted in Spain with calf leather, these pointed-toe heels are anything but boring, plus they come with a stretchy halter slingback strap that won’t irritate or compress the back of your heel into oblivion. “I wouldn't call them a heel I’d walk all day in, but they are the type of shoes I put in the drawer at work and walk around the office all day, or wear at a wedding,” says Wu, who finds the height to be both manageable and chic. She loves the versatility that the classic tan colorway affords, too, but I’m partial to this trendy cherry red. “Since the heel isn't high, they also take up basically no space when packing, so I took them to Milan for the opera and it was 10 out of 10.” If you want a little extra height beyond this 2-inch kitten heel, Stuart Weitzman has a similar slingback in a bedazzled champagne that’s fit for a wedding and a patent leather black version for the office.

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 2 inches
• Size Range: 5.5 to 12
• Walkability: 6

With a lustrous patent leather finish, almond-shaped toe and padded insoles, there’s a lot to love about these M. Gemi beauties. “I am obsessed with M. Gemi's Lustro,” gushes PureWow’s Senior Director of Special Projects and Royals, Rachel Bowie. “I have worn them on numerous occasions and the block heel makes this shoe feel incredibly sturdy and balanced while keeping my feet blister-free and comfortable, too. I have worn them for multiple hours in a row without minding—to dinner parties, but also work events. I wish I had them in multiple colors!”

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 3.5 inches
• Size Range: 35 to 42 or 5 to 12
• Walkability: 8

When PureWow’s Social Content Lead, Emily Brozyna, found herself in a pinch for the perfect last-minute high heel for a wedding, she scoured Amazon’s shoe selection for Prime eligible pairs, and the rest was history. “I came across this pair from Katy Perry's shoe brand (who knew?!). I find that shoes with a thick heel and a bit of a platform are the key to keeping my shoes on all night, and an added bonus with these are the crisscross straps that really keep your foot in place for optimal dancing capabilities (very important for me),” she admits. “I've worn these to four weddings, getting many compliments—but not a single blister.”

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 4 inches
• Size Range: 5 to 11
• Walkability: 7

Last but certainly not least is the Nene 2 heel from Australian-based footwear brand Bared. The company was created by a podiatrist, so they’re known for their comfortable and functional shoes crafted with a biomechanical footbed. According to Dr. Daughtry, “The footbed offers cushioned comfort yet all-day support with a perfectly shaped contour and includes features such as a deeper heel cup, a cuboid notch and metatarsal dome or pad to offload forefoot pressure.” What’s more, she explains that the arch shape is designed to aid foot function and reduce pressure on the heel, which Wu can attest to: “These are really comfy. I’ve walked a few miles in these and I’m serious when I say my feet don't hurt. The footbed is so supportive (not something I’d usually say for anything not a comfy sneaker), but they don't look orthopedic.”

Fast Facts

• Heel Height: 1.77 inches
• Size Range: 4 to 12
• Walkability: 10