10 Most Comfortable Heels for Every Occasion, Tested and Reviewed

^{Original photo by Glamour associate beauty editor Danielle Sinay}

Slingback heels are the trendiest shoes of the moment, and you need not punish your feet to hop on the look. This genuine leather pair from Vagabond Shoemakers—a leather brand behind some of our favorite loafers—features an adjustable strap, a manageable kitten heel, and an on-trend pointed toe. “To say I struggle with closed-toe, pointy heels is an understatement; I wouldn’t even wear them to my own wedding,” Sinay says. “But after years of trial and tribulation, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve finally found a pair that don’t just go with and elevate every outfit, but are actually comfy. So comfortable, in fact, that when I brought this pair to Mexico City and planned to only wear them at the wedding I was there for, my feet loved them so much I just kept wearing them. By the end of my trip, they—and my feet—had survived several dinners, cocktails, walks across CDMX, and more. Ugh, now I miss them and want to put them on when I get home.”

Heel height: 1.75 in. / Sizes: 6–11 / Colors: 2 options

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Standing at just over two inches, these top-rated low heels from Naturalizer (a brand that prioritizes comfort and style) feature its signature cushioned footbeds. (Over time they’ll literally mold to your feet.) “I rarely wear heels, but every now and then I like to throw on a low-heeled sandal for work. These block-heel shoes are low enough for me to wear them all day and not feel like my feet are suffocating,” says Maria Navarro, a Glamour reviewer. “Naturalizer also has the most customizable sizing I’ve seen thus far, and my feet tend to be on the more narrow side.” They come in three widths and a wide range of colors, including an impressive selection of nude shades. Keep these in your closet for when warm weather rolls around; you’ll be able to wear them everywhere with a white T-shirt and a denim skirt or a romantic spring dress.

Heel height: 2.5 in. / Sizes: 5–13; N, M, W / Colors: 20 options

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Shockingly, these genuinely tall heels aren’t just wearable—they’re downright comfy for all-day wear. “I’ve said for years that Jessica Simpson makes the most comfortable heels in the world, and these are no exception—even with a five-inch heel,” says Kim Fusaro, global executive director of Glamour brand marketing (and high-heel obsessive). “Yes, they have a one-inch platform and a block-shaped heel, so those help, but I’m also convinced she has some kind of magic cobbler on staff.” This event-ready pair is released in new colors each season; there’s bound to be one to pair with your next wedding guest dress. “My rainbow-and-cork pair is from a past season, but I’m definitely buying the new all-denim version too. (Our digital director called these sandals ‘very Chrissy from Three’s Company,’ which I took as the highest compliment.)”

Heel height: 5 in. / Sizes: 5–12 / Colors: 12 options

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^{Original photo by Wired product writer and reviewer Nena Farrell}

Sorel’s collection of walking sandals is a hit among Glamour staff, and this cushy, lightweight pair of chunky heels is a welcome addition to the family. “Sorel’s wedges fare insanely comfy,” says Nena Farrell, a product writer and reviewer at Wired, who owns a similar pair from a previous season. The thick outsoles cushion each step, while the Velcro straps ensure you’ll get the perfect fit. We also love that the color options will please everyone; choose from classics like black and brown or go bolder with yellow and olive. These will pair well with everything from straight-leg jeans to midi-skirts—and they’re great for saving your feet during vacation (especially when you need a cute option that’s also breathable).

Heel height: 3 in. / Sizes: 5–12 / Colors: 5 options

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Didn’t think a pair of slip-on heels could feel like a cloud? Think again. This pair has a padded insole that supports the arch of your feet for hours on end. “Ever since Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour, I’ve been living for silver. I wanted a pair of chrome heels that weren’t too formal and that I could get away with wearing pretty much everywhere, so I went with these,” Glamour's Navarro says. “I have boots from the brand that I love, mainly because of how comfortable they are, and these heels don’t disappoint in that department either. Despite me having slightly wide feet, I can wear these square-toe pumps all day with no problem.” (The multiple toe box options make these some of our top picks for people with wider feet.) Choose from additional finishes like croc and suede to make them your own.

Heel height: 2.5 in. / Sizes: 6–10.5; slim, standard, roomy / Colors: 4 options

“I tend to gravitate toward the same brands when I’m willing to invest in something, and By Far is at the very top of that list right now,” Glamour’s Navarro says. “We’ve seen so many renditions of double-strap sandals like this, but I’ve been through way too many that simply don’t last or fall apart. I love this lower heel height for everyday wearing in the spring and summer, and now that I have a high-quality pair, I can bank of having these around for years.” New styles drop each season, too. Sure, this has a heftier price tag than most of the open-toe heels on this list, but thanks to luxe patent leather, you won’t have to replace these any time soon.

Heel height: 2.5 in. / Sizes: 5–11 / Colors: 1 option

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^{Original photo by Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz}

Bow accessories are absolutely everywhere right now—so why not add them to a pair of heels? These preppy low sandals feature bows across the front strap and are perfect for dressed-up events, especially spring and summer weddings. “I wore these to a 12-hour (no, that’s not a typo) wedding, and I didn’t get a single blister,” says Brie Schwartz, Glamour’s commerce director. “They’re so comfortable and easy to walk and dance in (or in my case, jump in) thanks to the block heel. I also wore them a few days later to the Glamour Women of the Year event (the red carpet was a sea of bows), and they felt great—no pinching or rubbing.” Wear these to the next event on your calendar, preferably with a showstopper of a dress.

Heel height: 2.25 in. / Sizes: 6–12 / Colors: 5 options

We know, we know. How on earth could a pair of plastic heels feel comfortable? Considering that Zara’s had these available for purchase for more than four years, a lot of shoppers seem to think so. (Glamour’s Fusaro swears by Zara heels in general.) These manage to have that invisible look without constricting your feet with ultratight straps. “These have been my tried-and-true shoes for the past four years, and I’m honestly in shock that shoes made of this plastic material have survived this long,” Navarro says. “They don’t look comfortable whatsoever, but trust me, these are some of the most comfortable high heels I’ve been able to find, ever. The clear straps aren’t tight around your feet, so it doesn’t feel like your feet are stuck in plastic, and the heel’s pretty wide, so you can balance yourself just fine. And you don’t have to worry about them making your feet all hot and sweaty, despite the material.”

Heel height: 4 in. / Sizes: 5–11 / Colors: 1 option