The 10 Best Comfortable Heels for Work, Weddings, and Everything in Between — Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Vivaia Round-Toe Chunky Heels

View On Amazon $150 View On Vivaia.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  3.5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

The minute we slipped the Vivaia Julie Pro Round-Toe Chunky Heels on, we noticed they felt different from typical pumps or strappy sandals. With a roomy toe box and plenty of silky soft cushioning in the footbed, they impressed us right away. We also loved the fit — made from recycled plastic bottles, these shoes have plenty of give that rivals our favorite ballet flats.

During testing, we wore these heels everywhere. From eight-hour days in the office to running around New York City in the rain, they managed to keep us feeling light on our feet (and looking brand new). The thick, almost 2-inch tall block heel also felt incredibly stable, even on cobblestone streets. Just when we thought the Julie had it all, there’s also foam arch support for even more comfort. Another bonus? The brand is a favorite of Naomi Watts, Katie Holmes’, Selena Gomez’, and Scarlett Johansson’s. Even though these heels gave us blisters the first time we wore them, the break-in period ended after the first wear — a fair trade-off for new everyday staple heels, we think.

Size: 5–11 | Material: Plastic bottles, foam, rubber | Heel Height: 1.77 inches | Colors: 11

Best Budget

DREAM PAIRS Pump Sandals

View On Amazon $31 View On Dreampairshoes.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

A glittery, dressy sandal you don’t want to fling across the room at the end of a night out? The Dream Pairs Chunk Low Heel Pump Sandals check every box. During testing, they surprised us with great arch support and a blister-free fit. Considering they’re one of the taller pairs on our list at 3 inches, we were stunned that we didn’t have to break them in.

Dressy but simple, these sleek sandals are ideal for special occasions or brunch with friends. The chunky heel is easy to walk in, and both straps kept our feet firmly in place during test walks. But we did notice that after longer wears, the strap across our toes started to irritate our skin. With 31 colors to choose from and a budget-friendly price point, we love that you can stock up for all occasions.

Size: 5–12 | Material: Vegan leather or suede, latex, rubber | Heel Height: 3 inches | Colors: 31

Best for Work

Margaux The Heel

View On Margauxny.com View On Maisonette.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  4/5
• Quality
  4.5/5
• Support
  4/5
• Value
  4.5/5

The Margaux The Heel gives corporate chic a whole new meaning. We wore these for over ten hours and were floored by how breathable and padded they felt, thanks to five millimeters of foam inside. Even after a long day running up and down multiple flights of stairs, we never wobbled or tripped in The Heel.

These genuine suede and leather pumps are incredibly durable — plus, we love that they have a subtle stripe up the back of the heel. Although they gave us a blister during testing, they still felt fairly comfortable all around. We also like that the Heel comes in nine colors and has one of the widest size ranges on our list, including three widths (narrow- and wide-footed wearers, this one’s for you!). They’re pricier than many of our other picks, but we think the investment is worth it if you’re looking for a new everyday office shoe.

Size: 3–14 | Material: Suede, leather, foam | Heel Height: 2.5 inches | Colors: 9

Best Loafer

Rothy's The Lug Loafer

View On Rothys.com

Our Ratings

• Fit
  4.5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5

Loafers can be one of the most versatile shoes in your closet, and if you’re looking for a pair with a little extra lift, we can’t recommend Rothy’s The Lug Loafer enough. Made from warm Merino wool, these are a great fall or winter basic that can be worn with everything from oversized blazers to chunky sweaters. Meanwhile, the lug sole and 1.5-inch heel provide some extra height without putting too much pressure on the balls of your feet.

They’re on the pricier side, but we instantly felt the extra dollars were worth it when we realized how padded they are inside. Plus, the outsoles have great grip — we never slid across a tile floor or tripped going up the stairs during testing. Like other Rothy’s styles, these loafers can be tossed in the washing machine whenever they start looking a little worse for wear. But we did find that they run a half size small, compared to other shoes we’ve tried from this brand.

Size: 5–13 | Material: Merino wool, plastic bottles | Heel Height: 1.5 inches | Colors: 3

Best Mule

Aerosoles Entree Shoe

View On Amazon $99 View On Aerosoles.com View On Dsw.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  4.5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Sick of blisters cramping your style? Give these modern mules a try. These sandals earned high scores during testing for their simple silhouette and extra padding in the arch and forefoot. With a 2.25-inch block heel, they have a dressy feel but will still fit in at the office or out to lunch.

On test walks, we were worried the wide band would chafe our toes. But we’re happy to report that the Aerosoles Entrée Sandal was a delight to wear from minute one. We also appreciated the textured outsole that kept us from sliding around. Choose from patterned canvas or smooth leather in eight shades — enough for every day of the week (and then some). Just note that, unlike some of our other picks, this shoe doesn’t have any straps or buckles to keep your feet in place.

Size: 5–12 | Material: Faux leather | Heel Height: 2.25 inches | Colors: 8

Best Splurge

Sarah Flint Perfect Pump 85

View On Sarahflint.com $550

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

If you have the budget to splurge on a forever heel, go with the Sarah Flint Perfect Pump 85. The midsole has extra padding you can see and feel, creating a stiletto that’s built for all-day wear. We also love the placement of the heel: It’s positioned directly underneath your heel bone, instead of the back of the shoe. This is key because it distributes your weight more evenly, creating a more comfortable shoe overall, says podiatrist and high heel designer Dr. Mika Hayashi, DPM.

Handcrafted from genuine leather and steel, these pumps pay attention to detail. We did find that the pointed toe box squished our toes together a little bit, but the sensation faded the more we wore them during testing. When you’re looking to invest in a high heel you can wear for years, we highly recommend this timeless style.

Size: 4–13 | Material: Leather, steel, rubber | Heel Height: 3.3 inches | Colors: 20

Best Platform

Larroudé Olivia Platform Pump

View On Larroude.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue $315 View On Revolve

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

When you need a head-turning platform for styling long trousers or micro miniskirts, the Larroudé Olivia Platform Pump is our top pick. With a true-to-size fit, we were delighted to find that these felt ultra-comfortable from the first wear. These Mary Janes have a memory foam insole that more than makes up for their stiff construction. And don’t let the extra-chunky sole scare you off: We found that they feel much lighter than they look during testing.

If you tend to wobble in traditional high heels, a platform like this one can give you extra height without compromising on stability. We also like that the stretchy strap does a great job of keeping the Olivia on and in place all day long. But it’s worth noting that these pumps are pretty pricey — also, we wish the inside of the shoes was lined since the feel of patent leather on bare feet isn’t for everyone.

Size: 5–11 | Material: Knit or patent leather, leather, memory foam, rubber | Heel Height: 4 inches | Colors: 2

Best Strappy

Stuart Weitzman Nearlynude Strap Sandal

View On Stuartweitzman.com View On Zappos $357 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $475

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  3.8/5
• Value
  5/5

Celebrity- and InStyle-favorite brand Stuart Weitzman does it again with the Nearlybare Sandal. If a strappy sandal is your go-to for a night out, your feet will thank you for adding this pair into your rotation. Even though they’re one of the taller pairs on our list, the chunky block heel and high-quality leather construction make them very easy to walk in.

When we compared the Nearlybare Sandal to similar styles from Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin during testing, we found that these were the more comfortable and supportive pair by far. They are pricier than some other heels on our list, and we did have to break them in to get the leather to loosen up. But we think they’re worth considering if you’ve been searching for the perfect sandal.

Size: 3.5–13 | Material: Leather | Heel Height: 3 inches | Colors: 4

Best Espadrille

Castañer Carina Wedge Espadrilles

View On Amazon $140 View On Net-a-Porter $66 View On Shopbop.com $150

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Espadrilles are traditionally summer shoes — but this pair is so comfortable that we’d understand if you wore them all year long. The Castañer Carina Ankle Tie Espadrille Wedge Sandals are made from soft canvas that doesn’t need to be broken in. We also love that the ribbon at the ankle is highly adjustable, for the perfect fit (even when your feet start to swell).

With firm, springy cushioning throughout the entire midsole, these 3.25-inch heels are built for long periods of walking or standing. Plus, the reviews are unbeatable: Kate Middleton is a huge fan of the brand, and one of our testers has worn these espadrilles for ten years because of their solid durability and stability. We wish they came in more than one width, but we can’t deny that the peep heel detail is super cute.

Size: 5–11 | Material: Textile, jute, leather, rubber | Heel Height: 3.25 inches | Colors: 5