High heels hurt the ball of my feet - any relief ideas?

[Leah2005]

I'm not even talking particularly high heels. The balls of my feet get very painful and blistered. I generally don't wear them but would like to for evenings out. I can manage to get from car to restaurant but walking more than a few minutes kills me. Does anyone have any recommendations for an insole perhaps? (party feet gels don't help much). I feel like I need something to stick to the bottom of my foot to provide cushioning.

I was always under the impression that a bit of a heel is good for your feet/posture and totally flat shoes aren't great for you.

I find that extremely unlikely. Humans didn't evolve to wear shoes. I seriously doubt our posture is better than when we were running around, hunting and gathering barefoot. Animals don't need to wear shoes to walk properly.

@PurplePansy05

I would really love more posters to answer OP's question rather than explaining to her and some of us upteen times why not to wear heels and how dated they are. I am pretty sure we get it. Please note we still want to wear them sometimes and that's our choice Thank you.

I look for to more practical tips

Hell yeah!

Is this Style and Beauty, or Masochists in search of Magic Beans?

If the OP was - as it would seem by her shirty responses - just exaggerating her pain massively in her opening post, then there are practical solutions, as presented. Gel insoles, etc.

If she was not exaggerating, then she is in for a hell of a nasty shock if she ignores the posters who have said, from experience, stop wearing heels - that cause you pain after a few minutes walking. Which was her stated problem.

Shoes that properly fit are the key - in heels or ballet flats (which are really bad for your feet as well if they don’t fit properly).

Especially as a half size. It’s an absolute game change when you find a style and brand that fits and supports your foot properly.

@mynameiscalypso

I was always under the impression that a bit of a heel is good for your feet/posture and totally flat shoes aren't great for you.

That’s completely untrue - the shoes are the best for your feet are the ones that interfere the least with your foot’s natural shape and movement. So flat, wide at the toes and not rounded/pointed at the big toe, and a flexible sole. No need for any kind of support in healthy feet either - your feet have muscles for that!

@lazylinguist

I was always under the impression that a bit of a heel is good for your feet/posture and totally flat shoes aren't great for you.

I find that extremely unlikely. Humans didn't evolve to wear shoes. I seriously doubt our posture is better than when we were running around, hunting and gathering barefoot. Animals don't need to wear shoes to walk properly.

A bit of a heel is better than a lot of the cheap crap flats that are all the rage

We don’t need shoes, but as soon as we put shoes on it stops the foot being complete natural and therefore they should support properly.

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

NHS Podiatrist who spends all their working days trying to advice , prevent and ultimately repair .

Do yourself a huge favour and stop wearing them.
Your feet are complex structures that work bloody hard .
Think what they go through each step and I'll bet the farm your toebox is narrower than your weightbearing foot /toes ., so your toes ae compressed /overlapped . It's why we don;t wear clear shoes . Nobody would if they see what happens to your feet .

Would you continually jam your hand in the door and think "Oh that hurts" but keep doing it . Nope . ( I would hope )

@70isaLimitNotaTarget can I be cheeky and ask a question please? I get a burning feeling on the ball of my foot whenever I walk a long way even in waking boots/ shoes. All fit well and are comfy for about 5 miles, then the burn starts. I tried to do some research on this and read it is common if your big toe is smaller than the next (which is true of me). Does this mean anything to you, and any suggestions to resolve/prevent please?

We don’t need shoes, but as soon as we put shoes on it stops the foot being complete natural and therefore they should support properly.

Yes, although having had plantar fasciitis, I find that what helps is having support across the whole bottom of the foot, not having a raised heel. Having a raised heel reduces stretch and flexibility in the achilles and calf.

Another vote for platforms - the 'raise' on the actual heel can be very slight, especially if you go for a wedge, but the overall platform still adds those vital inches. I'm 5'4 but have relatively short legs. I don't care if heels are no longer in fashion.

For evening wear, these can help - but they're not designed for mile long hikes.

I find the ball of the foot rubbing depends on the shoe. Do you wear stockings with your shoes? They help reduce friction, just like socks.

I got terrible, terrible blisters on the balls of my feet from flat, non dress boots and socks. Took the horse for a stroll up the road in riding boots - not a good idea. It was so bad I had to walk on the sides of my feet. A good set of heels has never done that to me.

Just saw you mentioned cheap shoes wrecking your feet - yep, they do that. You can get away with cheap flats, but IME you need mid priced or better for heels. They probably have a better lining, which would make sense.

This thread has made me think of the many nights out spent hobbling around in agony in ridiculous stiletto heels. I had a pair when I was about 16 very much like the ones in the photo I've attached. I used to use the party feet gel cushions, the ones that were adhesive were quite good but the others were awful.

I can't believe I used to let nights out be ruined by being so bloody uncomfortable, I'd never do that now. I love that things are a bit more casual these days- DM's all the way for me.

@lumosSolem oh god I've never been able to wear anything like that! I was a biker in my younger years and spent my youth in DM 's or bike boots. I thought this may be why I haven't built up tolerance! My high heels are from Clarks and are probably 2 (maybe 3 at v most) inches and definitely not stiletto

I started shopping at a podiatrist owned shoe shop. For me even flat shoes hurt unless the toe box is wide enough. By going to someone who really knows feet and how to help your feet fit. She even will.machine of insoles to get the right fit.

@Leah2005 way more sensible than me then- I came to DM's (well, Solovairs) way too late in life! I wish I'd worn them as a teen when going out, instead of those ridiculous stilettos. So many nights spent uncomfortable and unable to walk properly.

I'm 33 now and would never wear such ridiculous shoes again! It's not just the height but the complete lack of support to any part of the feet!

I'd always had problems wearing heels until I followed a tip from someone and bought dance shoes (Latin style). I had to have them resoled as they had suede bottoms but they are perfect and very comfortable.

@lumosSolem my footwear choices were sensible. Not so sure about other lifestyle choices at that time

Flat shoes - high heels are ageing and look old fashioned

Google Pedag or Dasco insoles and choose something appropriate.

These shoes are amazing - they are ergonomically designed but if you like to wear heels, they feel so comfortable and get many compliments. sargossa.com/

Also size up rather than down - many celebs wear 2 sizes up for heels

OP sorry just saw you are wearing Clarks. I have donated almost brand new shoes from there - they are terribly hard on feet these days, I can’t even wear wedges and flats from there.

Who doesn't love a pair of Fuck Me Shoes 😁

Throat spray relieves the pain for a little while.

I haven’t tried this and have always meant to; my cousins used to buy stilettos and get the cobbler to chop an inch off the heel, to make them more comfortable while still getting their party shoes. This is starting with 4 inch heels though.