Does anyone have a really slim/narrow heel and struggle buying shoes and boots?

[KatyMac]

A years decades old problem. Summer isn't to bad as I can wear sling backs, but winter and boots are a nightmare - I hate flopping about in boots particularly

Shop assistants suggest a half inner sole but that just makes my toes cramped and is annoying

Any suggestions for brands or styles to try?

Yes I do. Boots often slip up and down my on my heel, as do shoes. It’s hit and miss really but I tend to find Dune are often quite narrow.

Yep. I don't have a solution though.

Yes and it makes it impossible for me to wear loafers or ballets as they fall off! I live in boots but always lace ups

Yes and I'm sorry but I have no solution to reveal to you! I struggle with sandals, my heels slip about and the balls of my feet hurt. I put heel grips in all my shoes but it's hit and miss whether it works or not. I find Skechers the most comfortable.

How can you wear slingbacks?! They always slip off. I sometimes put boob tape in the backs of shoes, always for slingbacks

Yep, and wide toes, straight across rather than angled, too. I have duck feet. Also a high instep.

I haven't had much(any) luck with actual shoes. Trainer wise, a lot of Nike and On fit me. My boots are increasingly elderly Camel Active that I can't replace. I've just bought a pair of Josef Siebel that seem good though I know they will not last me years and years like my old ones.

LK Bennett's shoes are pretty narrow. They are also quite expensive.

These days post-covid, I wear sock shoes, including a pair of sock boots I just bought. Super comfy. I am not a style icon 😂

Me. I’ve given up on any shoe that isn’t tied to my foot (with straps, not string!). Boots are usually ok because they’re harder to step out of, but I struggle with slingbacks, court shoes, loafers etc. Onitsuka Tigers fit my feet the best as far as trainers go, but they’re expensive. I love ballet pumps with straps, Mary Janes, strappy sandals like Saltwaters that can’t come off.

I only just realised from this thread that I must have narrow feet. That is why I have to have straps and practically bind my shoes to my ankle. Or blisters from the top of the back heel rubbing against my skin. Swimming in my boots.

My feet are not only narrow but also small, size 3.5. It is hard to buy shoes.

I sympathize. For years, I didn't have a problem because I live in the US and narrow shoes are fairly easy to find here. But as I have aged, the front part of my foot has gotten wider, but the heel is just as narrow as ever.

I can't give you any advice as to boots. I live in a warm climate so I don't wear them. My sandals all have adjustable straps, rather orthopedic looking, but a necessity. I can't wear loafers. Slingbacks do work sometimes depending on the range of adjustability on the back strap.

My dressier shoes are Mary Jane's or have an ankle strap. Some Clarks styles work well for me, but then again, definitely not the cutting edge of fashion. But these days, my two main criteria are comfort and keeping the shoes on my feet.

Just to add, I don't know about the UK, but here in the US, Mary Janes are very much in fashion right now. I'm stocking up.

Same, my solution for shoes are Mary-Janes. Sandals I have the adjustable hiking ones with Velcro straps, or for dressy, ones that have a buckle.

Trainers I just try and lace them tight. Boots seem a bit easier, for heels I size down a bit, for flats either lace-ups or Chelsea boots seem ok.

You can get those heel grips for the back of the shoes but they just seem to rub on my heel rather than help.

Hello my people! I echo a PP and recommend Tigers. They feel like slippers! Unfortunately my solution has been expensive shoes (tend to be cut slimmer).

Oh yes wide flat feet, so wide fitting too deep as my feet are shallow!

Always struggled with shoes and boots

Slingbacks work half a size too small and adjustable straps!

But I need boots, I spend my summers in fields & the boots I bought in Roy's fire sale in 2012 have become not waterproof, they still look perfect!! 😥

This summer I got some soft leather lace ups from Pavers which are ok

My feet are small (size 3) and very narrow. I find that LK Bennett shoes and boots fit me well.

Me too. Also massively long feet, so that's a joy.

I live in flip flops or trainers mostly. Fashion boots that you can lace up tight usually stay on.

Idk if this will work for anyone else because they're pretty roomy but I like Blundstones in the regular size (half sizes are wide). I wear them with wool socks and arch supports and my feet feel supported and cushy. I'm not aware of my heels slipping at all and can walk for miles.

I have flipper feet: long, flat with a narrow heel, wider in the toe due to my instep being quite flat now, allowing the toes to splay.

Another long foot here. I'm a 10-10.5 US, with a high-ish arch. I agree with PP about more expensive shoes often working best. Also, I can't comfortably go barefoot anymore, so house shoes are another need I have. I have slide sandals by Merrell that I wear for that. It's a great brand for me; my everyday casual sandals are also Merrells.

My feet are narrow, size 7, very high instep, narrow heels and heel spurs.
Buying shoes and boots has been a nightmare all my life, I have rarely escaped having bleeding blisters from new shoes.
I wear Joself Seibel, sometimes Hotter or LKBennet. I never wear sling backs, heels higher than 5cms or ballet pumps.