Feet slipping forward in heeled shoes - YouLookFab Forum

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Feet slipping forward in heeled shoes

elpgal

Veteran

I have a wide forefoot and a narrow heel and have always worn flats. I am experimenting with heeled booties and fine that my feet slip forward in them and make my forefoot hurt. I was considering using an insert, but what kind? And do they work?

For those interested, the styles that I am trying are the Sam Edelman Petty booties, Munro Robyn and Munro Riley so if you have any style-specific feedback, I appreciate that.

http://www.zappos.com/munro-am.....ed-leather
http://www.zappos.com/munro-am.....wn-leather
http://www.zappos.com/sam-edel.....-leather-1

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from Agnes

Ruth M

I'll be interested to hear potential solutions, too.

I have used ball of foot gel inserts in booties, but it was challenging to get my feet into the booties without dislodging the inserts from their position. Plus it was really uncomfortable throughout the 2 hours I wore the booties.

Aquamarine

Veteran

In my experience, you have to play around to find the insert that works best for you. I have tried them all because I have a similar problem. Right now I have several kinds of inserts scattered throughout my shoes. I try not to spend a lot since it's always hit or miss depending on the shoes. However, the problem is so much easier to deal with in the winter with boots/booties since they are way more forgiving of fit issues than shoes or sandals, IMO. Sometimes a thicker sock will take care of the problem too.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I trained myself to walk in high heels a few years ago. Here's what I learned, edited from a post I made to another forum.

The problem with walking on heels is that it shifts your weight by pushing you forward on the balls of your feet, distorting the spine and putting no end of strain on the joints in your toes. You can correct your posture by redistributing your weight onto your heels, which is easier said than done, and usually requires you to buy a really good pair of shoes. However, it can also be accomplished with judicious use of inserts, and a bit of practice.

If you go for the first option, a well made pair of heels should offer good support on the arches, and allow you to put your weight firmly on your heels, preventing you from straining the joints in your big toes. This has the added advantage of promoting a confident gait by balancing your weight, so you won't feel like you're about to fall on your face.

By far the most comfortable heels I have ever owned are a pair of Eamz shoes by United Nude. This style is not for everyone, but they do demonstrate the principle very well. The cantilevered heel supports under the arch, and pivots the foot between the heel and the toe, so they wear like a much lower heel while adding a good four inches to my height. They look mighty fierce too. I've tried on Louboutins and they do the same. If your budget doesn't stretch this fabulous and you prefer something more restrained, another very comfortable heel I wear is the Clarks Anika Kendra pump.

You can achieve a similar result in any heeled shoes with a pair of Insolia inserts. These have the same effect of shifting you backwards on your foot, so that your weight is more evenly distributed. This little video shows how this works. These have worked very well for me when used with a cushioning sole in the toe of the shoe, but apparently they don't work for everyone. This is how I manage to walk in four inches of towering Balenciagas.

Having customized your heels, you should then practice your walk. All depends on posture and core stability, so relax, engage your abs, and stand tall with your spine straight and shoulders back. However, don't expect or plan to walk for miles, because the wearing of high heels is all about display, which means standing around in bars and salons rather than pounding the pavements.

Minnie

Approprio, that was very informative.

I use Foot Petals Tip Toes with heels to keep me from sliding and to cushion the ball of my feet.
http://www.zappos.com/foot-pet.....f=pd_sims_

My dress shoes are usually not roomy enough to add full cushioned insoles and so far I haven't found any that I really like.

Marilyn

Veteran

I also use Foot Petals Tip Toes to prevent sliding forward. I have also used Dr. Scholls For Her Gel Ball of Foot inserts.....they work as well but are sometimes more noticeable than the thinner Foot Petals. It depends on the shoe. Sometimes you have to play around to see what works best.

For booties I always use a full foam type insole. I always make sure the bootie has enough room for an insole. I like the extra cushioning and my foot doesn't slide around.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Aproprio, that is informative!

I would like to try the Insolia inserts.

Elpgal, I am in awe that with your foot shape you manage to wear flats! With a similar shaped foot, I find them next to impossible to keep on (except if they are lace up or have straps across the top). Maybe for me it is a high arch that is the problem? For years I've blamed it on my narrow heels, but maybe that's not the issue? Hmmm.

Ironically, I find heeled shoes (with a low heel, like the ones you reference) to be much, much easier to fit, assuming the fit is good and the last a good shape for my foot. The Munro Robyns are particularly heel-grippy with a last that accounts for narrower heel width (in my experience). But with booties and boots I pretty much expect some heel slippage. At least they stay on my feet, unlike most shoes.

I don't have the problem with ball of foot soreness from this but if there's a lot of looseness I do sometimes put in some kind of insole. Heel grips NEVER work, in my experience. But sometimes an insole in the front will take up some of the extra room or at least provide a bit more cushioning.

Diana

Veteran

Do you have flat feet, Elpgal? I get this problem all the time and it's related more to my flat feet than my narrow heels. My feels often slip out the back but in my experience that doesn't cause the forward sliding.

Although some shoes are just not salvageable, sometimes the combo of a foam insert (the cheap white kind from the drugstore) for padding + a 3/4 arch support (a real, rigid one, like superfeet) to provide arch support can work. I like 3/4 supports because they take up excess room in the back but leave room for my toes. just the foam (or things like foot petals) doesn't really work because it's just treating the symptom (pain) and not the problem (the sliding).

One thing you should be aware of though is that the rigid arch supports do add a bit (the thin superfeet ones add maybe 0.25") of heel lift so your heel may feel sIightly higher. You have to experiment with different inserts to find one that you like. I like the black superfeet linked below, they have a relatively low arch. Higher arches on supports make my own arches ache. I also use a brand called powerstep which has slightly more support but that's more in heavy boots and things.

Superfeet Dress Fit Three Quarter Length Insoles (Women)

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5

Superfeet 'Delux' High Heel Three-Quarter Insoles (Women)

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6

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Hah! I should read the links before posting irrelevant advice! That'll learn me.

Now I see you're looking at quite modest heels. I think the same principle applies though - look for good support that keeps your weight on your heels, or find inserts to do the same.

I can't imagine heel grips fixing the problem. Remember ladies, you can't argue with gravity. It's the law.

Joy

Veteran

I also use the Foot Petals even with a slight heel, to keep my feet from sliding forward. They work and add a bit of padding to the sole without taking up room. I especially like them with open toed shoes because they don't show.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I wanted to echo what Diana said. I have flat feet and feel my feet push forward in *all* my heels, except for the Fluevog Queen Elizabeth Transcendent, which were the first heels that made me understand why some women have no issues with heels! Despite my flat feet, most heels don't offer me enough support in the arch or heel cup, and without the arch support to catch the foot, the foot slips in the toe box. I've tried the inserts that Diana recommends and while I like the support, they negatively affect the fit of the shoe, as the heel cup isn't as deep.

I read an article awhile about about 'optimal' heal height, which was the difference in distance between your heels when you're foot is perpendicular to your leg, and when it is relaxed.

Diana

Veteran

Grad fashionista makes a good point. Rigid arch support inserts will make the heel cup more shallow. In my case, however, this is a good thing because my heels and insteps are super shallow, and I often have problems with shoes hitting too high at the back of the heel, causing blisters. The inserts fix this problem too by taking up some of the heel depth.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Diana, you answered my question, too. I get slippage out the back (heel) NOT forward, which makes sense since I have the opposite of flat feet.

Gradfashionista, I read that article, too. I think Vildy linked to it in link love one time. Fascinating and it made perfect sense for me. I think it said my ideal heel height is 2 to 2.5 inches -- which is absolutely spot on for me! I feel most comfortable in shoes of that height. I can go as low as 3/4 of an inch, or as high as 3, but that's only in a really good shoe.

I also want to stress that when you find a brand whose last fits your foot well, the difference in comfort is almost shocking. For me, La Canadienne is such a brand, at least on the basis of the two boots I own from them. I put on those and I don't even know I am wearing heels. I only wish they were not so darned expensive, or I would own more.

Gigi

Veteran

I agree that you have to play around with inserts, because one kind will work well for one shoe while another kind works well for another. I have used SuperFeet and Foot Petals. I also really like the Holiday insert from Pedag. It doesn't take up a lot of space in the shoe, especially at the toes, and it is not as rigid as the SuperFeet.

http://www.amazon.com/Pedag-Ho.....B001E6U0C2

ElleH

Veteran

Your foot sounds similar to mine & I find the Petty's too narrow. The heel is very low so I don't think it is the angle causing you to slide. They are just too narrow. The problem with inserts for me is they take up too much room in the toe box for my wide forefoot so they may not work for you. I try to find wider shoe styles & I size up in boots & oxfords because they stay on when too big. I also buy heels with ankle straps for the same reason.

Donna J

Member

I found a pair of silicone/gel innersoles worked best for me to keep my feet where they need to stay - these ones start at the heel and continue under the arch, finishing at the ball of the foot. They don't move around like some others do. I have no idea of the brand as they were in one of those "impulse packs" at the store counter, sorry, but worth hunting for.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have wide forefeet and narrow heels, plus a high instep. I also have short toes which means I easily get the foot-sliding problem. I am another devotee of Superfeet. Instead of stopping slipping on your forefoot with pads, these work by providing proper support for your heel and instep, which prevents the foot from slipping out of its proper and rightful position. I wear the 3/4 insole Diana mentions, as well as the green high performance insole. The blue insole is similar to the green one except it is made for a lower instep.

I love my Superfeet insoles. I shoe shop with them. If a shoe doesn't accommodate my insoles properly, I won't buy it. The 3/4 insole leaves enough room for my instep. The green high performance does not, although I can wear it with lace up sneakers. The black 3/4 insole is my favorite insole, even with flat shoes. I am wearing mine right now.

Superfeet 'Delux' High Heel Three-Quarter Insoles (Women)

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6

Superfeet 'Performance Green' Insoles (Women)

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Superfeet 'Active Blue' Insoles (Women)

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3

elpgal

Veteran

Ruth: I have had luck with other inserts in sports shoes

Aquamarine: Agree re. booties being more accomodating. The Munro Riley also come in a Mary Jane style that I dare not attempt.

Approprio: That is very interesting information. I have stayed away from heels for postural issues, but I have gone up a dress size which makes my proportions very squatty in trousers. I figured I would try the age-old figure flattery via heels. When I was fitted for running shoes, they custom molded a pair of insoles for me to try with various shoes but I found them a bit too conforming for comfort. They were also $70+ per pair, so I didn't purchase them.

Minnie, Marilyn & Joy: Thanks. The Munro Riley's have a lot of room, so I hope they can accomodate an insole.

Suz: Sorry, I was not clear. The flats I wear are not ballet flats or pumps. They simply won't stay on my feet. I mostly wear Birkenstocks, some MJ styles from Keen, the ocassional Jambu and Camper sandals and that's it. Shoes and I just don't get along

Diane: I have pie feet with very high arches. The only folk who envy my feet are the barefooters at my yoga studio who are surprised my feet are naturally like this. I walk right out of ballet flats. I also have thin ankles so my feet swim in sizes that can accomodate my toes. Interestingly enough, shoes with an in built high arch hurt my arches perhaps due to a shape incompatibility. I recall the Munro Jerri(sp?) flats worked well for you. I could barely get my toes to fit in the W or WW. I had a pair of Superfeet I used for a pair of oxfords, I'll have to look and see if I still have them.

GF: Thank you for that tidbit. I come up with less than an inch which sounds about right to me.

Gigi: Thanks for that recommendation. I don't believe I have come across a leather insole before.

ElleH: You are right, I don't think it is the angle. These heels are pretty low and on a size 9 foot, the incline is steep at all.. What brands/styles do you find work well for you. I did try the Okala ankle strap pumps. Fit well in the forefoot, but I can't handle such a high heel. They would be strictly standing shoes unless I mastered Approprio's techniques.

Donna: Thank you, I saw some in Target that were similar today. Dr. Scholl's, I think.

Cocolion: Thanks for the recommendation. I didn't relize the Superfeet worked differently. I was fitted with Superfeet insoles at REI several years ago. I don't remember what the rationale was but I think they may be the black 3/4 ones.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. Those Superfeet things look promising to me. Thanks, Denise, and thanks Elpgal for raising the question and I hope you find a solution!

Agnes

Try a product called shoestix, just had a sample from them, brilliant, they worked. Shoes stayed on, comfortable and absolutely no slipping.