Out of balance? - YouLookFab Forum

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Out of balance?

approprio

(website)

Veteran

How did these boots suddenly become so uncomfortable?

I thought perhaps my feet had spread a bit from wearing sneakers throughout lockdown. Also, a lot of my winter footwear is sized up to accommodate boot socks, hence I am used to a looser fit. However, these are premium Italian quality and I’ve had no similar problems with their nearest equivalents.

If the fit was poor, there is no way I would have bought them, let alone wear out the heels… and that’s the clue right there. I’ve had them repaired over lockdown and it looks as though the cobbler has added ±3mm to the heels. It never fails to astonish me how a couple of millimeters can make all the difference, but I know from experience that it does. By way of experiment, I taped cardboard shims to the soles and wore them around the house a little bit. That felt more like the boots I remember.

I’m now entering the realm of precision engineering and I doubt the guys who did the original repair will be able to help me. This is one for the experts. I know who to ask about the shoes, but what about my feet? I’ve seen Angie and others comment on their diminishing tolerance for heels, and of all my semi-formal footwear, these have the highest rise at around 6cm, or 2.5in.

Tell me about your experience with middling heels over the years. Have you given up, or are you persevering?

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

LJP

Veteran

Interesting about the little addition to the heel. I can do 2 inches, but it has to be on a chunky , supportive base. Really though, that ship has sailed for me, both comfort-wise and stylistically. It's no longer as "important" as it once was to have that extra height and I can't really walk as gracefully in heels now. Disclosure : I'm a fair bit older than you .

kellygirl

Veteran

As a matter of fact, I went through my boots this weekend since the weather feels like it's actually really turning to fall. All I've worn for the past two years are sneakers or sandals. My lower heels - Frye 1" heel boots, Ecco combat are fine. Not as comfortable as a sneaker but definitely an 8 hour plus shoe. The higher and I'm talking 2" without platform - Aquatalia, Blondo, dressier Frye boots that I used to wear without pause are not the same. They feel narrower and a little hard to walk in. I didn't think my feet had gotten wider but I think with the heel and the forward pressure, might feel like they have. It's early in boot season for me but they're on notice!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I am definitely noticing some differences in comfort after the “soft shoes” era of the pandemic. In the past week or two, I’ve worn each of these and experienced issues I didn’t have in the past. Eek. I’m not going to be too hasty acting on these, but they’re on notice.

Is it possible to add an extra pad to the sole? I’ve had some added for traction on slippery soles before. If the cobbler can do that and leave the heel as-is, that may help?

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SOREL Addington Lace

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unfrumped

Veteran

Yes- giving up over 1” ( and even a true 1” or so are still for selected events) .
It’s the forward pressure , as noted.

I’m hoping not to shift to what are really “ ugly shoes “, but I’m thinking I’m going to have to have some kind of style shift that really, for sure, takes into account the shoes and maybe leans into the chunky.

My problem is I used to go for delicious leathers and trimmer or low- profile styles, but these are now all too confining. Leather is not off the table- suede especially- but other soft leather as a way to differ from mesh sneakers could work and look more upscale .

DonnaF

Veteran

3 mm is a LOT!!! I think the highest I could ever go was 2.75” in my 20s. Then my tolerance decreased as I got older aka aged. Then, a few years back I developed hallux rigidus in one toe which means that foot won’t even bend. Talk about the last nail in the shoe coffin! I am also noticing that my very flat slides aren’t terribly comfortable. Ugh! .75” to 1.25” seems to be my sweet spot. The good news is that with so many aging Baby Boomers, manufacturers tend to be responsive to our buying power. The bad news is that aging folks cut back on their super consuming at least as far as shoes/clothing.

Roberta

Veteran

I just gave away two pairs of lovely boots that were just too tall for me at 2 inches. That was a sad day. They don't bother my feet, but the tilt affects my back!

I feel lucky to live in an age that no longer requires them for women. Combat boots and rad sneakers for the win!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I haven't tried my heeled boots yet this year (2" at most) but I suspect they will still be okay -- they are a chunky heel and my feet do not like flats -- I need an insole and protection against plantar fasciitis. I completely believe you that a small change in the heel height through a lift could create all kinds of engineering havoc, though. The balance has to be just right or it is ALL WRONG.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

LJP: I don’t exactly need the extra height. I just like it!

kellygirl, Janet, Unfrumped, there seems to be a pattern here!

In the past, with the right fit I’ve done pretty well in heels. So far I’ve taken for granted that my feet were the problem. To begin with, they were not at all happy to be back in any proper shoes. However, the rest of the lower heels all seem to be fine. I’ve yet to try the taller ones…

Roberta, that is very sad! Heels are lovely, but there are plenty of fabulous flats out there. I am vacillating between getting these fixed and consigning them. I could use a pair of dressy loafers, or maybe some calf length boots…

DonnaF, Suz, ain’t that the truth. I may be exaggerating at 3mm, but the heel shim is most definitely thicker that the one they took off.

To be fair, even if I consign them I should get the balance fixed. So off to the cobblers it is.

Style Fan

Veteran

When it comes to footwear, my ship sailed a long time ago. I can only wear orthopedic footwear. So definitely no heels.
I still keep a few pairs of boots and sandals for unknown reasons. I can't part with them.

Runcarla

Veteran

Hmmm…. I’ve always liked lower heeled footwear, in particular a pointy toed dress shoe with a 1/2 to 3/4 inch heel. However, I wore heels (up to 3 inches) until my late 50’s. My feet seem to have gotten thinner, and there’s no natural padding under the forefoot and heel. Also, I am literally out of balance - I have an antalgic gait!

I’ve had some great platform shoes/sandals that were surprisingly comfortable all day footwear, but these days (at 60+) I’m worried about turning an ankle or sustaining a fall!

The highest heel in my closet is 1 inch. Everything else is lower.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Liz, welcome

I have never worn shoes higher than 2.75 inches. And those were SITTING SHOES for formal occasions (once a year). About 15 years ago.

For every day, I use to manage 2 inches. Sometime 2.25 inches. That ship sailed years ago.

Now I wear 1.5 inches as my HIGH HEELS, and they have to be very sturdy heels.

My sweet spot is half an inch to one inch. This is what I wear daily. I bat for Team Flats.

Kate

Veteran

Heeled boots still work for me up to three inches. But I can sure see where 3mm could definitely create an engineering problem.

My problem is padding. My low volume feet seem to have lost some of the little padding they had over the past 6-7 years. Today I put on a pair of oxfords, one of my few pairs of shoes that is narrow enough to suit my foot without having to add insoles to take up space, and found my feet were moving all around inside them. So now, too wide and a bit too hard. I can solve that problem with chunkier shoes (flatforms) and boots by adding full sheepskin insoles—awesome in cooler weather—but they don't work in more refined footwear.

Sloper

Veteran

Not for me anymore. Osteoporosis and severe back issues - I need structure and support - falling NOT allowed.

I had a brief (5 year) and beloved fling with with Rick Owens boots.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I never was one for much of a heel. I get ball of foot pain in almost every pair and even more so the older I get. Once in a while a truly well designed pair can be comfortable but I guess the angle has to be exactly right - thus your experience makes perfect sense to me.

Joy

Veteran

I no longer wear heels, just flats, and not sandals either. Nothing makes the loss of a leg or both worth it. Most of the year I wear loafers or ballet flats or booties. After two or three years they get in comfortable although my feet have not changed. Mostly it is the arch support. Some never are in the right place. I find Fit Flops and Clouds some of the worst offenders. Clarks and most running shoes are also bad for me. Add a sensitive foot top and shoe shopping is a chore. My left foot is a half size larger than the right, so I buy for the left and pad the right.

Bijou

Veteran

My tolerance for heels has diminished since the Covid lockdowns and working from home and not wearing heels as much. I have some heels, and even bought high heels earlier in the year, but have realised that my sweet spot is lowish heels. These are my new favourites!

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Anonymous

My work sandals are about 2 inches, but usually I wear Birks on my days off! Haven't tried my higher heels in a while, since I don't work in the office now, but figure they're sitting shoes.

My platform wedges though are very problematic. Definitely not walking shoes, especially steps. Filed under: things ok in the shop but not great in the real world!

MidwestrnChic

I was the queen of high heels for most of my fashion years when suddenly I found my feet protesting and acting out in the most bothersome ways. I can do a 3" heel for a short period of time for an event, but these days I prefer 1" and 2" is stretching it. It sucks, but onward.

Dee

Veteran

I’ve given up, even low heel shoes can cause problems and if the weight of the shoes is too heavy, more issues.
Most of the time I’m looking for supportive footwear with arch support and a cushioned heel cup, but a lot of the stylish footwear doesn’t even bother with these elements.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I’m intrigued by the stories of sizing up and padding footwear, since this is something I do too. In any case, most of my foot related woes are usually down to socks rather than shoes.

So today I visited the best cobbler in town. The man listened to my story while he examined my boots. He balanced them on the counter, and told me that the heel was not only too high, it was tilting forwards. A double whammy, in other words. No wonder they were killing me. He made a note of what was to be done on the ticket.

These people are master craftsmen. Being the best in town, they have a long lead time. I will not see my boots for another two weeks, but I have high hopes they will be wearable when I do.

Anyway… the secret to a wearable heel is in the heel cup. A really well made pair will balance the foot to tilt the weight just so. I once tried a friend’s towering Louboutins and was astonished at how comfy it was.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I hope the cobbler will be able to work their magic. I'm also wondering though whether a trip to the podiatrist could tell you a little bit more about your current foot needs? I know some places sell custom insoles according to your personal issues.

Before getting your shoes reheeled, take a look at the wear at the heels. Is it even, or does it seem to wear more at the inner or outer corners of the heel? That might give you an insight into whether your over pronate or supinate, for example, so you can buy future shoes/ insoles accordingly.