After Walking 10,000 Steps, These Are the Most Comfortable Heels I’ve Ever Worn

THE RUNDOWN: Featuring a 3.38-inch stiletto heel, these are the highest heels on our list. They're a simple pair of pumps available in 12 colors, including solid neutrals or fun snake prints.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A pair of classic pumps like these from Naturalizer is a closet staple, in my opinion. The closed toe makes these heels wearable in any season, unlike open-toed sandal heels. I love the chic pointed toe on these heels that look stylish under long trousers or dresses, but it can make your toes feel a bit cramped. Luckily, the shoe comes in half sizes and narrow, standard, and wide options, so you can find your perfect fit. They're even offered in a size 4, great news for those with smaller feet.

Constructed with foam cushioning and targeted support, this sculpted insole is designed to feel pressure-relieving on your feet for maximum comfort. The lining is also breathable, which can help promote airflow and prevent friction from sweat. Amanda Constantine, an analyst in our Textiles Lab, owns these heels and finds them comfortable.

THE RUNDOWN: These heels have a simple style that I've seen in tons of shoes before, but Naturalizer truly got it right. Featuring a 2.5-inch heel, tons of color options, and a sleek ankle strap, these sandal heels are great for the summer.

WHY WE LOVE IT: These heels are cute, simple, extremely comfortable, made with quality materials, and offered at an affordable price point (they're one of the least expensive picks on this roundup!). One of our testers said, "These shoes didn't cause any blisters or cuts, but the bottom of my foot and ankle hurt a bit by the end of the day." So, they may not be the best pick for a long, eight-hour day, but they can be great for an evening event or dinner out. The non-slip outsole keeps your feet stable when walking fast on smooth floors, so you can bust a move on the dance floor.

I love that the simple, classy design of these sandal heels can be worn with a maxi dress to a wedding, a mini dress on a night out, or jeans to dinner. I personally like that there's no backing or heel cup because that tends to cut up my feet, but a skinny ankle strap is not as supportive and stable (which might attribute to our tester's feet aching by the end of the day). The shoes also come in regular and wide sizes, so you can find your perfect fit.

THE RUNDOWN: Featuring a 2.5-inch heel with a 0.5-inch platform, for a total of 3 inches tall, these wedges come in three colors and feature a cushioned sole.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Wedges can help distribute weight, rather than stay just on the heel. The shoes are constructed with a cushioning foam sole and Dr. Scholl's anti-odor insole technology, making them comfortable and great for the summertime when it's hot outside. Our consumer tester shared, "Heels usually hurt my feet, so I loved how comfortable these wedges are. I wore them all day at a birthday party."

These wedges are perfect for summer with the open-toe design and criss-crossed straps. They're also made with a stretchy elastic, which makes it easy to slip the shoes on without fussing over a tiny buckle. Our consumer tester didn't have any issues with the straps, and the elastic should stretch to fit your ankle, but it may not be ideal for you if you like a looser fit around the ankle or if your feet swell.

THE RUNDOWN: Strappy and low to the ground, these kitten heels are a chic option for when you don't want to be in high heels.

WHY WE LOVE IT: These sandals only have a 1.5-inch heel, which is easier to walk in and better for foot health. It can be difficult to find short heels that still look classy and formal enough for big occasions and nights out, but these kitten heel sandals from Margaux have a luxe look that can be dressed up or down. I styled these heels with jeans and a nice top for dinner, but I also plan to wear them with a dress to my friend's engagement party.

As someone with super narrow feet, I am the biggest fan of Margaux shoes because they offer narrow, medium, and wide options. I own three pairs of Margaux shoes, and my feet fit perfectly into all of them. The brand even offers free virtual consults to help you find the perfect size before your purchase.

While these shoes are pricey, Margaux is the type of brand that's worth splurging on for a pair of shoes you'll wear for years and years. Handmade with a genuine leather upper and lining, the heels are designed to mold to the shape of your foot over time. If you're interested in the brand but want a bit more height, check out The Cleo Sandal instead.

THE RUNDOWN: Constructed with flexible upper material and cushioned soles, these heels are perfect for workers who want to wear classy shoes in the office all day.

WHY WE LOVE IT: When I go to the office in NYC, I'm getting in a ton of steps. That means I need comfy shoes, and while I could wear sneakers during the commute, I wanted smart casual heels that were comfortable to walk in on the streets and in the office hallways—and these heels from Vivaia fit the bill. There have been days when I walked over 10,000 steps in these heels, and my feet felt okay.

Above all else, Vivaia designed these shoes to be cushioning and comfortable. The Julie Arch Pro version of these heels adds extra support to your arch with forefoot padding and the brand's honeycomb cushioned insole. They're also made with an elastic knit upper that's flexible and molded to my foot without feeling too tight, and the almond toe is great for those who like the shape of a pointed shoe. Plus, I've always had issues with heels or flats cutting the back of my heel, but the heel padding on these shoes has helped me never get a blister.

Something to note: since they're made with a fabric material, you can't easily wipe them clean, though my black pair still looks fairly new.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: VIVAIA Shoes Review: Are the Trendy Shoes Worth It?

THE RUNDOWN: For maximum comfort, these sandals with a 2.5-inch heel are specifically designed to support your foot.

WHY WE LOVE IT: One of our favorite brands for comfortable shoes, including sandals, flats, and heels, Vionic's shoes are just as functional as they are fashionable, thanks to their orthotic design. The shoes are meant to stabilize your heel, support your arches, cushion the ball of your foot, and overall reduce the amount of pressure on your foot. The ankle strap utilizes a hidden Velcro-like material for easy adjustment.

Constantine owns and frequently sports this style, and is impressed by just how comfy the heels are. She shared, "I normally develop knee pain after just a few hours in heels or platforms, but I forgot I'm wearing heels when I put these on. I love that they're orthotic shoes, but no one would ever know because they're so cute!" While Constantine did not experience any issues, some online reviewers with wider feet mentioned the toe strap was a bit too tight, so be sure to opt for a wide size if you need a roomier fit.

RELATED: Best Walking Sandals for Women

THE RUNDOWN: These platform heels are just under three inches tall, and they're made with either a suede, denim, or linen upper (depending on the color you choose!) with a nappa leather strap and sole.

WHY WE LOVE IT: It's no surprise I found these shoes comfortable: Marion Parke, the founder of the brand, is a podiatric surgeon who also designs footwear. So, she designed the shoes to look good and feel good on your feet with a cushioning sole that adapts to the shape of your foot over time.

I wore these heels all day while going to vineyards with my friends, and I didn't have a single blister, scrape on my ankle, or foot cramp. The crisscross straps didn't bother my feet or toes, and I liked that the ankle strap was able to secure tightly around my narrow feet—although the center of the shoe felt a bit loose. I own these shoes in Chestnut color, which I think pairs perfectly with jeans or a white summer dress.

THE RUNDOWN: Combining a pump with an ankle strap, these clingback heels break up the solid color of the shoe by showing a bit of skin in the heel.

WHY WE LOVE IT: I love a strappy back to a heel because it's less likely to give me blisters, and it adds a bit of interest to a plain pump like this one. The elastic back is stretchy to move with your foot as you walk, and it makes it easy to quickly put on and take off these shoes (as compared to a tiny buckle). Since the back strap is a fabric material, it also won't feel as stiff and uncomfortable on the back of your ankle.

These heels also have extra cushioning in the heel, which makes the stiletto heel feel more comfortable. There aren't a ton of color options or multiple widths available, but the black, navy, and maroon shades are great options. I love the shiny material on these heels, which gives them a fancy look for nighttime events.