Dr. Roxann Clarke was quoted on this subject in InStyle (“The 20 Best Comfortable Block Heels of 2024”, by Jenna Igneri). The advice below is hers, in full.
Heels are not usually the first thing a podiatrist recommends. That does not mean every pair is a mistake. A well-chosen block heel spreads load in a way a stiletto never can, and the difference between a shoe you kick off at 4pm and one you forget you are wearing comes down to about five things.
1. Heel shape matters more than heel height
A broad, square block heel is better than a round or triangular one. The wider the base, the more evenly your weight is distributed, and the less strain lands on any single point of the foot. Two shoes of identical height can behave completely differently depending on the shape of the block underneath.
2. Three inches is the sweet spot
Above roughly four inches, your body weight shifts forward onto the ball of the foot, and it stays there all day. That pressure is what leads to pain at the front of the foot, and over time it contributes to bunions and hammertoes. A block heel does not exempt you from physics. Around three inches gives you the height without the forefoot overload.
3. Cushioning and arch support are not optional
Look for a real insole, genuine arch support, and a heel cup that holds the foot in place. A shoe that lets your foot slide forward with every step is loading the toes on every stride, however good the heel looks.
4. Give your toes room
A snipped toe or a gently squared toe looks sharp and gives the toes space to sit naturally. Narrow, pointed toe boxes crush the forefoot. Some people feel it within hours. Others feel it years later, as a bunion. If you can see the outline of your toes pressing against the upper, the shoe is too narrow.
5. Watch the heel wear, and resole
Look at the heel from behind. If it is worn unevenly, or worn down on one side, the shoe is no longer putting your foot where it should be, and your ankle and knee are compensating for it. Resole them or replace them. A worn heel is a stability problem, not a cosmetic one.
If your feet already hurt
Footwear choice helps prevent problems. It rarely fixes one that has already taken hold. If you have pain at the ball of the foot, a bump forming at the base of the big toe, or toes that are starting to curl, those are structural changes, and they respond much better to early treatment than late.
See our pages on bunions, forefoot pain, and custom orthotics, or our recommended shoe brands. Booking online takes under two minutes.