The 13 Most Comfortable Heels for Your Next Trip, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

DREAM PAIRS Pump Sandals

$32 at Amazon View on Dreampairshoes.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Imagine stepping into the perfect pair of heels that blends comfort and style, and most importantly, doesn’t break the bank at under $50. We love that these heels come in more than two dozen color choices — ensuring an option for every occasion — and 18 sizes, including wide fits. Above all, we found that we were able to skip the dreaded breaking-in period and after six months, the heels still felt high quality. The suede material holds up well, and the three-inch chunky heel gives just enough height without torturing your feet during a night out. They’ll even help you pack less since they work for so many different events, from destination weddings and nice dinners to business trips. These shoes bring a modern yet classic feel to any outfit, recommended for anyone who wants a pair of reliable, timeless heels in their closet.

The Details: 3-inch heel | Suede | Sizes 5 to 12

Best for Business Trips

Nine West Kuna Pointy Toe Pumps

$74 at Nordstrom View on Ninewest.com $99 at Macy's

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  4.8/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  4.5/5
• Value
  5/5

The last thing you want to happen when you’re traveling for work is to be stuck with a pair of uncomfortable shoes for several days. That’s why we found the perfect heels that you can reliably bring on any business trip and conquer the day, and the secret is in the kitten heel (which has made a total comeback, by the way!). Despite initial concerns, the extreme pointed toe didn't compromise the true-to-size fit during testing. We found that the shoes offered comfort and mobility, with the kitten heel providing just enough arch support without pressure on the knees. We were also impressed with the quality with details like the suede leather and cushioned insole.

The Details: 2.44-inch heel | Suede | Sizes 4 to 13

Best Pump

Calvin Klein Larin Pump

$66 at Amazon $40 at Nordstrom $67 at Zappos

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  4/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  3.5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Not only are these shoes the most comfortable pumps on our list, but they’re also one of our favorites with a pointy toe. We love the support and comfort this pair provides, although they caused some pinching and chafing after extended wear, especially in hot weather. The classic and pretty aesthetic make it a dress shoe that won’t go out of style, and the thinner heel makes it easy to throw into a bag and travel with.

The Details: 3-inch heel | Leather | Sizes 5 to 11

Best Espadrille

Castañer Carina Wedge Espadrilles

$95 at Amazon $140 at Zappos View on Net-a-Porter

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Our T+L team member praised this pair of espadrilles as “the valedictorian of heels” and wished all of her shoes felt this comfortable — even her best pair of flats! We love that the canvas material and adjustable straps make this pair comfortable from the first wear, with a solid yet bouncy feel, no rubbing or chafing, and excellent arch support. The wrap-around design allows for breathability, which is crucial if you’re traveling to warmer or tropical climates such as Spain (and you'll fit right in in the birthplace of espadrilles). Plus, the rubber lining on the bottom prevents slipping.

The Details: 4-inch platform | Cotton canvas & braided fabric on the heel | Sizes 6 to 11

Best Block Heel

Franco Sarto Linley Slide Sandal

$77 at Amazon $90 at Zappos View on Francosarto.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Fit
  4.5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Come for the cute and modern design, stay for the amount of comfort you’re getting with this pair. When trying this pair on for the first time, we noticed initial tightness across the toe strap, but the shoes stretched out over time, becoming more comfortable. This Franco Sarto pair is easy to walk in, is breathable, and lacks slipping issues we sometimes see with slides. We credit them with good arch support, thanks to a well-mimicked arch design and quality cushioning. The thick block heel has a modern design and feels balanced and steady. Despite some creasing, the shoes maintained their high-quality appearance throughout wear with consistent stitching. Overall, these shoes are a great way to dress any outfit up or down without the typical pain associated with heels.

The Details: 2.44-inch heel | Faux leather | Sizes 5 to 12

Best Platform

Larroudé Olivia Platform Pump

$315 at Saks Fifth Avenue $174 at Revolve

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

You know how the old saying goes: don’t judge a shoe by its chunky platform heel. While the combined height and bulk of this pair may look intimidating, we found these pumps to be completely walkable. The shoes didn’t require a break-in period; wearing them for the first time is more about acclimating to walking in a platform heel and learning how they respond to your movements. We were happily surprised that despite the patent leather material, we experienced no blisters or chafing, even without socks on. The most notable feature that contributes to the comfort of these shoes is the thick and durable yet stretchy elastic next to each buckle on the strap, providing enough room for your foot to push forward with each step. Overall, we gave these shoes a perfect score thanks to their sturdiness, high-quality construction, genuine leather material, and seasonal versatility.

The Details: 4-inch heel; 2-inch platform | Patent leather | Sizes 5 to 11

Best Splurge

Sarah Flint Perfect Pump 85

$550 at sarahflint.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  4.5/5

The Sarah Flint Perfect Pump 85 is the most expensive recommendation on our list, but we consider it a worthy investment, justified by the handmade Italian craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and overall comfort. The gorgeous and well-constructed design is complemented by comfort-driven features like anatomical arch support and extra footbed padding. Typical for a pointy shoe style, these shoes will initially feel snug but will stretch in width with wear. At the time of publish, there are 22 styles available, so there are plenty of options for various tastes or any occasion you may be traveling for.

The Details: 3.3-inch heel | Suede | Sizes 4 to 13

Best Strappy

Stuart Weitzman Nearlynude Strap Sandal

$414 at Zappos View on Stuartweitzman.com $475 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  3.8/5
• Value
  5/5

This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime pair of heels that you will buy and own forever. We deemed these shoes true to size and found that they require a brief break-in period for the initially stiff leather material that will soften with time. The leather material both looks and feels durable but soft, and the soles and hardwear look and feel hardy, too. We even tested out a white pair, and found that it didn’t scuff, scratch, or stain at all throughout wear. Another bonus: we thought these shoes were way more comfortable and supportive than similar strappy heels that we own from other high-end designers. The price tag is justified by the high-end, premium feel and excellent quality, making them a recommended investment for those seeking designer strappy heels.

The Details: 3.2-inch heel | Leather or suede | Sizes 4 to 13

Best Everyday

Vivaia Round-Toe Chunky Heels

View on Vivaia.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  3.5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  4/5
• Value
  5/5

If you’re packing for a trip and only have room for one pair of shoes, let it be these Vivaia mid-size heels. The second we slid these shoes on, we knew they would be comfortable for all-day wear, thanks to the silky soft quilted cushioning in the footbed, the padded back heel, and the round toe design that leaves enough space for toe movement. They run true to size, accommodating wide feet without size adjustment. The materials feel high-quality, and the thick block heel adds ankle security. The shoes maintain a high-end and premium appearance, even after exposure to inclement weather and on uneven surfaces like cobblestones.

The Details: 1.77-inch heel | Natural Artemisia Argy and PU foam insole; rubber outsole | Sizes 5 to 11

Best Value

Soda Open Toe Block Heel

$27 at Amazon

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

There are a lot of reasons why we gave these sandals a perfect score, but the thing we love most is that they can fit in anyone’s budget. With 17 color options to choose from, this pair of shoes are great for anyone looking for comfortable, versatile, and affordable heeled sandals. Little to no break-in period was needed. The smooth, thick straps caused no discomfort during testing, even in humid weather, allowing easy and comfortable walking on various terrains for extended periods — which is perfect for exploring new places while staying fashionable.

The Details: 2.75-inch sandal; 1.5-inch platform | Imitation suede, nylon camouflage, man-made leather | Sizes 5.5 to 11

Best Wedge

Vionic Bonita Wedge Sandal

$49 at Nordstrom $140 at Zappos

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  4.5/5
• Fit
  4.5/5
• Quality
  4/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

For those who typically avoid heels, these strappy wedges offer surprising comfort and versatility. Perfect for various occasions, the sandals impressed with their soft straps, providing a snug yet comfortable fit. We thought these had great arch support and proved easy to walk in; we felt perfectly steady even when walking across uneven ground and a variety of surfaces at a wedding, including grass, wood floors, carpet, cement, stone, gravel and polished cement.

The Details: 3.75-inch platform | Suede/leather | Sizes 6 to 11

Best Mule

Aerosoles Entree Shoe

$75 at Amazon View on Aerosoles.com View on Dsw.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Fit
  5/5
• Quality
  4.5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

This pair of mules stands out for their exceptional comfort, featuring great arch support, high-quality construction, and cushioning in the soles. They’re ideal for office wear, happy hours, commuting, and daytime activities. We especially noticed how compact they are and easy to throw into a bag for an overnight trip. It’s always a plus when shoes won’t take up too much room in your luggage. True to size, the shoes are easy to walk in and boast a thick toe strap that didn’t cause us to chafe during testing. The heel is just over 2 inches, providing stability, while the open-toe, open-back design adds breathability.

The Details: 2.25-inch heel | Faux leather | Sizes 5 to 12

Best Loafer

Rothy's The Lug Loafer

View on Rothys.com

Our Ratings

• Fit
  4.5/5
• Comfort
  5/5
• Support
  5/5
• Value
  5/5
• Quality
  5/5

These heeled loafers from Rothy's offer a chic and versatile option for various occasions, ranging from brunch to work and dinner. The 1.5-inch heel provides a perfect balance of wearability and style, and the shoes boast high-quality construction. Our feet and arches felt incredibly supported by the shoes during testing, with padded insoles and excellent grip and traction making them suitable for various weather conditions. As one of the higher prices on this list, these loafers are considered a splurge, but the features make them worth the investment — they’re even machine-washable. We love that you can wear these shoes for all seasons, making them an instant staple for your travels.

The Details: 1.5-inch heel | Merino wool and recycled plastic bottles | Sizes 5 to 13