Problems Wearing High Heels

[Guest Roberta-Belinda]

I adore wearing High Heel shoes but haven't worn them for four years due to foot problems. I have encountered terrible heel pain after wearing them which has caused me a lot of discomfort when walking in male mode. I have been wearing low heels ever since, they are very nice and make me look petite especially with my favourite black skirt and tan tights. However, I do miss the glamour of high heels is there anything I can do to prevent the foot pain. I am spending lot of time en femme at weekends at the moment, I am afraid that lengthy cd sessions would bring back the heel problems if , I returned to high heels.. Should I just stick to flat shoes. Any help you ladies can give me will much appreciated.

I am a uk size seven in mens shoes and also wear Size Sevens in Womens shoes. Should I go up a size in ladies shoes., I must admit my feet do feel a little cramped when I squeeze into my shoes. This is a problem I should have ironed out years ago, given the fact that I have been dressing en femme since I was twelve, but now I am on Lauras I feel I need some sound advice..

[Guest nomnomnom]

Male or female, high heels were never the most comfortable or practical form of shoes!

the smaller size will generally just hurt your toes, imo. I can only suggest using the soft cushion stick ins "party feet" (at least, that's the popular brand in Australia). My ex uses them and it makes a big difference for her.

[VickySGV]

Here in the US, you go up 2 sizes generally for womens shoes. That might be a starting point. Rounder or square toes are also a better bet for us with higher heels, but use the +2 factor (IE in the sizes you mention a women's 9 is what you need). For open toed shoes, probably only a single size up will be ok. That is for all your shoes. I do not like HIGH heels just on general principal, but a one or two inch heel is fun, and you can get those with some thicker heels that feel good. Go to a shoe store and get the try on nylon peds stockings, and just try on a pair. Do increase your women's shoe size, or if you really must, go to a web-site that custom makes high heels in men's sizes, but they are VERY expensive.

[Guest Kate_Evelyn]

are the back digging into the back of your heels? heels are supposed to be a bit snug. they will fall of your feet. and yes the are not comfortable at all, but they sure make your leegs look longer.

[Guest Roberta-Belinda]

are the back digging into the back of your heels? heels are supposed to be a bit snug. they will fall of your feet. and yes the are not comfortable at all, but they sure make your leegs look longer.

Yes they do dig into the back of my heels

[VickySGV]

Buy a larger size!! Too much dig is too short shoe.

[Guest Roberta-Belinda]

Here in the US, you go up 2 sizes generally for womens shoes. That might be a starting point. Rounder or square toes are also a better bet for us with higher heels, but use the +2 factor (IE in the sizes you mention a women's 9 is what you need). For open toed shoes, probably only a single size up will be ok. That is for all your shoes. I do not like HIGH heels just on general principal, but a one or two inch heel is fun, and you can get those with some thicker heels that feel good. Go to a shoe store and get the try on nylon peds stockings, and just try on a pair. Do increase your women's shoe size, or if you really must, go to a web-site that custom makes high heels in men's sizes, but they are VERY expensive.

Thanks for the advice. I will take it on board. The advice about open toed shoes is also helpful as I do like wearing open toed sandals.

[Guest]

I agree with others - it must be the shoe size.

I can wear heels all day, the front pads of my feet get sore from the pressure, and my knees and hips are painful the next day. But never heels. With high heels, I get size 11 which is a size smaller than I would wear for flats, and sometimes even wear 10's. But, that's just me.

BTW I do envy your size 7. All of my flats look like pontoon boats!

Love, Megan

[Guest Guest_]

Roberta: You stated that you are having heel pain. I had the same problems and went to the podiatrist and his advise was to stretch my calf muscles, by doing toe raiises. It certainly helped me with my heel pain. I hope this helps. Love Amber L.

[Guest rikkicd64]

What helped me was to get fitted with the right size to fit my feet, then buying a good brand,quality shoe. I wear heels all day long with no pain,but they cost $200.00 also.

Rikki.......

[Guest sarajayne]

hi Roberta

I would advise you go for a uk size 8 shoe probably with a not too excessively high heel (2 1/2" to 3"). I would think a UK size 9 would be too big. It is equally important to ensure you get a comfortable width fitting so that your foot fits fully into the shoe. There is a big difference in width fittings between different manufacturers. I am also in the UK and have found that K shoes and Val Dal are that bit wider and more comfortable. Also you could try shoes from 'Wider fit' or 'Hotter' if width is a problem. I think most of us find wearing very high heels for long periods of time result in tired feet. I normally wear flatties or kitten shoes for work and wear my higher heels when out socially.

Good luck

Sarah

[Guest MichellePetite]

Hi Roberta,

I have an exercise that works for me, but first I must put this caveat at the front for the health and safety aspects. As with everything one must exercise due care and attention to avoid injury in exercising, that I part I leave to you as I cannot control your actions.

Try this exercise to stretch your calf muscles and importantly the tendons,

on a step stand with feet together, testicles of your feet on the step and your heels off so you are facing up the step. Then let your heels drop slowly down about an inch or so then slowly raise your body back up level. If you start with a low step up of a couple of inches or so one can have one's heels on the floor at the full stretch part of the exercise this is recommended to avoid over stretching - snapped tendons are no joke! - don't over do it and over time it should increase the necessary muscle strength to help overcome the change in posture and the centre of balance inherent in wearing highs. The most important aspect is to take care one wears footwear that is kind to your feet........ but those high heels are soooo pretty! (when partying or out and about have a good swanky pair of trainers in your bag, and tell everyone it's a fashion statement when you use them for walking any distance and for respite!) LnK M

[Guest]

I Love heels and wear them as much as I can. When I am not wearing shoes I walk tippy toe anyway. When I step into heels, it is just my natural step. Maybe give that a try around the house in your free time. Practice, practice, practice. I won't come in the first day, but in a few. Just my $.02 Hug. JodyAnn

[Guest Emma Leigh]

Mmmmm I must be lucky I dont have a problem with wearing heels...mine are very comfy..having said that I tend to go for 3 inch heels..nothing radical....though of course it could be down to not having testicles on my feet...eek

[Guest Lori Brady]

Emm is always pushing the envelope,,,fashion wise

Mmmmm I must be lucky I dont have a problem with wearing heels...mine are very comfy..having said that I tend to go for 3 inch heels..nothing radical....though of course it could be down to not having testicles on my feet...eek

[Guest LauraJen]

Mmmmm I must be lucky I dont have a problem with wearing heels...mine are very comfy..having said that I tend to go for 3 inch heels..nothing radical....though of course it could be down to not having testicles on my feet...eek

:-) the testicles thing is an unfortunate consequence of the word filter on this site. The poster meant "b alls of the feet", without the space. We have been talking about that recently in another thread.

[Charlize]

The word filter sometimes can be difficult but more often seems so funny. I wondered for a second what part of the foot that was. Then just a smile when i did the translation into non filter talk.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest Clair Dufour]

High heels are hard for even women to spend a lot of time on or walk long distances. In walking cities like NY or London, many wear lower shoes even sneakers when on the Subway or Tube and change when they get to their destination. It also helps to keep your legs use to heels. Wearing Cowboy boots or Flamenco shoes in guy mode helps plus gives you a bit of a girl walk. Also, dance shoes can be almost as high but much more solid and hold the feet better. Custom made crossdressing shoes usualy have extra reinforcement in them to handle the extra weight.

[Guest Eve Caillard]

Like Roberta-Belinda I adore high heels but my left foot recently started getting a kind of 'electric shock' sensation from heel to toe when I wear anything over 2 inches. Under that is no problem, but higher then it's like a cattle-prod under my foot. I'm pretty good with fit - when shoes or boots are too big I use in-soles and they are great. But not even these can cure the pain in my foot. I expect there is a nerve being irritated somewhere. I don't have any problems on the heel itself, all the pain is on the sole of my foot. But I will suffer some pain for the glamour of high heels! That said - I tend to wear flat-heeled ladies' boots a lot of the time.

[Guest Roberta-Belinda]

Good news ladies, I bought a pair of size 8 court shoes with they fit fine, the heels are not that high but high enough to make me look and feel glam with my new lovely new pencil skirt and a new green top that is so pretty it made me want to cry. Many thanks for your advice and help it is appreciated.

Love and Hugs

Roberta-Belinda.

[Guest LauraJen]

Excellent :-) the shoes sound lovely and that outfit sounds great. I am glad that you have been able to find a pair that you like and can wear!

[Guest Roberta-Belinda]

Thanks Laura-Jen, the outfit is fab, I can honestly say I have had the time lf my life.

[Guest KatyDesire]

Eve, it sounds like you may be trapping a nerve between two bones in your foot. In turn, this may mean that you are putting excessive strain on your foot. I would really advise you strongly to see an orthopedic surgeon about it, or at least a good podiatrist. You really don't want to end up needing surgery.

Hugs.

[Guest Eve Caillard]

Hi Katy

Urgh - thanks! That's a bit scary. Since it only occurs in higher heels I will stick to lower ones and avoid the doctors. In the UK our first port of call is a General Practitioner (free). I can't see the others without spending big wads of money unless the GP refers me. My GP already sees enough of me, so I don't want to add to the range of issues I'm already seeking her help on! So I think I'll manage it now. But if it starts affecting me on flat shoes I'll take up your advice. Thank you!

Hugs

Eve

[Guest MichellePetite]

Hi all,

I think the following is a bit of a cheat, but bear with me. I have long been meaning to correct the auto correct that mangled my post and made it seem as if I was advocating that in order to more easily wear high heels one should carry out and exercise which involved standing on one's testicles! since discussed in a topic under 'the inappropriate use of auto correct in words' so here it is....

Hi Roberta,

I have an exercise that works for me, but first I must put this caveat at the front for the health and safety aspects. As with everything one must exercise due care and attention to avoid injury in exercising, that I part I leave to you as I cannot control your actions.

Try this exercise to stretch your calf muscles and importantly the tendons,

on a step stand with feet together, b a lls of your feet on the step and your heels off so you are facing up the step. Then let your heels drop slowly down about an inch or so then slowly raise your body back up level. If you start with a low step up of a couple of inches or so one can have one's heels on the floor at the full stretch part of the exercise this is recommended to avoid over stretching - snapped tendons are no joke! - don't over do it and over time it should increase the necessary muscle strength to help overcome the change in posture and the centre of balance inherent in wearing highs. The most important aspect is to take care one wears footwear that is kind to your feet........ but those high heels are soooo pretty! (when partying or out and about have a good swanky pair of trainers in your bag, and tell everyone it's a fashion statement when you use them for walking any distance and for respite!)

LnK

Michelle