These Podiatrist-Designed Shoes Are So Comfortable, They Made Me Want to Wear Heels Again

Can't stand high heels? This pair offers comfort without sacrificing style.

I've been running around New York City in heels for over 17 years. All the while, my mom, who suffers from plantar fasciitis, has been begging me to take care of my feet. "You need shoes with an arch and some support!" my mom repeats every time I complain that my feet hurt. As I inch closer to 40 years old, I've realized that my mom is almost always right. And after a few years spent in cozy slippers and comfy sneakers during remote work and back-to-back maternity leaves, taking caring of my body, especially my feet, is becoming more of a priority.

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I recently found a dusty pair of Jimmy Choos under my desk. I slipped on the glittery wrap-ups and took all but five steps before I flung them off and returned to my faithful flats. I looked around the office and realized I wasn't alone in not wanting to wear heels. A few years ago, most of the staff marched around in heels. Now, coworkers and I all agree that we couldn't get past feeling uncomfortable, even in the name of fashion. I recently cleaned out my closet and tried on my old go-to office heels, and one after one, I tossed them into the donation pile. Just as I thought that my days of wearing heels were over, I found a pair that changed everything.

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I was sent a pair of Joan Oloff Desiree heels , and I immediately fell in love with how beautiful they were. I'm obsessed with the two-toned, gold-and-white color scheme and the T-strap design, which makes my extremely narrow foot feel secure. I tried them on, expecting to wince after a few steps, but to my delight, they were incredibly comfortable. I did a double-take at the logo and Googled the brand. Turns out, the comfy heel was designed by someone who knows a whole lot about feet—a podiatrist.

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Designer Joan Oloff comes from a long line of shoe experts. Her grandfather owned a shoe store, which her dad eventually took over. She worked there before eventually becoming a podiatrist, where she spent years treating patients who damaged their feet from wearing high heels. So she set out to design a line of shoes that were sexy yet sensible. What sets her shoes apart, they provide support, shock absorption, and even weight distribution, so not all of the pressure falls on the ball of your feet, one of the contributing factors to sore feet.

I put the heels to the test and wore them into the city where I rode the subway to multiple meetings and events—and they passed with flying colors. They are a splurge, but they match so many outfits and elevate every look. The best part is, I can walk in them—all day—without experiencing any pain.

I recently wore them to a wedding and got a few compliments, so I'm thrilled to report that not only are they practical, but they're also pretty. These shoes have singlehandedly pulled me out of my shoe rut, and while I still love my slippers and sneakers, I can happily say that stilettos are back in my footwear rotation.

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