Dance the night away in these expert-approved open-toe heels. (M.Gemi, Nordstrom, Zappos, Amazon)
As much as I love wearing comfortable flats, sneakers and loafers in my day-to-day life, there are special occasions — weddings, showers, fancy dinners — where I just have to put on a pair of heels. And once the warm weather rolls in, I'm not about to slip into pumps — I want my feet to breathe and show off that fresh pedicure. So, in the spring and summer, you’ll always find me in open-toed heels. After learning the hard way about the pain that some heels cause (definitely not what you want at a joyous event!), I've become a huge fan of footwear that's both stylish and comfy.
As someone who shops for a living, I've tried out tons of styles over the years, and I can tell you that many pairs of open-toe heels aren't nearly as comfortable as they claim to be. So, naturally, when I was looking for a new pair to add to my collection this season, I reached out to my fellow shopping editors to see what they're loving right now. And honestly, I can't wait to add some of their recommendations to my shopping cart. From sleek strappy sandals and peep-toe platforms to comfy slides, these are the best open-toe heels to grab this spring.
Once temperatures start to rise, these open-toe Cole Haan heels are what Yahoo Commerce Director Jeanine Edwards reaches for. The insanely comfy heels are made with the brand's signature Grand.ØS technology, which supplies ample arch support and responsive cushioning. Edwards tells us, "I've worn these heels for a full 8-hour workday and at no point was I praying to take them off. I've also worn them to a reception that included lots of dancing and my feet were comfortable the entire time."
Along with the cushioned footbed, the cute heels feature a rubber sole that offers ample traction and an adjustable ankle strap for an ideal fit. Edwards loves how versatile they are — she's worn them with everything from slacks and jeans to dresses and skirts, and the simple yet classic design makes them a great option to wear just about anywhere. "These are my go-to heels, so I wear them whenever I need a dressy shoe — to the office, to weddings, on date nights — literally everywhere," she says. However, she did note they run a smidge on the smaller size (she usually wears an 8.5, but needed a 9 in the heels) so be sure to keep that in mind when ordering.
While these heels are nearly four inches tall, they do have a 1.25-inch platform that makes them ultra-comfortable and easy to walk in. In fact, they are so comfy, two of our Commerce Editors listed these as their favorite high heels ever. "When you first look at these heels, you think, 'Woah, these are gonna hurt.' But because of the platform, they're so comfortable! I've worn them to multiple weddings and kept them on all night, even on the dance floor," raves one.
The other editor agreed, telling us that she and her 63-year-old mom (who never wears high heels) donned these at a wedding. "Both of us wore them through the entire event, including standing and dancing, without feeling the need to take them off at any point." Because the Theresa heel is a bit on the dressier side, it's definitely more of a nighttime heel and might not be your first choice for the office or a daytime event.
Yahoo Gifting Editor Amanda Garrity says these strappy Sam Edelman heels are her go-to wedding shoes. With a heel height of just 2 3/4 inches, she finds them easy to walk in, even on grass or uneven surfaces, and says she can wear them for 7 or 8 hours before needing to change into flats or sneakers. Her favorite part? "They're a great dancing shoe, especially since the heel is a comfortable height."
Amanda also mentions that these shoes are a game changer for those with foot issues. "I have bunions on both feet, which makes finding comfortable heels that don't rub or cut off my circulation a real — dare I say — pain. After years of squeezing my feet into standard styles with a single band, these strappy sandals have made all the difference." Garrity owns the heels in versatile tan but notes she is eyeing the black for upcoming events.
"If you, like me, don't wear heels on a regular basis, these are a fantastic option," Senior Deals Writer Britt Ross tells us. "The heels are thick enough that you won't feel like you're about to topple over, the padded footbeds are comfortable for a long time and the straps are adjustable and keep your foot feeling secure." Britt usually pairs these open-toe block heels with both long and short dresses, but she thinks they'd look just as fab with some nice pants or a jumpsuit.
Along with decent traction on various types of surfaces, Britt says she's never once gotten a blister wearing them. "After a full night of dancing, the bottoms of my feet did need a break from rubbing against the footbeds, but the straps have yet to dig in uncomfortably." She has the tan color, which is super versatile for her wardrobe, but there are three other colors to choose from. A heads-up: Some options are in limited stock at the moment, and the price changes depending on color choice and size.
I have an older version of M.Gemi's popular low-block slides that is currently sold out, but I’ve been eyeing this similar pair. They feature the same comfy 2.2-inch stacked leather heel, soft Italian leather upper and cushy padded insole, so I know they'll be just as comfortable and easy to walk in!
The sleek slip-ons feature an interlocking strap design and trendy square toe that make them the perfect summer shoe. I really love the minimalist design because they are incredibly easy to dress up and down. I've worn my pair countless times with both laid-back jeans and tees and flowy dresses because they're that versatile. And I can totally see this new pair being just as easy to style. My favorite part about the brand is its shoes are handmade in Italy in artisan-owned and -operated workshops, so they are built to last. I've had my pair for over five years now and they look as good as new.
My other favorite pair of comfortable open-toe heels is this low-block style from Steve Madden. These minimalist shoes feature one front strap and an adjustable back strap that helps me not only find a comfortable fit but also makes them feel more secure on my foot. The simple sandals are versatile and the low 2-inch heel makes them a breeze to walk in.
I've even worn them on my hour-long commute and through a full day at the office without experiencing a single blister. I never have to worry about those slim straps digging in or rubbing against my skin, and the two-inch heel gives me some lift without any pain. The only downside? They aren't the most durable. After two years of wear, I did have to replace them, but since they often go on sale, I didn't feel too bad about it.
