# Women who \*don't\* wear heels: Why don't you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 28, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652 "2011-12-28T18:55:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/61 "2011-12-29T03:30:08Z")
Shoot, I forgot to click “they hurt my feet.” But the biggest reason is due to hip and knee issues. I was forbidden from wearing them years ago by the doc. I can’t say I’ve missed them. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/62 "2011-12-29T03:39:09Z")
I voted other. I would never wear them because they are [cruel shoes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF5KtX7F7hI). ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/63 "2011-12-29T03:44:16Z")
I’ve had surgery for the Morton’s neroma, and my feet still don’t tolerate heels. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/64 "2011-12-29T03:48:05Z")
I own one pair of heels, and they are 1.5 inches. I wear them only to job interviews or formal events. I’m significantly overweight. I suppose if I were a healthy weight, wearing high heels wouldn’t hurt, or wouldn’t hurt nearly as much. If I ever lose enough weight to do so without pain, I’ll give them a try, but I doubt it. They’re just not my style. ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/65 "2011-12-29T03:58:29Z")
I wear them when I get a chance every couple years, but they don’t work well in my extremely rural environment. I actually own a very nice (and pricey) pair of Stuart Weitzman classic pumps with a 3 1/2" heel. I have worn them twice in eight years to two funerals. So, in light of the occasions, I would just as soon leave them in the closet. Besides, the pig would laugh at me when I mucked out her pen in heels. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bloodless\_Turnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@Bloodless\_Turnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bloodless_Turnip)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/66 "2011-12-29T04:18:38Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > I own one pair of heels, and they are 1.5 inches. I wear them only to job interviews or formal events. > > I’m significantly overweight. I suppose if I were a healthy weight, wearing high heels wouldn’t hurt, or wouldn’t hurt nearly as much. If I ever lose enough weight to do so without pain, I’ll give them a try, but I doubt it. They’re just not my style. I’m underweight, and always have been. They hurt like hell. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/67 "2011-12-29T04:41:33Z")
I’m extremely klutzy, can’t walk well in them anymore (although I vaguely remember doing it when I was in my twenties), can’t afford fancy pairs, don’t go anywhere to wear them anyway and really prefer to stick to my (don’t hate me!) Crocs just the same, so I never even venture closer to heels than, say, two inches. Although I think there’s lots and lots of really cute shoes out there and I don’t begrudge anyone who wants to wear them if they can. More power to all different types. It takes all kinds. Oh, and they hurt my feet. Forgot the most important part. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Septima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Septima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Septima)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/68 "2011-12-29T04:46:47Z")
I see no reason to wear them. I don’t wear hair-towers, corsets or fake nails either. Same thing to me. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/69 "2011-12-29T05:14:38Z")
> [@maggenpye](#): > > \ > > Also adding to the women who’ve had more problems from flats than heels. Bastard things put me in a cast for 8 weeks with a snapped Achilles. A friend of mine who used to make orthotics for a living said that flat shoes are just as bad or worse than high heeled shoes because of the complete lack of support. If high-heeled shoes were made to actually fit the shape of my feet, I’d be more likely to wear them. And not so high. With lots of padding inside. And good arch support. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/70 "2011-12-29T06:39:42Z")
I own two pairs of shoes. Tennies and a pair of black ballet flats. That’s all I need and all I usually ever have. I have never been a shoe person and the idea of wearing heels just really never occurred to me. When I was younger I wore boots occasionally but if they had a heel it was a chunky combat style. I feel like they are girly and I’m not a girly type. ---
**Author:** ![straykat23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@straykat23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straykat23)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/71 "2011-12-29T07:05:42Z")
I can’t wear them because I have a sciatica problem. I’m ancient and the problem is relatively new. In the past I could wear them for hours and hours with no pain and the taller the better! Turns out that heel size had nothing to do with sciatica, according to my doc. I miss them. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/72 "2011-12-29T07:13:49Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > A friend of mine who used to make orthotics for a living said that flat shoes are just as bad or worse than high heeled shoes because of the complete lack of support. I don’t see how heels offer any more support. I have never worn any (other than for a couple minutes as a kid playing dressup), but I’ve seen the insides of my sister’s, and they all look slanted and flat. And, again, I’ve watched kids training in them, and the first thing I notice is that their foot is horribly unstable. ---
**Author:** ![AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/73 "2011-12-29T07:15:31Z")
I have VERY small (can still fit into kid sized shoes) and wide feet. Also back problems ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/74 "2011-12-29T11:09:43Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > A friend of mine who used to make orthotics for a living said that flat shoes are just as bad or worse than high heeled shoes because of the complete lack of support. I am fully convinced there are people out there who are “foot experts” (orthotic makers, podiatrists) who are absolutely convinced the natural foot is a disaster and no one should dare risk a single barefoot, unsupported step lest calamity ensure. Which is not to deny there are people with real problems out there (I’m married to one, in fact) but it seems to me that a normal, healthy adult should be able to walk about without their feet being encased in little life support units, that, coincidentally, make their cheerleaders a great deal of money. I’m all for proper footwear and appropriate protection, but the fact is I spend considerable time wandering around my home barefoot - your friend would no doubt find that _even worse_ that flats. There are quite a few situations where, assuming a healthy foot, I don’t see a need for support and, indeed, I’ve always heard walking around barefoot part of the time (in a foot safe environment) is healthy. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/75 "2011-12-29T12:02:04Z")
I find it interesting that nearly the top reason at the moment in Johanna’s “women who DO wear heels” poll is “to make me look taller”. I’m 5"10. I’ll pass on that thanks. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/76 "2011-12-29T12:19:08Z")
1. They hurt - I have bunions and have narrow heels so finding shoes that fit well is not easy to begin with. 2. They aren’t practical for my lifestyle/career - I work from home, and live a very rural life (horses, dogs, farm care etc) 3. Other - My day to day clothes are casual, and I rarely dress up enough to warrant heels. Party girl I ain’t. I will wear low heels once in a blue moon, but the minute I can slip my feet out of them without offending anyone I will! ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/77 "2011-12-29T13:53:27Z")
> [@ASanders](#): > > I had no idea that the pain I feel in my right foot has a name! Wow, learn something new every day. I love the Dope. 🙂 Holy cow! I have that too! (totally self diagnosed just now). ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/78 "2011-12-29T14:19:22Z")
I wear heels at work (teacher). I like the authoritative click they make on our marble floors. 🙂 I can’t wear them to and from home, though - we live on a steep hill, and wearing heels going down is just asking for trouble. Once I scraped my knee so badly that it oozed disgusting stuff for a week and I still have the scar. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/79 "2011-12-29T14:35:31Z")
They hurt my feet. They’re uncomfortable. I tend to fall off them when I try to walk. I have no reason to ever wear them anyway. I can’t believe as I kid I was so eager to be a grown-up so I could wear high heels… :rolleyes: I’m pretty much convinced I lack the girly shoe gene anyway. Loafers and sneaks suit me just fine most of the time, but I do have a pair of black oxfords, and a pair of plain black flats for dressier occasions. ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652/80 "2011-12-29T15:59:46Z")
Doctor’s orders - herniated lumbar disk. I have a few pair that I’ll wear for special occasions, but I still can’t stand in them for long. I’m sure that there are expensive ones that would be more comfortable, but my spending priorities lie elsewhere. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-who-dont-wear-heels-why-dont-you/607652.md?page=5)