From wedges to super-high - the GH guide to finding your most comfortable high heels this summer

Finding a comfortable pair of high heels can be tough. Add the sticky summer heat into the mix, and it’s practically a form of torture! Yet our love affair with high heels is going strong; 40% of us wear them every day, and with 80% of all foot surgeries performed on women - with a whopping 75% of those cases caused by shoes - it’s our duty to tell you everything we know about finding the most comfy pairs.

Look at the Royal ladies, Queen Camilla or Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who always follow fail-safe ‘comfy’ footwear style rules when on royal duties. Camilla is a fan of Sole Bliss, who work directly with podiatrists to create shoes that answer a variety of problems, and she owns 13 pairs of the £159 Ingrid court shoes. We’ve linked our personal favourites below for you.

Princess Kate, on the other hand, reaches for her Gianvito Rossi 'Ribbon' Sling 85 Pump court shoes, in leather or suede. This all means, thankfully, there have never been more brilliant companies hearing our cries (and limps) for help, stepping up with designs and technologies that offer both style and all-day comfort.

So, what makes a comfortable high heel?

Avoid narrow shoes. Especially pointed styles, as this squeezes the toes together, over time, causing bunions and other complaints. We love the specialist shoe maker, Calla's ‘Kate’ peep-toe sandal, which has been designed with wide feet (and bunions) in mind; they also come with a removable jewel clip for dressing them up or down.

Choose a wide block heel, wedge, or platform over a stiletto. Due to weight distribution, reducing pressure on the balls of the feet is the smart way to wear heels. Podiatrists recommend a heel height of 3cm or lower. In our edit, we’ve chosen the perfect holiday sandal from Geox, in bright orange, to add a pop of colour to your suitcase and comfort as you walk. Vionic’s Merlot mules offer a wider fit. Esska’s metallic platforms have been given GH’s style ‘sole’ of approval, with both Style Director Melanie Rickey and Editor in Chief Jane Bruton swearing by them for days and nights out.

Always look for solid arch support, usually in the form of cushiony under-sole padding. This is because, with age, the fat beneath our metatarsals dissolves, increasing pressure on our soles. For high heels that offer comfort on a shoestring, you can’t go wrong with M&S’s Insolia technology, which works by distributing the weight away from the balls of your feet.

Finally, consider the pliability of the material. What is the upper made from? And how well will it mold to the shape of your feet over time? The best options tend to be leather, suede, or mesh fabrics. We love the Addison Vivaia slingbacks, a great wear-every-day heel with arch support and moisture-wicking insole.

If you are in need of a GH-approved, all-day high heel, walk this way...