A couple of weeks ago, we discussed whether or not women’s clothing was more comfortable than men’s. Now that we’ve all had time to think about it and respond, let’s look at it another way. Are women’s shoes more comfortable than men’s?
I suppose it’s a bit of a tricky question, since when you really think about it, any men’s shoe can be worn by a woman. However, the reverse is not true. In my day, I’ve seen women wearing sneakers, flip-flops, timberland boots and even loafers. However, for the purposes of this discussion let’s pretend that this is not the case 
.
While I obviously have much more experience wearing men’s shoes, I know the distinct difference between wearing a pair of sneakers versus wearing women’s flats. Generally, you don’t wear socks with women’s shoes, allowing your feet to become one with the shoes, in a bit of a zen moment.
The feeling of wearing heels is unique, though the height of the heel is proportional to the amount of time one can comfortably walk around. Thicker heels, such as wedges, alleviate some of this. Sneakers and boots have a small arch to naturally support our feet but sometimes can be too restricting.
So, what’s your verdict? In the everlasting battle of pumps versus gymshoes, heels versus penny loafers, ankle boots versus work boots, who comes out on top?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I find some sensible women’s shoes very comfortable and I wear them a great deal. I cannot wear high heels I am afraid that I will fall down. I am in awe of anyone who can wear them for any length of time.
I actually have weird feet (I am too tired right now to remember the proper term), and the “proper” position for them is with the heel roughly three inches higher than my toes. Which means that when I walk around in heels, I am quite comfortable, but when I walk in mens shoes, everything from my toes to my hips hurts by the end of the day.
*sigh*
I don’t think any heels above 2 inches are comfortable. However, sometimes clunky ones with really good straps (and as you say, no socks so your feet become one with the shoe) can feel pretty good. But is that the thrill of wearing women’s shoes overcoming the uncomfort? I don’t know
Not in my experience.
But I’ve never had a “Buzz” wearing Men’s shoes : )
* Except that one construction accident *
That’s a good one. If women wore male style shoes. You maybe not noticed what type shoe. But they match the their outfit!
well im not sure gym shoes compared to heels is a fair bet.however theirs nothing like a nice pair of flats or ballet slippers.even a genetic girl will tell you that heels as good as they look and make them appear.flats rule.beauty is pain and i know it to be true.dont ever go out on the town without a backup pair of flats in the car.good advice.believe me. jen.
I wouldn’t know about that! But there different? The styles and varitety and the colors that women have more choices. Of what to wear and how to wear them. With what they care to choose !
I prefer to wear flat maryjanes when wearing women’s clothes, which are about equally as comfortable as the mens shoes I wear. More comfortable, in fact, as my feet tend to overheat in sneakers and dress shoes.
But about them high heels, there’s no doubt they aren’t the most comfortable shoe, but the pleasure from wearing them can make it all worth it. For me, that’s not very often, but occasionally it’s a treat =)
I find them a lot more comfier, from high, high heels to vary flat flats. They fit me 350% better, as mens shoes are vary tight, or all ways falling off me, but ladies shoes are a perfect fit ( Even staff at a major shoe shop have said so) . No rubbing, pinching, or braking laces trying to keep them on . And mens shoes are so, so, so boring! Why can’t men were women’s shoes with the world freaking out.
I love so-called women’s shoes. In general, they are made much better then so-called mens, and look much nicer. I can wear leather flats or heels all day. Because most of these shoes are best worn on bare feet, the thin leather bonds to the shape of the wearer’s foot for a custom fit. I prefer so-called women’s sandals to what are provided for men. The men’s styles are generally big, chunky, clunky and ugly. Sandals are supposed to be strappy. Did you ever see a pair of logger’s boots? They have a high heel on them to supposedly hold the foot in a more natural position, similar to cowboy boots. High heels can be very comfortable, they just need to be constructed well, made out of leather and fit properly.
If you are talking about high heels and the higest of them I couldn’t image they are confortable at all, since you put the ballance on body all on your toes but the ballance on your body should be on your heel. Since foot both man and woman was designed to walk on flat foot.
i have a lot of womens shoes and boots for me sandalls and flats are the most comfortable i do have a few hi-heels sum are 5 inch but most are 3 in or less strappy heels i like the best if u r going to wear heels a lot more styles and colors to choose from in womens shoes and i would say womens shoes depending on what u r wearing are more comfortable
I am a male, who has for the last twelve months or so regularly worn 4″ heels. The most comfortable are the heeled hiking boot. I have walked as much as 5 miles ate one rime with out stopping, and dint feel sore or tired where as wearing normal mens flat shoes, I would be quite stuffed and with sore legs too. I am not a big fan of stilettos on men, but the Cuban or stacked heel I believe suits both men and women and is very comfortable
Curious argument. I just spent several hours looking for a comfortable pair of shoes (among other things) and being one of those freakish individuals that would go barefoot everywhere if it where socially permissible, I find most of the options available to me as a male intolerable for any period of time. I mentioned to my companion (mother -_-ll) how much more comfortable the women’s shoes appeared, specifically the flats, though even the others I looked at appeared to have a more preferable sole. Now, since as far as my family is concerned, I am in the closet and not likely to pop out anytime soon, I couldn’t do what I would have chosen to do on my own, and shop the woman’s section for a conservative upper and a light flexible sole.
I think the issue is, in clothing, shoes and accessories, men are expected to where more substantial items. Watches that weigh half a kilo, heavy gauge jewelry, boots and shoes that feel like a Hell’s Angel or a lumberjack. Think about it, even comparing the weights of the cloth from which our jeans are cut, men are usually given a thicker, heavier denim. Men aren’t supposed to be into the delicate stuff is the stereotype that appears to rule. (don’t believe me? When was the last time you had to even use the knit/woolen’s setting as a male, let alone delicates.)
I believe that this would count as the long way of saying that I prefer the styling and feel of women’s flats and tennies to the ankle weights I generally wear. As for heels? If you got the balance for them, go for it. It helps the illusion for some of my other garments.
I am a male and married to a women. I wear (so called) womens shoes 100% of the time. I wear them as soon as I wake up and remove them when I go to bed. I Love wearing pumps from heel hights from 0 to 2.5 inches. Flats do not support my arch very well, yet they are stylish. I love wear only pumps. I wear them with Leggs knee high stockings.
The feels of pumps on my feet, are so comfortable, I do not even noticed I have them on. They have a soft cotton/nylon lining, soft foot bed and they do not suffacate my feet like men’s shoes.
Wearing pumps keeps my feet cool and fresh, while athetic shoes cause my feet to have some odor yuk. So I do not ever wear atheltic shoes. Athletic shoes do not allow your feet to breath. So I do not have and odor on my feet when I wear pumps at all.
Men shoes are heavy on the feet, they make your feet perspirate, they lack style, they are plain ugly!
Men were the first ones to ever wear pumps, read the history of Footwear, and I wear them too.
A lot of women love me wearing pumps. Some people, of course men, say it is wrong. Well as history states men were the first ones to wear them, yet their head is so hard to convince, at least a mule is more receptive to resoning.
I have around 70 pairs of pumps, my wife only has 3 and she does not like to wear them. My wife may wear the pants in the family, yet at least I can say I wear the pumps in my family.
biggest problem with womens shoes is that come only in smaller sizes
Comfortable? What kind of question is that?
I think the real question would be looking great and sexy vs. not (regardless of the heel height).
Now heels… I very seldom wear flats (I only have two pairs and one pair of sandals) the rest are 4″ heels at least (with or without platform since the difference between the heel height – the platform goes to that 4″ difference) some of them are comfier than others, but then again, they look incredible and make my legs look infinite
and make other people look more 
to that redhead who happens to walk in those heels
Women’s shoes generally have very comfortable linings. I find that shoes from Payless with the nylon tricot lining is extremely comfortable. Men’s shoes do not have comfortable linings.
I think that a women’s shoe is very comfortable for a man to wear.. But, when it comes to whether or not I want to ‘be noticed’, choosing the right kind is essential! A basic black or navy blue flat is something I find perfect for running errands
I am guy who loves wearing womens shoes from stiletto pumps, high heels sandals to ballet flats. The feeling is so great when wearing with bare footed and some added sensation when wearing it with nylons/stockings.