The Heel-O-Meter
The Heel-o-Meter on the Shoebidoo website offers you a direct insight in the walkability, stability and practical sizing of our heels. We score our high heels on characteristics we think are essential for you to choose the best-fitting heels that suit your experience in wearing heels.
Material, heel types, quality, stability
High-quality heels have a better walkability and stability than cheaper made heels. High-quality heels like our Italian heels have metal plates to stabilise the heel. This improves the wearability and overall feel of stability. Important factors for better wearability:
- Laces: laces improve the stability of pumps and boots
- Stabiliser: heels with a metal plate in the sole offer better stability
- Heel enforcements; heels that have metal enforcements offer better stability
- Material: real leather heels give more comfort for longer wear than synthetic ones
- Heel type: chunky and sturdy heels give better support and stability
- Boots: on average, a boot shaft gives more support than pumps, sandals and mules
Heel height
This is the actual height in cm measured on a size 38 of the shoe. If there is a platform, it is included in the height. The height is measured the "Italian way": straight down from the heel to the heel tip, not following the curve of the heels. This gives the effective heelheight. See here al the Heel Heights from our Collections:
Arch: the actual heel height
The arch is the actual heel height minus the height of the platforms and sole on a size 38 in cm. The arch influences the walkability of a pair of heels the most. The arch tells you the actual heel height you walk on. A regular arch for high heels is 10cm for a size EU 38. This is called "fashion height". An arch up to 12cm is regarded as doable for trained high heel wearers. An arch above 12cm is more difficult to walk on. Really experienced heel wearers can walk in a 13cm arch. This is the famous "Louboutin Hot Chick pumps" arch height. Heels with an arch above 13cm "should" be used for sitting and lying down only.
Walkability
Walkability a score based on various factors that determine how easy it is to walk, dance and stand on the heels. A lower score is a better walkability. We determine the walkability for all our heels based on measurements and experience. The score is between 1 (very easy to walk in) and 7 (unwalkable - sit or lay down only).
1. Easy to wear for all, anytime
These heels should be comfortable for anyone with regular feet and can be worn for long periods without problems. Good examples are the Sanctum Shoes BLOSSOM and BROOKLYN boots with 10 cm heels or the Giaro Wedge Heels: ELLA and EVERSON. These are the heels we recommend for real beginners.
Factors
- Arch/heels: 10 cm or lower
- What helps: rubber soles, chunky or wedge heels, large platforms, laces to improve foot stability.
2. Ideal for longer office or party wear
These heels can be worn all day by anyone used to wearing heels. Soft materials, plenty of support, arch no higher than 10 cm. Examples are the Italian VESTA-10 boots. From Giaro the LEANDRA and LADONNA or a bit more difficult are the iconic TAYA 10CM variant.
Factors
- Arch/heels: 11 cm or lower
- What helps: chunky heels, tight boot shafts, laces.
3. Perfect for all high heel lovers
Perfectly balanced heels have a 12 cm arch and may require some practice. Examples: Italian VESTA 12 boots and VALERIE pumps. Giaro heels like TAYA and MILA also have 12 cm heels.
Factors
- Arch/heels: 12 cm or lower
- What helps: chunky heels, tight boot shafts, laces.
4. The perfect arch - experience required
The perfect arch. Louboutin Hot Chick height. Can not walk for longer periods and need some experience at least. Example: FATALE pumps beautiful metal heels, handcrafted in Italy.
Factors
- Arch/heels: around 13 cm
- What helps: chunky heels, tight boot shafts, laces.
5. Heel experts only
7-inch heels and higher without a platform. Can be really difficult as a beginner, but is a fun height to wear. Not long for walks. Examples: Italian VALENTINA Pumps and CLAUDINE pumps. The MAIA mules are also special pair of high heels within this difficulty.
Factors
- Arch/heels: 14 cm and higher
- What makes them (better)worse: thin heels, smaller platforms.
6. Extreme heels, very difficult
Ballet heels, extreme metal heels over 20 cm. Examples: the Sanctum Shoes extreme high heels line: VICTORIA crotch boots, VENUS knee boots and HOLLY ankle boots.
Factors
- Arch/heels: 15 cm and higher
- What makes them (better)worse: thin heels, pumps, no platforms.
7. Impossible to walk in
Metal monster heels, unevenly balanced heels. We do not have in stock right now. Our most difficult High heels to walk in are the: HOLLY ankle boots
Factors
- Arch/heels: ankle-breaking heights
- What makes them (better)worse: thin metal heels, no supporting laces.