As a person raised by a mother who couldn’t have cared less about fashion, it amuses me to say that I am a shoe girl through and through. I am a ballet flat aficionado, but my real weakness is a good pair of heels. However, given the fact that I have flat feet, it’s been an endless quest to find a really good pair. But, after wearing countless heels in the name of research and consulting with a podiatrist, both PureWow Senior Editor Dana Dickey (who stands at 5’3’’) and I (5’6’’) agree: Two inches is the perfect heel height. Here’s why.
Tall and Short Girls Agree: This Is the Best Heel Height (Plus, a Podiatrist Weighs In)
brb, stocking up
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Published Aug 1, 2025
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Meet the Expert
Dr. Tea Nguyen, DPM, is a board-certified Santa Cruz, California-based podiatrist. She received her medical training at Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine & Surgery, followed by a medicine and surgery residency at St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital.
The 2-inch realm, admittedly, sounds boring. Why stick with it when you can have 7-inch Valentino platforms? Dickey puts it best. For special occasions, sure, those are fun. But in terms of a daily or weekly uniform, 2-inch heels are “chic, walkable and attractive without looking like you’re trying too hard.” They’re also so versatile. A petite gal at 5’ becomes 5’2’’. Taller people standing between 5’6’’ and 5’8’’ get a boost into tall territory, while the real tall girls don’t feel like they’re looming.
When I consulted Dr. Nguyen, she explained: “The shorter the heel, the closer you are to the ground, which reduces pressure at the ball of the foot.” The 2-inch heel keeps the shoes walkable—because who really has time for car-to-door shoes?
There are other factors that contribute to comfort and walkability, too. Dr. Nguyen notes that a block heel will provide better weight distribution than a stiletto, and that a cork footbed will absorb more shock than plastic.
“An analogy I like to use is picturing a slide on the playground,” she says. “The steeper the slide is, the more gravity is exerted downwards. [This] is the pressure the ball of the foot experiences. Less steep is better for pressure reduction, and flat on the ground is best (zero drop).”
So there you have it. Whether heading into the office or out for dinner, you can catch me in my cute, comfy 2-inch heels.
Shop the Editors’ Picks
1. Anonymous Copenhagen Keesha 55
Anonymous Copenhagen
“I find these to be the perfect height for comfort, walkability and also attractiveness,” Dickey says. “They are 55mm, which is just a shade over two inches, and this is my new favorite heel height. Why? I can actually walk a half-mile in them and not have my feet hurt. They aren’t so tall as to put too much pressure on my forefoot. And they are easy to balance on—unlike kitten heels, which have the heel riser on the middle of the heel, these heels have the riser on the back of the foot, which is easy to balance on. I can't believe how much more comfortable a two-inch heel is than even a 2.5 inch one, and the short heel height is really great.”
2. Sarah Flint Perfect Emma
Sarah Flint
I’ve been eyeing Sarah Flint shoes for years, intrigued by the anatomical arch support. After sporting the Perfect Emmas while researching for a story, I was convinced. The arch support is by far the best of any heel I’ve tried, and the 2-inch inset block heel distributes the weight so it’s much more comfortable and balanced. For the inset heel alone, these are worth the money.
3. Rothy’s The Mary Jane Heel
Rothy's
When I asked a handful of PureWow editors to take Rothy’s heels for a spin, The Mary Jane Heel was the unanimous request. The 2-inch heels are trendy and, more importantly, walkable. No break-in time, plus the benefit of the brand’s updated (and more cushioned) insole. Sizing does run small, and I found that ordering a half size up fixed any issues, while the stretchy strap kept the shoes secure on my foot.
4. Margaux The City Sandal
Margaux
If you know me, you know that Margaux is my ride-or-die shoe brand. I’ve been wearing them almost exclusively for the past five years. One of those pairs is The City Sandal, whose 2-inch block heel and signature footbed attracted me with the idea that I could walk in an actual city with these on my feet. Though they required a short break-in period, they’re now the heels I reach for most consistently when I know I need to dress up, but will be commuting on the sidewalk.
