One of the phrases we hear most often when women try on high heels:

“The instep just doesn't fit me.”

More often than not, after this phrase the shoes go straight back into the box. It seems the style simply isn't right. But very often the problem isn't the high heels at all. When a woman says her shoes press on the top of her foot or “don't fit the instep”, in many cases all she needs is an inner arch support.

Why does this happen?

The foot has a natural inner arch that helps distribute load and provides stability.When this arch lacks support, the foot sits in a less than optimal position inside the shoe. This creates a feeling of pressure on the top of the foot, which many women describe as “the instep doesn't fit”.So you don't always need to look for a different pair of heels or go up a size.

A simple solution

In such cases, an inner arch support often helps. It supports the arch, helps the foot sit more stably in the shoe and reduces pressure on the top of the foot. That is exactly why, for women facing this problem, we often recommend an inner arch support. It can help you wear high heels more comfortably, without changing your shoe size or style.

The most important rule

If your high heels feel uncomfortable, don't be too quick to give up on them. Very often all it takes is preparing your high heels properly to make them far more comfortable. So before deciding that high heels aren't for you, first consider whether your foot needs a little extra preparation.Want to understand why some high heels pinch while others become comfortable with the right products? In our online training we discuss different foot types, insoles and products that help you wear high heels comfortably in detail.The photos in this article are from our online training.

— Rūta Stirbytė