02 / Heels guide
Stilettos, Block Heels, Mules: How to Walk in Each
How to walk in heels depends on the heel. Stilettos, block heels and mules each change your balance in a different way, so each needs a small change to your walk.
Save this guide to PinterestThree heels, three walks
- 01
Block heels
A wide heel gives you the most stable base, which makes block heels the best place to start. Walk with a normal heel-to-ball roll and a stride slightly shorter than in flats. You can land a little more firmly on the heel than in stilettos.
TipBlock heels of 5 to 7 cm are the best practice shoe for beginners.
- 02
Stilettos
A thin heel gives you a tiny contact point, so balance comes from your posture, not the shoe. Take shorter steps, land lightly on the heel and roll quickly to the ball of the foot. Keep your weight slightly forward over the balls of your feet.
TipOn a stiletto, the heel should barely kiss the floor. Your weight lives on the ball of the foot.
- 03
Mules
Mules have no back, so the shoe can slip or slap with every step. Grip very lightly with your toes, keep your steps short and lift your foot straight up rather than dragging it. The heel may lift slightly away from your foot; that is normal.
TipIf your mules slap, your steps are too long.
Why the heel shape matters
Every heel shifts your weight towards the balls of your feet, but how much you can rely on the heel itself varies. A block heel shares the load, so it forgives small mistakes. A stiletto hardly takes any weight, so your posture and core have to do more work. A mule adds another problem: the shoe isn’t fixed to your heel, so every step has to keep it on.
Knowing this helps you know what to focus on. In block heels, focus on your stride and line. In stilettos, focus on posture and a light heel strike. In mules, focus on short, lifted steps.
Height matters too
The higher the heel, the more your weight tips forward and the shorter your stride should be. As a rough guide:
- Up to 5 cm: almost your normal walk, slightly shorter steps.
- 5 to 8 cm: clearly shorter steps and a deliberate heel-to-ball roll.
- Over 8 cm: short steps, a very light heel and most weight on the ball of the foot.
Practise in the right order
- Block heels until your walk feels steady (see how to walk in heels).
- Mules, which teach you to lift your feet and shorten your steps.
- Stilettos, starting with a lower one.
For a full practice routine, read how to practise walking in heels at home. For walking outside the house, see heels on stairs, cobblestones and grass.
Questions
Which heel is easiest to walk in?
A block heel, then a wedge. They spread your weight over a larger area, so small balance mistakes don’t turn into wobbles.
Are platforms easier than stilettos?
Usually, yes. A platform under the front of the foot reduces the actual slope of the shoe, so it feels lower than it looks. The sole is stiffer, though, so take short steps.
Common mistakes
- Starting with a high stiletto before you are steady in block heels.
- Landing hard on a stiletto heel, which jolts and clacks.
- Dragging your feet in mules to stop them slipping.
- Gripping so hard with your toes that your whole leg tenses.
- Using the same stride length in every shoe.
Défilé · Walk score
Film a walk in each pair and see which one scores highest.
Film a walk and Défilé scores it out of 100, shows you the one thing holding it back and gives you a short drill to fix it. Your video never leaves your phone.
On Android? Défilé is coming soon to Google Play.
