Especially for those who aren't fond of heels. Chunky heels and wedge soles that let you stand beautifully and walk comfortably

Casual sneakers, adorable flat shoes, sandals whose materials and colorful hues let you get a jump on the season—the way you choose your shoes can dramatically change the impression of your whole outfit. But "ease of walking" and "comfort" are also important points when choosing shoes. And that's exactly why high-heeled pumps and sandals tend to get left out of the running.

That's precisely why we'd like to recommend, to those who don't usually reach for high heels, the chunky heel with its classic charm, and the wedge sole, which is casual yet still shows off the legs beautifully. Let's take a closer look at the "walkability" that overturns our fixed notions about heels, as well as the reasons these styles make the wearer look even more beautiful.

So, what exactly are chunky heels and wedge soles?

【Wedge Sole】

The wedge sole from gaimo, featuring a jute sole that gives off a cool, refreshing impression. When you actually put them on, you'll be surprised at how the fit doesn't make you feel the height of the heel at all. The name "wedge sole" comes from the shape of the sole itself: the gently sloping form connecting the toe and heel resembles a wedge. It's said to have originated during World War II, when such soles were first made from materials like cork.

 

(Left) CHARLOTTE Sandal BLACK, (Right) CHARLOTTE Sandal CAMEL

This is dansko's "CHARLOTTE Sandal," beloved by many fans for its comfortable fit. The soft leather lining, cork that follows the curve of the sole of the foot, EVA midsole, and highly cushioned footbed all work together to absorb the impact of each step, resulting in a comfortable feel. Wedge soles have the effect of making the legs look longer, while also distributing the body's weight across the entire sole of the foot—making them easy to walk in and less tiring, too.

【Chunky Heel】

　

The "chunky heel" keeps the beautiful silhouette of a heeled shoe intact while offering a wonderfully stable fit. Its name, too, comes from the shape of the heel: "chunky" means "thick and stubby," and it refers to pumps with a heel of a certain thickness. There are various theories about when the chunky heel first came about, but it's said that it wasn't deliberately designed as a style until fairly recently—sometime in the 2000s.

 

NERO, with its fine pebbled texture and strong sheen, and VELVET MORNING, whose suede material lends a warm, soft feel

A chunky heel from DIVINA, hailing from Italy, a country that could well be called the home of shoemaking. Originally modeled on military-style lasts, the design has been reworked into a feminine silhouette. Whether styled beautifully feminine or mannish, this is a shoe you can wear for years as a basic staple.

Knowing the merits of each

Beyond "ease of walking," the one quality wedge soles and chunky heels have in common, each also has its own particular points worth recommending.

【Wedge Sole】

・A sole that firmly supports the entire sole of the foot

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While the sole supports the entire underside of the foot, its gently curving shape that follows the foot's contours also supports the arch. This construction wraps the whole foot when worn, creating a sensation as if the shoe fits snugly and moves together with you. It's a reassuring kind of comfort, quite different from what you might expect from the phrase "heeled shoes."

Another reason some wedge soles don't make you feel the height of the heel is the "platform" type, like gaimo's, which adds volume not just at the heel but at the toe as well. The shape of the sole, it turns out, has a great deal to do with how comfortable a shoe feels underfoot.

・Weight isn't concentrated at the toes, so feet tire less easily

Haven't you ever been surprised, after coming home and taking off your shoes, by just how exhausted your feet feel? With heeled shoes, weight tends to concentrate at the toes, tiring the feet out quickly. With wedge soles, however, the weight is distributed across the entire sole of the foot, so no single part bears the full burden.

・The whole body gains stability, for a beautiful standing posture

Even when the heel is high, a wedge sole supports the body's weight across the entire sole of the foot, so the body's overall center of gravity stays stable. This not only makes walking easier, it also makes the wearer's standing posture look more beautiful.

The CHARLOTTE Sandal is designed to hold the ankle firmly in place, giving it exceptional stability

Sandals: CHARLOTTE Sandal BLACK, Bag: Tail Shoulder Bag (PINK BEIGE)

The easy-to-slip-on mule style also has a footbed that molds comfortably to your feet

Sandals: Cross Belt Espadrille Mule BLACK, Top: [Special Order] Waffle Mock Neck Short Sleeve (H/GRAY), Scarf: MANTERO Silk Scarf (90×90)(4 CORALRED)

If you're not used to wearing high heels, controlling your own center of gravity can be difficult. But with a wedge sole, whose stable base has a wide contact surface, your footing won't wobble when you land—which is exactly what makes it so easy to walk in.

【Chunky Heel】

・Stability at the heel makes for easy walking

Pumps: Chunky Heel NERO, Pants: Gaucho Pants, Bag: [Special Order] Canvas Bag SCCF 008 BLACK/MILK

Compared to a wedge sole, which distributes weight across a wider area, a chunky heel makes it easy to feel exactly where your weight is landing. Because the heel itself is thick and stable, chunky heels are surprisingly easy to walk in, even though they're technically heeled shoes. If you shorten your stride slightly and imagine landing with your toe and heel touching down almost simultaneously, you'll wobble less and put less strain on both the heel and your feet and ankles.

・The contrast effect makes ankles look slimmer

Pumps: Chunky Heel VELVET MORNING, Top: ELENI Sleeveless Shirt, Skirt: LIBBY Jersey Skirt (BLACK MELANGE), Bangle: Large Bangle/318 (COFFEE CREAM), Hat: coming soon

A chunky heel, with its thicker heel shape, has the effect of making the ankle look slimmer by contrast. Showing off the ankle with a skirt or rolled-up pants creates a coordinate that feels distinctly feminine.

・The weight of the shoe itself is kept down

Compared to a wedge sole, a chunky heel has less volume in the sole area, which also makes the shoe itself lighter. We actually weighed them, and the weight of a single shoe was as follows.
・Chunky Heel / DIVINA: approx. 250g
・Turban Design Espadrille Sandal / gaimo: approx. 297g

That said, being lightweight doesn't necessarily mean a shoe is easy to walk in—it really comes down to personal preference. But if you'd rather not put any extra weight on your feet, this might be a useful way to choose.

Which one should you choose? We tried both on and compared them

To see exactly where the difference in comfort comes from between the two sole types, we actually tried them both on and compared the experience.

We tried on the Chunky Heel VELVET MORNING (37.5) and the Turban Design Espadrille Sandal SV (37)

・Staff member's foot size: 23.5cm
・Sneaker size: 24cm–24.5cm
・Instep height is standard, width is slightly wide.

What does it feel like standing and walking?

【Wedge Sole】
There's barely any sense of wearing a heeled shoe at all—the footbed hugs the foot closely and molds to it.
As you walk, the shoe feels like it naturally follows your foot's movement. Even accounting for its actual weight, it feels light enough to seem lighter than the chunky heel.

【Chunky Heel】
While you do feel that you're wearing a heeled shoe, there's no wobbliness—it feels stable.
Even if you're not used to wearing heels, you can walk naturally, and the fit feels solid and secure.

How do they compare to pin heels?

Compared to pin heels, both of these shift your center of gravity in a different way

(Left) Chunky Heel NERO, (Right) CHARLOTTE Sandal BLACK

【Wedge Sole】
Because your weight is distributed across the entire sole of the foot, even a high heel feels stable, without putting all the strain on the heel alone.

【Chunky Heel】
You do feel the heel under your foot, but its solid thickness gives it stability and makes it easy to walk in.

It comes down to preference, but if you're not fond of heels but want to give them a try, the 【Wedge Sole】 might be the way to go, while those who are already comfortable in heels might prefer the 【Chunky Heel】.

For those who've been avoiding heels simply because they're "heels," we'd recommend giving wedge soles and chunky heels a try. Adding a new option to your footwear rotation might just change the way your everyday scenery looks. Please choose whichever type suits you best.

▼gaimo

Known for its simple designs and natural materials, gaimo is beloved for its handmade espadrilles crafted by skilled artisans. Praised for their high quality and comfortable fit, gaimo's designs carry the warmth of handwork and continue to be loved around the world.

▼dansko

dansko was born in America in 1990, founded by someone who fell in love with the comfort of a pair of clogs they happened to try one day, and went on to pursue the idea of "making comfortable shoes" themselves. Designed to reduce strain on the feet and lower back, dansko shoes are known for a comfort that's even chosen by people who spend long hours on their feet at work.

▼DIVINA 

Since its founding in 1975, DIVINA has continued to make Italian-made shoes true to traditional Venetian shoemaking techniques, with a dedication to both beauty and comfort. The brand owns more than 1,000 wooden lasts—essential to making a good, comfortable shoe—and that number speaks to the depth of its history.