The Best Black Pumps
Our Review Process
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Our Picks For The Top Black Pumps
This brand is known for its well-made, extremely comfortable shoes. These black pumps are no exception, with a rounded toe, a footbed made from cushy OrthoLite and a soft, flexible rubber sole. There's also a slight platform for balance.
Rounded Toes for ComfortStay fashionable without making your feet pay the price in these black pumps that are made for walking.
These high-heeled black pumps have a roomy round toe and a bit of a platform. They're made with soft synthetic nubuck material. They keep your feet and toes cradled in comfort, and they also come in other colors so you can expand your collection.
Your Feet Will Feel GoodThese beautiful rounded-toe high-heeled pumps offer comfort and classic style that go with any look.
This sleek black dress pump in 100% leather has a 4-inch heel, a pointed toe and a lightly cushioned footbed. It's guaranteed to make your feet (and legs) look like a million bucks no matter where you are headed when you leave the house.
It’s a Classic StilettoWhen it comes to a traditional, drop-dead gorgeous black pump, you can’t go wrong with this pair.
These 4-inch black dress pumps have exclusive, built-in comfort features, including a latex padded insole, a solid rubber bottom for secure strides and a Thermoplastic Elastomers sole for added durability.
Fits Like a DreamEveryone will compliment you on these stylish shoes, which are made with your well-being in mind.
Buying Guide
Fashion experts agree: every woman needs at least one good pair of classic black pumps. They’re versatile, as they go with pretty much everything. They’re timeless; pick the right ones, and you’ll always look stylish. And they’ll elevate any look from your closet, from jeans and a T-shirt to business wear.
However, traditional black pumps — especially those with heels over 3 inches high — are not necessarily designed for comfort. If happy feet are more important to you, there are plenty of modern styles that feature chunkier heels that may be easier to wear and walk in.
You can easily find features like rounded toes and cushioned footbeds on black pumps now. Some women think wedge pumps are the most comfortable style of heels on the market.
As a rule, shoes with pointed toes are narrower and not as cozy as wider styles, but many men and women wear them without problems. These have an advantage because they’re always fashionable. You can also opt for square or almond-shaped toes, but rounded ones tend to offer the most room.
Some black pumps have platforms at the front of the sole, underneath the ball of the foot. Like a wedge heel, this feature balances out your weight better so it is not all hitting at the heel.
Just remember some of these comfort features may go in and out of style, and you’ll have your own personal preferences when it comes to which you want your shoes to have. Fortunately, you don’t have to limit yourself to just one pair. Since they can be casual, formal or somewhere in between, you may wish to own several pairs of black pumps with varying textures or heel heights.
Keep in mind that the size you wear in heels may not be the same as what you wear in boots or sneakers, even if the shoes are the same brand. Read the product descriptions and see if the shoes are true to size, or if they run small or large. Many manufacturers will provide this information. If the shoe you are considering is a brand that you are not familiar with, see if the shoes can be exchanged for another size if they don’t fit properly.
What to Look For
- There are times when nothing else besides a black pump will do, like for a job interview, a company dinner or a formal affair.
- Once you get your new black pumps, try them on and wear them inside your house for a few hours, avoiding anything that could damage them. You cannot usually return them if they have been clearly worn.
- You can make black pumps more comfortable with accessories like gel-backed arch supports and orthopedic foot beds. If you plan to use any of these, you may want to order up a half-size to accommodate them.
- Leather pumps will last the longest but will be more expensive.
- If you worry about falling while wearing heels, look for black pumps with rubber or non-skid soles.
More to Explore
While both women and men alike love to wear heels, believe it or not, the origins of high heels can be traced back to military men.
According to some experts, the first heels were used in Persia in the 10th century. Higher-heeled boots enabled soldiers to stay in their stirrups while standing up in their saddles to shoot bows. Soon enough, kings and wealthy courtiers wanted pairs of their own.
By the 14th century, women in both India and Europe were wearing raised shoes and by the 17th, heels resembled the shoes we wear today. During King Louis XIV of France’s time on the throne, men took to wearing high heels again in great numbers. They became a symbol of power.
The style eventually began trickling down to commoners, who wanted to imitate courtiers. Men stopped wearing heels during the Enlightenment in the 18th century; because heels were considered just a symbol of status or fashion, they were not rational.
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