The feet have 28 bones each. Where the foot connects to the leg, there is one bone called the talus. Between this and the lower leg bone is a natural recess known as the sinus tarsi, which allows ankle flexibility. The size of the sinus tarsi varies from person to person and determines how much your ankle can move - and your ideal heel height.
For women with a moderate sinus tarsi recess, a 1in or 2in heel is best but others need a 3in heel to elevate the foot into an arched position. A heel of up to 4½in is fine; anything more than that is bad for your posture as it makes your bottom jut out and overloads the toes and balls of the feet. These heels can be worn for short periods only, and are made for limos, not for walking. Wearing the right height of heel will help ensure you place your foot on the ground correctly - good old-fashioned 'heel, ball, toe' action.
How to measure your perfect heel height
- Take off your shoes, sit on a chair and extend one leg straight in front of you.
- Where would your heel touch the ground? With your leg stretched out in front of you and the knee supported, make an imaginary line from the heel to the ground.
- If your foot is at a right angle to your outstretched leg and does not dangle, you have a low ankle-joint axis and will be more comfortable in flat shoes than in high heels.
- If your foot points down, you need to measure the distance between the top of your big toe and an imaginary line from the bottom of your heel. This is the right heel height for you. Measure it against your favourite shoes - the ones you swear you are most comfortable in, no matter how high or low. It is almost guaranteed the heel will match it.
