How to Walk in Platform Shoes

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Platforms are raised-sole shoes that on average, give the wearer anywhere from 1/2 to 3 inches of additional height, not including height added by a heel. Platforms can be on almost any type of shoe, most notably on sandals and boots. It’s important to get comfortable in platforms and the added height between the sole of your foot and the ground, as it can be easy to misjudge steps, not lift your foot high enough, trip or roll your ankle. In heels without platforms, you can feel your height based on the tilt of your arch, but this is not entirely true for platform shoes.

Start by wearing shorter platforms and heels without platforms while you get used to the extra height between your foot and the ground, as well as keep from slipping out of the shoe.

Practice around and near your house starting with flat surfaces, then move to inclines, and finally to different textures of surfaces, such as lineoleum, cement, asphalt and even grass. Not only does this give you more experience, but it also will help to build your ankle muscles, which are needed to walk confidently in platforms.

Take short steps and keep your legs close together. Move slowly, and be conscious of the surface you are walking on and if there are any upcoming obstacles such as sidewalk grates.

Touch the ground first with your heel as you step, rolling the weight forward to the ball of your foot and then to your toe, while stepping forward with the opposite foot.

Keep good posture by bringing your chest up and your shoulders rounded back, especially if you are in high platform heels. This makes you look more confident and helps to balance the change in your body’s center of gravity.

Warning

Switch into shoes without platforms before you drive. Even when you become comfortable walking in platforms, it still can be dangerous to work car pedals in them.