{"id":6687,"date":"2020-07-20T07:50:35","date_gmt":"2020-07-20T14:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=6687"},"modified":"2025-02-19T15:25:53","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T23:25:53","slug":"wedges-vs-heels-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wedges-vs-heels-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Wedges vs. Heels: What’s The Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If you’re having trouble differentiating between heels and wedges, you’re not alone. The two elevated footwear styles have a lot of similarities, but they’re not quite the same thing. So, what’s the difference, and which is better, wedges or heels?<\/p>\n

The shoe experts at Vionic are seasoned in all types of heels<\/a>, and we’re here to clear the air. We’ll go over the defining characteristics of the two styles and settle the wedges vs heels debate once and for all. So, when you’re ready to <\/span>shop women’s heels & wedges<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll know exactly what to look for to find the perfect fit for both style and comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Difference Between Heels and Wedges<\/h2>\n

The primary difference between wedges and heels is the soles on each style of shoe. With wedge heels<\/a>, you’ll get continuous, solid, wedge-shaped outsoles that are elevated at the heel and taper down to a somewhat flat toe. On the other hand, high heels are also raised at the back, but the heel portion is separate from the sole underneath the toe.<\/p>\n

Wedges fall into the high heel shoe category because they technically have raised heels. That being said, they’re also a category of their own. Find out more about wedges and heels below.<\/p>\n

Wedges<\/h3>\n

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Many women love wearing wedges because they get to strut their stuff with the height of a high-heel shoe without the unsteadiness of traditional heels. When you walk in a wedge heel, your weight is evenly distributed throughout the sole, which makes it easier to balance. The block heel provides this platform sandal<\/a> with more stability. This style of shoe happens to also be a great option if you\u2019re looking for a heeled sandal to wear at the beach. The elevated heel makes it one of our favorite picks for beach wedding sandals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wedges come in a broad range of materials, colors, styles, and heel heights. Cork and jute-wrapped espadrilles outsoles are some of the most timeless options, but you can find leather, rubber, and raffia outsoles as well. As for uppers, sandals are common for wedges. We’re talking leather slides, strappy styles, ankle strap sandals, and toe-post options. Closed-toe wedges with heel covers, sling-backs, and peep-toe uppers are also popular choices.<\/p>\n

When you browse the vast inventory of wedges at Vionic, you’ll find a variety of styles with varying heel heights, outsoles, and uppers. We also carry platform sandals, which are very similar to wedges, except the sole is slightly elevated under the toe as well as the heel. Vionic wedges and platform sandals take comfort to the next level. Each pair has orthotics built right in, but they look just like any fashionable design you’d see at a department store. Looking for style tips for this type of shoe? Check out our guide on how to wear wedges!<\/p>\n

Wedge Boots<\/h3>\n

You can also get wedge boots and booties. If you’re new to the heeled shoe game, you might be wondering, Are wedge-sole boots more comfortable than regular boots?<\/i> They certainly can be, but it depends on the brand, the style, and your foot type. Vionic carries wedge boots, which, like all our shoes, are embedded with arch support and cushioning. When you try a pair of our comfortable boots for women<\/a>, we’re confident you’ll be a convert.<\/p>\n

Heels<\/h3>\n

As we mentioned, wedges are a type of high heel. Still, there are many, many other styles\u2014some of which are notably more comfortable than others.<\/p>\n

The most common types of heels include:<\/b><\/p>\n