When searching for heels I can *actually* walk in, my threshold criteria are quite high. As a New York City dweller, I walk. A lot. So when it comes to occasions where formal footwear is required, I want to know that I’ll be able to stand on my feet for the entire function without being distracted by pinched toes and screaming arches. Serious bonus points if I can also walk to and from the venue in said shoes.

In my continued quest to find the most comfortable heels, I compared two brands known for making walkable heels: Sarah Flint vs. Inez. After months of testing, here’s how they stacked up against each other.

Over the course of the summer, I tried on and wore three pairs from each brand. The pairs shared similar design characteristics for easy comparison and evaluation. I also wore the Sarah Flint Perfect Pump 85 and Inez Alta outside for a full test drive. I was most interested in how those two compared to each other, because they were the most similar, design-wise. While testing, I was evaluating aesthetics, comfort, design, walkability and value.

When it comes down to it, Sarah Flint scored just a smidge better for design, aesthetics and comfort. However, I thought that Inez delivered the best value. While the former is renowned for its comfort, it also carries an infamous price tag. That makes a pump—far from an everyday shoe—a real investment. If it’s within your budget, the design is unbeatable. If you’re looking for something more palatable in that department, you won’t be disappointed with Inez, which is nearly half the cost. While I do have a pair of Sarah Flint’s Perfect Pumps on my wishlist, for now, I’m content to cruise the city in Inez’s stylish designs.

I Have Flat Feet and Bunions, and These Are 9 Pairs of Shoes I Can Actually Walk In