Dr. Steffie Tomson, previously a cognitive neuroscientist, has combined her passion for science with her love of fashion by creating a line of high heels engineered for comfort. In 2019, she embarked on a journey to develop shoes designed like cushioned sneakers that eliminate the common aches associated with traditional high heels.
Tomson’s expertise in synesthesia—the phenomenon where one sense is simultaneously perceived as another—provided her with a unique perspective on the intersection of comfort and style. Despite her academic focus, she found herself grappling daily with the discomfort of high heels, realizing that her footwear decisions significantly impacted her mobility, mood, and productivity. “I found myself walking around these enormous medical campuses wearing heels,” she shared.
Each morning became a logistical puzzle as she calculated stiletto math: the proximity of her parking spot to meetings and the trade-offs between style and comfort. “I was making choices in my academic career based on avoiding pain in my body caused by heels,” she admitted, noting the toll the shoes took on her ankles, knees, hips, and lower back.
Determined to uncover the source of her discomfort, Tomson took among her shoes into her lab, slicing them open with a band saw to explore their inner workings. To her surprise, the majority of the heels consisted of plastic and metal with minimal cushioning. This lack of support, she found, was universal across both affordable and luxury brands.
Her findings propelled her to experiment with materials at the orthotics and prosthetics department at her Texas college. Drawing inspiration from cushioned athletic shoes, she envisioned a high-heeled version that would provide similar support. Despite initial resistance from manufacturers—who claimed foam wedge heels would be unsafe—Tomson persisted, arguing, “I wear foam athletic shoes daily and I don’t fall down.”
Through relentless experimentation, she discovered an ideal density of foam that offered both shock absorption and stability, thus minimizing stress on the body’s joints. “The foam will compress as you walk, just like an athletic sneaker… meaning that the impact of your body weight on the ground gets dissipated by that foam,” she explained.
In May 2021, Tomson’s vision came to life with the launch of Steffie’s Shoes, which now offers a variety of styles, including T-strap wedges, booties, flats, and sandals. Each design features well-calibrated heel heights aimed at reducing pressure on the foot and improving posture, along with innovative buckles for ease of use.
Tomson aims to alleviate distractions caused by pain, allowing women to concentrate on their daily tasks without the burden of uncomfortable footwear. “Heels are a bigger distraction than we think they are,” she stated. “The brain is wired to keep you safe… it says, ‘This is happening, and I’m going to keep reminding you until you get rid of the pain.’”
Despite her achievements, Tomson acknowledges the societal pressures surrounding high heels. When confronted with comments like, “Why don’t you just not wear heels?” she replies, “Women want to wear heels sometimes, and sometimes we need to wear heels.” Her commitment to blending style and comfort in women’s shoes reflects both a personal passion and a professional dedication to improving everyday life.
