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In a city where walking is a way of life, finding the right shoes can make all the difference.
New Yorkers walk. A lot. Whether it’s a morning stroll through Riverside Park, running errands along Broadway, or simply navigating the countless blocks between home, work, and everything in between, our feet take a beating.
And for many New Yorkers, that daily activity comes with an unwelcome companion: heel pain.
At The New Harrys Shoes, helping customers find the right footwear is about much more than choosing a good-looking pair of shoes. It’s about understanding how feet work, how they respond to the surfaces we walk on, and why the right combination of footwear and support can make such a meaningful difference.
“After more than 35 years of fitting shoes, I can tell you that heel pain is one of the most common complaints we hear,” says store owner Holden Nagelberg. “Whether someone is dealing with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or just general discomfort after a long day of walking, our goal is to understand what’s happening with their feet and help them find footwear that feels better.”
Why City Living Can Be Hard on Your Heels
It’s easy to blame New York’s concrete sidewalks, but the causes of heel discomfort can be more complicated.
Exercise routines, running, everyday footwear choices, and even the natural structure of our feet can all contribute.
“People are often surprised to learn how much their individual foot structure can influence their comfort,” explains Kelsey Hockenberger, general manager of The New Harrys Shoes. “Two people can wear the exact same shoe and have completely different experiences. That’s why we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.”
For some customers, additional cushioning can help reduce the impact of walking on hard surfaces. Others may benefit from more structured arch support, a different heel shape, or simply a shoe that fits their foot properly.
And sometimes, the answer isn’t a new pair of shoes at all.
“We frequently show customers how a carefully selected insole can change the way their existing shoes feel,” says Hockenberger. “Many shoes come with a basic removable footbed, and replacing it with one that better suits the customer’s foot can often make a noticeable difference in comfort.”
The Art—and Science—of a Proper Fit
What makes The New Harrys Shoes experience different is the attention paid to each customer’s individual needs.
Rather than simply asking for a shoe size, the store’s experienced fitting specialists consider arch structure, foot shape, and how a customer intends to use their shoes.
“One of the things we look at is how the arch behaves when someone stands and puts weight on their feet,” explains Nagelberg. “Some feet are very flexible, while others have a much more rigid structure. Understanding those differences helps us recommend the right combination of support, cushioning, and fit.”
For customers with higher, stronger arches, cushioning and properly contoured support may help distribute pressure more comfortably. For those with more flexible feet, a stronger supportive footbed may provide greater stability.
But the important point, according to Nagelberg, is that there is no single perfect shoe for everyone.
“We’re not interested in selling someone the most expensive shoe in the store,” he says. “We’re interested in finding the shoe that’s right for their feet. That’s what good service is all about.”
Bringing the Ground Up to Meet Your Feet
Hockenberger has a particularly memorable way of explaining the value of proper underfoot support.
“We like to call it ‘bringing the ground up to meet the bottom of your foot,'” she says.
“Think about walking barefoot on soft sand. The surface naturally conforms to the shape of your foot. But when you’re walking on concrete, there’s no give in the ground. A well-designed footbed can help provide cushioning and support in places where your foot needs it.”
It’s a simple concept that helps explain why the shape and construction of a shoe can matter just as much as how soft it feels when you first try it on.
And while supportive footwear isn’t a cure for every type of heel pain, finding the right fit can be an important part of improving everyday comfort.
Comfort Doesn’t Have to Come at the Expense of Style
Of course, this is New York City. Looking good still matters. Fortunately, the days when comfortable footwear meant sacrificing style are long gone.
At The New Harrys Shoes, customers will find a huge selection of everything from fashionable everyday sneakers and walking shoes to sophisticated casual footwear, boots, and dressier styles—all selected with an eye toward comfort, quality, and design.
“People shouldn’t have to choose between shoes they love looking at and shoes they love wearing,” says Nagelberg. “Our job is to help them find both.”
And that’s really what sets The New Harrys Shoes apart: a combination of footwear knowledge, personal attention, and an understanding that every customer—and every pair of feet—is different.
If your feet have been trying to tell you something, perhaps it’s time to listen.
Stop by The New Harrys Shoes, meet the experienced fitting team, and discover what a more personalized approach to footwear can do for your everyday comfort.
For persistent or severe heel pain, consult a qualified healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause.
For more information about The New Harrys Shoes, visit harrys-shoes.com.
