Christian Louboutin does make kitten heels, and the current range includes the Kate 70, the Sporty Kate Sling 55 and the Me Dolly 55 mule. Like most of the house's shoes, they generally run about half a size small compared to standard UK sizing, so we'd recommend going half a size up from your usual. They're genuinely comfortable for full-day wear: the signature red sole and pointed silhouette, without the pitch of a 100 mm or 120 mm stiletto. Pre-owned pairs in our collection start from £79.99, a fraction of boutique pricing.
By the Avantelle Authentication Team · Last updated 29 July 2026
Does Christian Louboutin Actually Make Kitten Heels?
Yes, and the house has been quietly building its lower range for several seasons. The house now lists a dedicated kitten heel category on their website, and the models sitting in it are not afterthoughts. They carry the same pointed last, the same lacquered red sole and the same Italian construction as the taller pumps.
The standout is the Kate 70. It's the same pattern as the Kate 85 and Kate 100, just at a gentler pitch. At 70 mm it sits right at the boundary between a kitten heel and a low pump, and that's honestly the sweet spot for anyone who wants the recognisable Kate silhouette without the forward lean of the taller versions. Patent calf leather, pointed toe, no platform. If you know the Kate, you know the shape, and our Kate guide covers how all three heights compare.
Below that, the Sporty Kate Sling 55 is among the lowest closed-toe options in the current range. At 55 mm in lamb nappa leather with an elasticated slingback strap, it's unmistakably in kitten territory. The slingback keeps it secure without needing a snug fit across the top of the foot, which makes sizing slightly more forgiving than a closed pump. It comes in black, blush, bianco and leche.
Then there's the Me Dolly 55, a 55 mm open-toe mule in nappa leather. It's a slide-on, so the fit question is different entirely: there's no heel counter holding you in, and the foot sits more naturally. It's a warm-weather option with a relaxed feel that the pumps don't quite match. Our mules guide covers the Me Dolly and the rest of the slide range.
All three are made in Italy and finished with the hand-applied lacquered red sole. The lower pitch doesn't mean a lower tier: these are the same construction, the same materials and the same finishing as a So Kate or a Pigalle.
How Do Louboutin Kitten Heels Fit?
The general rule across the house is that Louboutin shoes run about half a UK size small compared to standard sizing. That holds for the kitten range too, though the lower pitch does change how the fit feels in practice.
At a taller pitch, your foot slides forward into the toe box under gravity. At 120 mm, that pressure is significant: the So Kate pushes everything into a narrow point, and most people size up a full size to compensate. At 55 to 70 mm, the angle is much shallower, so there's less forward slide and the toe box feels slightly more generous even though the last is the same. The result is that half a size up from your usual UK size is the safe call for the kitten range, where a full size up is often necessary at 100 mm or above.
A few specifics worth knowing:
- The Kate 70 in patent calf leather runs half a size small. Patent doesn't stretch, so the fit you buy is broadly the fit you keep. In suede or nappa, some people find true to size works.
- The Sporty Kate Sling 55 is more forgiving than a closed pump because the elasticated slingback accommodates slight size differences. In lamb nappa, which softens with wear, true to size works for most feet. If you're between sizes, go up.
- The Me Dolly 55 as a mule has no heel counter, so sizing is simpler. Half a size up if you have a wider foot; true to size otherwise.
Our sizing guide covers model-by-model adjustments across the full range.
One advantage of buying pre-owned is that a pair worn a few times will have softer, slightly more giving leather than a brand-new pair. The break-in is partly done, which means the fit is often more comfortable from day one.
Are Kitten Heels Bad for Your Feet?
No, and they're significantly easier on your feet than anything at 100 mm or above. At 55 to 70 mm, the angle is gentle enough that your weight stays distributed across the foot rather than loading the ball, which is what makes taller stilettos demanding over time.
There's a persistent idea that these lower styles are somehow worse than flats because of the slight forward tilt. In practice, most people find a modest lift more comfortable than a completely flat sole for sustained walking and standing, because the small lift supports the arch naturally. It's a balance: too flat and the arch gets nothing; too steep and the ball of the foot takes the strain. The kitten range hits a natural middle ground.
For Louboutin specifically, the kitten models share the same pointed toe as the taller versions, but the reduced pitch means less pressure at the front. If you find the pointed toe uncomfortable at 100 mm, you may well find it perfectly fine at 70 mm, because the toe isn't bearing the same load. Our comfort guide ranks every model in the range.
The practical upshot is that a Kate 70 or Sporty Kate Sling 55 is a shoe you can wear for a full working day, a wedding, or a long afternoon of walking. That's not something we'd say about a So Kate 120, which is honestly a car-to-chair shoe for most people.
How Do Kitten Heels Compare to Standard Louboutin Pumps?
| Model | Height | Toe shape | Material | Wearability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sporty Kate Sling 55 | 55 mm | Pointed | Lamb nappa | All day | Work, travel, long events |
| Me Dolly 55 | 55 mm | Open | Nappa | All day | Warm weather, relaxed dressing |
| Kate 70 | 70 mm | Pointed | Patent calf | Full day | Office, dinners, weddings |
| Kate 85 | 85 mm | Pointed | Patent calf | Good (4 - 5 h) | Evening events, smart occasions |
| Iriza 100 | 100 mm | Pointed (d'Orsay) | Patent calf | Good (3 - 4 h) | Dinners, dressier evenings |
| Kate 100 | 100 mm | Pointed | Patent calf | Medium (3 h) | Events, statement dressing |
| So Kate 120 | 120 mm | Narrow, pointed | Patent calf | Low (1 - 1.5 h) | Seated dinners, short events |
The gap between 55 mm and 120 mm changes your wearable hours from eight to one. Choosing within the kitten range gives you the full day that taller pumps simply can't.
And the pricing picture is worth knowing. A new pair of Kate 100 pumps retails from around £720 at boutique (verified at Harvey Nichols). Pre-owned, the numbers change entirely: authenticated pairs in our collection start from £79.99, with the Fifi 100 in black patent from £139.99 and the Condora 85 from £349.99. You could try two or three models pre-owned for less than a single pair at retail. Browse the full Christian Louboutin collection.
If you're new to the range, our beginners' guide covers first-pair picks, and our heel heights guide maps the full range from 55 mm to 130 mm.
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Authenticated pre-owned Christian Louboutin, from £79.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Christian Louboutin make kitten heels?
Yes. The current range includes the Kate 70 (a 70 mm pointed pump in patent calf leather), the Sporty Kate Sling 55 (a 55 mm slingback in lamb nappa) and the Me Dolly 55 (a 55 mm open-toe mule). All carry the signature lacquered red sole and are made in Italy.
Are Louboutin kitten heels true to size?
Most run about half a UK size small, consistent with the rest of the range. The Sporty Kate Sling 55 is slightly more forgiving thanks to its elasticated slingback. In patent leather, go half a size up; in nappa or suede, true to size usually works.
Are kitten heels bad for your feet?
Not generally. A 55 to 70 mm lift puts your foot at a mild angle that distributes weight more evenly than a taller stiletto. Most people find a modest rise more comfortable than a completely flat shoe for sustained standing and walking.
How do kitten heels compare to Louboutin's taller pumps?
The main difference is sustained wearability. A Kate 70 or Sporty Kate Sling 55 is comfortable for a full working day; a Kate 100 manages three to four hours; a So Kate 120 is best kept to seated occasions. The lower pitch reduces ball-of-foot pressure and forward slide in the toe box.
Where can you buy pre-owned Louboutin kitten heels?
We stock authenticated pre-owned Louboutin from £79.99 at Avantelle. Every pair is verified by our authentication team before listing. You can also find pairs on Vinted and Vestiaire, but always check authenticity before buying.
The kitten range is the quietest way into the Louboutin collection: the red sole, the silhouette, the finishing, without any compromise on your day. Size half up, pick the style that fits your wardrobe, and you'll have a pair that works from morning to evening.
