Reading the article answered a question I've had for a long time, which is why these things were invented in the first place. It turns out that they were invented for an extremely practical reason, which is that it makes it easier to keep your feet in the stirrups while riding a horse. An archer on horseback is in a much better position to shoot if he stands, and the heels help him to do that.
For walking, it would be hard to name a more insane design than high-heeled shoes. They just LOOK uncomfortable. Hard to walk in, and God help the person who has to run in these things.