Flats Are Usually Terrible for Your Feet—Unless You Wear *These* Podiatrist-Approved Pairs
For, well, ever, “comfortable” and “flats” never made it into the same sentence. While flats lack a teetering heel, they can also lack cushy insoles and sturdy soles—two musts for good foot health. The good news: flats are more supportive than ever, and you don’t have to sacrifice style to feel comfortable all day. Whether […]
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For, well, ever, “comfortable” and “flats” never made it into the same sentence. While flats lack a teetering heel, they can also lack cushy insoles and sturdy soles—two musts for good foot health. The good news: flats are more supportive than ever, and you don’t have to sacrifice style to feel comfortable all day.
Whether you prefer slipping on a pair of Mary Janes, ballet flats, mules, or loafers, there are plenty of cool, classic flats on the market. Below are 10 pairs of comfortable flats—all podiatrist- and editor-approved!—that are especially worthy of adding to your shoe collection.
Most Comfortable Flats at a Glance
Best Sandal: Dr. Scholl’s Ankle Strap Sandal, $59
Most Budget-Friendly: Aerosoles Buckle Ballet Shoes, $30
Best Mary Jane: Rothy’s The Square Mary Jane, $159
Best Glove Shoe: Naturalizer 27 Edit Carla Flat, $110
Best Square Toe: Vivaia Margot Mary Jane, $97
Best Loafers: Everlane The Modern Loafer, $168
Best Mule: Vionic Leather Mule, $130
Best Driver: Quince 100% Suede Driver Loafer, $80
Best Woven: Nisolo Huarache Sandal, $138
Best for Work: Hue Anna Liflat, $129
What to Look for in Comfortable Flats
Forget the flat-as-a-pancake flats. According to Dr. Saylee Tulpule, a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon, flats should check a few boxes before going into your online shopping cart: they should have a round or square toe box to give your toes plenty of wiggle room, they should have a supportive midsole to make all-day walking cushier, and they should be made from soft or stretchy materials, like leather. They don’t need to be so flat either—a low heel will add additional stability too.
Can Flats Ever Be Comfortable?
Absolutely! Shop for sandals that are equipped with supportive midsoles and made with a stretchy material, says Dr. Tulpule. “With these tips in mind, flats can be comfortable,” says Dr. Tulpule.
What Actually Makes Flats Comfortable?
It’s all in the construction. Do the flats you’re considering have arch support? (Or can you add in your own supportive midsoles?) Do they have a rounded or square toe box, one that doesn’t crunch up your toes? Do they have a sturdy sole? To answer yes to all of those questions, Dr. Tulpule recommends shopping brands such as Vionic, Hue, Dansko, and Aetrex.
Are Ballet Flats Good for Travel?
Leave the ballet flats at home. When it comes to long days of walking on ancient cobblestone streets and (hopefully not) running through airports, you’ll need more support than most ballet flats can offer.
“I don’t recommend wearing ballet flats for travel,” says Dr. Tulpule. “A better shoe option would be an athletic shoe or a slip-on sneaker. These types of shoes will have better cushion and arch support, perfect for accumulating steps while on travel.”
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Expert in this Article
Dr. Saylee Tulpule is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon.
Dr. Scholl's Ankle Strap Sandal
Not ready to put your toes away for the season? With summer still in full swing, you’ll need a comfortable flat sandal at the ready for walks to the farmers market and attending your state fair. These Dr. Scholls sandals are just that pair. They feature an ankle strap for stability, a hidden velcro strap for a more customized fit, and a supportive footbed, balancing style with comfort.
Colorways: Black, light gold, brown
Sizes available: 6.5-11, including half sizes
Material: Rubber sole, synthetic upper
Style: Sandal
Pros:
• Molded footbed
• Supportive straps
• Velcro allows for a perfect fit
Cons:
• Made of synthetic materials
Aerosoles Buckle Ballet Shoes
Perhaps you want to feel confident that flats can be comfortable before throwing down serious dollars. These ballet flats from Aerosoles are ideal for everyday wear and they won’t break your budget either. The foam insole makes each step cushy, while the flexible fabric ensures there’s no break-in time needed—no rubbing, pinching, or blisters.
Colorways: Black, brown
Sizes available: 6-12, including half sizes and wide
Material: Rubber sole, synthetic upper
Style: Ballet flat
Pros:
• Affordable
• Flexible outsole
• Available in wide sizes
Cons:
• Limited colors
Rothy's The Square Mary Jane
The Rothy’s The Square Mary Jane is the pinnacle of a comfortable flat. They’re made with a breathable (and sustainable!) knit fabric with an ultra-plush footbed that cradles you with each step. You may even forget you’re wearing shoes.
Our Senior Commerce Director Gina Vaynshteyn has been a fan of Rothy’s since she got her first pair in 2019. “My favorite is the Mary Jane, which gives it a coquette-ish look and goes with literally everything in my closet. Dresses, overalls, jeans, leggings—you can pretty much always find me in my black Rothy’s Mary Janes,” Gina says. “Like all Rothy’s shoes, they’re made from a sustainable, ultra-breathable material (no stinky feet!), and are designed for comfort, so you can truly wear them for hours without pain. I’m currently eight months pregnant and they’ve been one of my go-to footwear options.”
Colorways: 10 colors and patterns
Sizes available: 5-11, including half sizes and select colors in wide
Material: Rubber sole, recycled knit upper
Style: Mary Jane
Pros:
• Made of a sustainable material
• Versatile style
• Machine washable
Cons:
• Not all colors and patterns available in wide
• Straps are not adjustable
Naturalizer 27 Edit Carla Flat
There’s a good reason Naturalizer named this flat the 27 Edit—the brand has been designing shoes that contour to a woman’s foot since 1927. The glove silhouette is never not in style, though Naturalizer’s stand out for their supreme comfort. Naturalizer’s signature contouring capabilities mold to your foot, and they feature extra cushioning along the insole and a proprietary rubber outsole design that provides enhanced flexibility and shock absorption.
I recently added the red leather 27 Edits to my shoe collection and don’t know how I’ve lived without them. For years I’d been daydreaming about a similar-looking pair of glove flats that had a designer label but no sole support—so glad I didn’t throw down $500 for those and opted for these Naturalizers instead. They add a punchy accent to just about any outfit and fit like a (you guessed it) glove.
Colorways: 17 colors and patterns
Sizes available: 5-12, including half sizes, medium and wide
Material: Rubber outsole, leather or suede upper
Style: Glove ballet flat
Pros:
• Extra cushioned insole
• Flexible rubber outsole
• Available in a wide range of colors
Cons:
• Suede upper requires some breaking in
Vivaia Square Toe Margot Mary Jane
Your toes will sigh in relief at the sight of these Vivaia Mary Janes—I know mine do when I slip on my pair. The square toe box offers plenty of wiggle room for your little piggies, and the rest of the shoe is just as extremely comfortable too. The perforated strap (as opposed to one with a couple holes) offers a perfect fit, while the insole is supremely cushioned, and the padded heel promises no blisters. It’s also hard not to love that the breathable knit upper is made from recycled plastic bottles.
Our own Commerce Editor Kristine Fellizar owns a few pairs of Vivaia flats and struggled to narrow down a favorite. “I’ve worn a ton of different flats from various brands and nothing compares to the quality and comfort you get with Vivaia,” Kristine says. “They fit so well. I recently wore the Square-Toe Mary-Janes (in the ultra-chic two-tone Nude Peach & Black) for an entire day of standing and walking around. I never once felt like I needed to take my shoes off, and they even got me a couple of compliments!”
Colorways: 18 colors and patterns
Sizes available: 5-11, including half sizes and select colors in wide
Material: Rubber sole, knit upper
Style: Mary Jane
Pros:
• Perforated strap allows for a perfect fit
• Available in a wide array of colors and patterns
• Heel padding prevents blisters
Cons:
• Not all colors and patterns available in wide
Everlane The Modern Loafer
I’ve owned Everlane’s Modern Loafer for years, but you wouldn’t know it. There’s not a scuff to be seen, even though I’ve walked upwards of 100 miles in them. The style has been an Everlane staple since 2014 and still feels just as fresh over a decade later, since you can’t get much more classic than a well-made loafer. The tapered toe doesn’t leave your toes feeling crunched, and the foam-cushioned offers a soft place to land with each step. Best of all, they don’t require breaking in, since the buttery-soft leather—which is sourced from a high-rated tannery that prioritizes reducing environmental impact—moves with your foot.
Colorways: Camel, black, rum
Sizes available: 5-11, including half sizes
Material: Leather
Style: Loafer
Pros:
• Foam-cushioned insole
• Sustainably-sourced leather
• Classic style
Cons:
• Limited colors
Vionic Leather Mule
With each of their designs, Dr. Tulpule-approved brand Vionic prioritizes foot health without sacrificing style. Exhibit A: these always-in-fashion smoking slipper-like mule. If you’ve shied away from mules afraid they’ll fly off your feet mid-stride, these are your best introduction to the style. The arch support, while not removable, comes up to meet the contours of your feet and the durable rubber outsole with textured tread ensures solid traction.
Colorways: Camel, black
Sizes available: 6-11, including half sizes
Material: Rubber outsole, leather upper
Style: Mule
Pros:
• Contoured footbed
• Easy slip-on style
• Good traction
Cons:
• Many sizes of black colorway sold out
Quince 100% Suede Driving Loafer
It’s me, hi! I’m the Quince superfan, it’s me—and for really good reason. The brand offers high-quality products at a (much) lower price point compared to luxury brands with similar styles. Take these oh-so-comfortable driving loafers, for instance. They’re made to last, yet are priced at half the cost of other brands. Their ortholite insoles offer extra padding for all-day wear, and the rubber outsole provide serious grip and flexibility. These are a buy them once, keep them forever type of shoe.
Colorways: Oat, brown, black
Sizes available: 5-10, no half sizes
Material: Rubber outsole, suede upper
Style: Driving loafer
Pros:
• Ortholite insole provides extra padding
• High quality without a marked up price tag
• Water resistant
Cons:
• Full sizes only
Nisolo Huarache Sandal
You can’t argue the staying power of a shoe that’s been around for many centuries. The Nisolo Huarache Sandal is a modern take on the traditional Mexican huarache. The woven leather style is a timeless option for a casual yet comfortable flat thanks to its shock-absorbing foam cushioning. The soft, hand-woven leather (though it may feel snug upon first wear) will perfectly mold to your feet over time, likely giving them long-time “favorite” status in your shoe collection, both for everyday wear and dress-up occasions. Pair that with Nisolo’s commitment to using planet-friendly materials and ethical production practices and you have a must-have pair of forever shoes.
Colorways: Cognac, black, almond, bone
Sizes available: 5-11, including half sizes
Material: Rubber sole, leather upper
Style: Huarache
Pros:
• Foam insole
• Breathable woven design
• Made with ethical and sustainable practices
Cons:
• Sizing can be inconsistent
• Less arch support
Hue Anna Liflat
If you need to dress up for your 9-to-5, turn to one of Dr. Tulpule’s favorite brands for comfortable flats: Hue. Their styles prioritize being fashion-forward while also focusing on foot health. The Anna flat is an easy favorite, with its removable (and machine washable!) triple-layer insole that offers maximum comfort. The ergonomic heel hugs your heel in place—hallelujah, no blisters!—while the breathable knit design stretches to your foot’s unique shape. Plus, you can’t help but smile at the cheery pink color.
Colorways: Pink, black, green
Sizes available: 6-11, including half sizes
Material: Rubber outsole, knit upper
Style: Ballet flat
Pros:
• Removable insole
• Breathable knit design
• Machine washable
Cons:
• Limited colorways