Let’s be honest, flats will never be as cushy and supportive as sneakers. But, the most comfortable flats should be enjoyable to wear for hours of the day—and depending on your needs—look great for work, nights out and weekends. With that in mind, I set out to test dozens of highly-reviewed flats for a month to find which ones are truly the most comfortable. My top pick overall is Margaux The Pointe Flat, which is a dressy shoe, and the best casual option for all-day walking is Rothy’s The Flat.
These flats are so comfortable they feel like sneakers.
I focused on top-rated options, with at least four stars, from trusted brands, like Allbirds and Sarah Flint, and considered a variety of styles, price points and levels of support. I was especially picky since I have sensitive feet (more on that below, as well as how I evaluated my top picks). While every pair of shoes will fit each person’s foot differently, according to your arch and gait, the most comfortable flats have certain features that go a long way to prevent pain.
Ahead, I found eight flats that stand out for their smart design and high quality. I rated each on a comfort scale of 0 to 5 and included other specs to help guide your choices. If you’d like more footwear advice, check out our guides to the most comfortable walking shoes for women and the best sandals.
- Most Comfortable Flats Overall: Margaux The Pointe Flat
- Most Comfortable Affordable Flats: Amazon Essentials Belice Ballet Flat
- Most Comfortable Ballet Flats: J.Crew Zoe Ballet Flats
- Most Comfortable Flats For Walking: Rothy’s The Flat
- Most Comfortable Flats With Arch Support: Allbirds Tree Breezers
- Most Comfortable Flats For Work: Sarah Flint Sacchetto Ballet Flat
- Most Comfortable Flats For Wide Feet: Birdies Starling Flats
- Most Comfortable Loafer Flats: Toms Darcy Flat
The 2024 Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards are here: Explore our 150 top-recommended items across categories after extensive research and testing.
More Top-Rated Flats
Flats can be tricky to shop for. The cute ones often lack support and cushioning, while the comfortable ones tend to look too practical. We asked Forbes Vetted contributing fashion writer Lesley Rotchford, a self described “shoe snob” who suffers from several foot issues, to round up new arrivals that blend comfort and style.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here at Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched, tested and written extensively about fashion and comfortable footwear. As the senior fashion editor on the team, I’ve tested a variety of shoes, including runner sneakers, sandals and the best walking shoes for women. I spend a lot of time on my feet, hiking and working out on the weekends, and I’ve competed in a few half marathons as well. In the last decade, I’ve also racked up a number of foot injuries from high-impact activities, so I’m extra picky about wearing comfortable shoes that don’t sacrifice style. For this guide, Forbes Vetted contributor Molly Calhoun also enlisted the advice and expertise of stylist and image consultant Amanda Sanders.
How I Choose The Most Comfortable Flats
When conducting my research, I looked for flats from reputable, highly reviewed brands and read online shopping articles to see which pairs were consistently singled out for being the most comfortable for women. I dug into the features of each pair to ensure I considered picks for different footwear needs, styles and budgets.
From there, I created a list of about 15 flats to test. I spent approximately five weeks wearing these flats while going about my everyday activities, which included walking indoors and outdoors, on multiple types of surfaces, and in different weather conditions, ranging from about 20 to 50 degrees. I kept track of which pairs felt the most comfortable and didn’t cause pinching, blisters or foot pain at the end of the day. Verified customer reviews had to be stellar, too, and each flat featured here has an average rating of 4 or more stars out of 5. Finally, I made sure each flat had hassle-free returns, since footwear sizes vary greatly by brand, and it’s often necessary to try on a few pairs in order to find your best size.
After testing many pairs, I found the most comfortable flats offer a balance of support, ... [+]
What To Consider For The Most Comfortable Flats
- Width: When shopping for any pair of shoes, width is extremely important for comfort. If you have wider feet, look for brands that offer spacious room around the toe box, which helps avoid blisters. If you have narrower feet, consider styles that hug the sides of the foot and don’t gap open when you walk. There’s nothing worse than trying to curl your toes just to keep your shoes from flying off. Margaux is one brand that offers flats in varying foot widths, so you ensure a comfortable fit.
- Sole: In general, a rubber sole is most supportive but tends to look sportier, says celebrity stylist and image consultant Amanda Sanders. For optimum comfort and style, look for options with a thin rubber sole or partial rubber sole. This will help cushion the foot and offer better traction without being too noticeable or clunky. “If you buy a flat without a good sole you can always have a cobbler put on a thin rubber sole,” Sanders says. “It’ll help the shoe be a little more shock resistant but you won’t lose the elegant appearance of a thin leather sole, for example.”
- Fabric: Certain fabrics have more give and mold to your foot over time, creating that perfect fit. “Leather and suede will stretch in this way,” Sanders says. “But plastic, vinyl and fabric don’t usually give as much. And satin shoes definitely won’t stretch.” Very soft leathers or suedes might feel comfortable and accommodating to your foot early on, but on the flipside, they may not last as long as a stiffer leather.
- Strap: An over-the-foot strap—on, say, a Mary Jane or a mule—adds comfort and helps secure the shoe’s fit. These types of straps or buckles can be invaluable if you have different sized feet because they allow you to adjust one shoe if it may be slightly too big. However, at the same time, a strap can visually cut off the length of your leg, so you might want to consider a slim strap if possible.
- Size: If you’re between sizes, follow the brand’s recommendations as to whether you should size up or down. If no advice is given on their site, most experts recommend sizing down for genuine leather flats since they will stretch out over time. For knit fabric flats, such as Rothy’s, it’s often best to size down too, since the knit can loosen up with use. Generally, leave enough space between your big toe and the edge of the flat—the width of your thumb is a good amount of room. Remember, feet swell as the day goes on, so you want some built-in comfort to allow for this expansion.
- Toe Shape: To not look frumpy in flats, pay attention to the shape of the toe on your flats. Personally, I like styles that are pointed, round with a square front or oval rather than entirely round all around. Toe shape can really change the vibe of your flats. Also, wear your flats with outfits that have a bit of an edge and aren’t super traditional—pair them with distressed or cuffed jeans, midi skirts rather than prim knee-length options. I also love flats with a flared skirt or sleek jumpsuit as a way to dress down a formal look.
How To Break In Leather Flats
It’s true that leather flats do require some breaking in. Podiatrists recommend wearing new shoes at home and alternating days you wear them to avoid blisters and giving up on your flats altogether. Here’s a step-by-step plan to gradually wear in any new leather pair.
Wear Thick Socks: Consider wearing thick socks when initially breaking in your leather flats. This can provide a bit of cushioning and a buffer for bare skin to help prevent blisters and discomfort as the shoes adjust to your feet.
Use Blister Pads: If you anticipate potential “hotspots” or you know that certain areas are your feet are prone to blisters, apply blister pads or moleskin to those spots before wearing your new flats. This can provide added protection and comfort.
Wear Your Shoes At Home: Before taking your new shoes out for a full day, wear them around the house for short periods. This allows your feet to get accustomed to the shoes so you don’t overdo things at first.
Invest In Quality Shoe Trees: Wooden shoe trees help maintain the shape of your shoes and absorb moisture, which can help in keeping the leather supple and preventing creases.
Alternate Shoes: If you have multiple pairs of flats, rotate them regularly. This not only extends the life of your shoes but also gives your feet a break from wearing the same pair every day.
Consider Professional Stretching: If you have specific issues with the fit of your flats, such as tight spots or bunions, consider taking them to a professional cobbler for stretching or modifications.
Complain—Politely: If you’ve given it a few weeks and your flats are still not comfortable, reach out to the brand, even if you’re past the return window. Reputable brands will want to know that their shoes are not meeting your expectations and should work with you to find a solution, whether it’s sending a new pair or offering you a store credit.
What About Insoles?
Insoles can be especially helpful to provide extra cushioning in flats and support if you have specific foot issues (for example, I have stubborn, hard-earned blisters from running, which makes the sides of my feet very tender). Here are my top recommendations to customize your flats for ultimate comfort.
Which Flats Are The Most comfortable?
Flats have come a long way in recent years—offering features like cushioning, arch support and flexible rubber soles. The Margaux The Pointe Flat gets top marks for both comfort and style, but brands like Rothys, Allbirds, Sarah Flint and Birdies are also known for making flats with sneaker-like comfort that can withstand miles of walking.
How Do I Stop My Flats From Hurting My Feet?
Flats can feel stiff right out of the box, so simply taking the time to break them in will stop them from hurting. As mentioned above, try wearing them around the house for short periods of time to help them soften and mold to your feet. If your feet are aching from a lack of arch support, slipping in a slim over-the-counter insole should ease discomfort, and heel grips can be a buffer against blisters.
What Flats Are Trending In 2024?
The big trend for 2024 is Mary Jane style flats, which have either an elastic strap (to mimic actual ballet shoes) or an adjustable leather strap. Along with looking stylish, these straps serve an important purpose: They hold your foot in place, creating a more customized fit and making them easier to walk in. Woven ballet flats are really hot for spring and summer, like the Margaux The Demi Jane or Madewell’s The Greta Ballet Flat (we show it in a studded style, but it also comes in woven), while Cole Haan’s Bridge MaryJanes have year-round appeal.
What Is The Comfiest Ballet Flat?
This distinction goes to J.Crew’s Zoe Ballet Flats. They aren’t tricked out with all kinds of techy features, but the soft leather and squared off toe make them comfortable for everyday wear. A close runner up is the Aerosoles Pia Ballet Flat, which has a flexible sole and cushy footbed.
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