Don't be a heel! Treat your feet to some sweet relief in the form of these polished flats. (Everlane, J.Crew, Rothy's, Amazon)
Once you hit a certain age, it's pretty clear that uncomfortable shoes — however cute they may be! — just aren't worth the hassle. After years of running around in heels and dealing with the blisters and pain that come with them, I've finally realized that comfort should take a front seat. Yes, I still slip on some high heels for special occasions, but for everyday wear, I've embraced the wonderful world of flats.
As someone who quite literally shops for a living, I've tried out a ton of styles over the years. The best flats are just as comfy as your favorite sneakers but still give you a polished look. And my fellow shoe experts agree: When I polled my coworkers and two podiatrists about their favorite flats, they shared some gorgeous picks with great features like padded insoles and breathable fabrics. From adorable ballet flats to timeless slides to sweet Mary Janes, there's a perfectly comfy pair for everyone.
Update, April 14, 2025: We added four new flats to the list, from Vionic, Bared and Waco Shoe Company. We also checked all product prices and availability. Our pick for best flats overall remains unchanged.
As much as I like to test new styles every season, I always go back to my tried-and-true J.Crew ballet flats. They're not only sleek and polished, but incredibly comfortable. The rubber sole offers excellent traction, while the padded foam insole has enough support and cushioning to allow an entire day on my feet with no issues.
I usually pair them with my go-to outfit of jeans and a tee (or a cute sweater), but they also look amazing with everything from linen pants to midi skirts and flowy dresses. The black leather upper is super-durable and hardly scuffs. And can we talk about that adorable bow on top? It adds such a sweet touch.
I've had to size down in other J.Crew shoe styles, but I found these true to size. The toe area is roomy and the twill lining feels good on my feet and has never given me blisters. Shop them in four colors, sizes 5-12.
Editorial Manager Zainab Akande says these adorable flats are her go-tos during spring and summer. "The bow detail adds a fun, feminine element that pairs well with pants, dresses and even shorts. I live in New York, and I have a lot of flats that get run down quickly from the amount of walking I do, but these have held up well over the years," she tells us. Zainab has had these for over five years and gives them a five out of five on the comfort scale, despite their minimal padding. The stylish flats also have a flexible anti-skid rubber sole.
Zainab owns them in black but says she loves them so much that she's tempted to grab them in another color — especially since they come in 44 styles, including animal prints. Sizes range from 4.5 to 10.5.
You've probably heard about Rothy's flats since they're a favorite of Meghan Markle, but she's not the only one who loves them. Senior Commerce Writer Kristin Granero is a big fan too — she owns them in several colors. Kristin describes her loafers as stylish, super comfortable and incredibly breathable. "They're perfect for spring and summer because you don't have to worry about sweating or dealing with blisters," she shares.
The fabric is knit from recycled plastic bottles, so it stretches and molds to your feet. Kristin also appreciates how lightly padded they are and says they had no break-in time. But her favorite feature? How flexible they are. "The shoe folds nicely for throwing in a tote or traveling," she notes. Another bonus? Every pair is machine-washable for easy cleaning. Choose from six colors in sizes 5-13.
Shopping Manager Julia Webb is another Rothy's devotee, but she prefers these cute Mary Janes. "These flats feel more special than a sneaker, but are just as comfortable," she raves. While she feels they look a bit too "prim" with flirty dresses and skirts, they're her go-to shoe with jeans to get that cool masculine-meets-feminine feel.
Julia says the fabric — the same eco-friendly and machine-washable knit as the above flats — made these much easier to break in than leather styles. "They're comfortable, flexible, easy to style and come in a bunch of colors." There are nine colors, to be exact, and sizes range from 5 to 13.
"I'm more of a heels than a flats gal," Trending Writer Ellie Conley tells us. "But I picked these up to wear on days when I don't want to wear sneakers but I'll be doing too much walking to wear pumps or a pair of booties." She's only had them a month but is impressed by how versatile and comfortable they are. "So far, they complement a ton of outfits and they're comfy enough to walk in around New York City." The flats come in two velvet options and six leather styles in sizes 5-11.
A square toe gives these a higher-fashion feel, and they even boast a hidden feature that makes them super easy to walk in, Ellie says: "They are slightly padded on the inside, but I like that they have an adjustable drawstring around the top to eliminate any gaps and give them a more custom fit."
If you need more support from your flats, Shopping Director Jeanine Edwards recommends these mules from Birkenstock. She says they're just as comfortable as the brand's iconic Arizona sandals (our pick for best walking sandals). The classic slip-ons have a deep heel cup that keeps your foot in place and helps distribute your weight more evenly. The suede-lined footbed molds to your feet over the break-in period, so these get more comfortable the longer you wear them.
While these Birks are the most casual flats on the list, Jeanine says they look good with just about any kind of pants: "Jeans, joggers, trousers, cords, you name it!" She's had them for over three years, with zero foot pain or blisters. "The beauty of a mule is nothing rubbing against my heel. And I've never had any issues with the front or top rubbing my skin raw. I can wear them for long periods and they don't hurt my feet at all."
Every shoe by Vionic is designed by a team of podiatrists, so it makes sense that both Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS and Dr. Hillary Brenner, New York based podiatrist and foot surgeon recommend the brand. This particular style meets both their requirements for a comfortable pair of flats thanks to it's wide toe box and biomechanically-designed arch support.
"The adjustable strap allows for a more custom fit and is also offered in wide and narrow width options. With the APMA Seal of Acceptance, this option is a great choice for those looking for style and helps promote good foot health," says Dr. Daughtry. What's more? Each pair comes with two insoles so you can enjoy a custom fit.
Another podiatrist-designed shoe line Dr. Brenner loves is Bared — an Australian brand that launched to bridge the gap in the market on functional yet fashionable shoes. This sleek pair has high-fashion touches like a spacious pointed toe and studded ankle straps that are fully adjustable for you to find a comfy fit.
They also have a cushioned insole that provides ample arch support and a deep heel cup that supports and stabilizes the foot for all-day support. One shopper loved them so much they called them "The unicorn of dressy flats."
These loafers have the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance thanks to their lightweight, flexible outsoles and shock-absorbing cushioning. They also boast a deep heel cup for stability and ample arch support. The soft leather uppers are sourced from the Leather Working Group, which promotes responsible leather manufacturing.
The clever flats are designed to collapse down to be fully flat, making them ideal for travel. Dr. Daughtry is a big fan because "the flat is a smartly crafted and easily packable option that has a lightweight flexible sole and removable Vionic iconic arch support insole for additional support and cushioning."
Another one of Dr. Daughtry's picks are these cute and sporty flats from Waco Shoe Company. "The Mariner Soho is a lightweight, year-round slip-on option that combines an airy style for breathability and comfort along with the brand's signature Revitalign Full Contact Comfort footbed for proper cushioning and arch support," she said.
The mesh uppers are specially-designed to promote airflow and keep your feet cool and dry — even as you walk around on hot and sunny days. Not only are the flats podiatrist-designed for all-day comfort but they also cradle the foot so you'll feel supported too.
