One of the most cliché-but-true bits of fashion advice is this: have at least one comfortable pair of flats. Heels are fun and all, but there's no getting past the need for flats when your typical day involves a lot of walking.
Our office is headquartered in the Financial District, so we rely on comfortable flats that can handle city sidewalks. We looked for pairs that are secretly embedded with supportive features, which made traveling by foot a little easier.
Our style editors have tried out at least 30 pairs of flats cumulatively. Each pair was tested by standing in place, walking on concrete, and working up a sweat for least a couple weeks at a time. We then took them with us in our carry-ons and work totes to see how well they fare as versatile dress shoes. We considered those with stylish prints and trendy shapes, as well as simple, everyday ballet flats you can wear with anything.
Below are all the most stylish flats that were easy to break in and supported us from work, brunch, and everywhere in between.
The top 3 most comfortable flats we've tested:
"They wear beautifully, are super easy to clean (just wipe them down with a damp cloth and maybe a little hand soap if necessary), and they mold to your feet like malleable leather socks," says Insider Reviews executive editor Sally Kaplan.
Rothy's pointed toe flats have a spacious toe box and and an elasticated collar, so they're even comfortable for those with wide feet. "I love their padded insoles and how easily they fold up and pack in my tote," says senior associate style editor Gabrielle Chase.
These pliable flats come in less colors than Rothy's, but still beat them in terms of comfort. They have sneaker-like support in their footbeds and take zero break-in time.
Best overall: Everlane Day Glove
Everlane's leather Day Glove flat is an almost (but not quite) ballet slipper guaranteed to go with just about all your clothing, and it's a staple of nearly every style writer and editor on our team. We wrote up a full review after test-driving these flats, and they remain an all-time favorite. "Everlane's Day Glove flats are much more comfortable than any other flats I've tried," writes former deputy editor Malarie Gokey, "They actually fit my foot and move with me — not against me."
The leather molds to the foot, so not only will the flats last, they'll get more comfortable over time. The shoes also feature pull tabs, ventilation holes, and comfy insoles to eliminate some of the most common comfort-related issues flats pose. The Day Glove flats come in nine colors, including classics like black and white as well as some seasonal shades.
They cost $148, and while not inexpensive, it's a steal for shoes that will last you for as long as these do. Several of us have been wearing the same pair for years, with plenty of life in them left. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews
Read more in our full Everlane Day Glove review.
Best knit: Rothy's The Point II
Rothy's flats are the choice for many modern working women because they have a sleek, mesh look, plus moisture-wicking breathability. One of our favorite versions, The Point II, has an upgraded "In Love Insole" with more cushioning around the toes and heels.
You'll feel the difference immediately after slipping your feet in; the flats are very light and flexible, with a bit of give, and there aren't any uncomfortable seams or edges. Rothy's also has them in a pointed-toe Mary Jane version, complete with the retrofitted In Love padding. If you have wide feet, though, we suggest going for a square-toe style because Rothy's toe boxes run narrow.
Rothy's was born out of the desire to repurpose wasteful, single-use plastics into something beautiful and practical. All of its knit shoes are made from 100% post-consumer plastic water bottles, which are hot washed, sterilized, then fused into a fiber that is knit into yarn.
The insoles contain recycled foam, while the rubber soles are carbon-free. The adhesives used are non-toxic and vegan. Even the packaging is made from post-consumer recycled materials and is biodegradable.
Keeping them in top shape is as easy as throwing them in the washing machine. After wearing them often (and you will because of their versatility), you might wonder if they'll actually hold up. But we've been wearing and washing our pairs for more than a year and they look and feel as good as they did on day one. — Connie Chen, former reporter
To see more of our style editors' impressions, check out our full Rothy's flats review.
Best travel-friendly: Allbirds Tree Breezer
Allbirds is probably better known for its Silicon Valley uniform-mandated sneakers like the Wool Runners and Tree Runners. But when you don't want to wear sneakers but still need the same comfort and support, you're better off with its flats, the Tree Breezer.
These are the flats you'll want in your suitcase because a) they're very light and you can fold them up to maximize packing space, and b) you can walk around in them all day long.
Quell any fears you have of hobbling through a walking tour or calling it an early night because your feet have become one giant blister. The Breezers have bouncy outsoles made from sugarcane and soft, odor-minimizing Merino wool-lined insoles. The knit collar wraps onto your foot securely, and the rest of the shoe's knit body is breathable and feels silky smooth against your skin. Plus, they're machine-washable, so they're easy to take care of even if you get them all grubby on your trip.
Since the style is more sleek and formal than Allbirds' other shoes, they won't look out of place in a dressier environment. Instead of packing multiple pairs of shoes, you can just bring your all-in-one Tree Breezer flats. If you don't have a chance to try them first before you board your flight, don't worry — most of the Insider Reviews team didn't need to break them in. — Connie Chen, former reporter
Read more in our full Allbirds Tree Breezer review and our comparison between Allbirds vs Rothy's flats.
Best budget: Quince Italian Leather Glove Flat
Everlane's Day Glove Flats may currently hold the top spot, but the Quince Italian Leather Glove Ballet Flats have proven to be an uncanny substitute (I've now been asked thrice whether these are from Everlane.)
Along with several other dupes we've tried in our Quince review, the Day Glove-lookalikes sold out almost as soon as they became available. Upon first inspection, they are practically indistinguishable from the real thing. They even have the same pull-tabs and perforations around the inner arches to help ventilate the shoe — which is good, because the leather can and will make your feet sweat. The leather has only some give, so if you have extra wide feet, I'd skip these. It's also worth noting that Quince doesn't offer them in narrow or half sizes, but Everlane does. I wear a size 8 and these have a nearly true-to-size fit that lean a tad small. The top seam felt a bit tight at first, but it quickly softened.
I found Quince's Glove flats to likewise have zero break-in time — as soon as I slipped them on, they felt like wearing soft leather slippers. I like how much traction their rubber soles have compared to other flats I've tried, and their Ortholite insoles cradle my high arches.
The material is 100% Italian cow Nappa leather and made in Shenzhen, China, while Everlane claims their Day Glove is made in Santa Maria a Monte, Italy. The key distinction Quince makes on their site is that their version is less than half the price of Everlane's, so if you're looking for an affordable alternative to a cult favorite, this is the right pair. I'll be curious to see if they hold up for as long as two years, as the Day Gloves did for Sally. — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor
Learn about another stylish affordable option in our review of the best Alaïa mesh flat dupes.
Best slingback: Bared Footwear Firecrown 2
In our guide to the most comfortable dress shoes for women, freelance style reporter Talia Ergas found yet another knockout pair from Australian shoemaker Bared Footwear. We've raved about its podiatrist-designed in our guides to the best loafers and most comfortable heels, and here they've made a glossy slingback flat that doesn't make you want to peel them off after an hour of walking.
"The Firecrown 2 features a biomechanical footbed, designed with a subtle heel pitch that helps prevent heel and calf pain. Indeed, these 'flats' are far more supportive than any truly flat shoe I've worn," she writes. "I wore them to an outdoor concert and felt just as comfortable at the end of the night as when I arrived. They're polished enough for the office, chic enough for dinner, and comfortable enough to stand in for hours without regret."
Best loafer flat: Birdies Starling Loafer
Birdies makes loafer-flats that are as comfy as a pair of velvet smoking slippers. Executive editor Sally Kaplan compared two versions of its best-selling Starling flats in order to detect any key differences.
"I tested both the Starling classic loafers and the newly resculpted version that just launched from Birdies. They're basically the same shoe, but with some elegant design upgrades to the newer version. The resculpted pair has a slightly more elongated toe, a more premium velvet material (though the difference is negligible to me, both look great!), and a bit more traction on the bottom. The shoes look almost identical on foot and in terms of comfort, there's very little difference, but I do happen to prefer the more elongated look of the new version (pictured in the Brandy Velvet color at the top of this guide). I think it comes down to aesthetic preference for most people.
As for comfort and fit, these are unbelievably plush and cozy for a pair of loafers! They have a good amount of arch support without being stiff at all, and they're easy to wear with or without socks. All of its styles come in both regular and wide sizes, and though the site says they run true to size, I find them to run a bit large. I went down a half size in both pairs I tested, and I'd recommend you do the same. Birdies makes their signature Starling loafers in a ton of colors, and they're always launching new seasonal styles. In the fall and winter you'll see a lot of embellished velvet designs, and in the warmer months you'll find woven leather and fun textures like raffia."
Best for wide feet: Margaux Demi
Ballet flats look deceptively simple. You know if you're reading this guide that it's hard to get the fit just right — some pairs gape, while others rely on uncomfortable heel elastics to stay on your foot.
You won't encounter this problem with Margaux. It makes flats in a large range of sizes (from 3 through 14), including half sizes. Instead of suggesting you size up or down for wide and narrow feet, the company ensures fit precision by offering each size in Narrow, Medium, and Wide widths. There's also a made-to-order option for a truly custom fit.
The Demi Flat from Margaux is a simple and elegant ballet flat. Senior editor Sally Kaplan, who has tried both Medium and Wide pairs of the flat, realized, "With all the walking I do, my feet end up swelling a bit, and the wide pair is more comfortable for long days out."
They feature plush foam padding to give your foot some support, as well as a small heel so you're not walking completely flat on the ground. The bow at the top of the shoe is adjustable in case you want to give your foot even more breathing room.
You can get the flats in two luxuriously soft and flexible materials, Italian suede or Italian Napa leather, which each come in a small selection of colors that show off the materials beautifully.
Though they're more expensive than average at $230 a pair, the way we see it, it's better to own one pair of really well-made flats than five pairs of fun ones that fall apart quickly. — Connie Chen, former reporter
Read our full Margaux Demi Flat review for more details on why we love them.
Best arch support: Naturalizer Carla Flat
One of the most common orthopedic conditions is sore arches. The Carla flat remedies those pains with ample arch support, yet still maintains a sleek silhouette. Naturalizer belongs to the same brand family as Dr. Scholl's and boasts some of the most comfortable heels we've tested. Its Carla flat, part of the brand's "27 Edit," is meant to be as comfortable as grandma's orthos without the chunky rubber sole.
This flat contours the foot with a U-shaped topline, square toe, and subtle half-inch padded heel. Inside, they're cushioned beneath the arches and heel cups. Even though the leather gave me heel blisters at first, I eventually found them easy to step into and pull on with their rear tabs. The leather softens, and they start to wear more like slippers. Naturalizer offers this flat in hard-to-find sizes and wide fits for a custom-made feel. — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor
Best ballet flat: Everlane Day Ballet Flat
Our team has a running collection of Everlane reviews of everything from their bathing suits to totes. We're especially impressed by these ballet flats, crafted from super-soft Italian leather with pull-tabs on the heels and two holes on the side for ventilation. They've also got a bit of a heel, a functional rubber outsole, a functional tie bow, and a cushioned insole that makes them comparable to another of our favorite flats, the Day Glove.
"There's a tiny bit of padding in the shoe that makes them feel more like a loafer than a flat. I may even like these more than the original!" — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
Read more in our full Everlane Day Ballet Flat review.
Best luxury: Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerina
There's something to be said for splurging on a really gorgeous pair of designer heels that you only wear on special occasions, but honestly, I've always felt that it makes more sense to spend that money on a practical pair you'll get more wear out of. A beautiful ballet flat that'll never go out of style is exactly the kind of shoe that deserves the designer treatment.
We think Mansur Gavriel's Dream Ballerinas are the absolute best designer flats out there. The $395 price tag isn't so unreasonable when compared to flats from brands like Chanel ($750+) or Louboutin ($500+), and the comfort rivals that of Everlane's Day flat, our best-overall pick on this list.
The lambskin leather is buttery soft and the insoles provide enough cushion that the flats wear almost like a loafer. The bow on the shoe is actually functional, so you can use it to tighten or loosen the opening. The bottom of the shoe has just enough traction that I feel comfortable on slippery tile surfaces, which can't be said for other slick-bottomed designer pairs I've ultimately passed over. Ultimately, these flats have it all. And even after having tested every other pair of flats on this list, I can confidently say these are worth the cost.
As far as sizing goes, I am usually somewhere in between a 7.5 and 8, and I ordered a size 38 (the European equivalent of an 8). Mansur Gavriel's site says to order a full size up from your usual size, but in my experience, it's better to opt for either your true size or one half size up if you sometimes find your true size to be tight in other brands. — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
Best Mary Jane: Vivaia Square-Toe Margot Mary Jane
Mary Janes have seen a sharp uptick in the wake of the coquette trend, but this sophisticated version has a square toe that adds more dimension to the classic silhouette. The Margot Mary Janes are extremely comfortable. I took these on a long walk over concrete and sustained zero blisters while breaking them in.
I also compared Rothy's original Mary Janes to Vivaia's, and while both brands claim to take a sustainable approach to women's footwear, I preferred Vivaia's attention to detail in their design. Plus, they're less expensive. They run slightly wide, but because their strap is adjustable, it won't pose any issue to people with narrow feet like mine.
I learned the hard way that this pair isn't ideal for wearing in heavy rain, but the breathable material is thankfully machine washable. The flexible upper is made from upcycled water bottles, and they're easy to fold up and pack in a tote bag. — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor
Read more in our full Vivaia shoes review.
Best for flat feet: Ally Forever Flat
For those with low or non-existent arches, flat shoes are usually out of the question. This pair I've been testing out from Ally has just enough heel lift to add some dimension, and inside they have a thick (but non-intrusive) layer of cushioning in the midfoot section. So while the silhouette is that of a classic pointed-toe flat, the structure is more of an orthopedic dress shoe.
The insole also has padding under the metatarsal area, which is where I first start to feel pain after walking in flat shoes for too long.
My biggest wish for the Forever Flat is that the heel collars came with pads, since the suede gave me blisters the first few wears. I had to break these with no-show socks to get them to yield. And while considerably expensive, they're clearly very well made. I'd say they're worth the custom fee if you plan to wear them often.
I can confidently recommend these for people of just about any shoe size, since they come in sizes 4-12 in four widths. I usually wear a size US 8 with a narrow or regular width, and Ally's Fit Finder Quiz suggested I order a 38.5 B. The brown suede pair that arrived fit me true to size, and soon after I tried out Ally's loafers (which I liked even better). — Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor
How we tested the best flats
As style editors, we're subject to a constant rotation of new shoes each season, which we test by breaking them in for at least two weeks at a time. This means walking on concrete, up and down busy subway staircases, and through a range of weather conditions between mild and rainy. We've gone through several boxes of Band-Aids in the process, but it means we can recommend the best flats for women who prioritize comfort. The pairs that we consider easy to break in took at most five wears to soften around the heels and vamp.
We narrow down our test subjects by sourcing from brands that take design notes from medical professionals. Instead of a trend-focused selection process, we pay attention to what shoes podiatrists recommend, including brands like Naturalizer and Frankie4. Others we've tested and loved have proven themselves to be durable and timeless for years, therefore increasing their value as an investment-worthy pair of shoes.
What to look for when choosing the best flats
Measure for your true size. Flats are an intimate category of footwear, since they're typically worn without socks. Take your best fitting shoes and check out where they're made. This will inform your knowledge of how different countries size up or down in comparison and help you find the closest match.
Assess your shape. Whatever your silhouette, the shape of the flats you wear can make or break the fit, even if the length is correct. Notice the curve of your toes and try to find flats that won't squish them or leave gaps. Some toes are squared off, some rounded, others come to a point at the second toe. Your best chance at the right fit will depend on how your flats resemble your shape.
Know where to wear. If you're shopping for a one-night-only kind of flat versus an everyday pair, or if you're in a climate that relies on temperature-controlled materials, consider how your new flats will hold up. Your mode of transport when commuting to your destination also plays a part. Walking on asphalt to the office will have a different lasting effect on a pair of flats than stepping out of a limo once you've reached the function.
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