These Are the 13 Most Comfortable Flats for Your Feet — and Prices Start at Just $32 (2024)

If you’re looking for an everyday comfortable flat, consider the Naturalizer Samantha Half d’Orsay Flat. These leather flats come in two classic colors — black and taupe — and feature a pointed-toe silhouette with a contoured footbed and a little extra padding on the balls of the feet. Additionally, they feature a cut-out on the interior which allows for more flexibility and breathability.

For an under-$100 price tag, these shoes feature high-quality construction that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. They’re also versatile when styling and can easily be dressed down for more casual attire and also elevated with dressier pieces for office and more formal attire.

Sizes: 4-12, in medium, wide, and narrow fits | Construction: Leather, synthetic lining | Colors: Black, taupe | Style: Pointed toe

The Demi flats from Margaux are the ultimate ballet flat style. These flats are constructed from a luxe and buttery soft leather material and are available in a variety of colors, including classics like black, saddle brown, and navy, as well as some fun color pops like cerulean blue, gold, and pink. When testing these ballet flats out, they were a tad uncomfortable when breaking in — which you can get ahead of by using moleskin padding — but, once broken in, they felt like slippers on the soles and are comfortable enough for walking long distances.

In addition to their comfort, these ballet flats feature high-quality construction and have some unique details like an adjustable cord bow that allows you to customize the fit. Speaking of fit, these also have an inclusive size range of 3 through 14, in medium, narrow, and wide silhouettes.

Sizes: 3-14, medium, narrow, and wide fits | Construction: Leather | Colors: Black, red, saddle brown, black and navy, olive, pink, python, leopard, cerulean blue, burgundy, gold, silver, dove | Style: Ballet

For a less expensive ballet flat option, we were also highly impressed by the overall comfort and support provided in the Aerosoles Big Bet Ballet Flat. Available on Amazon Prime for under $100, these flats are constructed from a vegan leather material and feature lots of different comfort components, including a layer of shock absorption, flexible and durable soles with high traction (at least, for a ballet flat), and comfortable cushioning throughout.

When testing these ballet flats, we were mostly impressed by the overall comfort and flexibility of these shoes. Plus, they’re super easy to break in and are great for everyday wear. While we wish the metallic buckle didn’t make as much of a statement, it’s still high-quality (and a great dupe for those who want a less expensive version of the Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flat).

Sizes: 5-12, regular and wide sizes | Construction: Vegan leather | Colors: Tan, black, black combo, black faux suede, navy, red, navy faux suede, mandarin, java faux suede, natural combo raffia, trench coat faux suede, soft gold, natural snake, pink snake, black snake | Style: Ballet

Whether you want a budget-friendly ballet flat or are looking for the best Rothy’s dupe, we found it in the Frank Mully Women’s Round Toe Ballet Flat. These under-$40 ballet flats feature a knit construction that is similar to the likes of Rothy’s and VIVAIA and is machine washable, too. On top of their price, the shoes feature a comfortable cushioned insole with a flexible outsole that boasts plenty of traction for stability when walking.

Sizes: 6-12 | Construction: Knit fabric | Colors: Black, red, gray, apricot, brown, ecru, and 29 other colors | Style: Ballet

Ballet flats don’t always have good traction, which is vital for providing comfort and stability when walking. After testing several options, the M. Gemi Viviana flats are our top recommendation for this category. These flats feature a rubber outsole with lots of texture to provide traction and grip when walking. They’re also constructed with an elastic strap across the foot for added stability. When testing these flats out, we noticed how they are a lot more durable than similar flat styles, thanks to the high-quality materials used in their construction.

Sizes: 35-42 | Construction: Leather | Colors: Black, light beige, navy | Style: Ballet

If you love the look of a loafer but want something a little closer to flats, consider The Starling from Birdies. These loafer flats come in over 30 different colors and patterns, plus a variety of materials such as suede, velvet, and raffia. They’re constructed with plenty of cushioned comfort and are reminiscent of a house shoe or slipper but with more stability so you can wear them outside. The footbed is also sturdy enough to keep its shape and support but has a layer of flexibility that adds to the overall comfort level.

Sizes: 5-13, wide sizes | Construction: Leather, suede, velvet, raffia | Colors: Black, brown, navy, olive, and 29 other colors, prints, and materials | Style: Loafer

Sandals — especially flat sandals — aren’t always the most comfortable and supportive shoe styles, but The Wrap Sandal from Margaux has us convinced overwise. First and foremost, these flat sandals feature a foam-padded sole for extra cushion and comfort when walking. And, since the style is designed to wrap around the foot, you don’t have to worry about it slipping off of your feet, which can contribute to the overall comfortability.

The sole is more on the rigid side and isn’t as flexible compared to some of the ballet flats on our list, however, that doesn’t take away from the overall comfort levels. In fact, we found that they were super comfy from the first wear, so we never had to break them in.

Sizes: 3-14 | Construction: Leather | Colors: Mocha, rose, saddle, black, champagne | Style: Wrap sandals

Rothy’s The Driver flat is our top pick for this category because it features a classic driver shoe silhouette and is constructed from durable and machine-washable knit derived from recycled plastic water bottles. While these aren’t as versatile and work better as a casual shoe, we love that these driver shoes come in so many different colors — including a Barbiecore pink and Pantone’s Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz — as well as some patterns for added styling potential. On top of that, they have a highly texturized sole that provides a lot more traction and plenty of stability compared to traditional flats.

Sizes: 5-13 | Construction: Knit made from plastic water bottles | Colors: Sesame, black, latte, navy, gilded bronze, dragon fruit, dark zebra, iron, and 20 other colors | Style: Driver loafer

If you like the look of a Mary Jane shoe but want something that resembles more of a ballet flat, The Square Mary Jane from Rothy’s is an excellent choice. Like other Rothy’s shoes, these flats are designed with a knit material derived from plastic water bottles and are machine washable for easy care. Additionally, they’re designed to hug the soles in all of the right places and provide comfort from the first wear (that means, no breaking-in required). We love this as a more luxe everyday option because they are simple enough to go with a variety of looks and don’t show their wear and tear, even after daily use. Plus, they’re just as comfortable as our Birkenstocks.

Sizes: 5-13 | Construction: Knit made from plastic water bottles | Colors: Black, chocolate spot, red, gardenia, sandy cat, cobalt blue, bubbly pink, soiree pink | Style: Mary Jane ballet flats

For a less expensive Mary Jane option, consider the VIVAIA Square-Toe Mary Jane (Margot Mary Jane). This Rothy’s alternative features similar knit material derived from plastic water bottles, only with a more elevated ribbed texture. They also have a rubber outsole for added stability and we never had to break them in, so they’re comfortable from the get-go. The under-$100 Mary Jane flats are also antimicrobial and breathable, which is especially beneficial in a sweaty ballet flat shoe, and they have a chic buckle detail for added flair.

Sizes: 5-11 | Construction: Knit made from plastic water bottles | Colors: Navy, almond, forest green, black tweed, nude and black, navy, ruby red, denim blue | Style: Mary Jane ballet flats

Tory Burch flats are one of those designer pieces that seemingly never go out of style. The Minnie Travel Ballet Flat is our top pick for this category because aside from their timeless design, these ballet flats are incredibly versatile, come in lots of different colors (including classic black with the gold logo buckle), and have some added features like an elastic back for a more customized and comfortable fit. When testing these out, we found that the leather material has a buttery soft texture that is flexible enough to move with the foot while remaining sturdy and supportive. We also love that they don’t pinch the sides of the feet, so you don’t experience any hot spots when breaking in.

Sizes: 4-13 | Construction: Leather, synthetic lining | Colors: Laguna blue, lavender, washed berry, peach, gold, black, black and gold, black patent, silver confetti, gardenia, tan, pewter, leccio, navy, seafoam | Style: Ballet

Ballet flats and arch support aren’t often paired together, but these Vionic flats are specifically designed to support high arches and provide lots of stability. We love these because, in addition to the arch support, the flats also feature elastic edges, providing a more precise and snug fit. And, even when wearing them for long periods of time, they feel more like a sneaker than a ballet flat. The flats are also constructed from a high-quality leather material that is meant to improve with wear. And, while they don’t come in a lot of different colors, they are available in three classics — tan, black, and navy — which are great for everyday wear.

Sizes: 5-12, wide fits | Construction: Leather | Colors: Tan, black, navy | Style: Ballet

For a water-repellent option, we recommend the VIVAIA Pointed-Toe Water Repellent Ballet Flats. These flats are constructed from a knit material derived from recycled plastic water bottles and are available in over 25 different colors, prints, and patterns. In addition to keeping soles dry in rainy weather, the flats are also antimicrobial, breathable, and machine washable, so they’re easy to care for and keep fresh. They’re also incredibly comfortable and feel more like a pair of sneakers than a pair of flats.

Sizes: 5-11 | Construction: Knit made from plastic water bottles | Colors: Almond and black, black, olive green, lavender, tan, and 25 other colors and prints | Style: Ballet

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which designer flats are most comfortable?

  After testing several options, we found that the Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flats are the most comfortable designer flats. These timeless ballet flats are made from a buttery soft leather material and feature an elastic heel so you can get a more customized fit. On top of that, they’re flexible enough to move with the foot, without losing their support and durability. For another luxe option, we also love Margaux The Demi flats, which come in a variety of colors and feature a classic and timeless ballet flat style that goes with just about anything.

• Why do my feet hurt in flats?

  Dr. Ragland says flats can sometimes look so deceiving. “Because they are lower to the ground, they give the impression that you are indeed grounded and, therefore, safe,” she notes, explaining that the equivalence of safety to the foot is comfort. “This is not necessarily true when it comes to all flats, as they can cause pain and discomfort equal to their high heel counterparts,” she notes.

  If you experience heel pain when wearing flats, Dr. Ragland says to first make sure that the flat fits properly and that the width and length are correct for your foot size. “Make sure the toe box is wide and high enough for your toes to have some wiggle room yet snug enough to reduce friction when walking,” she adds. It’s also worth considering your arch height and choosing a flat that accommodates either a flat foot or high arch, depending on where you fall on the spectrum.

• Should I size up or down in flats?

  While some shoe sizes might vary depending on the brand, Dr. Ragland says it’s important to stay true to size as much as possible. “Sizing up or down is not an option and is a recipe for disaster when it comes to your feet,” she explains. When shopping for a pair of flats, it’s essential to consider any fit notes on the product description page to determine whether or not they run big or small. In these cases, it might be appropriate to size up or down but, for the most part, Dr. Ragland says to avoid this shoe-shopping myth.

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