Alyssa Grabinski is a senior shopping writer at PEOPLE covering celebrity fashion and beauty. Since working in the industry, she’s tried, tested, or purchased more than a dozen pairs of shoes, including ballet flats, loafers, and Mary Janes.
Up until about two years ago, I hadn’t touched a pair of ballet flats since starring in my middle school’s production of Alice In Wonderland. And I was A-okay keeping it that way since they never seemed all that comfortable to begin with. Which, in retrospect, makes sense — kids don’t need as much arch support or fancy, shmancy cushioning.
But once celebrities like Katie Holmes, Meghan Markle, and Jennifer Lawrence made them cool (?) — yes, cool — again, I realized I needed not just any pair, but really, truly comfortable flats. And since our line of work allows us to experiment in the name of shoes, we had over two dozen testers try out a pair, or two, or three, to find those that wouldn’t break the bank or, at least, our feet. Ahead, the shoes that went the distance.
Our Stars
How to Tell If a Shoe Is Supportive, According to a Podiatrist
Try this simple test, says podiatrist Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, which we’ve dubbed the “push probe.” Pick up a shoe and attempt to push both ends inward. “If you have a shoe that you can twist and turn and bend and fold, that is what your foot is doing when you’re walking in it. So it’s like you’re going barefoot.” Ergo, a supportive shoe should not be super malleable.
Reviews
Best Overall: Vivaia Margot Square-Toe Mary Jane
Sizes: 5–11, half sizes included | Widths: Standard and wide | Design Details: Machine washable, flexible knit material, and features an adjustable strap
The Vivaia Margot Square-Toe Mary Jane flats are the best of the best: They are “as comfortable as some sneakers,” “so breathable and airy,” and caused no pain for our blister-prone tester. The support was ample enough to prevent sores while running around the city for hours at a time (and they kept her feet dry during a rainstorm, looking almost fresh out of the box afterward).
The strap also deserves its praise: It’s completely customizable, so you can stick the buckle prong in anywhere and it’ll stay. In other words, you don’t have to choose between one of six pre-determined slots to secure the buckle. (We also tested and loved these pointed-toe flats from the celeb-worn brand if you prefer a strapless pair.)
Style Tip, According to a Fashion Influencer
Feel like your flats are falling, well, flat at nighttime? Look for the “little special details that can take such a simple flat and make it special,” says Kara Mendelsohn, a fashion influencer who’s worked for veteran brands like Calvin Klein and Michael Kors. Examples include metallic styles, embellished pairs, or bold patterns like cheetah-print. (Mendelsohn has a personal draw to flats as well since she can no longer wear heels due to Rheumatoid arthritis.)
Your Classic Ballet Flat: Margaux The Demi
Sizes: 33.5–45 (U.S. 3.5–14), half sizes included | Widths: Medium, narrow, and wide | Design Details: 5mm of padding, bow details, and Italian leather
The Margaux The Demi flats proved our sneaker-prone tester wrong “in the very best way.” The shoes, which range from $255 to $345, only caused slight rubbing for the first wear, but then shaped themselves to her feet, thanks to the Italian leather. After wearing the flats for up to eight hours, her feet “felt hugged and supported for the most part” minus a minimal amount of fatigue near her arches. And the bow isn’t just for show: For all but two of the color options, it can be untied and tightened to make the shoe fit more snugly, which was used to our tester’s benefit.
Your Classic Ballet Flat for Less: Aerosoles Big Bet Flat Heel
Sizes: 5–12, half sizes included | Widths: Standard and wide | Design Details: Rubber soles and metal finishes
We also threw the (more affordable!) Aerosoles Big Bet Flat Heel into the testing pool, and it did swimmingly well. Our tester, who can’t go without decent cushioning thanks to foot surgery a decade ago, gave them a five out of five in the comfort department. They only complained about the rigidness at the top back of the shoe, though that area eventually softened over time. The arches weren’t the most supportive, but they gripped the ground well and were breathable enough for summer-to-fall wear.
Your Spare Pair: Frank Mully Ballet Flats
Sizes: 6–12, half sizes included | Widths: Standard widths only | Design Details: Knit fabric, round-toe silhouette, and machine washable
Our tester is a huge fan of Allbirds flats, even owning multiple colors, and yet, she almost saw these Frank Mully Ballet Flats as their equal. She even had two different colors at her disposal — her mother was convinced to get a pair, too — so her evaluation was extremely informed: Her pair was still comfortable, though less supportive than her mother’s, whose were “as sturdy [and] padded” as the more expensive brand. They also passed our towel wringing test (see more on that below).
Your Simple Loafer: Birdies The Starling
Sizes: 5–12, half sizes included | Widths: Standard widths only | Design Details: Slipper-like insole, 8mm heel, and “7 layers of cloud-like comfort,” per the brand
Loafers, another type of flat, are so classic and versatile that everyone from Jennifer Garner to Taylor Swift to our tester has worn them. And The Birdies Starling flats are the perfect pair to jumpstart your collection since Meghan Markle wore the brand during a PEOPLE shoot and our tester had a previous pair of Birdies that she comfortably wore for hours at a time as a hostess.
Though these look like loafers, the insoles are “adorably patterned, silky soft, [and] cushioned,” just like you’d expect with a pair of indoor slippers and were “supportive and sturdy” despite not having the thickest sole. Our tester never felt unstable thanks to the non-slip sole. Her shoes were velvet, but there are a variety of materials and colors to fit the season you’re in.
(Note: Since testing the shoe, the brand has made updates to the style, including silhouette and heel changes. That said, it’s supposed to be even better than before.)
Your Everyday Driver: Rothy’s The Driver
Sizes: 5–13, half sizes included | Widths: Standard widths only | Design Details: Machine washable, made from recycled plastic bottles, and features grippy nubs on the soles
Though the best-selling Rothy’s The Driver flats were “flexible” and “quite bendy” (characteristics that usually signify less arch support), they were surprisingly comfortable, according to our tester. During periods of wear, there was no “overheating, sweating, blisters or pressure points;” however, they were slightly bothersome near the top of her feet. Because of this, she prefers to wear them on days with a lower step count — for days at the office or eating out at a restaurant, two things our tester actually did while wearing the flats.
If You Want Designer: Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flats
Sizes: 4–13, half sizes included | Widths: Standard widths only | Design Details: Distinguishable Tory Burch logos, fold in half, and made to stretch
Put the word “designer” in front of “shoes,” and you’re probably thinking: Oof, those are going to huuuuurt. Luckily, not the Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flats! Our tester, who has never owned a pair of flats, was able to chase her two-year-old around, run errands, and more in these flats that felt like “nothing” was even on her feet. Blisters and pinching were nonexistent, and the shoes were wearable from the first day of testing. The middle of the shoes were a little bendy, however, that’s intended — this pair is actually made to fold in half.
Your Next Summer Sandal: Nisolo Huarache Sandals
Sizes: 5–11, half sizes included | Widths: Standard widths only | Design Details: Closed-toe sandal, water-resistant leather, and shock-absorption for more support
Another tester went to work with the Nisolo Huarache Sandals and had much to say about the support, design, and breathability of the two-in-one shoe style. The “solid” and “firm” soles fell somewhere in the middle in terms of support: “I could still feel the ground, but it didn’t feel like my feet were pounding the pavement.” The quality of the materials, however, seemed to match the brand’s description, and the weave design allowed peak airflow. They caused a few toe and heel blisters, so they may not be a go-to walking shoe, but perhaps, a new work shoe.
Editor-Loved in 2025
Aside from our testers, many PEOPLE staffers have also found themselves wearing comfortable flats from Jeffrey Campbell, Madewell, and Birkenstock. Our recommendations are as follows.
Choice Words
- “Confession time: I was never really a flats girl. I’ve tried in the past, but most styles either A.) gave me blisters or B.) would wear down quickly with all the walking I do on the streets of N.Y.C. But then the Aussie-based brand Bared dropped into my inbox, and now I’m a total flats convert. Their surfbird leather ballet flats have a spacious elongated toe for all day comfort and a biomechanical footbed for incredible support. Founded by podiatrist turned entrepreneur, Anna Baird, these shoes really don’t skimp on style or comfort and are totally worth the investment.” —Brittany Talarico, style & beauty director
- “I will never stop talking about the Jeffrey Campbell Dancerina Flats. They have never once made my feet hurt, and trust me when I say, I’ve worn them a lot, a lot.”—Alyssa Grabinski, senior shopping writer
- “I get compliments every time I wear this pair of neutral flats, which is frequently, because they go with everything. And somehow, despite the pointed shape, they don’t pinch or rub. For those two reasons, they’re pretty near perfect for daily wear or travel.”—Alex Apatoff, executive editor
- “I’m always wary of flats with pointed toes as I’ve experienced my fair share of flats that have left my feet blistered and in pain. These Chinese Laundry flats do not hurt in the slightest.”—Jennifer Maldonado, associate editorial shopping director
- “I absolutely love these square-toed flats from Madewell, firstly for their comfort and secondly for their timeless style that literally go with everything in my closet. I appreciate that the horizontal strap is ultra-thin, so it doesn’t cause any rubbing, plus it’s stretchy, which makes it easy to walk for hours without blisters. These do fit on the larger side, so I recommend sizing down.” —Ali Faccenda, associate editor
More Comfortable Flats to Love
We also wanted to shout out these middle-ranking pairs that weren’t our top, top picks but still deserve some recognition. The Allbirds Tree Breezer flats didn’t need to be broken in, but weren’t as breezy as our tester thought they’d be. And though pricey, the Margaux The Wrap Sandals are “easily number one in my quest of finding chic lace-up flats that don’t hurt you,” said another tester. Additionally, under-$150 pairs from M.Gemi, Amazon, and Everlane also all made the cut for their “super impressive” traction, affordable price, and flexibility, respectively.
How We Tested
To find the most comfortable flats on the market, we put dozens of pairs through the ringer. But before taking them out for a spin in the real world, testers first wore them at home for a full hour. This was the designated break-in period before the official test began. From there, they were required to wear them at least twice for a minimum of two hours during a two-week period.
They jotted down their observations in the process, including notes on the materials, sizing, and more. We also had them attempt to fold the shoes in half, as well as manipulate the shape to mimic the wringing of a dish towel. This helped evaluate the level of arch support in each pair of flats — the less they moved, the more supportive they should have been.
Pairs Well With
If you still don’t think flats are for you, we understand — everyone has their own definition of comfort. That said, we’ve tried nearly every style of shoe you can think of, and these are great places to start looking for that perfect Cinderella pair. Heels, sneakers, and slides included.
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