Let’s be honest, flats will never be as cushy and supportive as sneakers. But, they should still be enjoyable to wear for a few hours, and—depending on your needs—also look great for work, nights out and weekends. As Forbes Vetted’s resident style expert, I tested a variety of highly reviewed styles for a month to find the most comfortable flats. My top pick overall is , a dressier option with a chic pointed toe. For all-day walking, I recommend thanks to its flexible, breathable woven upper and comfy insole.
After testing 15 pairs for about five weeks, I narrowed down the eight most comfortable flats that stood out for their smart design and high quality.
In my testing, I focused on top-rated options from trusted brands, like and Birdies, and considered a variety of styles, price points and levels of support. Since every pair of shoes will fit a person’s feet differently depending on their arch and gait, I made sure to note features that go a long way to prevent pain. I rated my top picks on a comfort scale of 0 to 5, plus included additional specs to help guide your choices.
The Pointe Flat was supremely comfortable right out of the box, which is remarkable for pointy-toe flats. The reason: The vamp (or front section) is cut low, so your toes aren’t pinched. The insole padding provides just enough cushioning, although if you have arch pain, it probably won’t be enough. I liked the slight block heel and rubber-reinforced bottoms that prevent wear and tear.
On the other hand, since the low-vamp style leaves your foot exposed, if it rains, your feet will get wet. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend this pair for extensive walking in all weather—these are your “good” shoes for work, dinner parties and days when you want to look pulled together.
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Amazon’s Belice flats slipped on like a glove and required no break-in period. The elastic seam helps the shoe stay put and mold to my foot shape, a detail that I found quite comfortable. I also appreciated the simple, classic design, which made the shoe look more expensive than the actual price—you could wear this with a black cocktail dress or jeans.
One thing to note is that this flat is made of faux leather, so this pair won’t last forever. There’s also zero cushioning—you can feel the ground under your feet—but if you need a simple pair that gets the job done, you can’t go wrong for $20.
The shape of this ballet flat is great—it has a slightly squared-off round toe, which increased the comfort factor and also felt aesthetically fresh. The twill-lined leather is buttery and supple from the start, so it has flexibility and never felt too stiff. I also liked the grosgrain trim detail, which added a chic touch.
For those with sensitive feet, it’s important to keep in mind that the collar, or seam that surrounds the foot hole opening, does come up a bit high. This caused rubbing (but not blisters). The bottoms of these shoes are also slippery on carpet until you scuff them up.
These leather flats are simple and polished. I tested them with bare feet and didn’t experience any blisters—the leather upper was a bit stiff at first, though, so it does require some breaking in. After about two weeks, though, these flats molded to my feet and I wear them almost daily.
If you’re between sizes, it’s important to note that the fit for these is pretty inconsistent. The black leather felt much tighter and smaller than the Brown color, so I’d size up if you go for Black.
The woven upper on this pair is soft and flexible, and the insole is cushioned and comfortable. The V-cut toe vamp is stylish, as is the contrast piping on the back heel. Rothy’s offers these flats in an extensive range of colors so you can find the shade that best matches your wardrobe. Also great: They’re made with recycled materials and are machine-washable.
Despite their flexible fit, the toe vamp slightly pressed on my big toe, although I only felt this on one foot. The woven material also stretches out a tiny bit (I would size down if you’re between sizes).
I felt a noticeable difference the first time I wore these Allbirds—they felt cloud-like. Compared to all the others I tested, they had the most built-in arch support, with a cushioned insole that’s removable (I even put them in other flats!). The shoe is also stretchy and lightweight, so it never feels heavy, and it has a sturdy rubber outsole for walking.
Similar to the J.Crew Andi Ballet Flats, the collar on this pair is high so I experienced some rubbing—but not enough to make me stop wearing these.
These flats are lightweight and flexible, and they have a soft feel and springy rubber sole. I especially liked that these didn’t rub uncomfortably on my bunions or heel of my foot. Unlike other pairs, these don’t cause my feet to sweat either. Another bonus: The discreet bow is permanently fixed, so you don’t have to worry about it coming untied.
If you’re seeking a more snug fit, I recommend opting for a different flat. I have a narrow foot so these gaped slightly at the sides while walking, but they didn’t slip off. And like my other Rothy’s pick, this style is also machine washable.
The padding on these flats—at the sole, sides and heel—is so soft that it legitimately makes them feel like a cozy pair of slippers. Plus, the full arch support is significant, so I didn’t feel as if my ankles were collapsing inward. The sole and shoe walls are flexible—so, no blisters—and the rubber sole offers traction on everything from pavement to slick tile. Not only is the Mary Jane silhouette stylish, the strap also increased the comfort of this style: Even though I have one slightly smaller foot, the strap kept these from slipping off my heel.
Because many sizes sell out fast, I wish this Mary Jane style came in more colors. Also, as with any velvet, I had to be careful to store these without rubbing them up against other shoes to prevent the material from getting crushed.
How We Tested The Most Comfortable Flats
This guide is a culmination of research, firsthand testing and thorough evaluation of over a dozen pairs of flats.
- Molvar researched popular and well-reviewed styles (with an average rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars) from reputable brands. She chose 15 top contenders by analyzing key specs like material, size range, color options and return policies.
- Molvar spent approximately five weeks rotating through each of the 15 styles while going about her 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.
- During testing, she took detailed notes regarding which pairs felt the most comfortable and didn’t cause pinching, blisters or foot pain at the end of the day.
- She 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.
How To Pick A Comfortable Pair Of Flats
Choosing the right flat for you depends on a number of factors. Here are some important things to consider before making a purchase:
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. is one brand that offers flats in varying foot widths to 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.”
Upper Material
Certain upper materials 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.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’re dedicated to providing the very best recommendations to our readers. We’ve researched, written and published dozens of fashion roundups, including several pieces dedicated to footwear topics.
- This article was written by former deputy editor Kari Molvar, who has two decades’ experience testing and reporting on women’s apparel and footwear. For Forbes Vetted, she has also evaluated the best walking shoes for women.
- In later iterations of this story, Forbes Vetted fashion writer Molly Calhoun contributed research and enlisted the advice and expertise of stylist and image consultant to help readers make the best buying decision for their needs.
- To ensure the accuracy of product selections and price details, we regularly update this story for consistency and clarity. It was most recently updated in September 2025 by fashion writer Claire Epting.