Most Comfortable Flats: 20 Pairs Worn & Approved
If you've worn even just a couple pairs of flats, chances are you've gotten a pair that aren't as comfortable as you expected... and what a bummer that is! I remember one pair of shoes in particular that I bought. I could not wait to get the darn things off they gave me so much pain! Although flats may not have height, not all can give you the pleasant, satisfying break you're craving. Some flats can bring upon blisters, cramped toes or heel pain and no one wants that, especially from a pair of no-heel shoes. In the same manner as our Most Comfortable Heels Buying Guide, we bring you 20 flats that promise enjoyment and comfort. Each pair is backed by a user who swears by them. We hope you enjoy this! Scroll down to read the testimonials. I've included my very favorite pair as well.
These flats vary in style and appearance too, so you're bound to find something here that's right up your alley, whether you're looking for an everyday pair, a bright, lively pair made for Spring, or a fancier pair that you can take into the night. Let me know which pairs catch your eye and of course, if your own recommendation, share it with us and the people reading this by leaving a comment at the end of the article. Long, live flats we can be happy in!
1. Tory Burch Reva Patent Ballet Flats: "Easy, relaxed fit."
I live in these shoes. It has an elasticized back with an easy, relaxed fit. The classic black patent is my absolute favorite although the style possibilities are practically endless with everything from metallic woven straw to exotic snake and leopard prints.
--Meghan Abraham, New York, NY
2. Mossimo Supply Co Odell Flats: "Cute, functional and economical!"
I don't do heels mainly because I am already 6 feet tall, also because they are insanely uncomfortable. These are soft on the inside, flexible, and the back isn't stiff so they don't give you blisters! At $12.99 a pair, they're all around cute, functional and economical!
--Carrie Lank, Newhall, CA
3. Etienne Aigner Arnie Flats: "They feel like running shoes."
The low heel is just high enough to give a little lift. You can wear them for hours and feel like you are wearing a comfortable pair of running shoes. They are easy to dress up for work and casual enough to dress down.
--Diane Petty, Larkspur, CA
4. Easy Street Rosalina Skimmer Flats: "Heavenly cushion insole"
A stylish look, a heavenly cushion insole in addition to the casually placed rubber sole, all topped off with a price that lets you have a pair in every color... my dreams really HAD come true. Now all the walking I do, I do in style!
--K. Finley Slocum, Dallas, TX
5. BC Footwear Ballet Flats: "These beauties are perfect."
They never cut into my heel and the padded footbed is so cushiony, so I can (and do) walk around town all day in them. These beauties are perfect.
--Gabrielle Moss, New York City, NY
6. Cole Haan Air Ballet Flats: "My feet are extremely happy!"
Cole Haan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nike, so naturally they have adapted Nike's running shoe cushioning technology, Nike Air, for everyday women's footwear. I have a pair in olive suede and my feet are extremely happy!
--Stacy Hinojosa, Arlington, VA
7. Rocket Dog Memories Flats: "Affordable yet luxurious!"
These are affordable yet luxurious! The thai silk can walk-the-walk from daytime to after-dark. Rocket Dog is known for flexible, lightweight shoes and the Memories style are no exception.
--Kayla Cagan, Los Angeles, CA
8. J. Crew Viv Patent Flats:"Perfect for when I want to look dressier."As a busy wife and mom, I have no desire to commit shoe-icide and be limping around in an uncomfortable pair of heels. I only wear flats. These are perfect for when I want to look a little dressier for church or other special occasions and best of all they feel great.
--Marquette Heaven, Sterling, VA
9. Minnetonka Kilty Moccasin Flats: "The soft suede is perfect for long walks."
The soft suede is perfect for long walks and the rubber bottom keeps them from being damaged easily. They easily slip on and off without having to bend down to untie or loosen anything.
--Erin Gilbert, Mason, OH
10. Crocs Crocband Flats: "It'll feel like a walk in the park."
Crocs have evolved beyond the Swiss cheese look. These are cute, lightweight, comfortable. and feel like a walk in the park. Tip: They do tend to run about a ½ size large so purchase accordingly.
--Joyce Zee, San Leandro, CA
11. Jessica Simpson Lepolia Flats: "These flats keep me going all day!"
I am a 39 year old mother to six children, so comfort is key. I need to run around all day and these flats keep me going. They look great with jeans or leggings and can be worn dressed up or down.
--Roey Ebert, Coopersburg, PA
12. Christian Siriano for Payless Flats: "Walking never felt so good!"
The padded insole in this sassy shoe makes it easy to walk for hours. A flexible outsole curves to the shape of your feet. Walking never felt so good and you'll feel like a true
"girly girl" wearing these.
--Donna Peterson, Bronx, NY
13. Frye Carson Ballet Flats: "I was sold."
Because the makers of our beloved 'Engineer' boots can do no wrong. Did you know Frye makes leather flats? And they come in colors like 'violet' and 'eggplant?' I was sold.
--Stacy Hinojosa, Arlington, VA
14. Anne Klein Saba Flats: "These feel like slippers on my feet!"As a woman who loves to wear heels, when I decide to wear flats, it's usually because I am in a very casual mood, which entails jeans or shorts. So, most of my flats are sporty, as opposed to dressy. These are my go-to black flats. They feel like slippers on my feet!
--Brooke Simmons, Sterling, VA
15. Gap The City Flats: "They completely mold to the contours of my feet."
They are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn in my life. They completely mold to the contours of my feet. They are 100% leather and extremely breathable. I love them!
--Melanie Magdziarz, Greenville, SC
16. Juicy Couture Ava Flats: "The padded insole and lacy cotton crochet upper keeps feet feeling pampered!"
Paired these with dressy or casual spring and summer outfits. The padded insole and lacy cotton crochet upper keeps feet feeling pampered and fresh all day, while the leather ankle strap gives the shoe a sophisticated look.
--Sylvie Branch, Cleveland, Ohio
17. Steve Madden Kingdom Flats: "The soft texture of the leather molds to your feet."
No band-aids are required for these shoes ladies! The soft texture of the leather molds to your feet in ways that I didn't know was possible. These flats have been my saving grace in countless situations. I highly recommend these shoes to any woman on the go!
--Ashley Van Fossen, San Bruno, CA
18. Bass Loafer Flats: "At the end of the day, my feet are fresh enough to head out dancing!"
Yes, I know its a throw-back to the eighties, but I still love to slip these on. The shoes cradle my foot and hold the heel without pinching the back of my foot. At the end of the day, my feet are fresh enough to head out dancing.
--Shellie Braeuner, Bellevue, TN
19.
Good Choice Prew Flats: "The moment I tried them on, I knew I could wear them for hours on end."I stumbled upon this brand at a boutique in Vegas. The moment I tried them on, I knew I could wear them for hours on end. Some flats can feel very stiff, but these are not to any degree. My toes feel right at home. I can't wait to get another pair of flats from this brand.
--Genevieve Cruz, Sterling, VA
20. Adrienne Vittadini Kirk Flats: "I wore these 13 hours straight!"
I styled a fashion show for 13 hours straight wearing and when I got home, they weren't the first thing I wanted to get out of. The rubber sole is perfect for a day on your feet. The insoles are slightly padded. Finally, the round toe makes these beauties easy on your big and pinky toes.
--Krystal Orr, Atlanta, GA
Do you love height? Read our guide on Most Comfortable Heels! You could also watch this video and learn what makes a high heel wearable:
Comments page 1 of 1
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Linda said 3-26-2011 @5:26PM
Sorry I didn't see Me Too's mentioned, they are the best shoes, I wish I had bought 30 pairs of them!
replyLC
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Crazy said 3-26-2011 @11:35PM
#1 - Nazi shoes? No thank you!
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TIM said 3-27-2011 @4:26PM
The design on the number "1" shoe looks too much like a nazi swastica for me. The manufacturer would be wise to dispose of it.
replyHighest Rank
Izzy said 3-26-2011 @11:44PM
I have number one; they are truly comfortable.
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Sondra said 3-26-2011 @6:56PM
Very good article. I am forever in search of comfortable flats. Number 14, the Anne Klein Saba Flat is my favorite. I have a long black linen dress, with an empire waist that these would look adorable with. I plan to purchase soon.
replyHighest Rank
victory said 3-26-2011 @8:41PM
I have purchased several pairs of Tory Burch Reva ballet flats. I can't tell you how painful the blisters each pair gave me. There just beautiful, but now sit on my shoe shelf. Oh, to find a designer flat that doesn't give my back ankle blisters. Years ago, Joan and David made a ballet flat w/ ribbon ties around the ankle, I bought them in every color. They were so comfortable but unfortunately are not made anymore.
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Michele said 3-27-2011 @1:12AM
I'm with you on the TBs. I love the way they look but OUCH! Capezio used to make the most comfortable flats in the world. I wish they'd expand their dance line again.
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peggy fult438 said 3-26-2011 @9:30PM
i own the tory burch shown and love them. they look really good with skinny jeans.
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kittylit said 3-26-2011 @11:04PM
Flat shoes are never fashionable!
replyLowest Rank
JJ said 3-26-2011 @11:27PM
What's with these 'peep toe' pumps?
replyThey're hideous - my Grandmother wore them - and they were ugly then.
We don't want to see your ugly toes sticking out of your shoes.
Classic stiletto pumps are the answer.
They should be standard issue for all women.
Men prefer stiletto pumps.
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pensiveshopper said 3-27-2011 @12:35AM
I think Tory Burch flats are over-rated, noit evry comfy. I agree that Me Too flats are the BEST!!
replyHighest Rank
Michele said 3-27-2011 @1:11AM
I can't stand Tory Burch flats. I bought a pair of them in silver, loved the way they looked off but on they killed the back of the neck of my foot (above the heel). The elastic is tight and makes a big dent in your skin. I don't recommend them AT ALL.
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Fashy said 3-27-2011 @1:28AM
I'm ASTOUNDED that Tory Burch flats could even be mentioned in the same sentence with the word "comfortable". Seriously --- I tried these flats twice and had to return them because of the excruciatingly painful blisters they caused. Personally, none of my friends have found these to be comfortable either; although at least two of them own and wear the flats regardless, limping every step of the way... slaves to fashion.
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Parissa said 3-27-2011 @1:45AM
No wonder so many women have back, leg and FEET problems! NOT ONE of the above pairs of shoes provides the foot with remotely adequate support! Women can be so stupid about fashion ... it's all about 'appearance' NOT, comfort and common sense! And they pay for their stupidity later on with back problems, leg issues, sore and weak ankels, flat feet, deformed feet; corns, calouses, bunions, bone spurs... the list is endless ... but young women, especially, don't listen!
replyHighest Rank
Holly said 3-27-2011 @5:29AM
I love Aerosoles. They are so comfortable, well made and come in attractive styles in everything from sandals and flats to heels and boots. Most of their styles come in wide widths, too. They're always running great sales. Recently, I bought 3 pairs on sale and only spent $70. They're the only brand I've bought for years, since I've never had to return a pair for hurting my feet.
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