We Tested 29 Flats—And These 11 Are the Most Comfortable (2024)

Rothy’s are known for their comfy, machine-washable shoes and material made from recycled single-use plastic bottles. These lightweight Mary Janes have a durable, flexible sole that supported our feet on pavement, pebbles, and cobblestones. We tested them walking, driving, running errands, and for social events. Overall, we were impressed by how stylish these shoes look, how comfortable they felt in hot and chilly weather, and how versatile they are with everything from leggings to dressy attire.

We loved that we didn't need to break in the shoes for them to fit well—they felt secure right away and didn’t stretch out over time. The soles were initially a bit slippery but had great traction after we wore them a bit. Our feet felt great after walking up to 10,000 steps daily in these shoes, with no swelling, overheating, blisters, or chafing.

These shoes can dress up or down, making them an ideal option for weekend trips or a capsule wardrobe. They currently come in eight colors, including classics like black and gardenia (white with black piping). There are also more unique color options like lollipop red and pink. We do wish the strap across the top was adjustable, which could help people with narrow feet get a more secure fit.

Size Range: 5–13 | Material: Recycled plastic | Sole: Not listed

We didn’t need time to break into these true-to-size flats; they were comfortable immediately. These shoes have a breathable knit upper and a flexible rubber sole that feels great while walking thousands of steps per day.

We liked the huge variety of colors and styles, with over 25 options ranging from leopard print toflamingo pink. Some styles seem to have more padding and support than others, which made shopping for them a bit confusing. We also loved how they were easy to wash. After stepping in mud, we washed them on a delicate cycle using cold water and a mild detergent and let them air dry. After cleaning, they looked brand-new.

Our feet felt supported in these shoes, but the soles felt a bit thin. These shoes aren’t the best for rainy or icy weather, as the lightweight rubber soles were slippery on slick ground. Still, these are stylish, comfortable shoes at a great price point.

Size Range: 6–12 | Material: Knit | Sole: Rubber

These leather ballet flats have a cute crossover design on the toe and are available in tan, navy, and black. We loved the robust arch support and that these shoes have the APMA Seal of Acceptance (from the American Podiatric Medical Association), indicating that the design helps promote good foot health.And based on the fit and quality, we expect these shoes to last several years, making the price point worth it.

These flats felt like wearing a pair of comfy sneakers. We had no problems going up and down stairs, walking around a trade show, and even helping move furniture on a hot day. We did find that the leather upper may need some breaking in—we experienced some rubbing and blisters after one particularly long day, which can happen the first few times you wear a stiffer shoe.

Size Range: 5–12, medium and wide | Material: Leather | Sole: Thermoplastic rubber

We found that these shoes needed a day or so to break in, and initially caused some rubbing and hot spots on our ankles and the tops of our feet. After that, we found them incredibly comfortable. The Nappa leather uppers felt soft and malleable on our feet. During testing, we noticed that the leather soles were slim and inflexible, which provided some structure and support but also led to some tired arches after 8-hour days walking around New York City.

We loved the classic design of these shoes and found that they went well with almost any outfit. These ballet flats come in various stylish colors and an incredible size range, from US 3 to US 14 (with medium, narrow, and wide widths available). And the classic bow isn’t just for show—it’s an adjustable cord you can use to tighten or loosen the shoe for a better fit.

Size Range: 3–14; narrow, medium, and wide | Material: Italian Nappa leather | Sole: Leather

These Vivaia flats have a knit upper made from recycled plastic bottles, a deodorizing insole, and a rubber outsole with a slight heel. The square shape provides plenty of toe room, and the material feels light and breathable even in hot weather and rain. Plus, the cushioned insole kept our feet supported and comfortable for hours on end.

During testing, we found that the flexible rubber soles flexed but still provided plenty of support. We couldn’t feel rocks or uneven terrain while walking. Our favorite part of these shoes is the instep strap, which is fully adjustable to ensure a good fit over the top of your foot.We were also impressed by how lightweight and flexible these shoes are. We could fold them flat for easy packing, making them great for weekend trips and travels.

Size Range: 5–11 | Material: Knit | Sole: Rubber

These classic loafers have an 8-millimeter heel and a non-slip rubber sole. We loved the quilted, cushioned insole, which made us feel like we were wearing comfortable slippers rather than outdoor shoes. The sturdy footbed kept our feet comfortable for up to eight hours of indoor and outdoor wear.

We tested a velvet pair, which might not be the best choice for hot weather or precipitation (we also found that pet hair stuck to the fabric, so we needed a lint roller handy). Luckily, these flats come in other fabric options, including suede, leather, calf hair, raffia, and tapestry, so you can find options for different seasons.

Size Range: 5–13; medium and wide | Material: Velvet, suede, leather, calf hair, raffia, and tapestry | Sole: Rubber

We loved these stylish wrap sandals as a day-to-night shoe option. In our experience, lace-up straps are usually fiddly or uncomfortable, but these were neither. After we found the most comfortable way to tie the laces (looping them twice around our ankles and securing them with a bow), the shoes stayed secure. Plus, the laces are made from buttery leather that didn't dig into our legs or leave welts.The soles felt thin but weren’t flimsy, and the 5mm of foam padding helped the shoes mold to our feet. They don’t have much traction but are comfortable for wearing to work and out for brunch.

These shoes are handmade in Spain and come in women’s sizes 3–14, making them a great option for people who wear harder-to-find shoe sizes. The brand recommends avoiding wearing these in the rain and using a leather lotion to keep the shoes supple.

Size Range: 3–14 (narrow, medium, and wide) | Material: Italian Nappa leather | Sole: Not listed

These flats come in a range of solid colors and cute prints, including water-repellent fabric in cream or black. The shoe’s knit upper had a good amount of give but wasn’t too stretchy—the shoes didn't stretch out or loosen over time. The super-flexible sole was comfortable to walk in, and we liked the light arch support and extra cushioning around the toe and heel areas. We found that the heels of these shoes didn’t slip off our narrow feet or gape mid-step.

We also tested these waterproof flats in rainy weather and noticed water beading up on the shoe fabric rather than soaking in. Our feet still got wet in super heavy rain (because the shoe’s low profile allows rain to hit your feet directly), but the fabric definitely lives up to the water-repellent promise. Plus, the textured rubber sole had fantastic traction and didn’t slip on marble, tile, or wet pavement.

Size Range: 5–11 | Material: Knit | Sole: Rubber

These flats have a leather and suede upper, and the contrast of the two fabrics gives the shoes a stylish look. We appreciated the comfortable add-ons, like the padding at the ball of the foot and stretch at the side of the shoe for more flexible movement. We found that these shoes had a sturdy, solid sole that didn’t bend much, providing a lot of arch support.

We love the shoe's classic shape and color, which makes this pair great for anything from a workday to an outdoor wedding. We also like the low hidden wedge heel, which helps us feel supported while walking.The non-slip outsole provides traction, and the shoes are designed using sustainable materials and packaged in boxes made from 80% recycled paper with soy-based ink.Still, it's worth noting that these shoes took a few hours to break in, and in that time caused some rubbing and blisters on the back of our heels.

Size Range: 4–12; narrow, medium, and wide | Material: Leather | Sole: Not listed

These woven sandals are made from super-soft leather with a flexible rubber sole that provides plenty of support. We particularly liked how the leather uppers moved and breathed with our feet, and thanks to the woven design, our feet got plenty of airflow and never felt overheated or sweaty.We love that they're available in five neutral colors, and demonstrate gorgeous craftsmanship and sustainability.

Though we loved the shoe's design and overall versatile look, we wouldn’t recommend them for spending long hours walking. Though they are comfortable to slip on, we experienced chafing and blisters after walking over 10,000 steps, so they're best for days at the office or occasions where you won't be walking far distances.

Size Range: 5–11 | Material: Leather | Sole: Rubber

These snug-fitting flats are made from supple, supportive leather that hugs your feet like a glove. The silhouette is definitely more casual, but the high-quality materials make this a pretty versatile shoe that you could wear just about anywhere. Plus, this shoe is available in a wide range of colors—in addition to seven standard colors, there's also a rotating selection of limited edition hues.

We found that the cushioned insole provides good support, and the back pull tab is convenient for putting the shoes on. This is a great shoe for people with narrow feet, but isn't ideal for those with wide feet or a higher instep. Keep in mind that there are some sizing quirks: Sizes 5–6.5 run large, sizes 7–8.5 run true to size, and sizes 9–11 run small.

Size Range: 5–11 | Material: Leather | Sole: Rubber

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