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The 15 Most Comfortable Shoes for a Supportive and Stylish Step
Fashion and function can co-exist.
Byrdie
Nothing ruins our mood more than wearing uncomfortable shoes—whether that’s a pair of high heels or narrow flats that cause blisters and chafing. If our shoes are killing us, all we can think about is the end of the night when we can finally kick them off and soothe our soles. Of course, if you have concerns such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, or flat feet, wearing a supportive shoe is even more important.
The good news is that with more and more brands designing comfortable heels and flats, it’s no longer necessary to sacrifice style for comfort. To compile a shortlist of the best available options, we consulted with several podiatrists. We utilized their expertise to evaluate shoes based on their cushioning, arch support, stability, heel height, materials, and fit, to find the most comfortable shoes that offer both style and support.
Top Picks
New Balance Women’s 574 Core Sneaker at Amazon$100
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Teva Women’s Original Universal Sandals at Amazon$55$33
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Tory Burch Good Luck Trainer at Amazon
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Vince Oasis Leather and Suede Sneaker at Vince.com
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Camper Casi Myra Ballerinas at Amazon$160
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Cariuma Oca Low at Amazon$95
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Frances Valentine Mary Mini Block Heels at Maisonette.com
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Hoka Clifton 9 at Amazon$215
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Thousand Fell Lace Up Sneakers at Thousandfell.com
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Ally Ally Shoes Suede Slingback Heels at Ally.nyc
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Best Overall
New Balance Women’s 574 Core Sneaker
Sizes: 5-12 | Material: Suede, Mesh & Recycled Polyester | Width: Standard, Wide
New York-based podiatrist Dr. Tyler Miranda recommends this brand because of how supportive they are on the arch of your feet, especially when walking and running around. This style features a special soft foam and a tough polyurethane midsole—the perfect combination for the support and comfort you need on those long commute days.
Best Budget
Teva Women’s Original Universal Sandals
Size: 5-12 | Material: Rubber, Recycled Plastic | Width: Standard
These comfortable and eco-friendly shoes are for just about anyone seeking versatile, all-day footwear. Wherever you choose to wear them, these utilitarian-style kicks are comfortable and practical, equipped with a bouncy and foamy material and a midsole with heel cupping for arch support. There are even adjustable straps (made of 100% recycled plastic!) to ensure you get the right fit.
Best Designer
Tory Burch Good Luck Trainer
Size: 23-37 | Material: Nylon, Suede, Leather | Width: Standard
Tory Burch proves that a designer sneaker can be comfortable with this chunky, sports-inspired style. It’s embellished with an embossed rendition of their classic logo and muted neutral hues, in addition to being constructed with an oversized ergonomic sole that adds lift, a cushioned tongue and collar, and a molded foam footbed.
Best for Work
Vince Oasis Leather and Suede Sneaker
Size: 5-11 | Material: Leather | Width: Standard
Wearing sneakers to the office might have been deemed unconventional a few decades ago, but as office life has evolved, so has our wardrobe. While Vince has been creating a stellar variety of pieces for workplace wear, they have also crafted high-quality and comfortable shoes to match, such as this smart leather and suede pair.
Best Ballet Flats
Camper Casi Myra Ballerinas
Size: 5-10 | Material: Leather, Calfskin, Recycled Polyester | Width: Standard
Camper’s shoes remind us that fashion is—and always will be—fun. The designs feel youthful and nostalgic; these are anything but your middle school ballerinas (no toe cleavage found here, IYKYK). Credit their coolness to the sleek leather and slightly squared-toed shape, and comfort to the high-performance foam cushioning. We’re pleased to say, ballet flats are most definitely back.
Best Everyday Sneakers
Cariuma Oca Low
Size: 5-13 | Material: Canvas, Leather, Suede, Recycled | Width: Standard
Cariuma checks off all the boxes we’re looking for in a comfortable everyday sneaker. The low-top design pairs well with all outfits, the materials are lightweight and breathable, and the vegan insole provides all-day support. Seriously, we walked 15,000 steps in this brand and our feet felt fine. Factor in the use of sustainable materials and a wide range of colors and finishes (including canvas, leather, and suede), and it’s no wonder these are a celebrity favorite.
Best Heels
Frances Valentine Mary Mini Block Heels
Size: 6-10 | Material: Vegan metallic Leather | Width: Narrow with square toe
According to Dr. Miguel Cunha, a podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare, if you want to avoid foot aches in heels, it’s best to avoid stilettos. Instead, opt for a small block heel, like this one from Frances Valentine, to ensure comfort all day, every day. We especially love these because they’re crafted from luxe-looking metallic vegan leather that will add a sense of occasion to even the most pared-down of looks.
Best for Walking
Hoka Clifton 9
Size: 5-11 | Material: Recycled Polyester | Width: Narrow, Standard
These are a favorite of workout influencer and marathon runner Lexi Watts, who can be seen sporting them on #RunTok. “These make me excited to run again,” says Watts, an excitement that can be attributed to their poppy colorways, from pomegranate to turquoise. They’re equally as great for low-impact sports and your next hot girl walk, because they have tons of features from exceptional shock absorption to their featherlight design that effectively alleviates foot fatigue.
Best Sustainable
Thousand Fell Lace Up Sneakers
Size: 5-10 | Material: Vegan Bio Leather | Width: Standard
Not only are these sneakers unequivocally stylish, but they’re downright comfortable. They’re breathable, lightweight, and—get this—odor-resistant so that you can wear them for extended periods without concern. And they’re made from food waste and recycled materials, so you can curb your carbon footprint (pun totally intended).
Best Slingback
Ally Ally Shoes Suede Slingback Heels
Size: 4-12 | Material: Lambskin leather upper, Italian leather sole, suede lining | Width: Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide
While a point-toe slingback isn’t usually associated with comfort, when they’re handmade by Ally Shoes, you can be assured that they will. The brand crafts each pair of shoes to order after taking a fit quiz, ensuring you receive exactly the right width and size for you. We can attest to the accuracy of this process and the comfort of this shoe, as well as its timeless elegance.
Best Loafer
Sam Edelman Lorraine Bit Loafer
Size: 4-14 | Material: Leather, Velvet, or Fabric | Width: Standard
These Sam Edelman shoes serve as classic loafers, so much so that they’re reminiscent of the Gucci Horsebits—but at a more forgiving price. We’ve had them for over three years, and they still look and feel as good as new. We can’t get enough of how soft they are, with an almost slipper-like feel, and how many colorways and material options there are; pick from fabric animal prints to patent leathers.
Best Slides
Frankie4 Thompson
Size: 8-13 | Material: Leather | Width: Standard
The perfect poolside lounge shoe comes in the form of these leather slides. Designed with luxe leather and gold hardware, and featuring hidden heel, arch, and forefoot support, these shoes add ease to your day. They’re podiatrist-designed, with triple-layer support and a cushion system to prevent and alleviate common foot pain. Consider them the myth-buster to the claim that shoes that help your feet can’t be cute.
Best Boots
Naturalizer Darry Bootie
Size: 6-12 | Material: Leather | Width: Standard, Wide
If you want your everyday boot to have some added comfort features, these are for you. They’re a classic Chelsea boot that also happens to be water-repellant. Oh, and they’re designed with a lug sole and a cushioned footbed, making them an expert choice for braving any weather condition, from rain to snow.
Best Flats
Vivaia The Margot Square-Toe Flats
Size: 5-11 | Material: Recycled Knit | Width: Standard, Wide
These square-toed flats are full of cushy features, meaning they’ll be one of the comfiest shoes in your closet. At a glance, these look like structured flats but feel more like slippers. That’s because they’re equipped with a heel cushion to avoid blisters, insoles for added comfort, extra arch support, and four-way stretch. Their fabric is made from recycled knit, so they glide right on and feel incredibly soft and pillowy. The best part? These come in over 40 colors and patterns.
Best for Running
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23
Size: 5-13 | Material: Recycled Polyester | Width: Medium, Wide, Narrow, Extra Wide
Fun fact: Brooks Athletic Sneakers have the highest number of seals of acceptance by the APMA. Dr. Ashley Lee, a podiatrist in Illinois (who also wears Brooks!), notes that this is due to how they promote good foot health during activities ranging from low to high intensity. Ask any runner about these performance-driven shoes, and you’ll probably get a similar analysis: These are cushioned, supportive, road running sneakers that provide a soft ride that goes for miles.
What to Look for in Comfortable Shoes
- Heel Height: One of the biggest comfort factors is the heel height. Amina Means, founder and creative director of the luxury shoe brand Nalebe, recommends sticking to heel heights below 4 centimeters, paired with either a chunky heel or platform, for comfort and balance. “The bigger the heel composite, the more balanced the gait is, and that’s so important in maintaining a good posture,” she adds.
- Toe Shape: “A roomy toe box gives your feet enough room to breathe and prevents toe cramping, which can otherwise lead to problems like bunions and hammer toes,” says Dr. Bradley Schaeffer, a board-certified foot surgeon. Means agrees, pointing out that square or rounded oval toes offer the most space.
- Cushion: “Shoes with underfoot cushioning will keep your feet comfortable while protecting them from the impact of walking on hard surfaces,” says Dr. Schaeffer. “The best kind of cushioning incorporates shock absorption, too.”
- Firmness: According to Caroline McCulloch, podiatrist and founder of Frankie4, the softness and or firmness of the shoe’s sole and footbed are of great importance when making a comfortable selection. “I’m a firm believer in a shoe that has a sole and a footbed that are not too hard and not too soft,” says McCulloch. “This is optimal to reduce foot and leg symptoms.”
- Arch Support:“Arch support prevents your feet from rolling inwards (pronating) as you walk, which is very important for foot health,” says Dr. Schaeffer.
Meet Our Experts
We spoke to the following experts to determine what to consider when purchasing the most comfortable shoes:
- Dr. Miguel Cunha is a podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare.
- Lexi Watts is a workout influencer and marathon runner.
- Dr. Tyler Miranda is a New York-based podiatrist.
- Dr. Ashley Lee is an Illinois-based podiatrist.
- Amina Means is the founder and creative director of luxury shoe brand Nalebe.
- Dr. Bradley Schaeffer is a board-certified foot surgeon.
- Caroline McCulloch is a podiatrist and founder of Frankie4.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Morgan Sullivan has over five years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, writing for some of the most prominent magazines and websites. Along with writing about beauty and fashion, she also frequently covers relationship, wellness, and lifestyle topics.
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