I recently went on a quest to find shoes that were cute but truly comfortable. I don’t mean the kind of shoe that is like “not bad” for a cute shoe. I’m talking about the kind that you could literally walk in for days without any pain at all.

I’m holding a very high bar for the shoes on this list. If I spend the day wearing a pair of cheap Target flats, I’ll have pain in my foot for the rest of the week. Maybe I’m getting old or maybe I just have sensitive feet, but this led me on a journey to finding some truly comfortable shoes.
To start, I asked for lots of recommendations. Then I started buying, trying, and returning quite a few pairs of shoes. I’m clearly not a fashion blogger and while I did look for the cutest styles I could find, I really prioritized comfort first and style second. But luckily, there really are lots of cute styles that met my requirements for comfort!
There are two shoe brands that come up frequently when you’re searching for comfortable shoes: Rothys & Tieks. So let me just get it out of the way and tell you that these were not the most comfortable shoes. I’ve tried two pairs of Rothys (returned both) and I’ve owned a pair of Tieks for years. They’re not bad for a work shoe but neither of them has any real support. As I said, I’m holding a high bar here. Those didn’t make the cut.

Most Comfortable Sandals

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I’m not sure why I refused to buy Birkenstocks for the longest time. (I guess the price?) But there is a reason why these are consistently recommended as a comfortable sandal. They have great arch support and I’ve been surprised and how my foot actually doesn’t slide around, even without a back strap.

These gladiator sandals from Sofft are my other top pick, but it looks like Sofft doesn’t make them anymore. They’re SO comfortable. The sole is more like a sneaker which gives you lots of cushion and support. The footbed is soft, and the leather is high-quality, so you don’t have to worry about blisters. The gladiator style gives you a little extra stability so your foot isn’t sliding around in the shoe. I’ve worn these for weeks, even on a walking tour, and I’ve had no issues at ALL. I’m usually between a 7.5 and an 8. I went with an 8, and I have a little wiggle room, but I wouldn’t have wanted a smaller size. Even though they don’t make this exact pair anymore, I really like Sofft shoes overall.

These slip-on sandals from Vionic are my second choice for a comfortable sandal. They’re extremely lightweight, and the footbed has a lot of arch support. The strap on the back of the shoe keeps it from sliding around. These are a little less “sporty,” so they’re a better option for a skirt or dress when you’re going to be on your feet a lot. I ordered a 7.5 wide, and they’re a little bit too wide, but they’re comfortable, so I’m keeping them! I’d say these run true to size.

Other Comfortable Pointed Toe Flat Options

flat shoes

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I also tried the Aston from Dr. Scholl’s, but they ran laughably large. I should have listened to the reviews. I’d go a whole size down if you want to try them. They seemed comfortable, but I didn’t want to mess with trying another size, so I decided to send these back. If you do get these, size down!

ballet flats

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I was impressed with the Rockport Total Motion Adelyn flats. They have amazing support and they come in a lot of cute patterns. The inside of the shoe is more like a sneaker, but you’d never know it from the outside! Unfortunately, I seem to be stuck in between sizes. I’ve tried 7.5, 7.5 wide, and 8. None of them was quite right for me, which was a bummer. If you have a narrower foot, I think these run true to size.

Most Comfortable Sneaker

Image va DSW

I’ve been wearing these Dr. Scholl’s sneakers for years now. They’re the Time Off sneaker, and they look like a pretty tall platform, but they’re really not. (Although they do have a “max” platform version that is taller.) I’ve worn these to trade shows, vacations, theme parks, and more. These are truly the most comfortable sneakers I’ve found that aren’t running shoes.

Other Sneaker Options

I also have these suede Pumas in black and light pink. (The pink was my favorite, but didn’t last as long because it just started to show too much dirt.) These shoes are so soft and cushiony.

I had a slightly older style of these Adidas Gazelles, but they weren’t quite as supportive as the Pumas. I also love a classic pair of Converse because you can wear them with literally anything, but they don’t have a lot of arch support, so I don’t usually pack them for long trips. I also have a pair of Vejas that I got at a consignment store, but honestly, they’re not very supportive, so I wouldn’t recommend them.

The Best Sock Options

I’ve also noticed a big difference in comfort if I’m wearing high quality socks. They don’t have to be expensive but I look for something that is breathable with a little cushion. I also recently tried these arch-supporting socks, and they were great for when I’m just walking around the house without shoes.

How to Save Money on Comfortable Shoes

One problem I noticed is that many comfortable shoes were really expensive. Spending $100 on a pair of sandals felt like a big investment. I decided it was worth it because I didn’t want to deal with foot pain for the rest of my life, but still. If you’re on a budget, here are a few tips:

  • Once you settle on a pair to get, check other retailers. I found that Zappos was usually the cheapest but sometimes it was better to go through the brand website or Amazon.
  • Sign up for emails to get coupons! I signed up through the Soffts website and got a 20% off coupon.
  • Depending on the shoe, you might even be able to snag them on a site like Poshmark or even eBay. It doesn’t hurt to check!
Have you found comfortable shoes that you love? Leave your recommendations below! I love trying new styles!