11 Genuinely Comfortable Ballet Flats That Will Make Your Feet Happy All Day Long

Ballet flats aren’t known for being the most comfortable. In fact, they don’t generally have that much support, and may pose as a challenge to wear for our feet in the future, according to Dr. Suzanne Levine, D.P.M., RPT, PC. “As we age, we lose cushioning in the balls of our feet, so this type of shoe can be more and more difficult to wear, especially for people who are on their feet a lot.” But that certainly doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to flats forever. Nor does it mean that there aren’t any comfy ballet flats floating around the web to wear. Rather, the key is to pay attention to the design of the shoe and how you may need to modify your fit, if need be.

Best ballet flats at a glance

• Best eco-friendly: Rothy’s The Flat, $129
• Best leather: M.Gemi The Danza, $248
• Best support: FitFlop Allegro Soft Leather Ballet Flats, $100
• Best foldable: Vivaia Round-Toe Foldable Flats, $89
• Best cushioned: Josef Seibel Fenja 01 Flat, $125
• Best Mary Janes: Naturalizer Maxwell Mary Jane Flat, $99
• Best splurge: Tods Ballerinas In Leather, $775
• Best memory foam: Skechers Cleo 2.0 Love Spell Flat, $55
• Best arch support: Vionic Minna Ballet Flat, $120
• Best for wide feet: Born Julianne Flats, $100
• Best design: Cole Haan Tova Bow Ballet, $100

What to look for in a ballet flat?

According to Dr. Brad Schaeffer, board-certified foot surgeon at Sole Podiatry NYC, it’s important to look for a flat that has “nice arch support” or some type of gel cushioning.  But if that’s not possible, opt for a shoe that has enough space for you to customize it. “If you need to wear them, I’d say look for ballet flats that have gel cushioning in the shoe, or you can put gel inserts in to provide the cushion and support that is needed,” Dr. Schaeffer says. He personally recommends adding the Dr. Scholl’s Cushioning Insoles for Flats and Sandals ($10) to help absorb impact. Additionally, it’s best to search for flats that have a spacious toe box or thick padding in the midsole. This will help give your feet more support and make it easier on the balls of your feet as you walk.

To help you find some ballet flats to add to your wardrobe, we’ve rounded up  some top picks that are both stylish and follow Doctor’s orders down below.

Most comfortable ballet flats for work

Best eco-friendly: Rothy's The Flat — $129.00

What makes these Rothy’s ballet flats such a fan-favorite even among podiatrists like Dr. Levine comes down to three key things: roominess, breathability and flexibility. The toe box is extra spacious to keep your feet from becoming squished.  Additionally, the shoe comes in a range of different colors and has moisture-wicking knit fabric to keep out odors (plus,  they’re machine-washable, so if they do get stinky, just throw ’em in your washer!), and they’re knit from single-use plastic bottles. Oh, and there’s even room for you to add your custom orthotics if need be.

Sizes: 5-13

Colors: 35

Pros:

• Made with recycled materials
• Machine washable
• Flexible

Cons:

• Some reviewers say sizing is inconsistent

Best leather: M.Gemi The Danza — $248.00

For a more elevated look heading into the office, these Italian-made M.Gemi Danza flats may just be what your wardrobe needs to keep your feet happy throughout your workday. Not only are they super sleek, but they’re also easy to walk in for long periods. Part of the reason for that has to do with their hidden heel wedge and “stiff sides that are good for support,” says Dr. Levine. The slight elevation adds more structure for your feet while the square toe box gives your toes more room to breathe.

Sizes: 35-42 European sizes

Colors: 6

Pros:

• Soft Italian leather
• Hidden wedge
• Flexible midsole

Cons:

• More expensive

Best support: FitFlop Allegro Soft Leather Ballet Flats — $100.00

Super lightweight and supportive are all the things you can expect from these FitFlop leather ballet flats. The footbeds really stand out though, thanks to their Dynamicush™ high-impact cushioning tech. And while not gel, the foam insoles are also pretty comfy and designed to adjust to the shape of your feet over time. They’re lined in leather and fabric, and have a slip-resistant sole so you can walk securely on a variety of surfaces.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 4

Pros:

• Anatomic footbed
• Lightweight
• Cushioned

Cons:

• Some reviewers say they run large

Best foldable: Vivaia Round-Toe Foldable Flats — $89.00

Looking to insert a little a fun and comfort into your shoe collection? Say no more with these Vivaia Round-Toe Foldable Flats. Made with eco-friendly knit fabric, these shoes are super flexible and padded with a yoga mat-type of insole to keep your feet feeling supported with each step. Additionally, the toe box is flexible, so your toes don’t squeeze together.

Sizes: 5-10.5

Colors: 5

Pros:

• Stretchy knit upper
• Foldable
• Antimicrobial

Cons:

• Some reviewers say they run small

Best cushioned: Josef Seibel Fenja 01 Flat — $125.00

If you plan on being up on your feet for hours at a time or running errands from sunrise to sunset, consider these Josef Seibel Fenja 01 Flats for your shoe rotation. The plush footbeds and flexible outsoles that stretch with your feet are what make these shoes easy to wear for hours on end and out on the town. In fact, multiple reviewers at Nordstrom noted that the shoes “well-cushioned for comfortable walking.” What’s more? The toe box is also slightly square to prevent your toes from rubbing against the top of the shoe.

Sizes: 5-11.5

Colors: 2

Pros:

• Cushioned footbed
• Flexible sole
• Leather upper

Cons:

• Some reviewers say it runs large

Best Mary Janes: Naturalizer Maxwell Mary Jane Flat — $99.00

As far as versatility goes, these shoes get five out of five stars. For example, you can wear them to the office on one day and out to Sunday brunch on the next. The Mary Jane-inspired strap will make these flats stand out from the rest of your plain shoes, but they’re still classic enough to match everything in your closet. But we really love the responsive cushioning in the midsoles and the padded collar, which will keep your feet comfortable step after step.

Sizes: 4-12, medium and wide

Colors: 3

Pros:

• Cushioned
• Adjustable strap
• Comes in both medium and wide widths

Cons:

• Not as flexible as some other flats

Best splurge: Tod's Bubble Ballerinas In Leather — $775.00

While these Tods Ballerinas are definitely an investment, they sure don’t sacrifice style in the name of comfort. And we just had to add them to the list. Dr. Levine especially loves these flats because of their modern design and  “good flexible sole with grip.” This helps make the shoes adjust to your feet and increase durability over time, and the rubber pebbles add to their uniqueness. Not to mention, they have elastic to hug your feet just right, and the toe box is roomy so your toes can breathe and comfortably sit against the top of the shoe.

Sizes: 4-12

Colors: 8

Pros:

• Elastic trim
• Soft leather
• Flexible sole

Cons:

• Expensive

Best memory foam: Skechers Cleo 2.0 Love Spell Flat — $55.00

The best part of these Skechers flats? Their Air-Cooled Memory Foam® cushioned footbeds. They help support your feet and keep them dry, which is a major plus if you’re prone to sweaty feet. As a bonus, they’re also machine-washable and use 75 percent recycled polyester. They have a stretchy, woven knit upper and a scalloped edge trim to make your feet stand out from the crowd.

Sizes: 5.5-11

Colors: 2

Pros:

• Cushioned insole
• Made with recycled materials
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Some reviewers say the back rubs on the ankle

Most comfortable ballet flats for wide feet

Best arch support: Vionic Minna Ballet Flat — $120.00

One of the few options on this list that has received the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance are these Vionic Minna Ballet Flats. Like many Vionic shoes, these are designed to hug your arches and support your foot’s natural alignment, thanks to the Vio-Motion Technology. Also, the inserts are removable EVA orthotics which means you can customize the fit at anytime.

Sizes: 5-12, narrow, medium, and wide

Colors: 7

Pros:

• Removable orthotic insert
• Arch support
• Available in narrow, medium, and wide

Cons:

• Requires some time for your feet to adjust

Best for wide feet: Born Julianne Flats — $100.00

Made with soft leather uppers, these Julianne Flats have microfiber-covered cushioned footbeds. Not only does help better support your feet, but this also is great for preventing long-time wear and tear. In particular, the micro-fiber helps prevent peeling and abrasion over time. The fabric suede lining is also breathable, so you won’t have to deal with overly sweaty feet.

Sizes: 6-12, medium and wide

Colors: 4

Pros:

• Breathable lining
• Flexible sole
• Arch support

Cons:

• Limited color selection

Best design: Cole Haan Tova Bow Ballet — $100.00

When it comes to shoes that are both stylish and supportive for all areas of your feet, Cole Haan is known for their massive selection of styles. And these Tova Bow Ballet Flats also check those same boxes. They’re made with leather, have a slight wedge heel, and elegant details on the back and toe, including a subtle bow. They’re also padded throughout the midsole to keep your feet comfy.

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 3

Pros:

• Padded
• Wedge heel
• Hardware detailing

Cons:

• Some reviewers say the toe area runs narrow