The Most Comfortable Flats You Can Wear With Anything

A GH staffer favorite, Birdies shoes offer supreme comfort with a seven-layer footbed that conforms to your foot shape. We were especially impressed with the Goldfinch ballet flat for its support and softness. Plus, it comes in a plethora of fabrics, from suede and velvet to leather and raffia. The pointed toe offers a sophisticated silhouette without cramping toes. Testers note that you may want to go down a half size with this style to prevent slipping out of the shoe. Because of Birdies' generous return policy, it's no big deal if you order the wrong size at first.

Boasting a 4.3-star average rating from more than 63,000 reviews online, these Amazon ballet flats have a comfortable reputation. The stretch-fit shoes come complete with a faux leather upper (plus many colorful suede options). It includes a synthetic sole for better grip as you walk, while its "pillow heel" adds a curved cushion to help prevent blisters and slipping. Many reviewers shared that the rounded-toe, elasticized pair didn't cause discomfort or cramping. Others complimented its lack of breaking-in time but flagged that the pair isn't as long-lasting as others in their collection.

A smart investment, Sam Edelman's shoes nail both durability and comfort and GH's Lexie Sachs can attest to the brand's quality. She owned a pair of their now sold-out loafers for several years and found them comfortable even after extensive use. This sentiment is echoed by GH analyst Grace Wu who praises the brand's other offerings for their non-restrictive fit. As for sizing, many online reviewers went a half size down from their true size.

M.Gemi strikes a delicate balance between elegance and comfort. The Danza ballet flat is made with soft Nappa leather that squares off into a darling pointe silhouette. It comes in seven thoughtful colorways, including a staple black and a bold fuchsia. For one GH editor, the pair felt comfortable to walk in immediately after sliding them on. It features a leather sole and a padded insole so that you don't feel every pebble beneath your feet. It ran a half size too big for our editor who typically shops shoes true to size. (The brand recommends going down a half size if your feet run narrow.) Once sized down, it fit her comfortably, but the toebox felt a smidge cramped, height-wise.

Also rated the most comfortable dress shoe by our pros, this Italeau pair's soft and comfy qualities let you skip out on the painful breaking in time. The loafer features supple leather with a high cushioning footbed for excellent arch support, according to our experts. It comes in eight neutral shades that look professional and its front tassel and pointed toebox are structured enough for work without getting uncomfortable or painful by day's end. A perk for commuters: the leather is treated to be waterproof and stain-resistant. Those interested in the suede options should note that some online reviewers said they stretched a bit over time.

Upon first wear, Everlane's The Day Glove offers a comfortable fit. It's made of smooth leather that molds to your foot for a more custom fit as time goes on. Our tester enjoyed its rubber sole, which gave great traction. "It offers great coverage and doesn't slip off my feet when I walk," they added. While many ballet flats can get a bit steamy, this one incorporates discreet holes on the side to help keep things airy, ideal for those who tend to go without socks or enjoy wearing flats on summer days. Plus, it comes in seven staple colors and five limited-edition options that'll brighten up your wardrobe. A couple of online reviewers with wide feet recommended sizing up.

Mansur Gavriel stays on pointe. In line with "balletcore" trends taking the fashion industry by storm, this pair comes wrapped in pretty pastels and embossed designs that are tied together with a ballerina bow and square silhouette. Its forgiving leather material makes the shoe feel more breathable and flexible. The stunning shoe had one GH editor infatuated with its buttery smooth leather. Just keep in mind that the high-quality shoe comes with a similarly priced markup. That also means extra care and attention as the brand recommends storing in a dust bag and upkeeping with a leather conditioner. We also suggest sizing a half-size down.

Vionic, the brand behind our favorite walking sandals and most comfortable heels, also creates stylish footwear that discreetly incorporates orthotic footbeds. The Lena ballet flats are a great example of this, featuring the brand's signature Vio-Motion technology, which provides stability for your heel, arch support and cushioning for the ball of your foot. While we haven't personally tried this style, Vionic recommends breaking them in around the house before wearing them outside. Despite the orthotic features, these shoes look just as stylish as any other ballet flats, making them a great option for those seeking both fashion and function.

Made in Spain, this ballet flat pays a stunning homage to the classic style that GH analyst Amanda Constantine calls timeless. It also boasts 5 mm of plush foam padding. "The leather upper is soft and molds right to your foot, while the sole feels sturdy and is surprisingly supportive for a flat," she says. Take your pick from narrow, medium and wide options — online reviewers with wide feet appreciated how perfectly the wide style fit. One drawback Constantine noted was that her true size fit but a little loosely, and the half-size down felt too tight. Margaux's fit specialists can help narrow down an ideal size.

Wu found a staple in Sam Edelman's Felicia ballet flats, which feature an elastic scrunch heel that ensures a snug fit while also making it effortless to slip them on and off. "I used to steal these from my mom throughout middle school and high school because of how cute and utterly comfortable they were," she says. Given that there's not quite as much insole padding, keep in mind that the flats don't offer firm arch support.

Flexible right out of the box, Franco Sarto's faux leather loafer lets you step into comfort. It's roomy despite its pointy toebox while the heels and sides are tall for a more secure fit. The insoles featured contoured padding designed to support the feet's natural curves. One tester called out this thoughtful cushioning, adding that she didn't feel the ground through the shoe as she walked. She also noted that the leather outer felt soft and supple. Bear in mind that the inside gets a bit warm, and it fit our tester a half size too big.