My passion for cute shoes is always odds with my sensitive feet, which is why I'm such a believer in ballet flats. I've worn certain pairs into the ground because no other shoe disappears into my outfit quite like them, yet they're still dressy enough for going out.
This season, I've witnessed ballet flats taking over New York (not that they ever left). The question of who makes the most comfortable ballet flats can easily devolve into comparing leather or knit mesh pairs, which is why I've included some of each in this guide.
My credentials come from years of road-testing the most comfortable dress shoes for women. I walked at least 1 mile in 33 ballet flats (and before that, tried dozens more) to find the best fit for my foot shape: size 8, high arches, slightly narrow, with a second toe that's longer than my big toe. Your own needs will differ from mine, but here are 13 pairs that felt both supportive and stylish.
The ballet flats I wear most
Margaux Demi (pictured center): These are the most classic pair out there. Margaux's debut shoes have an adjustable bow tie, a sleek almond toe, and padded leather insoles.
Vivaia Margot 3.0 (pictured left): At least in my book, Vivaia has usurped Rothy's in terms of comfortable knit flats. This stretchy, square-toe pair is cushioned to high heavens and very wide-foot friendly.
Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Ballet Flats (pictured right): Quince shoes can be hit-or-miss, but these are great affordable alternative to Freda Salvador's popular Jada flats.
What makes a ballet flat comfortable?
The best ballet flats are not flat. A slight heel drop will reduce strain and lifts your foot out of the dead-flat position. The exception is barefoot flats, which instead train your feet from the ground up.
Flexibility doesn't always equal comfort. A structured heel counter and firm midfoot give you more stability. Especially if you have weak ankles or plantar fasciitis, avoid ballet flats that you can fold in half.
More coverage gives you a more secure fit. A higher vamp keeps the shoe in place while you walk. It's a style sacrifice for some, but one worth making if you plan on racking up 20,000 steps in your ballet flats.
Within every good flat is a cushioned, contoured footbed. Look for built-in arch support and padded insoles. They should have a thick heel to absorb shock, with visible valleys and notches.
Best overall: Margaux The Demi
Why we love them: The most classic ballet flat out there, available in various widths with enough padding to withstand daily walks.
Skip if: You really can't stand returning shoes that don't fit — the Demis run small (and Margaux's shoe sizes vary widely in general).
The Demis are essential if you want to get a lot of wear from an archetypal leather ballet flat. Aside from looking prim and polished, they also score major points in the comfort department thanks to five millimeters of foam plush padding and a functional, adjustable cord bow that helps you get the perfect fit.
"As far as sizing and fit both go, I'd recommend going true to size since Margaux offers half sizes. And, possibly the best feature is the ability to choose your width (narrow, medium, or wide). I got the medium width and it was fine for my relatively average-width feet, but I also tried a wide pair later on and realized that's probably the size I'll opt for in the future. With all the walking I do, my feet end up swelling a bit, and the wide pair is more comfortable for long days out. They didn't make my feet look pancake-like, either — I still got that nice elongated silhouette you get from ballet flats." — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
Read more in our full Margaux Demi flats review.
Stretchy and cushioned: Vivaia Margot 3.0
Why we love them: Thickly cushioned, yet still lightweight.
Skip if: It's raining out or if your feet run narrow.
Some of my most-worn shoes come from Vivaia. I tested the Margot 3.0 flats against the Margot 2.0, and the redesign has a few new features to help these soft-sided shoes last longer. First, the activated carbon means the quilted footbeds are better at repelling odor — which tends to linger in knit flats like these.
Inside, they almost feel like slippers. The foam footbed is a bit firmer under the arches, yet the quilted forefoot is soft and plush against your skin. I wear this pair whenever I get blisters from breaking in leather flats, because the heel cushion is gentle and non-abrasive.
Another change is the redesigned outsole is made of less rubber and more lightweight EVA foam, meaning they have better shock absorption throughout long walks on concrete. The fit has stayed the same, with a very roomy square toe box and a stretchy collar that can accommodate wide and high volume feet. If you feel like most ballet flats are too constricting for your foot shape, the Margots will let them breathe.
Read more in our full Vivaia shoes review.
Best budget: Quince Italian Leather Handwoven Square Toe Ballet Flat
Why we love them: The woven leather offers a soft, glove-like fit that takes zero break-in time.
Skip if: You have a high-volume forefoot, as the vamp can dig into the top of your foot.
I learned to scrutinize Quince shoes after testing too many that were total flops. But they did something right with the Italian Leather Handwoven Ballet Flats: They took a popular design that doesn't require much finesse to recreate, and are selling it for much less.
I immediately wanted to wear these cushiony flats all day, they are that comfortable. There are, however, subtle signs of shortcuts that Quince takes to make them so cheap (like the dye that rubbed off and stained my skin when they got wet).
Another Quince shoe I love is featured in my Quince ballet flat review. I've worn its Day Glove dupes for three years, and they still only show the regular signs of wear.
For high arches: Naturalizer Ava Ballet Flat
Why we love them: They come in medium or wide widths and the padded footbed is well contoured.
Skip if: You have extra wide or high volume feet, as they run narrow across the top.
Naturalizer is one of our favorite places to buy comfortable women's dress shoes. Its Ava Ballet Flats rival some of the pricier pairs I've tested in terms of comfort, and their low-profile design is easy to style with any length of pant or skirt.
The leather did require some breaking in, and I had to wear Band-Aids on my heels on the first few wears. Once I got past that, I was free to appreciate their best feature: a layer of padding that climbs up the inner wall of the shoe to gently cradle my arches.
Arch support plays a significant role in how often I reach for flats. The padding here is just firm enough to uplift my arches without throwing me off balance. Meanwhile, the sturdy, textured soles have proven solid on several pavement-pounding quests about town.
Classic Mary Janes: Bared Footwear Surfbird
Why we love them: Each pair comes with a Fit Kit that spares you from the pain of returns.
Skip if: You have very narrow feet and prefer a close fit.
I've never met a pair of Bared Footwear shoes I didn't like. The supple leather of this elongated square-toed pair is very soft and supple, especially compared to most leather dress shoes that start off stiff. The Surfbirds run large and wide, but I was able to make them fit using the complimentary "Fit Kit" cushions. With the spare forefoot pads, I tightened up the toe box to my liking.
These Mary Jane ballet flats are pricey, but you're paying for what's inside: a contoured footbed with great arch support and a metatarsal dome that eases where I'm most sensitive, in the ball of my foot.
I like these for longer walks because the buckled strap across the vamp helps them fit more securely. For a more affordable knit Mary Jane flat, I also really like Vivaia's Margot Mary Janes.
Best barefoot ballet flats: Alohas Rosalind
Why we love them: They pack flat and engage your foot muscles.
Skip if: You rely on shoes to support sensitive tendons, like with plantar fasciitis.
These keyhole ballet flats are a bit quirky-looking, so they take more styling effort. They're worth it if you're curious about the potential health benefits of barefoot shoes.
Barefoot shoes are identified by a near-0mm heel drop and a wide, round toe box to let your feet splay naturally. This low-intervention design is meant to boost sensory feedback from the ground up. The tradeoff is that you lose any stabilization or cushioning, but it's trendy among people trying to get in touch with their natural instincts.
The thin, flat soled Rosalind Barefoot ballet flats are a significant departure from the cushioned ones I'm used to. I can feel all the sidewalk grit underfoot, and I'm fully depending on my lower body to keep me upright. It's a sensation that deserves a gradual transition, regardless of how soft the leather is (very soft, by the way).
Alohas also makes a non-barefoot Rosalind ballet flat with a tapered toe box in the same drawstring design. They come in more colorways and feel more like conventional ballet flats. Read more in our full Alohas review.
Built for standing all day: Frankie4 Trinity
Why we love them: They support high arches and lift your feet out of the flat position with a hidden wedge heel. Plus, their stiff bottom prevents added strain on your plantar fascia.
Skip if: You have bunions or a wide forefoot — the toe box runs narrow.
Frankie4 is an Australian footwear brand founded by two podiatrists. Within the Trinity flats are its proprietary 'Sole Hero Footbeds,' which have three layers of padding — each with different levels of cushioning in the forefoot, arches, and heels. This design helps engage the parts of your feet that need extra support.
Even though they look flat, the subtle heel raise makes them feel anything but. It's a tiny detail that angles your feet out of the dead flat position, so your ankles are better aligned. You can also adjust the padding in the forefoot if the toe box feels too loose, since they come with extra gel cushions.
These run slightly small. If you're between sizes, the brand recommends going up a half size for its ballet flats. I'm a size 8 and they felt tight in the toe box. The outer leather feels super luxe, and the lining inside is buttery smooth. My only regret is that this pair comes in such limited colorways, and while the price is steep, their firm support feels ultimately worth it.
Best ballet pumps: Margaux Ada
Why we love them: With a shorter heel and a slightly square toe, these elegant shoes fit like a glove.
Skip if: You have extra wide feet or sensitive forefoot joints.
"We've long admired Margaux's commitment to beautiful leather and chic silhouettes. The Ada looks like an elegant ballet flat, but it has a little heel that adds slightly over an inch of height.
I got it in the color Espresso Crinkle Patent, which is a shiny brown color that feels like the epitome of fall. The leather is supple and molds to your feet for a glove-like fit. Plus, the insole has a memory foam-like padding that cradles your foot.
But sizing is a little tricky to get right. I've always characterized my feet as being on the wider end of typical, but I very rarely find myself having to opt for a wide fit shoe. In almost all situations, a regular width works just fine. But with Margaux shoes, I've learned to always go for the wide.
The shoes come in three widths: narrow, medium, and wide. If you're on the fence about which would work for you, opt for the more generous fit." — Samantha Crozier, senior style editor, Insider Reviews
See more in our guide to the most comfortable heels.
Lightweight and wide-foot friendly: FitFlop Delicato
Why we love them: Super lightweight, shock absorbing crash pads, and superior anti-slip traction.
Skip if: You have narrow feet, high arches, or weak ankles.
These FitFlop flats were among the lightest pairs I tested. The nappa leather is really smooth and unstructured, so much that they almost feel like rubber. They even squeaked a bit like rubber when I was breaking them in. Despite being so lightweight, these shoes are packed with lots of comfort features: a 'Dynamicush' footbed made from squishy foam, a roomy squared-off toe box, and a flexible collar that prevents any uncomfortable friction. I also like that the tread is really non-slip. I couldn't slide-step in these even if I tried.
I have to disagree completely with FitFlop's disclaimer that these run slim. They were actually quite loose across the toes and felt a whole size too big on me. This is great if you're wide across the forefoot, but if your heel is narrow, make sure you size down by at least half a size. Otherwise, they'll feel floppy in the rear.
Buttery soft with a hidden wedge heel: M. Gemi The Danza
Why we love them: They provide solid arch support and the hidden wedge heel adds a bit of height.
Skip if: You have a very wide forefoot.
"The Danza is a ballet flat that isn't flat at all. It has a hidden wedge that measures about three-quarters of an inch, which is why I was initially attracted to it. I'm five-foot-one, so adding a little bit of height keeps certain long pants and maxi dresses off the floor.
These flats use the traditional Italian sacchetto construction technique, which minimizes interior seams so the soft leather lining wraps smoothly around the foot. This is supposed to reduce rubbing and pressure points while allowing the shoe to flex and mold more naturally to your foot.
Though the Danza is cute, walkable, and well-constructed, the sizing is a bit inconsistent. I got a 37 EU — the same size I always order from M. Gemi — because I'm usually a size 7 US, but it was a little too big. I didn't expect this, since I read comments that said to order a size bigger than you usually do." — Samantha Crozier, senior style editor, Insider Reviews
For sensitive bunions: Calla Charlotte Ballerinas
Why we love them: The shape is ideal if you have sensitivity in the big toe joint area. Even if you don't have bunions, they're a great pair for people with very high arches.
Skip if: You have very slim or low-volume feet.
The problem with most ballet flats is that their narrow toe boxes often force your big toe inward. Bunions can cause feet to be more triangle-shaped, so even a wide-foot friendly ballet flat won't fit like it should in the heel.
Calla designs its bunion-friendly dress shoes to be proportionate throughout, and I love that they aren't as orthopedic-looking as most bunion shoes. The toe box on the Charlotte flats is deep and wide, and there's a stretchy panel hidden within the crossover design.
I'm a size US 8 and the 39s fit a bit loose on me. I'm also glad I brought Band-Aids the first time I broke them in, because the leather cut up my heel a bit. That said, I appreciate how high the arch support is stacked on the inside wall of the shoe.
A splurgy block heel: Nomasei Flip
Why we love them: The elasticated rear prevents any digging or rubbing on the heels.
Skip if: You have very wide or high-volume feet.
Nomasei is one of my favorite mid-range luxury shoe brands I've tried (our team loves its loafers and sculptural heeled sandals). The Flips are its very first ballet flat, a Parisian style that cocoons my feet as soon as I pull them on by their rear tab.
The stretchy-backed design doesn't ever slip off my heels, as I've experienced with many other ballet flats. I felt comfortable walking in them on a busy summer afternoon in Brooklyn, and they felt secure while I stepped on uneven Prospect Park terrain. The insoles are lightly padded with memory foam, and the cute little block heel elevates the whole look.
Soft ballet slippers: M.Gemi La Una
Why we love them: They're perfect for travel since they fold in half, and the soft leather feels thin and lightweight.
Skip if: You have plantar fasciitis or any major need for support and stability.
M.Gemi has some of the best Italian leather footwear out there. The Una is made with a thin, unstructured nappa leather that's extremely flexible and smooth. Inside around the heel is a layer of suede, so there's no chance of developing blisters. I don't recommend these for long walks, since they don't come with any padding or cushions. For reference, I can feel the pavement when I walk in these, as I do when I wear Alohas' Rosalinds.
Nevertheless, the main appeal of the Una is how soft and delicate they feel. They're designed with a stretchy criss-cross strap to keep them in place and a soft square toe, similar to a real ballet slipper.
See more in our M.Gemi review.
FAQs on ballet flats
Are ballet flats bad for your feet?
Ballet flats are not automatically bad for your feet, but very flat, flimsy, or pointed pairs can crowd the toes and provide too little support for long walks or long hours standing. This is especially true if you already deal with foot pain, plantar fasciitis, bunions, or arch issues.
Do ballet flats need arch support?
They often do, especially if you have flat feet, high arches, or recurring foot fatigue. Podiatry guidance generally recommends matching support to your arch type, and insoles or orthotics can add cushioning and stability if a flat's built-in footbed is too minimal. Some picks with great arch support are the Calla Charlotte or the M.Gemi Danza.
Are ballet flats good for standing all day?
You can make them work if they have real cushioning and support, but many minimal ballet flats are not ideal for all-day standing. Foot specialists generally recommend more structured, cushioned shoes for prolonged standing, especially for people with flat feet or recurring soreness. My favorite pair for standing all day is the Frankie4 Trinity, but bear in mind that they run narrow.
How should ballet flats fit?
Ballet flats should feel secure without pinching, with room for your toes to move and a heel that stays in place without slipping. A common fit guideline is about a half-inch, or roughly 1 centimeter, of space in front of your longest toe, plus adequate width so your foot does not spill over the insole.
Should I wear ballet flats if I have plantar fasciitis?
You can, but only if they come with meaningful support. The Cleveland Clinic advises looking for cushioning plus heel and arch support and notes that very flat shoes can worsen plantar fasciitis, so a slightly raised, supportive flat or one with room for orthotics is a better bet. For this, I recommend the Calla Charlotte or Frankie4 Trinity. Learn more in our guide to the most comfortable shoes for plantar fasciitis.
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