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One of the most cliché-but-true bits of fashion advice is this: have at least one good pair of flats. Heels are fun and all, but there's no getting past the need for flats when your typical day involves a lot of walking. They're essential for putting together a comfortable workwear outfit, and despite being "flat," are often secretly embedded with supportive features that make traveling by foot a little easier.
Our style editors tested flats by walking on concrete in them for least a couple weeks at a time in order to gauge their comfort. Below are the cutest of the bunch that took zero break-in time and supported us from work, brunch, and everywhere in between.
"They wear beautifully, are super easy to clean (just wipe them down with a damp cloth and maybe a little hand soap if necessary), and they mold to your feet like malleable leather socks," says Insider Reviews executive editor Sally Kaplan.
Rothy's pointed toe flats have a spacious toe box and and an elasticated collar, so they're even comfortable for those with wide feet. "I love their padded insoles and how easily they fold up and pack in my tote," says associate style editor Gabrielle Chase.
These pliable flats come in less colors than Rothy's, but still beat them in terms of comfort. They have sneaker-like support in their footbeds and take zero break-in time.
Everlane's leather Day Glove flat is an almost (but not quite) ballet slipper guaranteed to go with just about all your clothing, and it's a staple of nearly every style writer and editor on our team. We wrote up a full review after test-driving these flats, and they remain an all-time favorite. "Everlane's Day Glove flats are much more comfortable than any other flats I've tried," writes former deputy editor Malarie Gokey, "They actually fit my foot and move with me — not against me."
The leather molds to the foot, so not only will the flats last, they'll get more comfortable over time. The shoes also feature pull tabs, ventilation holes, and comfy insoles to eliminate some of the most common comfort-related issues flats pose. The Day Glove flats come in nine colors, including classics like black and white as well as some seasonal shades.
They cost $138, and while not inexpensive, it's a steal for shoes that will last you for as long as these do. Several of us have been wearing the same pair for years, with plenty of life in them left. — Sally Kaplan, excecutive editor, Insider Reviews
Rothy's flats are the choice for many modern working women because they take zero break-in time, have a sleek, mesh look, plus moisture-wicking breathability. One of our favorite versions, The Point II, has an upgraded "In Love Insole" with more cushioning around the toes and heels.
You'll feel the difference immediately after slipping your feet in; the flats are very light and flexible, with a bit of give, and there aren't any uncomfortable seams or edges. Rothy's also has them in a pointed-toe Mary Jane version, complete with the retrofitted In Love padding. If you have wide feet, though, we suggest going for a square-toe style because Rothy's toe boxes run narrow.
Rothy's was born out of the desire to repurpose wasteful, single-use plastics into something beautiful and practical. All of its knit shoes are made from 100% post-consumer plastic water bottles, which are hot washed, sterilized, then fused into a fiber that is knit into yarn.
The insoles contain recycled foam, while the rubber soles are carbon-free. The adhesives used are non-toxic and vegan. Even the packaging is made from post-consumer recycled materials and is biodegradable.
The lofty challenge of reducing your impact on the planet feels more manageable when you start with the things you use in your everyday life. Thanks to Rothy's, the endeavor won't compromise style or comfort.
Keeping them in top shape is as easy as throwing them in the washing machine. After wearing them often (and you will because of their versatility), you might wonder if they'll actually hold up. But we've been wearing and washing our pairs for more than a year and they look and feel as good as they did on day one. — Connie Chen
To see more of our style editors' impressions, check out our full Rothy's flats review.
Allbirds is probably better known for its Silicon Valley uniform-mandated sneakers like the Wool Runners and Tree Runners. But when you don't want to wear sneakers but still need the same comfort and support, you're better off with its flats, the Tree Breezer.
These are the flats you'll want to pack in your suitcase because a) they're very light and you can fold them up to maximize packing space, and b) you can walk around in them all day long.
Quell any fears you have of hobbling through a walking tour or calling it an early night because your feet have become one giant blister. The Breezers have bouncy outsoles made from sugarcane and soft, odor-minimizing Merino wool-lined insoles. The knit collar wraps onto your foot securely, and the rest of the shoe's knit body is breathable and feels silky smooth against your skin. Plus, they're machine-washable, so they're easy to take care of even if you get them all grubby on your trip.
Since the style is more sleek and formal than Allbirds' other shoes, they won't look out of place in a dressier environment. Instead of packing multiple pairs of shoes, you can just bring your all-in-one Tree Breezer flats. If you don't have a chance to try them first before you board your flight, don't worry — most of the Insider Reviews team didn't need to break them in. — Connie Chen
Everlane's Day Glove Flats may currently hold the top spot, but the Quince Italian Leather Glove Ballet Flats have proven to be an uncanny substitute (I've now been asked thrice whether these are from Everlane.)
Along with several other dupes we've tried in our Quince review, the Day Glove-lookalikes sold out almost as soon as they became available. Upon first inspection, they are practically indistinguishable from the real thing. They even have the same pull-tabs and perforations around the inner arches to help ventilate the shoe — which is good, because the leather can and will make your feet sweat. The leather has only some give, so if you have extra wide feet, I'd skip these. It's also worth noting that Quince doesn't offer them in narrow or half sizes, but Everlane does. I wear a size 8 and these have a nearly true-to-size fit that lean a tad small. The top seam felt a bit tight at first, but it quickly softened.
I found Quince's Glove flats to likewise have zero break-in time — as soon as I slipped them on, they felt like wearing soft leather slippers. I like how much traction their rubber soles have compared to other flats I've tried, and their Ortholite insoles cradle my high arches.
The material is 100% Italian cow Nappa leather and made in Shenzhen, China, while Everlane claims their Day Glove is made in Santa Maria a Monte, Italy. The key distinction Quince makes on their site is that their version is less than half the price of Everlane's, so if you're looking for an affordable alternative to a cult favorite, this is the right pair. I'll be curious to see if they hold up for as long as two years, as the Day Gloves did for Sally. — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor, Insider Reviews
Ballet flats look deceptively simple. You know if you're reading this guide that it's hard to get the fit just right — some pairs gape, while others rely on uncomfortable heel elastics to stay on your foot.
You won't encounter this problem with Margaux. It makes flats in a large range of sizes (from 3 through 14), including half sizes. Instead of suggesting you size up or down for wide and narrow feet, the company ensures fit precision by offering each size in Narrow, Medium, and Wide widths. There's also a made-to-order option for a truly custom fit.
The Demi Flat from Margaux is a simple and elegant ballet flat. Senior editor Sally Kaplan, who has tried both Medium and Wide pairs of the flat, realized, "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 feature plush foam padding to give your foot some support, as well as a small heel so you're not walking completely flat on the ground. The bow at the top of the shoe is adjustable in case you want to give your foot even more breathing room.
You can get the flats in two luxuriously soft and flexible materials, Italian suede or Italian Napa leather, which each come in a small selection of colors that show off the materials beautifully.
Though they're more expensive than average at $245 a pair, the way we see it, it's better to own one pair of really well-made flats than five pairs of fun ones that fall apart quickly. — Connie Chen
One of the most common orthopedic conditions is sore arches. The Carla flat remedies those pains with ample arch support, yet still maintains a sleek silhouette. Naturalizer belongs to the same brand family as Dr. Scholl's and boasts some of the most comfortable heels we've tested. Its Carla flat, part of the brand's "27 Edit," is meant to be as comfortable as grandma's orthos without the chunky rubber sole.
This flat contours the foot with a U-shaped topline, square toe, and subtle half-inch padded heel. Inside, they're cushioned beneath the arches and heel cups. Even though the leather gave me heel blisters at first, I found them easy to step into and pull on with their rear tabs. Eventually the leather softens, and they start to wear more like slippers. Naturalizer offers this flat in hard-to-find sizes and wide fits for a custom-made feel. — Gabrielle Chase, associate style editor
Our team has a running collection of Everlane reviews of everything from their bathing suits to totes. We're especially impressed by these ballet flats, crafted from super-soft Italian leather with pull-tabs on the heels and two holes on the side for ventilation. They've also got a bit of a heel, a functional rubber outsole, a functional tie bow, and a cushioned insole that makes them comparable to another of our favorite flats, the Day Glove.
"There's a tiny bit of padding in the shoe that makes them feel more like a loafer than a flat. I may even like these more than the original!" — Sally Kaplan, executive editor
There's something to be said for splurging on a really gorgeous pair of designer heels that you only wear on special occasions, but honestly, I've always felt that it makes more sense to spend that money on a practical pair you'll get more wear out of. A beautiful ballet flat that'll never go out of style is exactly the kind of shoe that deserves the designer treatment.
We think Mansur Gavriel's Dream Ballerinas are the absolute best designer flats out there. The $395 price tag isn't so unreasonable when compared to flats from brands like Chanel ($750+) or Louboutin ($500+), and the comfort rivals that of Everlane's Day flat, our best-overall pick on this list.
The lambskin leather is buttery soft and the insoles provide enough cushion that the flats wear almost like a loafer. The bow on the shoe is actually functional, so you can use it to tighten or loosen the opening. The bottom of the shoe has just enough traction that I feel comfortable on slippery tile surfaces, which can't be said for other slick-bottomed designer pairs I've ultimately passed over. Ultimately, these flats have it all. And even after having tested every other pair of flats on this list, I can confidently say these are worth the cost.
As far as sizing goes, I am usually somewhere in between a 7.5 and 8, and I ordered a size 38 (the European equivalent of an 8). Mansur Gavriel's site says to order a full size up from your usual size, but in my experience, it's better to opt for either your true size or one half size up if you sometimes find your true size to be tight in other brands. — Sally Kaplan
Best Mary Jane: Vivaia Square-Toe Margot Mary Jane
Mary Janes have seen a sharp uptick in the wake of the coquette trend, but this sophisticated version has a square toe that adds more dimension to the classic silhouette. The Margot Mary Janes are extremely comfortable. I took these on a long walk over concrete and sustained zero blisters while breaking them in.
I also compared Rothy's original Mary Janes to Vivaia's, and while both brands claim to take a sustainable approach to women's footwear, I preferred Vivaia's attention to detail in their design. Plus, they're less expensive. They run slightly wide, but because their strap is adjustable, it won't pose any issue to people with narrow feet like mine.
I learned the hard way that this pair isn't ideal for wearing in heavy rain, but the breathable material is thankfully machine washable. The flexible upper is made from upcycled water bottles, and they're easy to fold up and pack in a tote bag. — Gabrielle Chase
The ultimate testament to these Frankie4 slingbacks comes from a harrowing tale of me spotting the bus about to leave the station and high-tailing it while wearing them (I made it just in time!). My first reaction was to marvel at how soft the foam lining on their interior feels, but the fact that I can sprint in these is high praise for the podiatrists who helped design them.
This pair comes with gel forefoot cushions you can insert if you're prone to metatarsal pain. Their low flatform heel and slingback gives them a bit more structure than a typical flat, but they're worth mentioning in this guide because they're so easy to slide in and wear for hours, as any pair of good flats should be. — Gabrielle Chase
How we tested the best flats
Gabrielle Chase/Insider
As style editors, we're subject to a constant rotation of new shoes each season, which we test by breaking them in for at least two weeks at a time. This means walking on concrete, up and down busy subway staircases, and through a range of weather conditions. We've gone through several boxes of Band-Aids in the process, but it means we can recommend the best flats for women who prioritize comfort.
We narrow down our test subjects by sourcing from brands that take design notes from medical professionals. Instead of a trend-focused selection process, we pay attention to what shoes podiatrists recommend, including brands like Naturalizer and Frankie4. Others we've tested and loved have proven themselves to be durable and timeless for years, therefore increasing their value as an investment-worthy pair of shoes.
What to look for when choosing the best flats
Measure for your true size. Flats are an intimate category of footwear, since they're typically worn without socks. Take your best fitting shoes and check out where they're made. This will inform your knowledge of how different countries size up or down in comparison and help you find the closest match.
Assess your shape. Whatever your silhouette, the shape of the flats you wear can make or break the fit, even if the length is correct. Notice the curve of your toes and try to find flats that won't squish them or leave gaps. Some toes are squared off, some rounded, others come to a point at the second toe. Your best chance at the right fit will depend on how your flats resemble your shape.
Know where to wear. If you're shopping for a one-night-only kind of flat versus an everyday pair, or if you're in a climate that relies on temperature-controlled materials, consider how your new flats will hold up. Your mode of transport when commuting to your destination also plays a part. Walking on asphalt to the office will have a different lasting effect on a pair of flats than stepping out of a limo once you've reached the function.
Sally Kaplan is the Executive Editor of Business Insider’s Reviews team. She oversees all sections, including style, beauty, tech, home, kitchen, pets, and beyond. A longtime service journalist, Sally draws on her years as a product reviews writer and editor to guide the editorial strategy and standards for the Reviews team.ExperienceSally joined Business Insider as an editor for the Reviews team (then called Insider Picks) in 2018. She has since served as the senior style and beauty editor and the deputy editor for the style, home, and kitchen teams. She became Executive Editor in 2021, and for the last several years, has also been responsible for the development and implementation of strategies for tentpole events, like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Prior to joining the publication, Sally kicked off her product journalism career on the Buzzfeed shopping team. She also worked as a lifestyle editor at Hearst’s BestProducts.com, where she covered deals, gifts, gadgets, and more. Why you can trust SallySally believes that the products aren’t just things to fill your home — they are a means to live your life better. This philosophy is what she uses to guide the Reviews team, whether it be helping to develop testing methodologies for buying guides, advising readers on things they shouldn’t buy, or testing products alongside her teams. Expertise
Skincare and hair care
Clothing, shoes, and accessories
Home decor, furniture, bedding
Kitchen appliances, cooking tools
Work-from-home optimization
EducationSally holds a BA from George Washington University. She studied political science and worked in legislative advocacy for several years before transitioning to a career in service journalism. Outside of workSally loves interior design and cooking. In her free time, you can find her antiquing, scouring wallpaper patterns, cooking for her friends and family, and finding ways to marry beauty and functionality in her home. She lives in Westchester with her spouse and their cat, Papaya.Say hi to Sally at skaplan@businessinsider.com, give her a shout on Instagram @saltykaplan, or find her on Linkedin. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Business Insider here.
Gabrielle Chase is a style and beauty expert who has worked in the fashion journalism industry for five years. As an editor and reporter, she has covered viral products, luxury companies, and durable closet staples. She applies a healthy dose of skepticism to the fashion trends on social media — still, she's never above a good designer dupe.ExperienceBefore joining Business Insider in 2023, Gabrielle interned with Interview Magazine, and then wrote for Elle Magazine’s online series, The Launch.In her role on the Reviews team, Gabrielle tests clothing, shoes, and jewelry for their durability, quality, and, of course, style. She brings her eye for fashion to every story she writes or edits, whether she’s helping readers get dressed for work or find their new favorite pair of jeans. Gabrielle is also an expert when it comes to finding great deals on clothing and shoes, from finding affordable hidden-gem brands to shop, to showcasing the best discounts on big deal days like Black Friday. She upholds Insider Reviews’ rigorous product testing standards, recommending only products that feel good, look good, and last a long time, from walking shoes to cashmere sweaters. She’s a firm believer in investing in long-lasting pieces and good-quality basics. ExpertiseHer expertise includes:
Women’s shoes, clothes, and workwear
Apparel deal hunting
Viral fashion trends
Designer dupes
EducationGabrielle graduated from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in Journalism and Spanish. There she started runway modeling, which gave her an intimate look at how much work goes into producing a single garment. Backstage she'd overhear designers passionately retelling their creative process, so she switched her focus from broadcast journalism to fashion journalism.Outside of workGabrielle loves K-pop (especially Aespa), horror movies, and science fiction books. She is based in Brooklyn.
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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