These Editor-Approved Ballet Flats Are Actually Comfortable

If comfort is a top priority, you’ll probably be a quick fan of the Day Mary Jane from Everlane. It’s a twist on the brand’s wildly popular Day Glove flat, and it's made from the same buttery Napa leather that feels molded to your feet. “These are my most-worn flats by a mile (but I've walked hundreds of miles in them). The leather upper is supple and doesn't dig into my toes or foot at all. The elastic strap is stylish but doesn't feel restrictive—I barely notice it's there,” said Constantine.

You won’t find as many color options as some of our other favorite pairs, but all the basics are covered, plus metallic silver. The simple design makes these an easy match for casual outfits and workwear.

For those who find ballet flats painful, these stretchy square-toe flats might change your mind. We've had good luck with multiple versions of Vivaia's Margot flats.

Cavallo has the Margot Mary Jane and said, “I wore these to a destination wedding, and I had no time to break them in. I walked for hours and hours in these flats, and I didn't get any blisters.” I was equally impressed by the breathable, cushy mesh Margot with embroidery, but it's worth noting this version runs a half-size to a full-size big.

I love my Sarah Flint ballet flats—and I’m in good company with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, who have both been spotted in several of the brand's shoes over the past few years. They’re an investment to be sure, but the quality matches the price, and the classic designs get a lot of mileage. I’ve even worn my pair on long walks in Central Park without any pain.

While my exact pair is now sold out, the brand recently introduced the new ‘Perfect’ Ballet Flat that’s just as classic and has the extra benefit of arch support. I also appreciate how the soles have a combo of leather and rubber for better traction. In my experience, Sarah Flint's heels are a bit snug, but the flats run true to size.

A small, hidden wedge puts an elevated spin on the ballet flat (literally!). The sophisticated look of the Danza is matched by its comfort, pairing Italian leather with a soft footbed that won over one of our former editors. She also noted that this shoe style runs a half-size big.

While you could easily dress these ballet flats down, the polished design makes them appropriate for more formal events too. We only wish they were available in more color options.

Loeffler Randall’s Leonie ballet flats are so well-loved that the brand made them in 15 iterations. And after testing out a pair myself, I see why. They're super lightweight, soft, and immediately comfortable without a break-in period—which is something I rarely say.

While my other Loeffler Randall shoes have been a bit snug, these run true to size if not a little big, and there’s plenty of room for my toes to move—also somewhat rare for a sleek almond toe. My only gripe is they aren’t leather-lined, but I love how the woven exterior of my pair makes even a simple outfit, like a white T-shirt and jeans, look pulled together.

After just one month of wear, Director of Editorial Commerce and ballet flats devotee Brie Schwartz said these have climbed to the top of her favorites list. "I love the classic ballerina shape (although the glove style is a bit trendier), and they feel substantial. They’re incredibly comfortable thanks to a soft, rounded toe, but the one caveat is that the ribbon rubbed initially, so it takes a moment to break in," she said.

If you like your ballet flats in vibrant colors, you'll love the small but curated assortment of shades like red, yellow, baby blue, and hot pink.

Schwartz also swears by Mansur Gavriel's Dream Ballerina flats. "Shoe trends come and go, but I’ve been wearing ballet flats since the 90s," she said. "By this point, I’ve tried just about every brand’s offering, and I’m very particular, so when I say these are some of the most comfortable available, I mean it. While these aren’t exactly what I’d call affordable, I scored them on super sale two years ago, and I’ve been wearing them regularly since—a few tune-ups at the cobbler (just a little paint job on the toe), and they’re basically like new."

Her only hangup is that the arch support is lacking, but the soft Italian leather makes up for it. "As soon as you put them on, they practically mold to your foot," she said.