The streamlined and professional-looking ballet flat reigns as the unofficial shoe for the office and beyond, but, as a frequent ballet flat-wearer myself, I can confirm the style doesn’t exactly have a reputation for being the most comfortable shoe around. By their very nature, they are “flat” in design, with little-to-no arch support or cushion.
“Shoes support our feet and our feet support the weight of our entire body! If your feet are not adequately supported, your whole body will eventually begin to suffer,” said Dr. Ebonie Vincent, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon based in California.
So what exactly constitutes a shoe adequate enough to support the weight of our body? Dr. Lauren Wurster, an Arizona-based foot and ankle specialist and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, said that she looks at three main things: Does the shoe have a little give in the toe, without rolling all the way back? Is the sole itself unable to be folded in half? And does the back of the heel offer plenty of stability and not cave in?
“To make it even more simple, if the shoe does not bend or twist, you’re starting off on the right foot!” Wurster said.
She added that when it comes to ballet flats in particular, you should also look for features such as a square shape that offers ample room for your toes, or a shoe that is constructed in breathable materials that prevent your feet from sweating.
As difficult as it may seem to find ballet flats that won’t have your feet begging for mercy at the end of a workday, Wurster says you can also turn to APMA’s list of accepted footwear as a resource to find shoes that promote foot health. We did some of the hard work for you by gathering the following list of ergonomic and highly supportive (not to mention good-looking) ballet flats. Most of the options are from brands that have been recommended by Vincent and Wurster themselves or that have been approved by the APMA; we also added a few crowd-pleasing editor’s picks that you may want to check out.
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Naturalizer Vivienne ballet flat
Our pick: Along with built-in arch support, these flats have Naturalizer’s Contour+ technology, which means they have a cushy sole that’s anatomically sculpted to follow the natural contours of the foot. Get them in sizes 5-13 (but check to make sure your preferred style and color combo is available).
Promising Amazon reviews: "I stand on my feet for majority of the day at work. At least 6 hours with some breaks in between. These are super comfortable and probably the best flats I have ever bought since they are supportive and soft at the same time. I have even removed the inserts to put in other pairs of my flats and this helps the comfort of my other shoes. I have these in multiple colors and they wear very well. They still look new after many wears!" – Leanne Butler
"I am wary of flats as they can have little support and run either too wode or too narrow, resulting in blisters and sore feet, BUT these flats are truly comfortable after only an hour or two of breaking in around the house! Extra points for looking cute and not “orthopedic”. – Kindle1
Flexible square-toed flats
According to Vincent, the arch-hugging and highly supportive designs provided by Vionic are great to try when hunting for shoes with all-day comfort. These all-purpose and flexible flats by Vionic feature a non-crushing squoval toe and built-in orthotic soles that can help treat heel pain. You can shop them in two widths and five colors, in either soft leather or suede.
Knit-top ballet flats that our editors love
Our pick: The Margot 2.0 V-cut flats are a major favorite shoe for senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe, who calls these Vivaia icons "devastatingly comfortable." Plus, the shoes now have the coveted APMA approval.
Here's what she previously had to say about them:
"Available in a shocking number of colors and patterns, these truly lightweight flats have a square toe, a V-cut upper silhouette and soft, flexible and subtly ribbed fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. I generally lean towards leather flats and was wary that the fabric would make the shoes look and feel cheap or basic, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
The square toe feels edgy without being too aggressive, and the v-shape adds a some unexpected of visual interest. Best of all, the springy insole and sturdy rubber outer sole make them great for long walks or days spent standing.
A pair of Mary Jane-inspired flats
Our pick: Created with Fitflop's signature cushioning and high-rebound soles, these adjustable buckle Mary Janes feature a low-profile design and are made with soft nappa leather. They feature a soft square toe and flexible rubber outer soles. In addition to the pictured chocolate brown shade, they come in black and leopard print and sizes 5-11, with half sizes included.
Promising review: “True to size, these shoes are so comfortable. No blisters and I feel I could wear them all day long!” — Madre W
Classic bow flats with fatigue-relieving insoles
From the APMA-approved footwear brand Alegria comes these timeless ballet flats with bow detailing and a soft square toe. Available in five colors, these leather flats feature a signature built-in arch support that's designed to relieve foot fatigue, along with a cushioned foot bed. Shop the Alegria flats in sizes 5-12, with half sizes included.
An ergonomically designed pointed-toe flat
Vincent also suggested Ally Shoes, a brand that specializes in scientifically engineered shoes that can alleviate heel pain while still looking fashionable. These suede and lambskin flats use a padded, ergonomically designed insole and built-in metatarsal and arch support and are available in tons of color combinations and solids. You can also get these flats in half sizes and four different width options.
Loafer flats with Dansko natural arch technology
Our pick: These leather loafer-style flats by Dansko use a half-sock-like construction for a fully flexible fit as well as the brand's notable natural arch for support. You can get these in up to eight colors, including black and poppy red.