Since their resurgence last year, I’ve been on the hunt for a fresh pair of flats that are equal parts utilitarian and aesthetically pleasing, and it’s been a more difficult task than one might think. Flats, while lovely, are notoriously unsupportive — it’s right there in the name. But as someone who is constantly on the move and loves to walk, I need to know that I won’t wreck my feet — or the shoes — while going about my daily life.
That said, I want my shoes to be cute and cool as well. When shoe brand Vivaia first came on my radar, I dismissed them as another overly-orthopedic option that sacrificed style for comfort. But I’m pleased to report that I couldn’t have been more wrong. From the moment I stepped into a pair of Vivaia flats, I’ve been delighted by how fun, kicky and devastatingly comfy these shoes are.
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.
I wore my Vivaia shoes on a nearly 2-mile walk to the office this week and found that I had a bounce in my step the entire way, and I didn’t even need to break them in first. The arch support couldn’t be better, and my ankles felt secure and steady the entire journey without chafing or blistering.
And while I’ve seen a few shoe brands out there (like Rothy’s) that have similar designs and fabrics, I think the Vivaia shoes look much more elegant than their counterparts while still providing ample comfort. They really nail the aesthetic in a way that competitors haven’t. I’m also very excited that they are washable, which is ideal for dealing with city grime.
The game-changing flats are available in sizes 5–11 in regular and wide widths, and with prices starting at $79, depending on the colorway, they’re a great option for fall and beyond that won’t break the bank. I have them in black and now that I know how great they look, I might spring for a brighter color to add some flourish to my autumnal looks.
Take a peek at some glowing reviews from the Vivaia site and snag a pair for yourself!
Promising reviews:
“Beautiful and comfortable. These are my new go-to work shoes! My job is quite active and these are not only super comfy, so many ppl have commented on how good they look! — Melhan B.
“I love my pair so much that I bought a pair each for my girls with the comfort of trainers and the beauty of flat” — Tsaye A.
“The best in comfort! Very happy with my purchase! I have a wide fit and plantar fasciitis, I can wear all day. I will buy more colors.” — Kim E.
“Just right! These are the perfect casual shoes for the office. The shoes run true to size and arch support made on the inside ensure comfort. I will be ordering again. We went to dinner after work and I ordered the bow ties to dress it up.” — Karleen B.
“So comfortable and pretty. I got these flats for a fashion show I was asked to be in and I panicked bc I needed red shoes but have large and wide feet so finding them quickly was going to be tricky. I paid for expedited shipping and was not disappointed! Arrived earlier than expected and so stylish and comfortable. I would buy this brand again!” — Marisa M.
“Best Shoes! I am so glad that I found this brand. I love the style and they are incredibly comfortable. Will be ordering more for sure!! I did order a half size smaller than my normal size and they were perfect.″— Roberta B.
“I recently purchased the Square-Toe V-Cut Margo flats in ruby red and I absolutely love them!! This was my first purchase, and I was amazed at how comfortable they were and required no “break-in” time. I wore them to work, and my feet were happy all day. They look equally great whether with dressy clothes or a pair of jeans. I love that they are made from recycled water bottles!! I will definitely be back for more!!” — Sandy F.
If you want more comfortable flat options to choose from, take a look at this list of ballet flats with surprisingly good arch support. (This collection is part of previous HuffPost reporting, written by HuffPost contributor Martha Tuber.)
Vivaia Margot square-toe v-cut flats
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. Best of all, the springy insole and sturdy rubber outer sole make them great for long walks or days spent standing.
HuffPost shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe owns a pair and said, "I wore my them on a nearly two-mile walk to the office this week and found that I had a bounce in my step the entire way, and I didn’t even need to break them in first. The arch support couldn’t be better, and my ankles felt secure and steady the entire journey without chafing or the creation of any blisters."
Promising review: "I'm glad I finally tried this brand. I needed black flats that are comfortable with some arch support.
These are perfect for my needs. I can wear them all day and walk distances. They have a squared off toe, which makes them more comfortable than the pointed shoes that I have. And they are lightweight and washable! I will buy this brand again." — LAS
Naturalizer Vivienne ballet flat
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
Dansko Larisa slip-on flats
Dansko clogs are requisite footwear for anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet, so it’s no surprise you’ll get support and comfort from these slides, which have Dansko's unique technology and molded EVA footbed. They're available in medium and wide and in sizes 5.5/6-11.5/12.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I have these shoes in several colors and have been wearing them for years. I have higher arches and a wider foot so finding shoes that are comfortable is tough. I can stand and teach all day in these and walk long distances in comfort. Arch and heel support is excellent and no heel blisters even on the first wear. Sole is long lasting and non-slip, I have one pair that is several years old and they still look new. Well worth the price." – Coopergrl
Athlefit closed-toe sandals
They’re billed a flat sandal, but they do have a closed toe — and when you can actually see the supportive arch and molded, memory foam cork footbed, I’d say they’re worth including on this list. Get them in sizes 5.5-11.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I was so impressed with the quality and fit that I ordered in another color! It’s rare that I find a comfort shoe with just the right amount of arch support. There is plenty of space for you to wiggle your toes and the leather is soft enough that it doesn’t rub the top of your foot." – Anna
"LOVE these sandals. Comfortable right out of the box - wide toe box and adjustable ankle strap. Sandal footbed has great support and sturdy sole - great for walking." – Julie J
Lifestride Women’s Margot loafer
I love a loafer — especially when it comes with a cushy insole, super flexible outsole, and added heel and arch support. The Lifestride Margot loafers check all the boxes.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I love these! I have them in black and brown. I wear them to work all the time and they're really comfy. I found the size 7 to be true to size. There was no break in period. I also bought the Sam Edelman loafers, but I personally think these are SO much better. I returned the Sam Edelman ones. These are way more comfortable and supportive while still being cute. I wish there were more colors!" – Jess C
"I have elhers danlos and I struggle with finding shoes that are comfortable and supportive and that help with keeping my foot arched. These are perfect! I can wear them all day, sometimes at the end of the day my feet feel better than they did that morning. Perfect for wide feet." – Morgan Groves
Vionic Klara skimmer
Vionic’s “Vio-Motion” technology means these flats are biomechanically designed to hug your arch and support natural foot alignment. Bonus points for the cute bow and toe cap details. Get them in sizes 5-13 and tons of colors.
Promising Amazon review: "I bought these for my casual wedding and they were great! Really comfortable, great arch support, and so cute. I got regular width and they were slightly wide, so watch if you're getting a wide width." – Monica
Naturalizer Flexy flat
These classic flats have similar comfort features to the other Naturalizer pair we featured above, but with a cute heel detail to add interest. Get them in sizes 5-12. (Wide and narrow options are available as well.)
Promising Amazon reviews: "Being a women’s size 12 makes it near impossible to find shoes in my size. Most shoe brands don’t even make that size and most shoe stores don’t carry it. I ordered these shoes as a comfortable, somewhat dressy option for work. I had already purchased and returned a few others that did not fit. These fit perfectly and are very comfortable. I recently tore my meniscus and these provided the support I needed and did not irritate the injury more despite being on my feet all day." – Jewels
Skechers Cleo honeycomb flat
Skechers is known for it’s comfortable shoes, and these seamless knit flats, available in sizes 5-11, are no exception. The soft and stretchy knit upper and air cooled memory foam insole are just added bonuses.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I needed a pair of slip on quick flats that would go with summer dresses I have. I have expensive sandals and wedges but sometimes I just need to run to the store or mailbox quickly. I have always liked how Skechers fit my feet so I was confident these would fit fine. I was pleased immediately when I tried them on. They are certainly the most comfortable and supportive flats I've ever had." – Charlotte B
"Love these shoes. Wanted a comfortable pair of shoes that I could get around in all day with excellent support. This shoe meets all of my needs and manages to look classy at the same time. Love them!" – Chipper
Marc Joseph New York comfort slip-on
These handcrafted flats (available in sizes 6-10) have a padded footbed, gel heel insert, substantial arch support, an anti-slip rubber sole, and a simple, versatile upper. What more could you ask for? Head to Amazon for the full array of 10 color options.
Promising Amazon reviews:
"They are beautiful genuine leather and have nice arch support. I can wear them casual or dressy. Super nice!!" – Susan
"I feel like this show is true to size and has better support than most ballet flats. I am pleased with my purchase" – PJWILB
Dr. Scholl’s Giorgie ballet flat
Dr. Scholl’s is synonymous with foot health and these ballet flats are definitely on-brand, thanks to the memory foam footbed, padded heel liner, and arch support customers love. Get them in standard and wide sizes 6-11.
Promising Amazon reviews: "Love these shoes. Always have a hard time finding wide width shoes that are good quality. These shoes fit perfectly and have a great arch support. They are well made great for every day wear." – Amazon customer
"I have had these for awhile now and the support is still great! Even after multiple wears they are still very supportive and comfy." – nanniejames