The best flats for comfort and style

• It's surprisingly hard to find comfortable flats that actually look good with most outfits, but the Everlane Day Glove flats are the answer.
• They won't give you blisters or create an awkward leg line when you wear dresses — what more could you want?

One of the most cliché but true pieces of fashion advice we all come across at one point or another is this: Buy at least one good pair of flats. Heels are great and all, but flats are the shoes that you can really live your life in. They don't hold you back — unless they give you massive blisters, of course.

To use another cliché, comfort is key here. Otherwise, what's the point? Just wear those heeled booties that everyone pretends are comfortable but actually make your backache by midday. Your flats should be cozy enough to wear morning and night, cute enough to elevate a basic outfit, but simple enough to go with most of the items in your closet.

But for shoes that profess to be comfortable, flats have given me some of the worst foot pain of my life. Even the pointiest stilettos can't hurt me the way a stiff pair of leather ballet flats can. We've rounded up six pairs of flats that members of our team have personally tested or deeply researched to help you break the cycle of hope and bleeding ankles that so often comes with finding the perfect pair of shoes.

Here are the best flats for women:

• Best flats overall: Everlane Day Glove
• Best travel-friendly flats: Allbirds Tree Breezer
• Best sustainable flats: Rothy's Flat
• Best flats for wide feet: Margaux Demi
• Best ballet flats: Sam Edelman 'Felicia' Flat
• Best luxury flats: M.Gemi Stellato Anello Suede

Updated on 7/1/2020 by Mara Leighton: Updated prices, formatting, and added links to individual reviews and a section for what else we're considering. We're in the beginning stages of testing Oliver Cabell's Dream Flats and Everlane Mesh Day Glove, and we're also researching and testing pointed-toe flats for a new pick. Check back soon for our updated findings. 

The best flats overall

The hardest part of shopping for flats is finding a pair that combines comfort, style, and versatility. Enter: The Day Glove flats by Everlane.

This is it — the wear-with-anything shoe you've been waiting for all your life. Everlane's leather Day Glove flat is an almost (but not quite) ballet slipper guaranteed to go with just about all your clothing, even workwear. It's like the perfect "nothing" shoe. It's cute enough not to ruin your outfit but plain enough not to make a huge statement.

Everlane's product description boasts "a snug, glove-like fit" that "will give with time and mold to the shape of your foot." 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 8 colors, including classics like black and white as well as some fun shades like Metallic and Embossed Snake, and they cost $118-$128. While not inexpensive, this is a great deal for shoes that will last you more than one season. Since the Day Glove flat first launched in 2018, it has become the number one bestseller at Everlane. The Insider Reviews team wrote up a full review after test-driving these flats, and they remain an all-time favorite from the brand. 

"Everlane's Day Glove flats are much more comfortable than any other flats I've tried," writes Insider Reviews guides editor Malarie Gokey, "They actually fit my foot and move with me — not against me."

The shoes also garnered several rave reviews on The Cut, and Bustle editor Olivia Muenter reported that 100 Everlane customers who tried the shoes before the official launch had overwhelmingly positive feedback: "While the 100 reviewers all had slightly different takeaways from the shoes overall, there was one description that came up again and again: that they actually fit like gloves."

In addition to the original leather style, you might also consider the new Mesh version for summer heat or the ReKnit version, which has a textured, breathable knit upper and is made from recycled materials. They're also both more affordable at $98 and is just as comfortable as its predecessor. — Erin Mayer

Pros: Molds to your foot shape over time cushioned insoles for support, ventilated, pull tab for easy slip-on

Cons: On the pricey side, reviewers noted that snug fit means you may want to size up.

Read our full Everlane Day Glove review here.

The best travel-friendly flats

You don't have to resort to wearing sneakers when you travel thanks to the soft, pliable, and supportive Allbirds Tree Breezer.

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 flat silhouette, 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. 

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

Pros: First Allbirds style available in half sizes, lightweight, foldable, machine-washable 

Cons: Not as sleek as other pairs 

Read our full Allbirds Tree Breezer review here

The best sustainable flats

On top of being versatile, lightweight, and machine-washable, the Rothy's Flat is sustainably made, and comes in a pointed-toe silhouette. It's the ideal shoe for the conscious consumer. 

Shoe brand 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.

Rothy's Flat is the choice for many modern working women because it boasts zero break-in time, a sleek look, and moisture-wicking breathability. 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. They come in both round toe and pointed-toe silhouettes. 

Keeping them in top shape is as easy as throwing them in the washing machine. You can also buy extra insoles to help prolong their life. 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. 

As a Vox article highlights, some women are such fans of the look and comfort that they wear the flats almost exclusively. It's also not unexpected to own multiple pairs since Rothy's offers many different colors and patterns. Most of them have limited runs, so don't wait too long on a style that catches your eye, and check back on the site often for new colors. —Connie Chen

Pros: Eco-friendly construction, machine-washable, don't stretch out over time, good variety of rotating colors and patterns 

Cons: Fit might be narrow (particularly the pointed-toe style), so could need to size up 

Read our full Rothy's Flat review here

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