How should flats fit?

Flats should be fitted, especially around the toes and ankles, but not so tight that it causes pressure. Many pairs of flats are made to stretch, so be mindful that you may need to break them in. If your flats feel too tight, you should consider going up half a size or wearing them with a pair of no-show socks for your first few wears to prevent blisters.

Should I wear socks with flats?

You can, but most flats are designed to be worn without socks. Backless, slingback, and d'Orsay styles would look and feel particularly strange with socks, but if you insist on wearing them with closed-back styles, we suggest low-cut, no-show socks .

Are flats good for walking?

As with any shoe style, flats will be good for walking as long as they're comfortable and supportive. If you plan on doing a significant amount of walking in your flats, be sure to buy a pair that fits well, is sturdy, and offers substantial arch support. It's also a smart idea to wear your flats around the house for a few hours before wearing them out so you can break them in and ensure they don't cause blisters.

The 14 Most Comfortable Flats for Travel of 2023

Let's face it, uncomfortable shoes are just not worth packing. And while flats definitely look more polished than sneakers and are easier to walk in than heels, some pairs just don't offer the support or comfort that's needed to tackle an entire day of sightseeing. To help you avoid spending money on options that will give you blisters or leave your feet aching in pain, we've researched dozens of flats to find pairs that are as comfortable as they are cute.

Margaux's The Demi ballet flat is everything you could ever want in a shoe: comfortable, durable, and stylish, yet versatile enough to wear with pretty much every outfit in your closet. And unlike most flats that feature a bow for mere decoration, The Demi's top bow actually allows the wearer to adjust the shoes to their preference.

From classic slingbacks to sleek loafers, keep reading to find even more of the best comfortable flats for traveling.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Margaux The Demi at Amazon

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Best Packable:

Tory Burch Minnie Travel Ballet Flat at Amazon

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Best Canvas:

Toms Olivia Flats at Amazon

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Best Loafers:

Naturalizer Soul Kentley Loafer at Amazon

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Best Slingback:

Vionic Jade Slingback Flat at Amazon

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Best Leather:

Hush Puppies Chaste Ballet Flat at Amazon

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Best Espadrille:

Clarks Danelly Adira Ballet Flat at Amazon

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Best Fold-Up:

Lucky Brand Emmie Flat at Amazon

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Best Pointed:

Sam Edelman Rodney Flat at Amazon

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Best Eco-Friendly:

Rothy’s The Point at Rothys.com

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4.8

Amazon

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Why We Love It: They're made by hand and can be customized just for you.

What to Consider: They're on the pricier side.

Handmade in Spain with five millimeters of foam padding and a supportive insole, it's easy to see why these are our pick for comfiest ballet flats on the market. The sleek flats made of Italian leather feature an adjustable cord bow that allows you to make the shoes tighter or looser on your feet. They're also made of super soft leather and foam padding, so your feet will remain pain-free even after hours of walking or standing.

Margaux also works to bring size inclusivity to women, meaning you can find a pair of these flats that fit your feet size and shape perfectly. And to help you find that perfect fit, you can even book an appointment with one of their experts who will help you find the right pair and size for you. But our favorite thing about the flats? You can have a hand-painted design added to your shoes, customized just for you. Whether you choose a monogram or a daisy print, this personalization process ensures your shoes are totally unique.

Price at time of publish: $195

Sizes: 3 to 14 | Material: Leather, suede, or haircalf

Amazon

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Why We Love It: You'll never slip and slide in these — plus, they're foldable and packable.

What to Consider: They run about a half a size small.

These flats by Tory Burch are not only sleek and polished, but incredibly comfortable, too. The split rubber sole offers excellent grip and traction, while the cushioned footbed adds extra comfort. Boasting gold hardware featuring the brand's signature T logo, the flats are also simply the definition of style. When you're not wearing them, fold them up and throw them in your suitcase or purse.

Price at time of publish: $228

Sizes: 4 to 13 | Material: Leather, rubber

Amazon

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Why We Love It: They're light as can be and even more stylish in person.

What to Consider: They run a bit small and narrow.

If you are looking for a lightweight breathable shoe, opt for a cute flat made from canvas, like this option by Toms. Besides boasting a padded footbed and rubber sole, the cute slip-on shoes only weigh five ounces per shoe — so they'll barely add any weight to your suitcase. A pull tab on the heel makes for easy on and off, while a soft suede upper provides comfort with no risk of rubbing or chafing. What's more, every time a pair of these cute flats are sold, a pair of shoes from the brand will be donated to a child in need.

Price at time of publish: $25

Sizes: 5 to 11 | Material: Suede, rubber, canvas

Amazon

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Why We Love It: They're versatile enough to wear everywhere from the office to the airport to a Sunday brunch.

What to Consider: They're best for shoppers with wider feet.

These classic loafers by Naturalizer have memory foam arch support, a padded collar, and extra cushioning to keep your feet supported all day long. Along with an antimicrobial lining to prevent odors and fungal growth, the cute flats feature a durable rubber sole. They're perfect for everything from the office to formal events, and they're so comfy, they feel like slippers.

Price at time of publish: $90

Sizes: 5 to 11 | Material: Leather

Amazon

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Why We Love It: The buckled slingback and animal print options give them an air of extravagance.

What to Consider: They're not as flexible as other options on our list.

Looking to add some polish to your travel style? Consider this trendy pair of flat slingbacks from Vionic. The brand carries the American Podiatric Medical Association's Seal of Acceptance, which certifies their shoes are actually healthy for your feet. The comfy Jade flats, in particular, have an adjustable slingback with a buckle, a rounded pointed toe, impressive arch support, and a low vamp that will pair perfectly with everything from casual jeans to LBDs. There are multiple colors and patterns to choose from, and there are both leather and suede options.

Price at time of publish: $73

Sizes: 5 to 11 | Material: Leather or suede

Amazon

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Why We Love It: They come in dozens of prints and colors, and their minimalistic design means they work with every outfit.

What to Consider: There's a bit of a break-in period.

Hush Puppies has been a go-to brand for lightweight and comfortable shoes for years, and these ballet flats are no different. The cute leather shoes feature an elasticized collar, a rubber sole, and a special triangle footbed pattern that conforms to your foot to offer air circulation, support, and flexibility. Together, they supply the support and comfort you need to be on your feet all day. They're another foldable option, so you can easily pack them or stow them away until you need them.

Price at time of publish: $77

Sizes: 5.5 to 12 | Material: Leather, rubber, textile

Amazon

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Why We Love It: Their perforated design makes them super breathable.

What to Consider: They're best for shoppers with narrow feet.

These adorable Clarks flats are a must-have for warm-weather travel wardrobes. The perforations on the leather uppers add breathability, while the espadrille details add a cute summery touch. Along with the thick rubber soles, which offer excellent traction, the shoes feature an ultra-comfortable cushioned footbed. In fact, they're so comfy, you may want to wear them as slippers around the house.

Price at time of publish: $85

Sizes: 5 to 12 | Material: Leather, rubber, textile

Amazon

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Why We Love It: They're so comfy and versatile, they'll quickly become your wear-everywhere shoes.

What to Consider: They don't have quite as much arch support as other options on our list.

Not only do these stylish flats have cushioned insoles, but they also boast a flexible rubber sole that can fold up, making them ideal for travel. They're also incredibly breathable, versatile, and elasticized for easy on-off. Wear them to work, to run errands, or on a night out — either way, they'll remain comfortable and stylish for hours.

Price at time of publish: $59

Sizes: 5 to 12 | Material: Leather, rubber

Amazon

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Why We Love It: You won't find a comfy pair of shoes more stylish than these.

What to Consider: They run large.

These chic Sam Edelman flats give your feet the support and comfort they need with their cushioned insole. The soft leather flats come in 24 different styles, ranging from black patent leather to gray suede to multicolored metallic jacquard. They're so stylish, you'll likely want to wear them with everything — which you can do, because they're also ultra-comfy. Their design even makes them extra easy to slide on and off in a pinch.

Price at time of publish: $135

Sizes: 5 to 12 | Material: Leather or suede

Rothy's

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Why We Love It: They're so soft and stylish, you'd never guess they're made of recycled plastic bottles.

What to Consider: They're on the pricier side.

These cute Rothy's flats were Meghan Markle's go-to shoes at one point for a reason. Not only are they incredibly lightweight with a comfy insole, but they also feature a flexible rubber sole that offers excellent traction. They come in over a dozen prints and colors ranging from neutral beige to hot pink and cheetah print, but the best part about these flats? The eco-friendly kicks are made from recycled water bottles and are machine-washable.

Price at time of publish: $149

Sizes: 5 to 13 | Material: Knit material

Amazon

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Why We Love It: They're extremely light, easy to clean, and surprisingly stylish.

What to Consider: They're only available in whole sizes.

These flexible flats by Crocs are just 11 ounces per shoe and feature a super soft non-slip footbed. They're also made from the foam material that offers an incredible amount of support and comfort. They even feature waterproof, easy-to-clean material, so you can wear them in nearly every situation worry-free. A slight heel adds support, making them the ideal shoes to wear after changing out of heels.

Price at time of publish: $39

Sizes: 4 to 11 | Material: Synthetic material

Amazon

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Why We Love It: They're made for activity, and they come in dozens of colors.

What to Consider: They run large.

Along with an anti-slip rubber sole that offers substantial grip, these cute shoes feature a padded memory foam insole for extreme comfort. And while they may look super luxe and expensive, they are actually the most affordable option on this list. With more than 30 stylish colors to choose from, you're going to want multiple options.

Price at time of publish: $28

Sizes: 5 to 12 | Material: Leather

Birdies

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Why We Love It: They're versatile, vegan, and super comfortable.

What to Consider: There's a bit of a break-in period.

Sometimes you just want your shoes to feel as soft and comfy as your slippers. Birdies' The Phoebe Black Faux Fur flats can be worn anywhere from the office to the grocery store to the living room, thanks to their cozy vegan velvet upper, sturdy rubber sole, and faux fur insole and lining. Grab them in four colors ranging from wild berry to cream, and pair them with anything from skirts to jeans to dress pants.

Price at time of publish: $85

Sizes: 5-12 | Material: Vegan velvet, rubber

Skechers Women's Cleo Bewitch Ballet Flat

Amazon

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Why We Love It: They come in wide sizes for the perfect comfortable fit.

What to Consider: They may stretch out due to their stretch-fit material.

If you're looking for the perfect, simple shoe to wear on your next vacation or trip to the office, this is a great, neutral choice. True to Sketchers fashion, they're comfortable and designed for long wear with a great amount of arch-support and cushion. These flats also contain air-cooled memory foam and Bio-Dri to keep your feet from sweating too much. The best part? The shoes are machine washable, so if they stretch out or start looking worn, you can give them a quick refresh.

Price at time of publish: $50

Sizes: 5-11 | Material: Flat knit, rubber

Tips for Buying Comfortable Flats

Go for something soft and supportive

While some ballet flats are incredibly soft on the feet (like most foldable options), other pairs can be rather stiff. To help with this, Dr. Jacqueline Sutera of City Podiatry in New York City says there are a few things you can do. "Try some shoe softening sprays and shoe trees to stretch them out a bit," she says. And if the flat lacks arch support? "Try [adding] an insole that has a cushioned arch. This is an easy and great way to make a shoe comfier."

Look for high quality materials

Materials like quality leather, suede, and memory foam will always be more comfortable and sturdier than thin plastic materials. If you're looking for something lightweight and waterproof, go for shoes made of airy rubber materials, like our pick from Crocs.

Style is important, too

The most comfortable ballet flats will likely be choices with flexible soles and rounded toe boxes. However, it's important to choose a style you like (that also has comfortable features) so you'll get lots of wear out of them. Pointed toe and d'Orsay styles can also work well as a walking shoes as long as they're made of high quality materials (like leather) and lend arch support and cushioning to the feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should flats fit?

Flats should be fitted, especially around the toes and ankles, but not so tight that it causes pressure. Many pairs of flats are made to stretch, so be mindful that you may need to break them in. If your flats feel too tight, you should consider going up half a size or wearing them with a pair of no-show socks for your first few wears to prevent blisters.
Should I wear socks with flats?

You can, but most flats are designed to be worn without socks. Backless, slingback, and d'Orsay styles would look and feel particularly strange with socks, but if you insist on wearing them with closed-back styles, we suggest low-cut, no-show socks.
Are flats good for walking?

As with any shoe style, flats will be good for walking as long as they're comfortable and supportive. If you plan on doing a significant amount of walking in your flats, be sure to buy a pair that fits well, is sturdy, and offers substantial arch support. It's also a smart idea to wear your flats around the house for a few hours before wearing them out so you can break them in and ensure they don't cause blisters.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, senior editor Rebecca Carhart researched dozens of ballet flats and used her expertise as a seasoned fashion and lifestyle writer to curate the perfect list of comfortable ballet flats.

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