The Most Snug Footwear of 2024, Examined by Actual Individuals

As somebody with flat ft and a handful of different foot situations, I would like probably the most comfy sneakers for each day put on, train, and occasions.

Whether or not sporting sneakers, athletic tennis sneakers, slides, heels, and even flats for work, I’m consistently vetting so-called “comfy” sneakers to see if they really ship on that declare. As a New Yorker who commutes to work on public transportation, walks miles with my canine, and travels usually, shoe discomfort shortly turns into apparent through offended blisters and capturing ache on the edges and balls of my ft.

We’re recommending sneakers which have been totally vetted through the PEOPLE lab and actual world assessments, in addition to favorites from employees writers and editors who know a factor or two about comfy sneakers.

Most Snug Tennis Footwear and Sneakers

Tennis sneakers are a tried-and-true fashion that present cushioning and permit for agile motion. For the aim of this story, after we seek advice from “tennis sneakers,” we imply on a regular basis athletic sneakers and sneakers which can be good for strolling, operating, touring, and extra. 

New Steadiness FuelCell 996v5

With regards to tennis sneakers for precise tennis, “It is all about discovering that excellent mixture of consolation and lateral stability,” in accordance with tennis star Sloane Stephens. She explains to PEOPLE that her historical past of accidents has made her hypervigilant about footwear choice — and her go-to pair is the New Steadiness FuelCell 996v5 sneakers. There’s an excellent quantity of cushioning to propel you throughout the courtroom, a slip-on design for ease and safety (no danger of free laces!), and a spacious spherical toe.

These athletic sneakers work for a number of courtroom sports activities, so that you needn’t purchase separate pickleball sneakers (until you need to!).

Sizes: 5–12 | Colours: 2 | Options: Fuelcell foam, excessive midsole for lateral stability, and NDure higher for sturdiness | Greatest for: Tennis and pickleball

Hoka Arahi 7

If you happen to stroll with overpronation, like I do, then that is the shoe it’s best to completely put money into. I’ve finished an intensive evaluation detailing my year-long trial sporting Hoka Arahi sneakers, however in a number of phrases, these sneakers fully repair your strolling alignment for pain-free steps. They’re extremely comfy for prolonged put on, and after round 3 million steps, they’re nonetheless holding up superbly.

Dimension Vary: 5–12 | Width: Common, extensive | Colours: 9 | Options: Supportive flat knit higher, J-Body midsole help, compression-molded EVA foam midsole

Veja Campo Chromefree Leather-based White Kaki

Purchasing editor Kayla Kitts has owned these informal sneakers for 3 years and wears them strolling round her hometown of Atlanta. Regardless of in depth use, they “nonetheless look nice.” She was nervous the leather-based would require an extended break-in interval, however these sneakers had been comfy from the bounce.

Sizes: 4–11.5 | Colours: 7 | Width: Medium | Options: Padded heel, jersey-blend material, cushioned rubber insole

Ryka Trailblazer Strolling Shoe

If you happen to want additional cushioning, let this Ryka shoe trailblaze your path to consolation. Purchasing author Alyssa Brascia loves these sneakers for a fashion-forward gymnasium aesthetic, noting that they’re “one of the comfy” pairs she owns. They’ve confirmed appropriate with a wide range of exercises “from lengthy walks to biking lessons and even weightlifting”. She says these sneakers shortly turned her go-to for all issues cardio.

Sizes: 5–12 | Colours: 3 | Width: Medium, extensive | Options: Arch and heel help in insole, cushioned EVA midsole, and sturdy rubber outsole

Extra Snug Tennis Footwear and Sneakers We Love

Together with Hoka, Dr. Scholl’s, Brooks, and extra

Hoka Bondi 8

Altra Ladies’s Through Olympus

Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker

Brooks Cascadia 17

Nike Courtroom Imaginative and prescient Low

Birdies Roadrunner Sneakers

Gola Elan Sneakers

Skechers Go Stroll Pleasure

Most Snug Flats

Flats are such a flexible shoe fashion that may be dressed up or down year-round. We now have totally examined the most comfy flats, trying on the match across the toe and heel, the general design, and some other options that add to consolation. 

Vivaia Sq.-Toe Mary-Jane

Purchasing author Cai Cramer has very excessive arches, so ballet flats often present restricted consolation for her. She says they are going to go away her “soles aching on the finish of the work day” — however these Mary Jane flats haven’t. The development has well-defined arches and padded heels, so she will be able to stroll miles in them with out blisters or different foot discomfort. Plus, the lovable design at all times attracts compliments.

Sizes: 5–11 | Colours: 8 | Width: Normal and extensive | Options: Comprised of recycled supplies like plastic bottles, machine-washable 

Birdies The Goldfinch

These ballet flats provide a particular seven-layer padded insole for a supremely cushioned step. Kitts has this pair in a woven, impartial coloration that “appears nice with every part,” however they’re obtainable in a variety of textures, colours, and kinds such crystal-encrusted, suede, woven, and extra. She likes to make use of these to boost outfits when she’s not within the temper to put on sneakers as a result of they provide related consolation and help. The cushioned footbed additionally makes these sneakers simple to interrupt in.

Sizes: 5–12 | Colours: 16 | Options: Seven-layer padded insole, no-slip rubber sole

Toms Jutti Neat Black Knit Flat

I’ve the same (now discontinued) pair of Toms knit flats which can be past comfy for commutes. Mine are a mix of suede and knit, and the knit aspect actually permits your foot to breathe and has extra flexibility than a stiffer materials. The Jutti Knit Flat is available in impartial shades — black, beige, and navy — making it an acceptable workplace staple. 

Sizes: 5–12 | Colours: 3 | Options: Recycled polyester mix higher, ortholite insole

Extra Snug Flats We Love

Beginning at $40

Aerosoles Informal Ballet Flat

Frank Mully Ballet Flat

Free Individuals Surfside Mary Jane Espadrilles

Tory Burch Double T Espadrille

Most Snug Slides

While you’re operating out the door, the simplest shoe alternative is often the one you may slide or slip on shortly. We’ve tried a variety of supportive sandals and comfy slides which can be trendy and purposeful.

Birkenstock Ladies’s Arizona Sandal

Although delicate in design, these Birkenstocks do have an honest quantity of arch help for sandals. As a fast slip-on fashion, the slides are simple for on a regular basis put on. The flat, extensive design can also be extra comfy for wider ft — a profit Kitts and I each respect. These sneakers can simply as simply be paired with athletic shorts as with a gown, making them versatile for all events. Bonus: They arrive in a whopping 138 colours, so there’s completely no scarcity of alternative!

Sizes: 4–12.5 | Colours: 138 | Supplies: Fake leather-based, suede, cork insole

Chaco Lowdown Leather-based Slide

One other comfy sandal with arch help is that this Chaco slide. Just like the Birkenstock above, it has a slip-on design that’s nice for errands, journey, and different informal strolling adventures. The straps have adjustability for wider ft, and the rubber sole gives ample cushioning for consolation. Regardless of them being slides, you shouldn’t fear about sliding in them: The supplies provide strong grip and traction.

Sizes: 5–12 | Colours: 3 | Supplies: Leather-based higher and rubber sole

Merrell Ladies’s Hut Extremely Flip-Flop

Merrell is one other widespread model identified for supportive and cozy footwear, and our tester in contrast the Hut Extremely Flip-Flop’s consolation and elegance to her Birkenstocks. Additionally they impressed our tester with their efficiency throughout a number of varieties of terrain. Regardless of the thick cushioning, the sneakers are fairly light-weight.

Sizes: 5–11 | Colours: 4 | Supplies: FloatMax foam, algae biomass efficiency foam, EVA midsole and outsole, recycled webbing

Clarks Breeze Sea Flip Flop

Clarks is one other flip-flop model we flip to for consolation. The thick, sturdy EVA-foam sole gives loads of cushioning and help. These are a bit heavier than the Merrell flip-flops, however they had been our prime decide final summer season and proceed to be a favourite. The longer you put on them, the extra they mould to your ft for an nearly customized match. 

Sizes: 5–12 | Colours: 5 | Supplies: Thermoplastic rubber

Extra Snug Slides We Love

Together with one editor’s “go-to home slippers”

Bronax Pillow Slippers

Adidas Males’s Adilette Consolation Slide Sandals

Reef Cushioned Vera Cruz Slide Sandal

Lululemon Restfeel Slide

Kuru Breeze Sandal

Most Snug Heels

Although one in every of our teammates doesn’t consider in comfy heels, there are many kinds that can provide you a top enhance with out destroying your ft. We’ve discovered platforms, wedges, and even kitten heels which have confirmed to be fairly comfy.  

Nisolo Stella Go-To Block Heel Sandal

Although a bit expensive, these are sneakers that may greater than earn your funding. I’ve worn the Nisolo block heels to a few weddings and numerous dates and work occasions, and my ft by no means harm after. When it comes to sturdiness, they’ve held up properly over the past 12 months, and I plan to make use of them for a lot of events to return.

Sizes: 5–11 | Colours: 3 | Supplies: Leather-based, cushioned insoles | Heel Peak: 2.5 inches

Aerosoles Digital camera Platform Sandal

Given the vary of coloration choices with these platform sandals, you could possibly put on the Aerosoles as a gentle impartial heel for each day outings or in a brilliant hue just like the neon pink or yellow for particular occasions. The thick heel ensures stability, and the extensive straps hold your foot locked in whereas nonetheless providing breathability and help. 

Sizes: 5–12 | Colours: 19 | Supplies: Leather-based higher, artificial lining | Heel Peak: 3 inches

Reef Vista Larger Pure Raffia

Although Johnson doesn’t consider in comfy heels, she loves a platform different for a top enhance. She finds these Reef platform heels to be “extraordinarily light-weight and cozy.” Although maybe extra informal in look, these heels are well-built and durable on numerous terrain, together with sand — an excellent possibility for a seashore wedding ceremony. 

Extra Snug Heels We Love

One pair even traversed the slick cobblestone steps of Santorini

Steve Madden Slinky 30 Platform Slide Sandal

Anne Klein Through Wedge Sandal

Dolce Vita Lauryn 

Steve Madden Kari Black Multi

Why Belief PEOPLE?

Madison Yauger is a PEOPLE buying editor who has handled numerous foot ache for over a decade, so comfy sneakers are essential. Whether or not trekking internationally in sneakers designed for overpronation or collaborating as a tester for strolling sneakers as a flat-footed gal, she has expertise with nearly each fashion of shoe — and retains an eye fixed out for probably the most comfy choices. 

For this story, she gathered insights from eight of our previous shoe roundups, in addition to sourced editor-favorite pairs and dug via her personal closet of comfy staples. She beforehand spoke to tennis star Sloane Stephens about her go-to pair of sneakers on the courts.