When you want to look elegant and put-together but not too formal, flats are the way to go. The comfortable and versatile women’s footwear style is ideal for a wide range of occasions. Comfortable flats can be dressed up or down and worn to work, job interviews, social events, casual get-togethers, out to brunch, or to run errands.
Believe it or not, a comfortable flat is also a great on-the-go style. If you walk to work, frequently take public transportation, reside in a walkable neighborhood, or just live an active lifestyle, we suggest having a few pairs on hand for when you’re going for a more polished look.
Having said that, not all women’s flats are created equal, which means some are better walking shoe options than others. At Vionic, comfortable, supportive footwear is our forté, and we’re all about helping women find the right shoes for every event and activity. Find a rundown of the six best flats for walking below.
What Are the Most Comfortable Flats for Walking?
The orthotic shoes from Vionic are perfect for working professionals and anyone who’s frequently on foot. Our cute yet practical women’s styles are fashion-forward yet also undeniably supportive, including our impressive collection of cute flats.
So, what are the best, most comfortable types of flats for walking? We recommend a loafer, ballet flat, pointed-toe flat, slingback, slip-on soft leather shoe, and slip-on casual sneaker. Here’s why.
Loafers
Loafers are one of our favorite year-round footwear styles for both men and women. With an assertive yet approachable vibe, this type of comfortable flat shoe can be worn with high-waisted trousers, slacks, pencil skirts, dresses, jeans, or jumpsuits. This makes it the perfect choice when looking for comfy flats for working professionals. However, it also is a fantastic style to walk in.
If you want to look prepared while staying comfortable and pain-free as you walk, check out the loafer selection from Vionic. You’ll find sophisticated and chic designs in neutral hues, vibrant colors, and eye-catching patterns like tiger and snake print. Choose from smooth full-grain leather, patent leather, or supple suede uppers with durable rubber outsoles and removable footbeds.
Ballet Flats
Inspired by the traditional footwear worn by ballerinas, ballet flats are perfectly feminine but also totally practical. With a rounded toe and a classic curved silhouette, this pretty and comfortable shoe goes with just about any ensemble.¹ We’re talking skirts, maxi dresses, sundresses, rompers, jumpsuits, jeans, and pants.
If you’re in the market for comfortable business casual shoes for women you can wear to the office, on a date, or to a semi-dressy event, you should definitely take a look at our collection.² Vionic’s classic ballet flats come in both bold and pared-down designs.
We’ve got neutral colors like navy, black, white, gray, and beige, as well as metallic options and statement shades of red, pink, and yellow. Our ballerina flats also come in leopard, boa, and other animal prints. Additionally, you’ll find chic details such as delicate stitching, perforated leather uppers, dainty bows, and other embellishments.
Thanks to their supportive (and completely hidden) orthotic footbeds, Vionic’s designs are some of the best ballet flats for walking. You can effortlessly plié from a business meeting to after-work errands to happy hour in a pair of ballet flats with arch support.
Pointed-Toe Flats
Pointed-toe flats are another excellent option. At first glance, you might not think they’re ideal for hours of standing, let alone walking. But you just have to know what to look for—and where to look.
When you browse pointed-toe women’s flats from Vionic, you’ll find slingbacks, Mary Jane flat and slip-on styles. Whether you’re walking the halls of your office, heading to a social function, catching the train downtown, or shopping on the weekend, you can count on arch support and comfy contouring.
Not only that, but our pointed styles actually provide plenty of space for your toes. We never overlook toe boxes when designing a comfortable shoe, and many of our cute flats come in both medium and wide widths. When you slip into a pair of most comfortable flats for walking from Vionic, you’ll look and feel put-together while staying light on your feet.³
Slingbacks
Slingbacks are also some of the best walking flats. This women’s shoe style is characterized by an open back and a strap around the heel. Slingback flats are the perfect spring or summer footwear for when you want to wear slacks, a skirt, or a dress without nylons. You can also wear them in the colder seasons with a pair of tights and an overcoat.
Vionic carries posh yet practical slingback flats in various colors and materials, including suede and leather. Each pair features biomechanical engineering within the midsoles to hug your arches and support your natural alignment. They also have ample cushioning and buckled heel straps for an adjustable fit.
Slip-On Leather Shoes
For a more casual option that’s not quite a sneaker, you might consider slip-on leather shoes. The flat-soled women’s style is just as comfy as sneakers but a bit more polished and professional. In other words, you can count on a comfortable, pain-free stride and an office-ready appearance.
Vionic’s leather shoes for women are crafted out of ultra-soft leather. They have removable textile-wrapped EVA footbeds and a reliable rubber sole for unbeatable shock absorption and traction. Our slip-on styles are a great choice for anyone who lives a busy lifestyle or spends the majority of their workday on their feet.
Slip-On Sneakers
While sneakers aren’t technically a flat, they are a flat-soled shoe. And on many occasions, they can work as an alternative to a ballet flat or loafer. Slip-on tennis shoes are appropriate footwear in some business-casual environments. These stylish walking shoes can also provide a sporty touch when paired with shorts, dresses, skirts, pants, jeans, and jumpsuits.
Check out the slip-on shoes for women from Vionic’s collection. We’ve got lightweight styles in various colors, prints, and silhouettes. They’re laid back, cute, and always comfortable for walking. Plus, each comfy shoe is biomechanically designed to support your natural stride and promote proper alignment from the ground up.
Have You Considered Orthotic Insoles?
A stylish pair of shoes that hurt your feet can be a real bummer—especially when you have places to go! If you have a pair you’d love to wear if only they weren’t so uncomfortable, we recommend getting orthotic padded insole inserts.
The supportive inserts from Vionic are made of molded reinforced plastic for optimal stability and control. They have cushioning on the heels to absorb shock, plus deep heel cups and contouring to keep you comfortable on your feet.
Vionic orthotic insoles also have built-in EcoFresh to absorb foot odors. They can be placed in any closed-toe shoe—even a high heel—to comfortably walk, strut, run, stroll, or plié through your day.
Comfortable Flats for All Occasions from Vionic
The team at Vionic is passionate about providing fashion-forward footwear that never hurts your feet. We’re proud to carry comfortable flats for walking, working, playing, and socializing. Whether your personal style is elegant, sophisticated, laid back, sporty, flirty, or a little of everything, we’ve got something for you.
From effortlessly chic slingbacks, professional loafers, and posh pointed-toe styles to delicate ballet flats, seasonless slip-on leather shoes, and wear-anywhere sneakers, Vionic has it all. Shop our selection of comfortable orthotic flats today!
Sources:
1. “Most Comfortable Flats for Women (they’re Cute and Stylish, too!)”. Travel Fashion Girl. https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/10-cute-and-comfortable-ballet-flats-for-travel/
2. Carey Reilly. “These shoes are so comfortable, I bought them in 8 different styles”. Today. Updated Jun 1, 2019, https://www.today.com/style/vionic-shoes-review-t154357
3. Paula Lee. “15 Most Comfortable Flats You Can Wear With Everything”. Oprah Daily.
Apr 30, 2020, https://www.oprahmag.com/style/g28799070/most-comfortable-flats/
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