Ballet flats are typically associated with ballerinas because of their pointy toes and flat soles, and their association with the actual ballet world is interesting. In the '40s, designer Claire McCardell featured a Capezio long sole in her collection, honoring ballet's aesthetic and paving the way for the style's prominence in women's wardrobes.
This footwear style is a favorite among many for its flexible, laidback and chic construction — and it's even beneficial for those experiencing forefoot issues.
More specifically, "some women who have forefoot issues may find that they put less pressure on the ball of the foot, so wearing ballet flats when you have capsulitis (swelling in the ball of the foot), or bunions (if they are wide), may be more comfortable than a heel or a wedge,” says podiatrist Dr. Ashley Lee.
However, since most trendy ballet flats lack arch support, especially for people with plantar fasciitis, it's important to consider some key features. We talked to several podiatrists and a footwear designer for tips and what to look for before slipping on a pair.
Features to look for in ballet flats
Podiatrist and ankle surgeon Dr. Najwa Javed says ballet flats are usually strapless, more minimalistic and often offer less support. “They may slide off more easily and can lack the structure needed for long-term wear if you’re on your feet a lot. From a podiatrist's perspective, ballet flats are not good for your feet, but they are easy to use for people."
If you prefer ballet flats over other shoes, Javed recommends looking for five key features: arch support, cushioning, rigid sole, heel cup and roomy toe box.
"You want to look for contoured footbeds or added orthotic insoles for arch support, including memory foam or gel padding to absorb impact, especially in the heel and ball of the foot," she says.
You also want a sole that doesn't bend in half easily. "This protects against overflexing and plantar fascia stress," adds Javed.
Finally, opt for ballet flats with a "deep and structured heel cup to cradle the heel and select a shoe with a roomy toe box to avoid cramping and prevent bunions or neuromas," Javed shares.
Best ballet flats, according to experts
Designer approved: Skechers Cleo Square Blissful Soul
- Arch comfort
- Memory foam
- Not ideal for bunions
Sizes: 6-11 | Colors: 3 | Material: Mesh
"When you look for ballet flats, you want to look for some form of midsole cushioning. My go-to ballet flats will be the Cleo square ballet flats in pink for its stretchy material and cushioned insoles for comfort," says designer Yvonne Liao.
She recommends this design for its breathable knit upper and air-cooled memory foam insole which helps provide comfort. Shoppers rave about the construction and how comfortable these shoes are when walking in the airport.
Elevated comfort: LifeStride Kallie Ballet Flat
- Cushy arch support
- Supportive
- Hard to clean
Sizes: 6-11 | Colors: 4 | Material: Knit
If you have plantar fasciitis, these ballet flats can help reduce discomfort and provide much-needed pain relief when walking. The design features the brand's lightweight Air Step technology and a built-in fabric that stretches out.
Work-ready: Allbirds Women's Tree Breezers
- Sole is shock absorbent
- Don't slip off
- Not ideal for long hours
Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 10 | Material: Leather and mesh
“Allbirds is actually a good flat because it has kind of that soft, stretchable upper,” says functional podiatrist Dr. Emily Splichal. They also use a breathable material — like merino wool — in the shoe construction. Shoppers says the soles are shock absorbent and that these flats don't slip off while walking.
Ballet flats for plantar fasciitis, according to experts
"People with plantar fasciitis need excellent arch support, shock absorption and heel stability. These picks help reduce strain on the plantar fascia," says Javed.
Animal print: Vionic Women's Minna Flat
- Great arch support
- Comfortable
- Can run large
Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 25 | Material: Faux-raffia
Vionic shoes are podiatrist-approved for their ergonomic footbeds. Javed suggests this design because it's podiatrist-designed and has an orthotic footbed. It also features suitable heel support and a slight heel lift to help relieve plantar pressure.
Sleek steps: FitFlop Delicato Woven Ballerinas
- Great grip
- Slip resistant
- Not many colors
Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 2 | Material: Faux-raffia
Javed says FitFlops' signature Microwobbleboard™ midsole helps absorb shock and relieve heel pain. This pair is similar to another pair she recommended, and it also features Dynamicush technology which diffuses pressure and provides natural arch support. While there aren't many colors available, this is a pair you can trust wearing all day.
Raise support: Aetrex Brianna Ballet Flat
- Arch support
- Comfortable
- Slightly elevated
Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 2 | Material: Nubuck and pebble grain leather
This style offers a memory foam footbed and anti-microbial lining that will sustain you while standing all day. According to Javed, this design offers "built-in arch support for plantar fascia alignment, cushioned heel and a roomy forefoot."
Ballet flats for high arches, according to experts
"For high arches, the goal is to provide extra arch support, forefoot cushioning and heel stability — because the foot doesn’t naturally absorb shock well," shares Javed.
Support session: Naot Kirei Ballet Flat
- Super comfortable
- Supportive
- A little noisy
Sizes: 4-10.5 | Colors: 9 | Material: Polyurethane
While they look like Mary Janes due to their slightly elevated heel, this pair "wears like a supportive ballet flat," Javed tells us. "This pair features a cork and latex insole designed for high arch alignment."
They also feature slip-resistant outsoles and heel cups which help with stability. There are mixed reviews on the width of these shoes, but most shoppers expressed comfort with the footbeds.
Luxe soles: Margaux The Demi Jane
- Feels lightweight
- Breathable
- Flexible sole
- Higher price point
Sizes: 5-12 | Colors: 20 | Material: Leather and mesh
I was impressed to see size offerings for this pair of flats going from US 3 to US 14, which is ideal for women with small and big feet. Javed recommends these mesh ballet flats for their customizable features.
"The triple-layer foam is a godsend for high arches. Plus, the brand allows custom-fit insoles to be inserted," she says.
I received this pair to test and it has become one of my favorites for a casual, yet elevated night attire. They have a mesh-made upper that feels breathable and a strap to support the foot while walking. While these are pricier, Javed says they have wider fit options and triple-layer foam cushioning.
Best ballet flats, according to editors
Dainty details: Journee Calle Ballet Flats
- Comes in wide sizes
- Easy to slip on
- Not enough arch support
Sizes: 5-13 | Colors: 2 | Material: Textile and leather
I recently saw this pair at a showroom and it's on my shopping list. The small bow detail adds a feminine touch and the round toe is spacious. I think this is a great everyday shoe for work or a night out, and it can be matched with many casual or elegant pieces.
Cozy steps: Dolce Vita Rodni Plush Ballet Flats
- Comfortable
- Adjustable strap
- Hard to clean
Sizes: 5-13 | Colors: 2 | Material: Textile and leather
Editor Kelly Vaughan says she's in love with the design of these ballet flats. "I bought these flats last fall and am obsessed with this style. They're super comfortable (even when walking for miles) and I love that I can adjust the strap to create the perfect fit. The plush outer material is ridiculously cute, too."
Versatility: Madewell The Greta Ballet Flat
- Luxury leather
- Comfortable
- Wide not available
Sizes: 5-12 | Colors: 12 | Material: Leather
Editorial assistant Erica Marrison says these ballet flats are comfortable and versatile, plus they look made by a luxury designer. "I typically struggle to find flats that work for me, as the backs of my ankles are pointy and blister-prone, but I've been wearing these with ease all fall. They're perfect for work, daywear and evening dinners, and I know they won't go out of style too quickly!"
Pointed flats: Rothy's The Point
- Machine washable
- Comfortable
- Runs small
Sizes: 5-13 | Colors: 7 | Material: Recycled plastic bottles
Senior editor Francesca Cocci Zabloudil says, "I own these Rothy’s flats in three colors — that’s how much I love them. They’re comfortable enough for my commute (which involves a 20-minute walk) and to keep on all day. I’ve also machine-washed them which really is an incredible feature, considering how much I wear them!"
Also, the flats offer a pillow-like comfort that adds to that cushioning feel.
Ballet sneakers: Vivaia Round-Toe Satin Sneakers
- Comfortable footbed
- Chic design
- Get dirty quick
Sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 8 | Material: Satin
I love this hybrid ballet flat for casual days when you're exploring the city or walking short distances. Because of its ultra-flexible construction, this style is perfect for packing inside a bag.
You can fold it, wash it and change the laces. It has a grippy sole that won't make you slip and a cushioned footbed if you plan to stand for a while. While Javed doesn't recommend bendable soles, I found this pair to be extra comfortable. I wore it during a trip to Washington, D.C. and I didn't get blisters. Plus, the elastic back feels soft without rubbing your skin.
What are the most comfortable flats?
If comfort is key, the basics you should look for are materials that allow your foot to bend at the toes, a spacious toe box, a contoured and cushioned footbed and adequate arch support, Dr. Miguel Cunha, podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare, tells Shop TODAY via email.
Since dress flats do not have a shank (a rigid material that runs between the insole and outsole of the shoe underneath the arch) Cunha recommends looking for an insole “that is made of cushioned materials that are light, soft and durable against moisture such as ethyl vinyl acetate, memory foam and gel padding.”
One way to determine whether your flats will feel comfortable is to walk around in them before you purchase them. “Squeeze the insole with your fingers or place the insole directly onto the floor and stand on them to determine if they have sufficient cushioning and feel comfortable,” Cunha says.
Splichal recommends looking for a flat that won’t irritate the back of your foot, either. “I prefer flats that don’t have stiff heel counters — so that’s the back of the shoe that kind of wraps around the heel,” she says. Stiff heel counters can irritate and rub the Achilles tendon, so it’s best to opt for a softer fabric that wraps around your foot. Softer fabrics that are not restrictive also allow your feet to spread, which is what you want in a flat.
“There are some flats that are more pointed; the more pointed that a flat is, versus rounded at the toe, now you’re starting to constrict and restrict and then that can lead to you know, hammer toes and neuromas and bunions,” Splichal says.
If you have a pair of flats that you love that don’t have the above features, you can up the comfort by adding an insole. “I have a specially made orthotic designed for ballet flats that give me arch support and a little extra stability and cushion,” Lee says. “Many of my patients have these. You can also try adding OTC insoles designed for flats or metatarsal and/or arch pads to stick in the shoe.”
If you’re going to spend a lot of time on your feet while wearing flats, your feet will pronate for longer, which Cunha says can alter the distribution of weight and pressure in your feet, which may eventually lead to the front-of-foot issues Splichal mentioned above.
“This imbalance can then translate upward affecting other parts of the body such as our knees and back,” Cunha says.
How we chose
To compile our list of the best ballet flats for women, Shop TODAY considered the recommendations provided by board-certified podiatrists and a designer. We also included picks recommended by our team of shopping editors at TODAY, while considering key features like cushioning, material and support.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Emily Splichal is a functional podiatrist and human movement specialist. She previously spoke to Shop TODAY on when it’s time to replace your sandals and the best shoes for heel spurs and bunions.
- Najwa Javed, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist and ankle surgeon at Silicon Valley Podiatry Group. She previously talked to Shop TODAY about the best running shoes for wide feet and the best shoes for your 30s.
- Yvonne Liao is a New York City-based footwear designer and the founder of her eponymous luxury footwear brand. She creates vibrant, colorful and comfortable shoes for urban fashionistas.
- Dr. Ashley Lee, DPM, is a podiatrist in Hinsdale, Illinois. While Lee treats all adult foot and ankle disorders, she has a special interest in pediatric reconstructive surgery as well as adult and pediatric sports medicine. She previously talked to Shop TODAY about the best comfortable slides.
- Dr. Miguel Cunha, DPM, is a podiatrist in New York City and founder of Gotham Footcare. He is a foot and ankle surgeon with experience treating a range of conditions. He previously talked to Shop TODAY about slim sneakers, barefoot shoes and more.
- Our top picks
- Features to look for in ballet flats
- Best ballet flats, according to experts
- Ballet flats for plantar fasciitis, according to experts
- Ballet flats for high arches, according to experts
- Best ballet flats, according to editors
- What are the most comfortable flats?
- Frequently asked questions
- How we chose
- Meet the experts