A decade ago, if someone asked you to picture the quintessential 'It' shoe, it probably would have been something with a stiletto heel or an uncomfortable strappy design. But things have changed quite a bit in the last few years. And now, the most trendy shoes feature large, orthopedic-looking soles or chunky designs — basically, they're what you might have once considered "ugly" (or maybe still do).
Some of the most hotly-debated shoe brands have been having their biggest years ever. Crocs reported record-breaking annual revenues last year, while search interest in Birkenstock reached an all-time high in August of 2024, according to Google Trends. Those brands, along with others like Teva and Hoka, have teamed up with high-fashion brands for limited-time collaborations and have also become a staple in the wardrobes of some of today's trendiest celebrities, proving that "ugly" styles are dominating the footwear world.
And while the rise of chunky, arguably "un-cool" shoes might have some dedicated fashion fans up in arms, we're pretty big fans of the trend. Because the thing is, instead of focusing solely on design, many of these so-called "ugly" shoes, incorporate elements like heavily cushioned soles, shock-absorbing features and elements of arch support that put your foot health first.
Take the dad sneaker trend, for example. One podiatrist previously told us that dad-style shoes tend to be pretty good for your feet. "They are wide and allow our toes to naturally bend and move. Plus, they are especially ideal if you have bunions or hammertoes,” Dr. Casey Ann Pidich, a New York City-based podiatrist and owner of DoctorGlassSlipper.com shared.
Below, we're sharing some of the top "ugly" shoe picks from our editors and experts.
Best ugly shoes | How we chose
Best 'ugly' shoes, according to experts and editors
Crocs Adult Classic Clogs
- Comfortable
- Easy to slip on and off
- Reviewers recommend sizing up
Colors: 35 | Sizes: 6-12 | Widths: N/A
It's impossible to talk about the "ugly" shoe trend without mentioning Crocs. They're perhaps the most hotly debated shoe of the last decade, which is likely why the reviews section for these clogs is filled with haters who were turned into fans. And many people on our team have had similar experiences.
"I was a Crocs hater turned lover, and I literally wear mine every day," says SEO associate editor Kamari Stewart. "A friend bought them for me for Christmas a few years ago in a bright turquoise color and I unashamedly wear them all the time now."
Teva Original Universal Sandal
- True to size; surprisingly supportive for a sandal
- Not necessarily slip-ons, take a minute to adjust and put on
Colors: 12 | Sizes: 5-12 | Widths: N/A
Senior SEO editor Jess Bender wasn't sure about Teva's podiatrist-approved sporty sandals — that is, until she tried them for herself. "I was skeptical because I don't naturally gravitate towards the style, but I became infatuated from my first wear thanks to the adjustable, secure fit and cushy midsoles. I spent most of summer 2020 exploring, marching, strolling every inch of upper Manhattan above 96th Street, and I was wearing these Tevas the majority of that time."
Birkenstock Women's Arizona EVA Sandals
- More affordable option
- Adjustable
- Make a "suctioning sound"
Colors: 7 | Sizes: 5-10, including half sizes | Widths: N/A
Birkenstock is well aware that you might not find its shoes the most flattering. The brand created a three-part documentary series called "Ugly For A Reason," where it dives into foot health and shares the pretty good reason why its shoes look how they do (it's for your feet, duh!) — and as it turns out, an expert told us that they really do have plenty of beneficial features.
These affordable sandals from the brand are a favorite of one former Shop TODAY writer. "The sandals are designed with a toe grip, arch support and a deep heel cup that promotes stability," she wrote. "When I wear them, I feel like my foot gets a big hug from the entire shoe which provides support on long walks."
Crocs Women’s Brooklyn Low Wedges
- Don't look like traditional Crocs
- Adjustable straps for preferred fit
- Plastic may rub and cause blisters
Colors: 17 | Sizes: 3-11, including half sizes | Widths: N/A
When we posted these Crocs on our Instagram, people had some strong opinions. But our staffer who tried them said that they actually had her saying "Crocs are cute." "I never thought I'd say Crocs are 'elegant' but these platform sandals have such a classic look, I've worn them with dresses to work and happy hour with friends," wrote associate editor Shannon Garlin. "Both times I've dressed them up I've gotten so many compliments on them and blurted out 'They're Crocs! Can you believe it?!' Those same friends have asked me to forward them the link because they wanted a pair, too."
Wörishofer Women's 251 Sandal
- Compared to Dr. Scholl's in terms of comfortability
- Reviewers say sizing is off; recommend sizing up
Colors: 12 | Sizes: 5-12, including half sizes | Widths: N/A
While you may not be totally familiar with Wörishofer, the German sandal brand behind these shoes, there's a chance that you may recognize this specific pair as being a longtime celebrity favorite. A recent discussion on our team revealed mixed opinions on these shoes, and words like "granny-inspired" and "ugly cute" were thrown around. But they do seem like they could be better for your feet than your average wedge. The base is made from cork, a material that has great shock-absorbing and moisture-reducing abilities, an expert previously told us.
New Balance 574 Core
- Have good arch support
- Shock-absorption features
- Hard to clean, maintain
Colors: 5 | Sizes: 5-12, including half sizes | Widths: Standard and wide
New Balance started out as the quintessential "dad sneakers." But somewhere along the line, they morphed into a trendy option loved by influencers and celebrities as well as everyday comfort seekers. One podiatrist that we previously spoke to shared that this is the pair from the brand that he recommends most often. "The shoe is highly durable, it's highly flexible, it's lightweight, extremely comfortable, [has a] superior arch, has soft shock-absorbing cushioning on the footbed to relieve pain and it has a cool vintage-y classic old school look but is still modern."
New Balance 530
- Lightweight
- Easy to style with any outfit
- Brand recommends sizing down for best fit
Colors: 10 | Sizes: 5.5-11, including half sizes | Widths: Medium
While production associate Jillian Ortiz's mom might have some things to say about these bulky sneakers, she says she doesn't care. "These shoes are literally beyond comfortable and I love them so much! Someone at the gym the other day asked me what number they were and said they’ve wanted them too but they’ve been sold out for so long — I’m so happy I got them! I wore them all day (I’m talking 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) when I went to Universal Studios and my feet didn’t hurt at all."
Birkenstock Women's Arizona
- Versatile
- Long-lasting
- Fit is loose at first, need to adjust the straps
- Uncomfortable break-in period, but footbed is comfortable afterwards
Colors: 21 | Sizes: 4-16, including half sizes | Widths: N/A
Birkenstocks have been my grandma's main shoe of choice for years, and growing up, my sister and I would poke fun at her obsession with the sandals (and her love for pairing them with socks). But in college, after seeing so many people wearing them, I told her I finally understood the appeal and she bought me my first pair. (Don't worry, I apologized first.) I'm on my second pair in the span of about nine years, and they're my go-to summer shoes because they're comfortable and breathable — though I have been known to take after my grandma and wear them in the winter with socks, too.
Ugg Classic Short II Boot
- Last a long time
- Reviewers call this their "go-to" for fall
- Snug fit around the ankle
- Don't fit true to size
Colors: 7 | Sizes: 5-12 | Widths: N/A
"For as long as I can remember my mom, boyfriends, etc. have called Uggs ugly, but they are 100% my comfort and security blanket shoe," says production coordinator Camryn Privette. "I will forever love them and will never ever not wear them the second it gets cold outside."
Clark's Wallabee
- Can be dressed up or down
- Lightweight
- Packaging and delivery issues
Colors: 21 | Sizes: 5.5-12, including half sizes | Widths: N/A
While social editorial assistant Annie Shigo says some people call these shoes "ugly," she's a "big fan." They're said to feature lightweight cushioning for ultimate comfort.
Hoka Women's Clifton 9 Running Shoes
- Supportive
- Cushiony, right amount of bounce
- Wear down quickly
Colors: 28 | Sizes: 5-12, including half sizes | Widths: Medium and wide options available
The Clifton sneaker is one of Hoka's most popular products, and previous iterations of the shoe have been recommended to us by both podiatrists and Shop TODAY staffers. Commerce photo editor Vivian Le says she has two pairs of the Clifton 8s. "I have a pair for everyday walking and a pair for running/training!"
How we chose
We asked our editors to share their favorite "ugly" shoes, and plenty of Shop TODAY staffers were happy to oblige, giving their recommendations for their comfy, bulky sneakers, slippers and more. We also sourced recommendations from previous conversations with podiatrists.
