We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A pair of the famous Plaka sandals because everyone loves these for their comfort and water-resistant braided straps that make them the ultimate beachwear.
Over 9,400 Amazon 5-star reviewers swear by these handcrafted, rubber-soled wonders.
Promising review: "These are some of the best sandals I’ve ever worn. I just put them on & they’re super comfy. I can’t wait to wear them outside & see how they do. I wear a 9-9.5 & these are a 9 & fit great. I highly recommend these to everyone." —Beth
Get them from Amazon for $32.95+ (available in sizes 5–11 and in 24 colors).
2. A strappy pump that you'll want to dance the night away with. How romantic!
Promising review: "I absolutely love these shoes! I buy a new pair every year because I use them every other day. They are well made and wear down after a year or more. Not to mention they are so comfortable!!" —Chelsea Engler
Get them from Amazon for $48.98+ (available in sizes 5–11, wide widths, and 19 colors).
3. A pair of Sanuk flip-flops with a cushioning that mimics yoga mat material, meaning your sweaty feet are going to be in good hands. Oh, and they last FOR-EVERRR.
Promising review: "These are beyond comfortable and very supportive. Best sandals I’ve ever purchased. Bought again in 3 more different pairs. True to size." —
Get them from Amazon for $25.88+ (available in sizes 5–11 and in 23 colors).
4. A pair of espadrille platform sandals for effortless vacation vibes. What type of vacation? The walking kind, of course!
Promising review: "They are truly the most comfortable pair of sandals I have ever owned, no exaggeration. I wore them for an entire wedding, no complaints. Walked two miles in them on vacation, no complaints. Ran through a lightning storm in them, NO COMPLAINTS! I would run a marathon in these if I needed to. Ankle strap is comfortable and stretches enough to put my foot in but fits just right to hold the shoe on comfortably. The two foot straps don’t stretch, but aren’t too tight. These feel even better than name brand shoes! I LOVE THEM!!! BUY THEM!" —tyler fisher
Get them from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes 6–11 with wide options and five colors).
You can also check out our roundups of the best platform sandals and platform boots to see some other ~elevated~ styles.
5. A cute leather mule for anyone who loves flats but is sick and tired of ballerina flats.
BTW — Zou Xou Shoes is a Black woman-owned business that has been creating handcrafted shoes by Argentinian shoemakers since 2015. The styles are easy and classic so they can be worn for years. These mules are handmade to order in European sizes, and they suggest sizing up. So, if you wear a US 8, choose a 39.
Promising review: "These shoes are great! The leather is soft and comfortable — no breaking in necessary." —Etsy Reviewer
Get them Zou Xou Shoes from on Etsy for $254 (available in European sizes 36-42).
6. A very cool slip-on boot with a memory foam insole and a sleek silhouette gunning to be your night-out shoes of choice. Look at these paired with some distressed jeans and tell me you don't want them! (I want them.)
Promising review: "I don’t give reviews unless I feel it’s worthy of either praise or warning. I have a lot of issues with my feet and finding shoes that fit and are comfy is very hard. After reading one review on these boots I took a chance and ordered them. What I can tell you is they are true to size, they don’t cut into my legs, and they are amazingly comfortable! If you are looking for cute and comfortable Chelsea boots, I highly recommend these!" —Roodale
Get them from Amazon for $49.99 (available in sizes 6–10 and three colors).
7. A pair of Cole Haan sneakers because look, Cole Haan is famous for making comfy-as-heck shoes. These are no exception thanks to their foam padding and lightweight outsole.
Promising review: "These are my first Cole Haan sneaks, and I don't think I'll ever be tempted to buy from another company. They are beautifully made yet stylistically subtle and were immediately comfortable. I can wear them with everything in my closet, and they're now my go-to shoe. I love the way the leather has broken in so that the shoes now look lived-in but still very chic. I'm invariably a size 9–9.5, and I purchased the 9. They fit perfectly snugly, and I prefer them with thinner socks. I couldn't be more pleased." —K. C. S.
Get them from Cole Haan for $89.95+ (originally $130; available in sizes 5–8 and 10.5).
8. An Everlane flat designed to mold to your feet as you wear them, meaning you'll love them more and more with each walk outside.
Promising review: "I absolutely love the day gloves, and I have them in several colors. They are stylish and comfortable right out of the box. They're great for work. Fit is true to size." —ndog99
Get them from Everlane for $135 (available in sizes 5–11, seven core colors and various limited edition colors).
9. A Huarache sandal in a variety of bright colors offering both comfort and style, the two most important things when it comes to getting dressed.
Macarena Collection is a small business based in Buena Park, California. All of the shoes are handmade by Mexican artisans. Since they only make whole sizes, they suggest sizing down if you're in between as the shoes will stretch and mold to your feet as you wear them.
Get it from Macarena Collection on Etsy for $43.99+ (available in sizes 5–10 and seven colors).
10. A charming suede shoe with plush foam padding and chunky, cylinder heels so you can have your cake (super chic shoes) and eat it too (not have huge blisters after 30 minutes of wear).
11. A pair of fan favorite clogs from Fitflop that have been a mainstay for anyone who has to be on their feet for long stretches of time. The cushy midsoles will make you feel like you're walking with pillows strapped to your feet.
12. A pair of high-quality leather Chelsea boots that go with pretty much any outfit, making them a wardrobe must.
Promising review: "After a lot of worry about getting the right fit, I took the advice given by the reviewers and the company and ordered a half-size larger. They fit great! The leather is beautiful. They smell really good. They look very suave and debonair. I’m sitting on the sofa watching TV because I don’t want to take them off. I debated a long time and worried a lot about buying these boots because of some of the negative reviews, but I’m glad I went with the majority of reviews. They were not too narrow and fit comfortably. They also were not too long. They are the look that I was going for. A dressier look than my normal work boots that I bum around in. I’m very happy with these classy boots!!" —CMaxDavis
Get them from Amazon for $160 (available in sizes 5–11 and in nine colors).
13. A pair of Toms cutout sandals with a stacked heel, so you won't be wobbling around like a baby ostrich.
14. A pointed-toe ballet flat with a sock-like knit that are surprisingly supportive *and* machine-washable. Just throw them in the washer when they get a little grimy and voilà!
Vivaia is a small shoe brand founded in 2020 with the mission to create stylish and high-quality footwear. Many of the brand's shoes are made from recycled water bottles, and they've implemented a production process that actively works to reduce waste.
Promising review: "The most comfortable shoes I've ever worn! Love the design, the sustainability, and the quick delivery." —Jac***
Get it from Vivaia for $79+ (originally $97; available in sizes 5–11 and in 31 styles).
15. A pair of comfy pumps that aren't actually out to murder your feet. You want to make a fashion statement — not a police statement.
Promising review: "Super duper cute heels. I wore these for my wedding. I could not find a pair of shoes that looked good with my outfit *and* were comfortable enough to wear all afternoon/evening. I took a chance on these and they arrived just in time two days before the wedding. They fit perfectly, and because of the sturdy heel and ankle strap they were comfortable and easy to walk in. I wore them through the outdoor ceremony and photos, dinner and dancing, and then out to drinks afterwards and my feet did not complain." —Geneva Thompson
Get them from Amazon for $37.49+ (available in sizes 5–11 and 19 colors).
Psst: this item is included in Prime Wardrobe so you can give it a trial run if you're a member!
16. A minimalist rubber slide for unreal comfort while shuffling around the house or taking out the garbage. Or OK, going on a coffee run or scooting around doing errands.
FYI, this is included in Prime Try Before You Buy so you can give them a trial run if you're a member!
Promising review: "I have ordered several pairs trying to find the one that lives up to its hype. Well this one is it. Super cushy and fits true to size. I ordered the mauvish pink colored one and love it. I will be ordering a black pair. I have a heel spur and planters fasciitis so regular flip-flops bother me after wearing them for several hours, but these do not. Very pleased with this purchase and highly recommend." —leah
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in sizes 5–12 and in 30 colors).
17. A pair of canvas high tops with ultra-cute embroidered flowers that may lead to TONS of Instagram pics of your feet.
BANGS Shoes is a small business that creates ethically made, high-quality canvas sneakers for your daily adventures. Their embroidered sneaks are super cute and every purchase helps to fund loans that invest in entrepreneurs around the globe.
Promising review: "I LOVE these shoes. The embroidery is sturdy and has held up to many hikes already. I get compliments all the time on them!!" —alisha
Get it from BANGS Shoes for $79 (available in sizes 5–11.5).
18. A slip-on loafer that'll look sooooo good with some slacks or straight-leg jeans. These may just become your new everyday pair.
19. A pair of Blundstone boots offering comfort and classic rugged style. These weatherproof leather beauts are easy to pull on and go, so you'll reach for them ever time.
Promising review: "I love these shoes! I needed rainproof walking boots for a trip to Prague, and they have more than held up over a week of cobblestones and rainy weather. I wore them for about a week to break them in, during which point they fit a bit tight on the top of my foot. I didn’t want chunky hiking boots, and these have a simpler design that ends up being pretty versatile. I’ve worn them every day for a week, walking at least five miles per day, and they are incredibly comfortable. I absolutely love these boots, and am so excited to have a pair of shoes that can go most anywhere." —Alexandra Herrington
Get them from Amazon for $129.24+ (available in sizes 4–14 and 31 colors).
20. Some platform oxfords with a lace-up design plus tons of eye-catching details for an everyday option with a little extra ~somethin'-somethin'~.
Promising review: "I normally don’t leave reviews for shoes, but these are one of the exceptions where I enjoy them so much that I have to leave the review. I have wide-width foot and it is very hard to find a pair of shoes that doesn’t require break-in period. This dress shoes not only cute, fashionable, but also surprisingly very comfortable. I took train to work so the trip requires me to walk and stand a lot. Right now it’s 4 p.m. and I still have the shoes on my feet. Good gracious lord. I might as well get another pair in red, because I love them too much!!" —Mama Panda
Get them from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in sizes 5–10 and 11 colors).
BTW, reviewers with wide feet love these oxfords!
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!
