45 Comfortable Flats That Are Exponentially Better Than Their Competitors

comfortable-flats-274144-1543965392314-main

(Image credit: @badgalsiri)

Once upon a time, I owned a million pairs of heels. Stiletto heels, block heels, wedge heels, cone heels, kitten heels… I could go on, but I'm already risking sounding like the nut-obsessed dog breeder from Best in Show (who doesn't like a good Christopher Guest reference?). I don't remember exactly when my footwear preferences changed, but one day I woke up and realized I couldn't think of the last time I'd slipped into anything other than my trusty block heels.

That whole pain is pleasure thing? I sort of get it (I'm a lifelong distance runner), but I also stopped following most of my favorite perennially underachieving sports teams years ago because I firmly believe escapism should be fun, not emotionally draining. I'm also one of those rare Angelenos who enjoys getting around on foot (when possible); thus, I need the shoes I wear to the office to get me through a long lunch-break walk without inducing blisters.

All that to say I appreciate flats and I can tell you with authority which ones are truly comfortable. Keep on reading for 45 comfortable pairs of flats at every price point—they're all exponentially better than their competitors.

Next up, see my roundup of the best tights under $40, because cold weather has officially arrived.

Contributer