14 Best Ballet Flats That Are Stylish and Comfortable, According to Editors
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Make no mistake: While theyâre still trendy in 2025, the best ballet flats are timeless capsule wardrobe essentials, just like your favorite fall boots and slim loafers. Theyâre endlessly versatile and add polish to every outfitâalthough weâll be the first to admit that certain pairs leave plenty to be desired. Which is why we turned to our editors and style experts to recommend the ones theyâve actually walked miles in. Below, youâll find the most comfortable ballet flats to wear right now, according to Glamour staffers and trusted reviewers, from under-$50 Amazon gems to genuine walking shoes that can log 20,000 steps in a day.
The best ballet flats, at a glanceFeatured in this articleBest Overall
Madewell Greta Ballet Flats
Jump to review
Best for Travel
Sam Edelman Michaela Flats
Jump to review
Best for Walking
Everlane Day Ballet Flats
Jump to review
Best Comfortable
Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerinas
Jump to review
Best Mesh
Doeyg Mesh Ballet Flats
Jump to review
Best Overall: Madewell Greta Ballet Flats
Courtesy of brand
1/12
Madewell Greta Ballet Flats
Madewellâs ever-popular slip-on ballet shoes score major points in the style departmentâlook at that perfect chocolate-hued finish. But theyâre also comfortable enough to be all-day ballet flats, according to Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs, who opted for a red pair of the flat shoes as so many celebrities have in recent months. (Suede, mesh, and woven leather are also available.) Add sustainably sourced leather and an elastic strap, and you get the shoe of the moment. âI love these shoes. They are surprisingly comfortable! They donât rub my ankles or the top of my foot,â one Madewell reviewer says. âThe sole has a good amount of softness to it and the leather is velvety. I found them to run a little large. Since I do not have a very wide foot, I sized down half a size and they are perfect.â
Sizes: 5â12 / Colors: 10 options / Material: Leather
Best for Travel: Sam Edelman Michaela FlatsOriginal image by Glamour social video editor Yanise Cabrera
2/12
Sam Edelman Michaela Flats
âI went on a cruise with my family touring the Italian Riviera last year, and when it came to outfit choices and trying to pick the perfect comfortable shoes, aside from sneakers, I figured all that I needed was a good pair of flats that could go with everything,â says Glamour social video editor Yanise Cabrera. âCue these cute little ballet flats I found at Sam Edelman! We made the mistake of cruising in August, when the temperature shot up to 104 degrees during a day trip to Pompeii. Because it was so hot, I wanted the least amount of coverage on my feet without my toes being exposed. I walked over 21,000 steps that day in extreme heat on gravel, stone, sand, and grassâand my feet were in great shape the entire time. I literally walked through all of Pompeii in these shoes.â
Sizes: 4â14 / Colors: 30+ options / Material: Leather
Best for Walking: Everlane Day Ballet FlatsOriginal image by Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz wearing Everlane The Day Ballet Flat
3/12
Everlane Day Ballet Flats
This comfy everyday flat is a favorite of Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz because itâs loaded with cushioning, yet still stylish. âIâve been wearing ballet flats consistently for over 20 years, so itâs no exaggeration when I say Iâve tried dozens of pairs, and these flats from Everlane are among the most comfortable,â she says. While Schwartz typically prefers a round toe to the square, she thinks these feel a bit more fashion. âThereâs absolutely no break-in period, which is often the trouble with ballet flats that almost always rub at the back of the heel, but Iâve never blistered with these. The toe box is also supersoft and supple (with a few other pairs on this list, Iâve found the harder toe box painful), and Iâve walked miles in them in NYC without any pain.â
Sizes: 5â11 / Colors: 4 options / Material: Leather
Most Comfortable: Mansur Gavriel Dream BallerinasOriginal photo by Glamour commerce director Brie Schwartz
4/12
Mansur Gavriel Dream Ballerinas
Mansur Gavriel is the leather-focused brand behind some of our favorite tote bags and designer handbags, and itâs been cosigned by stylish celebs like Katie Holmes and Gigi Hadid. So yes, it makes a mean pair of classic ballet flats. Available in tons of hues, from soft rose to vibrant red, this high-quality leather style is a dependable pick youâll keep turning to for countless outfits to come. âTheyâre ultracomfortable and flexible, and while I typically opt for ballerina flats with a little less coverage, thereâs something chic about this trendier glove silhouette,â Schwartz says. âIâve gone through many other pairs in the past 20 years, and Iâm particular about the toe area being extra-soft, or else they end up hurting my narrow feet. But these, as the name implies, are a total dream, and the only ones that felt great right out of the boxâno ankle blisters. Iâve also had mine for about a year, and the toe is only now starting to look a tad weathered, which is impressive for something so low to the ground that I walk in for miles.â
Sizes: 35â42 / Colors: 14 options / Material: Leather
Best Designer: Toteme Minimalist Ballet Flats
Courtesy of brand
5/12
Toteme Minimalist Ballet Flats
If you prefer a nontraditional ballerina with a twist, Totemeâs luxe, unique take might just be just what youâve been looking for. âIn general, Iâm not much of a flats girlâI have such a hard time getting most styles to stay snuggly on my feet. As a big walker, nothing is a bigger pet peeve than having to stop every few minutes to slide my heel back into my shoe,â says Glamour contributor Aemilia Madden. âLuckily, these flats from Toteme have more of a slipper-like silhouette that hugs the foot snugly and avoids any slippage.â Designed with a slender squared shape thatâs a little trendier than a pointed toe, these offer a more modern approach to the classic shoe.
Sizes: 35â42 / Colors: 1 option / Material: Suede
Most Classic: J.Crew Quinn Ballet Flats
Courtesy of brand
6/12
J.Crew Quinn Ballet Flats
Lean into texture with a suede option thatâs a timeless fashion editor essential. âI remember splurging on my first pair of ballet flats from J.Crew my freshman year of college, and from then on, the brandâs ballerinas have always been go-tos for me,â says Glamour contributor Kristina Rutkowski. âI love the square toe and the updated suede fabrication of the Quinn flats. Theyâre great transitional shoes that are actually comfortable for long days running around New York. I can pair them with everything from dresses to jeans to midiskirtsâall my wardrobe standbys. I also like that the style is offered in half-sizes, since I tend to be in between.â
Sizes: 5â12 / Colors: 4 options / Material: Suede
Best Mesh: Doeyg Mesh Ballet FlatsOriginal photo by Glamour contributor Kassidy Davidson
Original photo by Glamour contributor Kassidy Davidson
7/12
Doeyg Mesh Ballet Flats
Weâve seen mesh ballet flats everywhereâthe CondĂ© Nast offices, SoHo shops, backyard barbecues, you name itâand the trend is showing no signs of slowing down. This under-$75 pair is a great way to buy in without doing in your budget. âThese are my first ballet flats ever, and theyâre one of my better purchases,â says Glamour contributor Kassidy Davidson. âIâve been looking for summer sandals I can dress up or down for any occasion, and then I found these. I love how I can wear them with literally anything; theyâre definitely statement pieces.â While theyâre associated with summer, you can add matching or contrasting socks to extend their wear well into the transitional months. Plus, since theyâre on Amazon, theyâll arrive quickly and are easy to return.
Sizes: 6â11 / Colors: 8 options / Material: Mesh
Best Leather: Reformation Bethany Ballet FlatsOriginal photo by Glamour senior editor Sam Reed
8/12
Reformation Bethany Ballet Flats
âI canât take credit for discovering these ballet flats from Reformation; I actually bought them because they looked so cute on my colleague Sam Reed. I did pick my own color, though,â says Stephanie McNeal, Glamourâs senior editor. âShe raved about how comfortable they were, and sheâs rightâyou can walk around in them all day. Plus, I love how they elevate the classic Mary Jane with the fun stud detail on the buckle.â This chestnut is a perfect rich brown that looks great with light-wash denim, black trousers, and colorful skirts alike. You canât ask for much more from leather ballet flats.
Sizes: 5â11 / Colors: 12 options / Material: Leather
Best Suede: DĂŽen Eleni Mary Jane
Courtesy of brand
Another flat that has seen a lot of walking firsthand is DĂŽenâs ballet flat. âMy most-worn flats are a pair from DĂŽen that I have done just about everything in, from walking over 20,000 steps a day in Paris, to on-the-go days in New York City, to standing for over eight hours during my first market for my vintage and antiques shop, Ăa Marche,â says Glamour contributor Laura Lajiness Kaupke. âMy exact pair is years old and quite tattered at this point, but these are very similarâand, well, Iâm adding to cart as we speak. I love how soft and pliable they are without feeling suffocating. (Anyone else feel that in flats?!) Plus, you can style them with anything: jeans! dresses! leather! Theyâre perfect.â
Sizes: 35â41 / Colors: 2 options / Material: Suede
Best Patent Leather: Vagabond Shoemakers Delia Flats
Courtesy of brand
10/12
Vagabond Shoemakers Delia Flats
While patent leather can lean a little academic, this pairâs contemporary silhouette keeps things cool. (Itâs also available in cream and red patent.) âThey have the perfect amount of shine and a modern square toe. Theyâre super flexible and so comfortable I can wear them while bopping around New York,â says Andrea RiÌos, a fashion assistant at Esquire. âThe one con is that you do need to break them in, since they start out stiff on the heel. I just wore chunky socks or tights when I first got them.â Just looking at them, weâd say theyâre worth the extra effort.
Sizes: 6â12 / Colors: 5 options / Material: Leather
Best Investment: Manolo Blahnik Maysale Suede Pointy-Toe Flats
Courtesy of brand
11/12
Manolo Blahnik Maysale Suede Point-Toe Flats
âI have very narrow feet, and Manolo Blahniks are among the most comfortable flats (and heels!) for me,â says Glamour contributor Avery Matera. âI have the brandâs classic Maysale flats in a few everyday colors, a festive plaid wool, and party-ready embellished styles, and they never let me down. I love styling them with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt for a day of client meetings or a weekend shopping trip, and the crystal-embellished favorites have been a lifesaver for more dressed-up affairs, allowing me to appropriately opt for a flat shoe over a heel. While they are on the pricier side, to be sure, I know that I can walk miles in them without a blister or an ache. And with a career that requires me to crisscross New York City on the regular, and a strong love of traveling by foot, the comfort factor is definitely priceless.â
Sizes: 35â43 / Colors: 7 options / Material: Suede
Best With Straps: M. Gemi Una FlatsOriginal image by Glamour contributor Dana Smith wearing M. Gemi The Una Flats
For a versatile pair of ballet flats suitable for the office or a weekend outing, Dana Smith, VP content lead for CondĂ© Nast Health, loves this pick. âInfluencer Erika Schatz turned me on to these when she said they passed the 10K-step test. I can attest that they actually do feel comfortable if youâre walking multiple miles a day. Theyâre commuter-friendly, office- and weekend-appropriate, and great with jeans and dresses,â she says. Though she was never a ballet-flat fan in the past, but these soft leather shoes changed her mind: âI generally do not find many ballet flats comfortable because they pinch my toes, but these are a bit more generous in the toe box, which adds to the comfort.â
Sizes: 35â42 / Colors: 15 options / Material: Leather
Everything you need to know about ballet flatsHow to style ballet flats
The best part about ballet flats is that they work well with dresses and skirts, but they also pair perfectly with any type of denim. Wear them with cigarette jeans, Ă la Audrey Hepburn or Jennifer Lawrence, or go with trendy wide-leg jeans for an edgier vibe. During the cooler months, knee-high socks and chic tights can help keep you warm and are slim enough to slip into your shoes.
How to pick the right ballet flats
If youâre shopping with a specific season in mind, consider the materials: A suede or leather style is great for fall and winter, whereas in spring and summer, youâll likely want to reach for something more breathable (like mesh or raffia) that wonât give your heels blisters. If youâre flat-footed or need additional arch support, look for a pair with cushioned insoles and elastic or adjustable Mary Jane straps. And if you have narrow or wide feet, your best bet is a pair of shoes in extended widths or half sizes.
Are ballet flats in style in 2025?
Ballet flats are absolutely in style this year, and while every color and material has its place, weâve noticed a huge rise in red ballet flatsâoften in leather or meshâto add a pop of color to otherwise neutral palettes. (Dakota Johnson did it best.) Silver and other metallic finishes are also fashionable, thanks to the popularity of Simone Rochaâs shiny flats. Classic black is also a great choice for fall and winter 2025, considering it goes with everything and fits nicely into fashionâs ongoing love affair with quirky minimalism.
Mary Jane options are also super popular right now, as are picks at both ends of the âlook at meâ spectrum. On the one hand, Ganniâs decked-out buckle flats (plus their many dupes) are everywhere, meaning that multiple straps and grommet details are extra hot. On the other, minimalist glove flats are fashion-insider faves. The takeaway? Pick any pair that speaks to you, and style them intuitively.
