Top 10 Best shoes for women
1. MOST COMFORTABLE WORK SHOES
Hush Puppies Women’s Wren Loafer
PROS
- Cushioned footbed
- Lab-approved suede
CONS
- Run narrow
Hush Puppies’ stylish loafers are designed with suede that our Textiles Lab found to be stain-, water- and scuff-resistant. Great for the office, walking around town or heading out to brunch with friends, this classic style is both work appropriate and cute enough to wear out and about on the weekends.They’re also a great pick if you’re spill-prone or live in a busy city — water-based stains roll right off the surface, while larger stains can be washed away. (Just note that the stain-resistant abilities do fade with time and repeated washing.) The comfortable foam footbed is a favorite of Lab experts and editors who have found that it retains its cushioning better than some memory foam shoes and have compared it to “walking on a cloud.” These shoes do run on the narrow side, but they’re also available in wide.
2. MOST COMFORTABLE TRAVEL SHOES
Rothy’s Slip On Sneakers
PROS
- Machine washable
- Slip-on design
- Available in sizes 5 to 13
CONS
- Midsole cannot be machine washed
Running late? These classic slip-ons make it easy to run out of the house in no time. Rothy’s has a cult following for its comfy sneakers that require minimal breaking in for ultimate comfort. This pair of slip-on sneakers has a contoured insole and a knit upper that are entirely machine washable (the brand recommends taking out the midsole before washing). We’ve laundered Rothy’s flats in the Lab and found that the material really washes well. These are the ultimate travel sneakers, according to one user who takes them on every trip and loves how lightweight they are for packing in a carry-on bag. Plus, they can be paired with casual exercise clothes or dressier outfits to match whatever you bring in your suitcase. They come in sizes 5 to 13, including half sizes, and 15 colors and patterns, so there’s bound to be a style you love.
3. MOST COMFORTABLE SNEAKERS
ASICS Women’s Gel Quantum 180 5 Shoes
PROS
- Great support for flat arches
- Top scores for customer satisfaction
- Excellent stability
CONS
- Less flexibility for people with wider feet
This model from ASICS is an updated version of the top-performing shoe in our walking sneakers test, and it can even function as a great pair of running shoes. They’re a favorite of our testers, popular for being comfortable and supportive no matter the activity. Podiatrists who evaluated these sneakers said they provide excellent stability and control, making them ideal for people with flat feet. All our testers reported that they liked these sneakers more than their current ones and would continue to wear them. The added cushioning and moisture-managing liner help keep your foot comfortable during a variety of activities, and we like that they’re available in half sizes as well to help get you the right fit, but we have found that they have less flexibility for those with wider feet.
4. MOST COMFORTABLE FLATS
Birdies the Goldfinch
PROS
- Generous return policy
- Seven-layer cushioned footbed
CONS
- Runs a little large
Swap your current flats for these comfy and stylish ones from Birdies. Not only are they our textile experts’ favorite comfortable flats right now, but they’re so cute you’ll be sure to get dozens of compliments when you pair them with your favorite outfit. We like that these shoes conform to your foot thanks to their comfortable seven-layer footbed, and both our Lab pros and testers were particularly wowed by the support and softness this style offered. Plus, they’re available in a bunch of different looks like classic suedes and leather and seasonal raffia. We found that the pointed toe was chic without squishing your toes and like that it is available in half sizes for easier fit. Our testers did find that sizing runs a bit large so you may need to go down a half size to prevent slipping out of your flats, but thanks to Birdies’ return policy, you’ll easily be able to swap out your shoes if they’re the wrong size.
5. MOST COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES
Allbirds Women’s Tree Runners
PROS
- Breathable Tencel fabric
- Super comfy footbed
- Textiles Lab favorite
CONS
- No half sizes
This popular style from Allbirds has a huge following for a reason. Whether commuting to the office or traveling abroad, the ultra-comfy footbed will keep your day from having to be cut short. And they’re favorites of our Textiles Lab — we tested them out and worked with our panel of readers for additional feedback, collecting over 1,300 data points about Allbirds shoes alone.A whopping 91% of our panelists gave the shoes a perfect rating for comfort. The Tree Runners performed well in our washability tests, and they’re even designed to be worn without socks. Plus, they’re made with Tencel, a breathable material derived from chemically processed wood pulp that is a more sustainable option than other common materials like polyester. They’re available in a variety of fun colors, including some limited edition ones like indigo and umber, and they’re lightweight and breathable.
6. MOST COMFORTABLE FASHION SNEAKERS
Cole Haan GrandPro Topspin Sneakers
PROS
- Stylish leather upper
- Memory foam insole
- Padded heel
CONS
- Some reviewers found them to be too narrow
Not all sneakers need to be designed for running or working out, and these fashionable ones from Cole Haan are cute enough to wear out to dinner, around town or to the office. Cole Haan shoes are known for being designed with comfort in mind, so you don’t have to sacrifice your outfit for comfy toes. These stylish low-top sneakers have a memory foam insole and a high-traction outsole. The heel is reinforced with extra padding for additional comfort, and the trendy platform sole is lightweight. There are several stylish colors and prints to choose from. One online reviewer said, “These are by far the cutest and most comfortable fashion sneakers I own.” Keep in mind that some reviewers found them to be a bit narrow, so they might not be a good fit for those with wider feet.
7. MOST COMFORTABLE LIGHT WEIGHT SHOES
New Balance Womens Fuelcore Nergize V1 Sneaker
PROS
- Lightweight and portable
- Great value
- Wide options
CONS
- Run small (try a half size up)
Looking for something a little more budget-friendly that will still keep your feet comfortable after long hours out and about? These sneakers by New Balance are one of the most affordable styles we evaluated, but don’t let the low price fool you. They’re both high-performing and high-quality. Our testers raved that these sneakers were comfy to wear when walking and working out. These were also one of the lightest sneakers we evaluated, so they’re easy to pack in a gym bag and take on the go. Plus, their slim style is easy to squish down and fit inside a carry-on bag or tote. We also like that they’re available in both regular and wide sizes, although we did find they tend to run a little small.
8. MOST COMFORTABLE SHOES FOR WIDE FEET
Orthofeet Plantar Fasciitis Women’s Sneakers
PROS
- Standard, wide and extra-wide sizes available
- Supportive memory foam footbed
CONS
- Not as stylish as other picks
Featuring options for wide, extra wide and extra extra wide feet, these sneakers from Orthofeet should fit just about any foot. They’re perfect for people who often find that shoes are too narrow, but they’re also available in regular sizing for those that don’t need any extra width. We did find that these shoes are a little less stylish than some other picks on this list but are still available in some nice versatile color options. The stretchy knit fabric upper helps accommodate a variety of foot shapes as well as bunions. If you have plantar fasciitis, these shoes feature anatomical arch support to reduce pressure on your feet and encourage better alignment. And the mild rocker sole design helps to improve your walking form, encouraging you to walk from heel to toe.
9. MOST COMFORTABLE RUNNING SHOES
Brooks Women’s Ghost 14
PROS
- System of shock absorbers
- Designed for stability and support
CONS
- Few color options for wide and narrow styles
These running shoes from Brooks offer excellent stability, which makes hitting the pavement (or treadmill) a bit easier. There’s cushioning on the heel with the brand’s “Segmented Crash Pad” outsole, which refers to a system of shock absorbers for a smooth ride. Ideal for beginners and experts alike, online reviewers rave that Brooks sneakers provide great control which can help prevent foot pain. One tester with chronic foot pain said she normally can’t find any comfortable shoes to wear but described this pair as “amazing,” and other testers gave the shoes high scores for their cushioning and support. We appreciate that this style is available in wide and narrow sizes to help accommodate different foot types, but we did notice fewer color options for wide and narrow sizes than regular sizes.
10. MOST COMFORTABLE WEDGES
Clarks Women’s Annadel Eirwyn Wedge Sandal
PROS
- Platform sole
- Soft leather upper
- Adjustable loop closure
CONS
- They run narrow
These wedges from Clarks are constructed with supple leather and a soft, cushioned midsole. The cork platform design gives you more lift without extra strain. Because these sandals run a bit narrower according to online reviewers, some recommend going up a half size. We also appreciate that they’re available in wide sizes so you can opt for that if you’re worried about them running too narrow for your foot. An adjustable strap with a loop closure and velcro will help the shoes stay in place all day long. They’re also available in two different colors, a light and dark neutral, so you can wear them with almost everything.
