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Best comfortable shoes for women: treat your feet with our stylish picks
Fed up of aching feet and blistered toes? It's time to treat your feet. We’ve rounded up the comfiest shoes around, as worn and recommended by Mumsnetters. Walk this way...
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Apr 17, 2024
Comfortable shoes have a reputation for being plain and boring, but we feel this is no longer fair. Innovations in design coupled with greater demand has led to a flurry of footwear that is both stylish and focused on taking care of your feet.
Every foot is different, so a really comfortable shoe will be soft, flexible and cushioned so it hugs you perfectly.
There are all sorts of reasons you might want a pair of really comfortable shoes - injury, high-impact sports, an active job, pregnancy or simply because you’re sick of uncomfortable shoes. Most of what makes a shoe comfortable is hidden in its sole, so a recommendation really is invaluable. We’ve waded through hundreds of Mumsnet comments in search of the shoes, boots and sandals that Mumsnetters swear by.
Here are the best comfortable shoes to buy.
1. Best overall comfortable shoes: FitFlop Rally Metallic Slip On Trainers
Price: £50 | Buy now from Amazon
"FitFlop trainers but specifically with the Anatomicush footbed" - recommended by Mumsnet user, CocteauTwin
"The most comfortable things ever. I'm a complete FitFlop convert" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, beguilingeyes
With their thick, expertly engineered soles, FitFlop trainers are Mumsnetter’s pick for the comfiest shoes money can buy. Designed to encourage your foot and leg muscles to work more efficiently, they don’t just take care of your feet, they provide comfort for your whole body. These Rally lace-ups are a casual, versatile pair that’ll keep your feet in the lap of luxury all day long.
2. Best budget comfortable shoes: Skechers Graceful Get Connected Trainers
Price: From £30 | Buy now from Amazon
"Skechers. Apparently a lot of nurses wear them. Most comfy thing I've ever worn" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Oblomov20
"They are the most comfortable footwear I have ever worn. They really are like walking on cushions." - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, RampantIvy
Super comfortable shoes under £50 are few and far between, making Skechers a great brand for blissful trainers on a budget. It’s the memory foam insole that makes these Graceful trainers so comfortable, supporting your feet in all the right places. Plus they have a woven mesh upper that keeps feet cool. The flexible outer sole absorbs shock, so they’re brilliant for exercise as well as everyday wear.
3. Best comfortable trainers for women: Nike Air Max
Price: From £53 | Buy now from Amazon
"Most comfortable trainers I’ve ever had were Nike Air max. No contest. I’ve actually lost mine to my son at the moment and I bought a cheaper pair to replace and now regret it. You can get leather ones which would be good for walking. Ridiculously comfortable and supportive" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Branleuse
Want to feel like you’re walking on air? Nike Air Max will literally do that for you. The iconic air bubble in the sole makes these trainers supremely comfortable, supportive and bouncy. Not content with being Mumsnetters’ favourite comfy trainers, Nike Air Max look pretty cool too, and come in loads of different colourways. Featuring extra padding on the tongue, upper and ankle, Nike Airs fit snugly as well as cushioning every step.
4. Best comfortable sandals: Birkenstock Arizona
Price: From £26 | Buy now from Amazon
"For a sandal option I recommend Birkenstocks. When I was pregnant with DD I did something to my foot (pulled something or other) and it was absolute agony. I bought Birkenstocks and they were perfect (in fact I haven't worn any other sandals since). So supportive and a nice range of colours and styles. You can usually get them reduced from somewhere or other" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, fandemic
Birkenstock Arizonas are the comfiest sandals around. Their casual two-strap style is easy to dress up and down, and the moulded footbed means they’re incredibly comfortable. The straps are adjustable and they’re available in a narrow and wide fit, so you can get the perfect style for your feet. What’s more, they’re slip-on, making them excellent for pregnancy or if you have your hands full with a toddler.
5. Best comfortable shoes for work: Hotter Daisy Shoes
Price: £79 | Buy now from Hotter
"Hotters. Made in the UK. The most comfortable shoes I have bought. For that reason I only buy from them to avoid the disappointments I have had in the past. They do different widths and often have special offers like buy one and get another half price. Sometimes buy two and get third free. They don’t need repairing. They have all sorts of styles" - recommended by Mumsnet user, HappydaysArehere
Hotter are comfort experts. With four width fittings and half sizes available on all their shoes, they strike a balance between high-tech comfort and wearable style. These Daisy deck shoes are smart enough for work, and comfy enough if you're on your feet all day. The soles have a shock-absorbing and cushioned design, plus a specialist insole to support every part of your foot.
6. Best comfortable shoes for walking: All Birds Tree Dasher
Price: £125 | Buy now from Allbirds
"All birds All Birds All birds All birds All birds. Like walking on a bouncy duvet. Like your feet are wrapped in clouds and you’re carried by fairies. They are perfect. I’ve never had shoes like them" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Goslowlysideways
"I have the most hurty feet in the whole world. I absolutely love Allbirds- I have had two pairs of wool runners (I wore the first pair until they died), one pair of wool loungers, for... lounging and just being, and a pair of tree dashers- my favourite walking shoes. I thoroughly recommend them!" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, Imissmoominmama
All hail AllBirds! Mumsnetters truly swear by these innovative trainers thanks to their soft, supportive and highly cushioned design. The knitted upper is made from eucalyptus trees, and the sole is made from sugarcane, making these trainers seriously eco-friendly. Choose from grey, black or limited edition orange, blue or brown and get ready to fall in love.
7. Best comfortable fashionable shoes: Dr Martens Pascal Virginia Ankle Boots
Price: £149 | Buy now from Dr Martens
"I have about 5 different pairs of DM’s (shoes, Mary Janes and boots) that are super comfy and go with everything" - recommended by Mumsnet user, 0ellenbrody0
A comfy boot that never goes out of style, Dr Marten Pascals are a true classic. Available in myriad colours and finishes - as well as a vegan version - we love the iconic black with trademark yellow stitching. While they do need a little wearing in to achieve maximum comfiness, Dr Martens is a perfect choice if you want comfort without compromising on style.
8. Best comfortable shoes for plantar fasciitis: Vionic Brisk
Price: From £85 | Buy now from Amazon
"Highly recommend Vionics. Got a pair of trainers last year and they have cured my PF. At one stage I could not walk in the evenings and first thing in the morning because of the pain, now not a problem at all" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, Tulipdays
"Vionic trainers made a big difference to me. And Birkenstocks in the summer" - recommended by Mumsnet user, losingthemind
If you suffer from the pain of plantar fasciitis, you’ll know the struggle of finding shoes that are comfortable enough. Vionics was founded by a podiatrist and its shoes are designed with conditions like plantar in mind. Mumsnetters love the supportive footbed which helps with your body’s alignment, making these Brisk trainers a real winner.
9. Best comfortable boots: Ecco Elaine Chelsea Boots
Price: From £50 | Buy now from Amazon
"Yes, they are extremely comfortable and I love them a lot. I walk loads as well and would happily do a 10 mile walk in these" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Lottapianos
Danish brand Ecco is well known for practical, quirky shoes and boots, and these Chelsea boots are no exception. The chunky sole and soft leather makes them bouncy and hard wearing, while the innovative inner sole is flexible and supportive. The small heel makes them perfect if you like a little extra height, but still want to feel like you’re walking on a cloud.
10. Best smart comfortable shoes: Clarks Hamble Oak
Price: From £26 | Buy now from Amazon
"These have been recommended hundreds of times but I do think that you can't go wrong with Clarks Hamble Oaks. I can walk around all day in mine and have them in 2 different colours. They go with everything with the exception of bikinis and ballgowns" - recommended by Mumsnet user, EraArils
Clarks have become experts at making comfortable but stylish shoes, and these Hamble Oak brogues are a case in point. Despite the thin sole and lack of cushioning, they’re supremely kind to your feet thanks to the flexible sole that cushions and moves with your every step. Available in 16 different colourways - from classic black to leopard print - these will add a touch of androgyny to your look.
What are the best shoes for comfort and support?
Developed by experts, Vionic shoes offer exceptional comfort and support - they even relieve the pain of plantar fasciitis for some Mumsnetters.
What type of shoe is best to wear if you’re standing all day?
If you’re on your feet all day, a pair of specialist shoes from Hotter or FitFlop will ensure your muscles are aligned in a way that minimises fatigue. If you’re walking around too, it’s a good idea to look for shock absorbent soles, like the ones you’ll find on Skechers or AllBirds.
What is the most comfortable brand of women’s shoes?
AllBirds make incredibly comfortable shoes from natural materials - Mumsnetters love their Tree Dashers and say wearing them is: "Like walking on a bouncy duvet. Like your feet are wrapped in clouds and you’re carried by fairies." (Mumsnet user, Goslowlysideways)
What are the best comfortable shoes to buy?
For a great mix of comfort, quality, price and looks, FitFlop Rally trainers are the best comfortable shoes to buy.
How we chose our recommendations
We first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which comfortable shoes discerning Mumsnetters recommended and had bought themselves, noting their feedback about these brands. We then drew up a shortlist of those that were repeatedly mentioned.
From there, we did some research across the wider web, consulting independent review sites and taking into account what customer reviews said about the products featured. Having collated all that information, we picked the comfortable shoes we thought were worthy of taking the titles in an array of interest categories.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.