The 7 Comfortable (and Cute) Shoe Brands I Recommend to All My Friends

Sorry, but what even is a comfortable shoe? For so long, I kind of just assumed that in order to walk around all day and not want to rip my shoes off the moment I walked through the door, it was a given that I had to wear something a little clunky (or sneakers). I accepted that comfortable shoes had to sacrifice style and looking on-trend, which just simply isn't the case, as you're about to find out. Had I known about the following shoe brands earlier, I could have saved myself some serious time, money, and blisters (so many blisters).

Once I realized that there's actually a wealth of shoes that are just as comfortable as they are cool, it was like I won the lottery, and now I go around telling anyone who will listen about my findings. I should also point out that there isn't a sneaker in sight in the below roundup. Nope, instead, I wanted to show just how sleek and polished the shoes on offer from these brands really are—you'll find everything from sleek mesh ballet flats to leather loafers you'll wear for years to come. Ahead, discover why I'm recommending the following labels, and then shop my picks of the most comfortable shoe brands I've ever tried.

1. Dear Frances

Aside from being one of the chicest ethical and sustainable shoe brands out there, Dear Frances uses the best quality materials to make its shoes, and it really makes a difference in how it feels to walk all day in one of its boots, sandals, or pumps.

2. Vagabond Shoemakers

For a shoe brand where the majority of the styles are under $200, finding a pair of Vagabond shoes feels like a secret. How are they this good and this affordable? It seems too good to be true, yet the three pairs of shoes I own from the brand speak for themselves. The true test? Somehow the pumps are downright enjoyable for all-day wear.

3. Dr. Martens

Ask anyone who owns a pair of Dr. Martens, and they'll happily share just how comfortable they really are. Don't let the break-in period deter you—once your Docs are nice and worn in, they actually mold to the shape of your foot, so it ends up feeling like you're walking on a cloud (speaking from experience here).

4. G.H.Bass

No matter the season, my classic penny loafers from G.H.Bass are always in heavy rotation. After just a few wears, they mold to your feet for the perfect fit that I swear makes them comfier to wear than half of the sneakers I own, and considering the brand was founded in 1876, it's clearly had time to perfect them. To me, they're the ultimate high-quality, long-lasting wardrobe staple.

5. Paige

Don't take the recommendation from me; take it from one of the many Who What Wear editors (and Kaia Gerber) who can attest that the denim brand's shoe collection is equally as comfortable as its well-known jeans.

6. Essen

Comfortable shoes (that don't compromise style) are hard to come by, so I was impressed to discover Essen, whose shoes have a timeless quality about them with certain details that make them feel more forward.

7. Eledera

No matter how comfortable a pair of shoes promises to be, I always loathe the break-in period, so I was very pleased to find that the shoes from this Milan-based label have zero downtime. I wore its red suede ballet flats right out of the box for a busy day filled with meetings and barely felt a thing, which almost never happens with a new pair of shoes. It speaks to the great care that the brand takes with its quality and craftsmanship.

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.