We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A square-toe sandal you need in your closet to be the emergency heel you know you won't have a hard time with that matches any conceivable outfit.
Promising reviews: "I really love the height of these shoes. Perfect to take you from a daytime look for work with jeans or dress pants and a blouse then to after dinner drinks. Without hurting your feet after a full day. The semi block heel look is also awesome. I plan to wear these for an upcoming wedding. I love not having an ankle strap and these just slip right on. Definitely will buy again in the tan suede next!!" —Alexandria Arbiz
"These are a dream. They look and feel like high end designer heels for an affordable price. I love that they slip right on and off but are snug enough to stay on throughout the day. Fits true to size...They are a new favorite since they are so versatile and pair beautifully with pretty much any outfit or style. LOVE THEM. Would highly recommend." —LW
Get it from Amazon for $45.57+ (available in sizes 5–13 and 21 colors).
2. A pair of classic jelly sandals featuring the nostalgic, gelatinous, glittery material childhood you would be supremely jealous of, but all grown up with a slight heel.
Promising review: "These jellies are some of the best I’ve had. The plastic is soft, malleable, and easy to walk in. In other shoes I’m a 7.5/8 so, I ordered a size 8 and they fit perfectly. The heel is hollow and the shoe is lightweight, as opposed to other brands." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in sizes 5–8 and nine colors).
3. A pair of blocky braided-strap heels reviewers say will stun you with their sheer comfort, not to mention their sheer likeness to fancier, more expensive brands.
Promising review: "Bought these on a whim because they are so much cheaper than other styles like them and WOW they are SO CUTE. Comfortable, easy to walk in due to the block heel, and will go with everything. Wearing them to a wedding next weekend and will report how they hold up. UPDATE: Wore them ALL day for a wedding and did not complain about my feet hurting or having to take my shoes off once. I’m amazed. Buying in a second color now." —Madison
Get it from Amazon for $44.88+ (available in sizes 5–11 and in 26 colors).
4. A black chunky sandal fulfilling all of your punk-adjacent fantasies and enabling you to become the stompy goth goddess you've always wanted to be.
Promising review: "I bought these a few weeks ago and my main concern was how comfy they would be. When I tried them on I loved how they felt and they were super comfy to walk around all day! <3" —Verified Purchaser
Get it from Asos for $37 (available in sizes 4–13).
5. A pair of Clarks slingback sandals with just the tiniest bit of height so if you prefer a cushy footbed your feet will breathe a sigh of relief as they slip into instead of a super high heel.
Promising review: "I could cry tears of joy thinking about these shoes. I have plantar fasciitis with flat feet, and regularly experience heel/arch pain any time I stand or walk for an extended period of time — even with tennis shoes! I had planned a trip to NYC, and knew we would be walking several miles every day. After extended research on many types of walking sandals, I chose these shoes. I am SO glad I did! I walked 9–10 miles four days in a row in NYC and experienced NO pain! I couldn't believe it. The first day, I kept thinking the pain was eventually going to come on, but it never did. These shoes feel like you're walking on clouds. Additionally, they're very versatile; I wore them with shorts, jeans, and a romper on my trip, and they looked pretty good with everything. To be honest, I was afraid these would look a little dorky when I ordered them, but they didn't at all. I would highly recommend these shoes to anyone needing a good pair of shoes, particularly if you're looking for shoes that you'll be walking around in a lot on a trip." —Luke Mathes
Get it from Amazon for $50.99+ (available in sizes 4.5–8 and four colors)
6. A Lifestride wedge sandal whose heel is barely even there, affording you maximum comfort and walkability while allowing you to technically say that you're "wearing heels."
Promising review: "These shoes are amazing. I have a horrible back and live in constant pain — except when I’m wearing these. I’ve worn them all day long without wanting to take them off. Any other shoe I want to rip off at the end of the day for my commute home and switch to slippers or flip flops. I’ve worn these straight through an hour of traffic after a 10 hour work day and am still fine when I get home. Bought them in every color." —Jenny
Get it from Amazon for $38.46+ (available in sizes 5–11, with certain Wide sizes, and five colors).
7. A Dr. Scholl's platform sandal that's the magical combo between walking shoe and chic city-stomping heel you never knew you needed in your life until now.
8. A Sorel slingback wedge sandal giving off major '70s vibes I can just picture wearing with a favorite pair of flare jeans and stepping out, funky tunes blaring, like the main character in a rom-com.
Promising review: "I'm always surprised by how comfortable Sorel shoes are, these wedges included. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, as this is my sixth purchase in just a few years. But MAN are these comfortable! I broke both of my feet and have been wearing only tennis shoes for the last decade. I am thrilled to have found a brand offering supremely good looking shoes that don't hurt. thanks again, Sorel, for making stylish shoes that I can wear all day without pain." —cbk329
Get it from Sorel for $130 (available in sizes 5–12 and six colors).
9. A low-heeled sandal with a sculptural kitten heel you can just slip on without skimping on sophistication, especially if you want to impress your companions with your stamina on your next night out.
Promising review: "I love a kitten heel right now! They're so easy to walk in and give a little more elevation to an outfit than a flat sandal. I have the crystal vinyl pair and they go really well with almost any outfit!" —Linzy
Get it from Dolce Vita for $100 (available in sizes 5–13 and six colors).
10. A pair of genuine Italian leather gladiator-heeled sandals featuring an adjustable ankle strap so you won't be wobbling around like the world's most stylish baby deer.
Marcella NYC is a woman-owned small biz that designs gorgeous minimalist clothing in NYC, handcrafted in Europe.
Promising review: "Whoever said that diamonds are a girl's best friend was wrong. I love my new high heels. Perfect fit and excellent for any occasion from casual to going out for date night. I have no complaints. I am always well received at Marcella. Also, I got them just in time. Thank You💗." —doloresgomez815
Get it from Marcella NYC on Etsy for $166.50 (available in US sizes 6–11 and two colors).
11. A square-toe heeled sandal reminiscent of your mom's well-worn work shoes from the '90s, in the best way possible, because who's more stylish than your mom? No one.
Promising review: "I don’t normally write reviews, but I ordered these shoes as a bridesmaid for my best friend’s wedding, and they were perfect. Extremely comfortable, and I couldn’t have been happier with this purchase. Had other bridesmaids saying they wish they brought them as well. Extremely happy with these shoes. I’m a 6.5 and sometimes have issues finding shoes being a half size but these were true to size as well! Highly recommend." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $49.90 (available in sizes 5–13).
12. A vegan kitten heel sandal constructed with a slingback design that positively screams laidback chic — i.e. the art of looking like you don't have a care in the world.
Matt & Nat is an Asian-owned vegan brand based in Montreal creating experimental bags, shoes, and apparel.
Get it from Matt & Nat for $57 (originally $95; available in US sizes 5–10).
13. A heeled sandal made with stretchy straps that won't butcher your poor feet into oblivion, because we all know the feeling of getting off the dance floor and not even wanting to look at the bloodbath below.
Promising review: "I love these shoes. They arrived right on time, and are so comfortable! They fit true to size. The straps are stretchy thick fabric. They look really nice, but they are soft and stretchy, so no pinching or straining my feet as I've experienced with other strappy shoes. The wide heels make them comfortable to stand and walk in as opposed to shoes with spiky heels that can be hard to balance in. I can wear these for hours and my feet are not sore the next day. Highly recommend them as an affordable attractive high heel." —Cari Ann Fox
Get them from Amazon for $44.99+ (available in sizes 5–11, as well as Wide sizes).
14. An Aerosoles wedge sandal to replace all other flimsy sandals in your closet and make you forget you ever used to wear shoes that didn't make you an inch taller going about your day.
Promising review: "Love my new Zeff sandals! It is so stylish with the sneaker edge banding and yet so very comfortable. I got the black which makes them versatile — can be dressed up or down. The platform heel provides height. It is a really well made sandal. True to size." —Carolyn W.
Get it from Aerosoles for $55 (originally $110; available in sizes 5–12 and in four colors/patterns).
