We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Unless otherwise specified, all sizes in this post are listed in women's.
1. A pair of sport shoes that are so lightweight, you might just forget you're wearing anything on your feet at all! You'll love wearing these on super hot days because your feet will get much-needed airflow through the breathable material.
Promising review: "Bought these for a trip, and they were perfect! No need to break in. I recently had some aching with my plantar fasciitis and needed not to spend a lot of money before my trip. Walked for six hours in the Florida heat with no problem. Not sure about long-term use, but they’ll do for the week. Next morning, no aches!" —Nakita
Get them from Amazon for $17.84+ (available in sizes 6–11 and in 16 colors).
2. A pair of espadrille platform sandals if you're looking for a little bit of height but still want to be comfortable. If I were packing for a week-long trip and I could only take one pair of shoes, this would be it. It's like having sandals *and* heels in one. Plus, have we mentioned how easy they are to walk in?!
Promising review: "I was happily surprised with how comfortable these shoes are. They did not need any breaking in, and after wearing them and walking in them all day, they leave no blisters or irritation. The sole is cushioned, preventing your feet from hurting like other flat sandals often do. There is a slight learning curve if you’re not used to walking in platforms, but I love them! The beige/sand color goes with everything." —SK Thomson
Get them from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes 6–11 with wide options and five colors).
3. A pair of super-sturdy, high-quality Chelsea boots everyone should own a pair of. You'll instantly realize how smart of a purchase you made when you discover these can go with literally any outfit you pick out.
Promising review: "Love these boots for so many reasons — comfortable fit right away, no break-in period, and you can wear all day without issue. They are a versatile style, have a classic design that can be styled up or down, a nonslip sole, and offer easy on/off. I will order in other colors!" —Jo-
Get them from Amazon for $160 (available in sizes 5–11 and in nine colors).
4. Some braided heel sandals if you're always looking for the perfect shoe to wear to any kind of nice event like baby showers or weddings. You'll look super fashion-forward showing off the braided straps, and the not-too-high block heel will leave you feeling confident and most importantly NOT in pain.
Promising review: "Reaching for these sandals more and more because they’re comfy, cute, and elevate my outfits! They didn’t require any breaking in, and I’ve worn them for an entire day out and had no issues with long-term wear. Fit was true to size. Going to get another color since I love them so much!" —Nidhi Patel
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in sizes 6–10 and 26 colors and styles).
5. A sustainable pair of Allbirds "Tree Dasher 2" sneakers — they do the nearly impossible job of supporting you during a run and also looking streamlined and polished when you wear them post-work out. Say goodbye to bulky, chunky, ugly workout shoes of the past.
6. These everyday ballet flats with oh-so-comfy cushioning on the back heel so they won't dig into your ankle and cause blisters like many other flats do. They're also made from a very soft, flexible fabric so they move with you.
Promising review: "I have such a hard time finding comfortable flats to wear that don’t dig into my feet. These flats are super comfortable from the moment you put them on. No break-in period needed! Highly recommend!" —Riane
Get it from Amazon for $17.43+ (available in sizes 5–15, two widths, and in 30 colors).
7. Or cross-strap ballerina flats — we promise your feet will feel MUCH better in these than in ballet pointe shoes! The padded insole provides just the right amount of cushion, and the back actually zips up so your heel won't pop out!
Promising review: "I loved these shoes. I've bought other flats from stores like H&M for more money, and they didn't feel as comfortable as these did. These have padding in them which I love. I thought I'd need to break them in the first day, but they were very comfortable right out of the box, and they didn't chafe or rub my feet at all. For me, the only thing is the cross straps on one shoe are a tad bit longer than the other shoe which can kinda look funny, but it's a small detail you have to be looking for to really notice." —alex
Get them from Amazon for $27.99 (available in sizes 5.5–11 and 11 colors).
8. These more fashion-forward lace-up boots from Thesus that you can wear straight from the hiking trail to brunch with your besties. This fashion brand is all about sustainability, so these boots are made with recycled wool and repurposed plastic.
Thesus is a POC woman-led small business based in Ontario, Canada, creating sustainable outdoor footwear that looks good and is comfortable. They use material that's 90% sustainable and traceable.
Promising review: "I really love these boots. They are extremely comfortable, and there was no breaking-in period. I sized up as recommended, and they fit perfectly. I can wear them with an insole and thick socks. If you plan to wear them with just a thin sock, you could probably stick to your usual size. I’ve gone on several hikes since getting these, and they don’t rub at all. I think I’ll end up getting another color because I like them so much. And they look cute!" —Norah
Get it from Thesus for $198 (available in EU sizes 36–46 and 11 colors).
9. Or this pair of swoon-worthy boots because you deserve a pair of snow shoes that don't leave you with blistered heels. The best part is that you can comfortably start wearing them the second snow starts to fall.
BuzzFeed Shopping senior writer Emma Lord had this to say: "I only got these because it was a Black Friday sale because for some reason, I am very resentful about purchasing boots (I love sneakers too much to function), but after wearing them all of last autumn and winter, I would have paid full price and then some. They're ridiculously comfortable, keep my feet warm and dry, and I felt very secure walking in them on a day with fresh snow and the day after, when the sidewalks were icy. There was no break-in period, either, which I appreciate because I tend to go on long walks. There are no half sizes, and some reviewers suggested leaning toward your lower size if you're usually a half — this was true for me! They run a smidge large."
Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in sizes 5–11 and five colors).
10. Italian leather day heels because wearing heels shouldn't mean ending the day in a whimpering pile of pain. The two-inch block heel is sturdy and supportive, and the elastic backing conforms to your feet so there's no slippage in the back when you walk, which will reduce the chance of blisters popping up.
Promising review: "So comfortable and didn't need any 'breaking in' time. I went back to work after a year of wearing trainers, so I needed something comfy, stylish, and versatile, and this one ticks all the boxes." —Kavita D
Get it from Everlane for $175 (available in sizes 5–11 and in five colors).
11. Lace-up loafers with more than 98,000 five-star ratings if you're someone who prefers to slip right into your shoes and head out the door. Whether you're running errands, at the park, or going to brunch, these casual but comfy shoes will keep your feet feeling great all day.
Promising review: "These are the most comfortable shoes right out of the box! No need to break them in, they are the best. Hey Dudes are true to size. Definitely going to order more." —Caigesmama
Get them from Amazon for $35.56+ (available in sizes 5–11 and in 76 styles).
12. Durable Teva Tirra sandals if you love the durability and comfort of a sneaker but prefer the breeziness of a sandal. Whether you're camping, going for a walk, or just rocking these on a daily basis, you can rest assured you'll have these for literal years to come.
My colleague Danielle Healy loves these! Here's what she has to say about them: "I cannot say enough wonderful things about these sandals. They required ZERO break-in time and were ready for long-term wear right out of the box. For a hiking sandal, I think they still look sleek enough to pair with a casual sundress, and they keep my feet cool while still managing to put an actually supportive sole between my feet and the sidewalk. I've worn them constantly for close to three years now, and they still look basically perfect."
Get it from Amazon for $69.93+ (available in sizes 5–12 and in 21 colors).
13. Slip-on mules that are giving some serious cool fashion blogger vibes. They transition super well from season to season— just imagine how great they'll look with jeans and a flannel top as well as shorts and a tank top!
14. A timeless pair of Naturalizer pointed-toe pumps you'll want to have waiting in your closet for any last-minute fancy dinners or important job interviews. You can rely on these babies for making you look put-together in an instant!
Plus: Naturalizer is known for having some of the comfiest shoes on the market, and many reviewers say they still feel comfortable in these shoes even after a full day!
Promising review: "No need to break in. I was able to wear these for a two-day business trip without any issues. I love that these have a high heel but have lots of arch support. Thank you for making it in wide-width, too!!" —melissa1998
Get them from Nordstrom for $69.99+ (available in sizes 5–13, three widths, and five colors).
Plus, here are some stylish white heels to round out your collection.
15. A pair of sneakers that might just be the most inclusively sized pair of shoes we've seen — these come in quarter sizes, which means if, for example, you're in between a size 8 and a 8.5, you can order 8.25! You'll be amazed at how much a truly perfect fit can transform the comfort level of your footwear.
Atoms is a South Asian-founded small business that sells ultra-comfortable, everyday shoes. They're headquartered in Brooklyn, and one of the co-founders Sidra Qasim was featured on Humans of New York!
Promising review: "I love my Model 000 white sneakers. The first time I wore them was on a trip, and I wore them for two days straight. There was no break-in required. They are my new favorite shoes! They are lightweight but provide good support, too. I washed them, and they came out looking brand new, and they dried really fast." —Julia W.
Get it from Atoms for $145 (available in women's sizes 5–16.5 with quarter size increments and in six colors; also available in men's sizes 3.5–15 with quarter size increments).