Years ago I had a pair of tan thong sandals with heels that I wore with literally everything. They worked with linen pants that were a little too long, colorful dresses that needed a neutral shoe, jeans, shorts, everything. I wore them so much that I actually wore the heel down to the nail, slipped because of it, and still have the scar on my foot to prove it.
Styles changed and evolved for a while, so when thong sandals with heels started popping back up again I was thrilled. Those old sandals had been such a go-to for me that I was determined to find a pair that could replace them.
The problem is that thong sandals with heels are surprisingly tricky. Some are comfortable, some look great but hurt almost immediately, and one pair in this group may be the Most Uncomfortable Sandal I’ve ever tried.
The Quest For Comfortable Thong Sandals With Heels
I tried twelve different thong sandals with heels, from kitten heels to wedges, to see which ones were actually comfortable to walk in.
What I quickly realized is that tiny details make a big difference with this style. The softness of the toe post, the width of the heel, and even the finish of the material can completely change how comfortable they are. Some were great, some were just okay, and a couple were truly terrible.
Here’s how they all stacked up.
TL;DR: My Top 3 Thong Sandals With Heels
If you just want the highlights, these were my favorites from the bunch. If you’re short on time, these are the three I’d start with.
Best Everyday Neutral:
Pelle Moda Slide Sandal – Comfortable straps, a soft toe post, and the perfect 2 1/4″ heel. These were the closest to the pair I used to wear with everything. (Also at Zappos.)
Best Modern Shape:
Marc Fisher Pelysa Ankle Strap Sandal – A sleek, modern silhouette with a stable heel and an adjustable ankle strap that still slips easily over the heel.
Best Dressy Option:
Marc Fisher Adia Flip Flop in Gold – The gold version felt noticeably softer than the tan pair and the shade adds a little polish to outfits.
10 Pairs of Thong Sandals with Heels Worth Wearing
Whether you’re looking for black, neutral, or gold, wedges or kitten heels, there’s something here for you.
1. Pelle Moda Slide Sandal
Closest to my old favorite pair and one of my overall top picks.
These were one of my favorites. They’re almost exactly like a pair I used to wear constantly years ago, so I was thrilled to find something so similar. The neutral color goes with everything, from linen pants to dresses to jeans and shorts.
The sole isn’t slippery, the straps are comfortable, and the toe post isn’t stiff or irritating like some of the others I tried. The 2 1/4″ heel is perfect, it adds a little height without feeling hard to walk in. These run true to size for me.
2. Marc Fisher Pelysa Ankle Strap Sandal
Sleek, modern, and surprisingly comfortable.
Another favorite pair. I loved the modern shape of these. The ankle strap is adjustable, which helps them feel a bit sturdier, and I like that you can slip them on over your heel so you don’t have to buckle them every time (a personal pet peeve of mine).
The heel widens slightly at the base, so they feel stable rather than wobbly, and the 2 1/4″ height is perfect. I also love the black finish, it’s shiny but not overly glossy like patent leather. They also come in silver, dark brown, tan, and white. I found them to run true to size.
3. Sam Edelman Pax Ankle Strap Sandal
Delicate and minimalist, but still easy to walk in.
Nordstrom | Sam Edelman | Zappos
If you like the look of delicate strappy sandals but want something easier to walk in, these are a really good option. I loved the minimalist look of the thinner straps on these. They’re basically my favorite style of strappy sandals, just in a thong version. The ankle strap keeps them secure so you don’t get that thwap thwap sound you sometimes get with regular flip flops, and it also makes them feel a little more elevated.
Nordstrom | Sam Edelman | Zappos
Again, that 2 1/4″ heel is perfect for adding a bit of height while still being easy to walk in, and the ankle strap is adjustable and can also be slipped on over the heel. The toe straps are slightly snug and the sole runs a little narrow, so that’s something to keep in mind if you have wider feet. They also come in ivory, dark brown, beige, and tan.
4. Schutz Lys Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal
Super stylish and sturdy, love the gold detail.
OMG I love these. The anklet attachment is so good, and it can be removed so they’re basically two shoes in one, right? They’re wedges, so they feel really sturdy to walk in, and the under 2″ heel is comfortable. I was worried the higher placement of the upper would be tight on my higher arches, but it didn’t dig in at all.
That said, I do wish the toe post was a bit softer. Since I kept the Pelysa sandals above, I ended up ordering these in the sugar white and found that the toe post was softer in that shade–yay!
5. SARTO by Franco Sarto Kayla Block Heel Sandal
Very comfortable and stable, especially if you have wider feet.
The 1 3/4″ block heel makes these really sturdy compared to smaller kitten heels (and it’s translucent on the black pair, which I didn’t realize when I ordered them, cool little detail). They’re easy to walk in and feel very stable. The strap doesn’t feel tight on my arches, and the toe post isn’t uncomfortable either.
The sole under the ball of my foot felt slightly wider than some of the others I tried, so these could be a good option for wider feet. They also come in linen white and a brown pattern.
6. Marc Fisher Antonia Sandal
Comfortable but the stitching detail was a deal-breaker for me.
Nordstrom | Marc Fisher | Zappos
These have the 2 1/4″ heel height I love, and they felt stable when walking around in them. The straps are comfortable and didn’t dig in at all.
Nordstrom | Marc Fisher | Zappos
I wasn’t a fan of the topstitching, though, a small detail, but it ended up being a deal-breaker for me (although it’s not visible in the ivory color). They also come in black and dark red. This medium natural shade was a bit darker and browner than it looked online, so even though they were comfortable, they went back.
7. Nine West Cruise Kitten Heel Flip Flop
A solid, comfortable option with a sturdier kitten heel.
These are good. I like the patent leather shine and the thinner strap details, and they don’t dig in at all. The heel is similar to a kitten heel but has a wider base, which makes it sturdier and easier to walk in than some of the slimmer kitten heels. The toe post didn’t bother me like some of the others I tried, and overall they felt comfortable.
I do wish there was a little more padding on the sole, but these would still be a yes. They run true to size, if not just slightly big. The heel is 1 3/4″, and they also come in white and orange.
8. Nine West Cassa Sandal
Fine, but the heel felt so small I’d probably just wear flats.
Nordstrom | Zappos | DSW (on sale)
These technically have a 1.5″ heel, but for some reason they felt much shorter to me, almost to the point where I wondered what the point was and thought I might as well just wear flats. That said, they’re fairly comfortable and feel secure when walking.
Nordstrom | Zappos | DSW (on sale)
The straps are slightly stiffer than I’d prefer, and I personally tend to like the look of thinner, more minimalist straps anyway. Overall they’re fine, just not my favorite. But if you’re looking for a sandal with only the smallest bit of heel, these could work. They also come in black, dark brown, ivory, and a black and white snake print.
9. Dolce Vita Brevel Kitten Heel Flip Flop
A great dressier option with a stable kitten heel.
Nordstrom | Zappos | Dolce Vita (LOTS of colors)
The perfect shade of gold. The 1 3/4″ heel is slightly thicker than a typical kitten heel, which makes them feel more stable to walk in. I like the strap design across the toes, and while I didn’t find them to be too tight, some reviewers mentioned that they were.
Nordstrom | Zappos | Dolce Vita (LOTS of colors)
I personally love the distressed gold finish, but they also come in black or brown leather, brown or tan raffia, and camel suede (and a lot more straight from Dolce Vita. These run true to size, and I like the slightly squared-off toe.
10. Marc Fisher Adia Flip Flop
Gold version is much softer and ended up being one of my favorites.
Nordstrom | Marc Fisher (on sale) | Zappos (on sale)
I loved the style of these, but the toe post was very stiff and uncomfortable. Luckily I ordered two colors, which (surprisingly) made a big difference.
Nordstrom | Marc Fisher (on sale) | Zappos (on sale)
The medium natural pair was an immediate no, but the gold version felt much softer. It made me realize how much the different textures and finishes on these thong styles can affect comfort, so it’s worth paying attention to the material.
Nordstrom | Marc Fisher (on sale) | Zappos (on sale)
They have the 2 1/4″ heel height I tend to like, and it felt sturdy and easy to walk in even though it’s a bit thinner than some of the others. I was disappointed the tan pair didn’t work because it would go with everything, but the gold is a softer shade that adds a little polish to outfits.
The Ones I Wanted To Love (But Couldn’t)
And finally, a couple that I loved the look of but just couldn’t make work comfort-wise.
1. Jeffrey Campbell Linq Up Slide Sandal
Beautiful but extremely uncomfortable on my arches.
I loved the style of these, but they were very uncomfortable. The gold detail is beautiful, but it’s quite hard and felt awful against my arches. (I do have high arches, so they might work better for someone with lower arches.) I really wanted these to work, and although the 2 3/4″ heel felt stable, that stiff upper was a deal-breaker for me.
It’s hard to tell in photos, but the straps are slightly translucent, a detail that’s more noticeable on the brown shade (they also come in ivory). They only come in whole sizes, and the 8 felt a bit too long on me. (They’re also available in a flat version, but most reviewers agree those are uncomfortable as well.)
2. Marc Fisher LTD Udena Wedge Flip Flop
The most uncomfortable pair I tried.
Nordstrom | Marc Fisher | Zappos
And these take the prize of being the most uncomfortable sandal I’ve ever tried. I literally had to keep checking that I hadn’t accidentally left the cardboard insert in them. I do like the shape, but the gold color is a lot brighter than it looks online, noticeably yellower in person.
Nordstrom | Marc Fisher | Zappos
After looking at the other options, I suspect the medium natural suede finish might be softer, but the gold pair went straight back. These have a 2 1/2″ wedge heel and also come in black, tan (in both suede and leather), baby blue, ivory, and a light raffia.
So after trying all of these, a few things became really clear.
First, toe post comfort matters more than anything else. If that piece is stiff or poorly placed, the sandal is basically unwearable no matter how cute it looks.
Second, heel shape makes a big difference. A slightly wider base or wedge can make the same heel height feel dramatically easier to walk in.
And finally, the material and finish really matter. I was surprised by how different two colors of the exact same sandal could feel, especially with the toe post and straps.
If you’re also on the hunt for a good thong sandal with a heel, hopefully this helps narrow things down a bit.
XOXO,
Scotti
