It’s Summer Comfort Shoe Guide time, guys!!! I’ve expanded the categories even further this year (12 different styles of comfort shoes!!!) because after being vaccinated, I am out and about and wearing ALL the comfortable shoes!
I almost exclusively wear shoes from comfort shoe brands, but finding the cutest and most stylish from these brands can be a bit of a chore. I, therefore, did a good chunk of the research, searching and narrowing down for you in this post.
Dress (XS) | Bag (similar) | Birkenstocks | Birks More Sizes
The Cutest, Most Comfortable Sandals & Summer Shoes
For those of you new to my GIANT comfort shoe roundups, think of this post as a comprehensive menu of comfortable shoes. You decide what type of comfortable summer shoe you’re looking for, click on the category link in the table of contents, and I share with you my top shoe picks from that category (as an expert who owns WAY too many comfort shoes and has tried a bazillion more). I’m a gal who likes options, so I try to include a range of prices, a range of favorite brands, and a range of styles, but I narrow it down to only the ones I find wearable (in terms of appearance AND comfort).
**If you’re in a hurry, Shana and I pick out our top pick from each category in this collage.**
Before we get started with the table of contents …a quick shout out to a few brands that are nailing it this year:
- FitFlop: This has been a favorite summer brand for me for YEARS and YEARS! Like walking on clouds. I especially like this new sleek flip flop and this new sandal. Their Lulus will always be a closet favorite of mine, though. They offer 25% off for healthcare workers on their site.
- Birkenstock: As much as I’ve tried branching out, the Birkenstock classics are still going super-strong. Everyone’s fav Gizeh and my go-to everyday slides are still SUPER popular, but if you’re looking for something special, customize your own Birks or select these Birks masterpieces, both through Black-owned-business Michael Grey Footwear.
- UGG: SO many cute (and comfortable) summer espadrilles. Go UGG Go on the stylish options this season! In particular, these platforms and these wedges (I like the tan or navy).
- Naturalizer: Shout out to beloved Naturalizer (the only high heels I can walk in) for their True Colors line with 10…yes 10! different shades of nude. Particularly excited about these heels and these flip flops and their nude color selections.
Our Guide To The Most Stylish, Comfortable Shoes & Sandals For Summer
Table of Contents
(click any link below to be taken to that section)
1. Light-Colored Sandals
2. Dark-Colored Sandals
3. Patterns, Prints & Bold Sandals
4. Summer Lovin’ Espadrilles
5. Slide Sandals (Without The Toe Thingy)
6. Easy Flip Flops
7. Clippity-Clop Summer Clogs
8. Water-Friendly Sandals
9. Closed-Toe Summer Shoes
10. Chic Flats
11. Fancy Heels
12. Sandals With Wide Sizing
Shana’s Picks: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 or 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Linzi’s Picks: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 or 5| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
1. Light-Colored Sandals
2. Dark-Colored Sandals
3. Prints, Patterns & Bold-Colored Sandals
4. Summer Lovin’ Espadrilles
5. Slide Sandals (Without That Toe Thingy)
6. Easy Flip Flops
7. Clippity-Clop Clogs
8. Water-Friendly Sandals
9. Closed-Toe Summer Shoes
10. Chic Flats
11. Fancy Heels
12. Shoes With Wide Sizing
For you gals with narrow feet, once again, I didn’t purposefully forget about you, but the options are still so limited in terms of “officially narrow” sizing. Shana has narrower feet than me (but not so narrow that she has to buy narrow size) and finds Naturalizer, UGGs, Everlane, Cole Haan, Kenneth Cole and EILEEN FISHER work for her. TME readers with narrower feet have also suggested Fly London, Clarks, Camper, Wanda Panda, Ecco, Saltwater, Naot, Sorel, Beeks, some UGGs, Sam Edelman, Eccos, CC Corso Comos, Tevas, and anything with adjustable straps and buckles.
And for everyone else…please shout out any brands I missed or any brands you’re particularly loving these days–I know I sometimes get fixated on my own personal favorite brands, but the comment section is a fabulous way to share some more! Love to hear from you guys (especially when we’re talking comfort shoes). Here’s To Happy Feet! Always!
-Linzi
Always love Linzi’s comfort shoe roundups! Thank you! I’d add that for me, Toms are a very comfy summer option. I also have and (used to?) love the Sorels that are Shana’s top pick in the “on the lighter side” category, in the color shown here — but my sister told me the ankle straps look like bandages and I haven’t been able to get over it. I now kind of wish I’d opted for a different color. (The power of a big sister, even when you are 46!)
Ha, Rebecca! I think some folks have gotten that with their Eileen Fisher sports sandals as well when they match their skin tone….I like the look and say WEAR THEM if you love them, but I guess I can see their point as well. Haha! Great suggestion on the Toms…Backcountry has them on sale quite often too. I may have to go add a pair to this round-up. I really like them for a closed-toe summer option that feels like a sneaker, but doesn’t look too “sneaker-y”.
I found these at Target, and they are remarkably comfortable–the footbed is cushioned! They feel a lot like some Born sandals that I bought on Shana’s recommendation a few years ago. https://www.target.com/p/women-s-nyla-ankle-strap-sandals-universal-thread/-/A-81172357?preselect=80850478#lnk=sametab
Great find, Erin!! Woohoo for comfortable shoes that are budget-friendly! Curious…do they provide much arch support? I have found that some of the more budget-friendly options are plenty cushy for my feet, but my arches start hurting after a while, but hoping that’s not the case with these because they look so good. I think that a ton of brands, though, are getting better and better at meeting our desire for happy feet!!! Thanks again, Erin.
I love these comfort shoes posts! I already appreciated the comfort shoe before COVID, but after a year of wearing only Birkenstocks, I’m not going back. My new favorite discover has been Bionica. I picked up a pair at Nordstrom Rack at my first in-person clothes shopping trip and they’re like amazing clouds on my feet.
Allison! Thank you! These look great! I LOVE hearing about brands I haven’t tried. Was just looking at these and they look very similar to the beloved Sofft sandals, but a bit edgier. Great suggestion. https://shopstyle.it/l/bvf0r
Whoa, this is a serious round-up! Thank you so much, Linzi! I am also a die-hard comfort shoe/sandal gal. My go-to sandal for the past few years has been Born – In particular, I have some iteration of this pair in three colors: http://www.zappos.com/p/born-trang-light-gold-metallic/product/8993253/color/39222?zlfid=191&ref=pd_search_1_sp_1
Heavenly cushy goodness!
I have those same Borns in light gold! They’re fantastic. I’ve used them in the past as a great travel shoe….they take up no room at all and go with everything! And yay for cushy footbeds. They don’t provide as much support as some of my thicker soled comfort shoes, but Borns are pretty much the only thin/flat shoe I can wear. Thanks for commenting, Jade! Love to talk comfort shoes with you all!
I always love Linzi’s posts! Can anyone tell me what jeans she is wearing in the pic with the blue clogs? The ones with the zigzaggy hem?
Oh I’m so glad you like them! I’m wearing MOTHER Insider Chew Hem denim in that photo…they’re one of my most worn jeans right now. Expensive, but comfortable, fit well, look good in the tush, and just the right leg opening and straightness/flare for me. They’ve been hard to find b/c they sold out so fast, but they are restocked in most sizes here: https://shopstyle.it/l/bvf0M. I’m searching for something similar that’s less expensive, but haven’t found it yet. I review 11 different pairs of MOTHER denim here if you want to see more photos of them. https://themomedit.com/shopping-womens-ultimate-buying-guide-mother-denim-jeans-worth-the-price-high-waisted-straight-leg-skinny-flare-ankle-cropped-distressed-dressingroomselfies-linzi/
Yes! Pre-COVID I also wore them for travel and theme parks – hoping to do so again soon!! Also – let’s not discount the value of a good insert. Wedges I wear for work typically come from J Crew – polished and professional but not the most comfortable Throw in a Dr Scholl’s insert and you get cute and comfy!
My favorite heeled sandals, though, have always been Chie Miharas. A little funky, very stylish, and great footbed support.
(Apologies that I am so passionate about comfort shoes LOL)
Thanks, Erin! Excited to try a new “Born alternative” brand.
Linzi, thank you! Your posts (and the comments) are always a treasure trove of hope for my fussy feet.
I just discovered the Dansko’s Madalyn sandal/clog. It feels very secure on my feet and walkable.
*Tip – the “cinnamon” color is not as red in person – it’s more similar to the color shown in the product video on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T5DDKMF/ref=twister_B07DXBXSSH