14 Pairs of Ballet Flats with Arch Support That Are Equal Parts Comfy and Stylish
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In case you were unaware, ballet flats are back and we’re wearing them with everything from straight-leg jeans to midi skirts. Whether you prefer structured, pointy-toes or pairs that more closely resemble slippers, the ballet flat is an ultra-versatile, feminine touch to any wardrobe. Dr. Pamela Mehta dubbed the Vionic Orinda ballet flats ($120) as a great option for sleek flats with arch support, so that's why we're crowning those the best overall pair for you to shop. You'll also see chic pairs made from recycled materials (!) by sustainable brands like Vivaia and Rothy's on this list. (Psst: if you're trying to choose between the two, we've got you covered.) And though they can be notoriously uncomfortable and unforgiving on the arches, ballet flats with arch support do exist. And if “shoes with arch support” makes you envision thick, clunky orthopedic sneakers, these 14 ballet flats with arch support prove that style and comfort don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
The Best Ballet Flats with Arch Support at a Glance
Meet the Expert
How We Chose the Best Ballet Flats with Arch Support
After talking with board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Pamela Mehta, studying reviews from customers of the brands and relying on the trusted word of some of our editors and their favorite flats with arch support, we've developed a comprehensive list of pairs for you to try. To make the cut, the shoes had to balance form and function, offering a solid range of sizes, color/pattern options and supportive materials and fabrics. We found flats that boast cushioned foam insoles for a guaranteed plush step, and we even sourced shoes that welcome arch inserts, too. Flats never looked (and felt) so good.
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1. Vionic Orinda Ballet Flats
Dr. Mehta recommends the Vionic Lena flat, which is designed with the company’s Vio Motion technology. According to Vionic, their technology works to provide cushioning, arch support, flexibility and stability in shoes, while correcting posture and promoting full-body alignment. What’s more, it garnered the attention of PureWow Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth, who is a fan of the brand’s comfortable ballet flats. She says, “They're incredibly comfortable, even after a full day of walking around the city, and the insole feels so cushy—you can really tell it's supporting your foot. They also just look really chic and expensive, which is always a lovely bonus.” We especially love that it features a subtle square-toe upper and comes in three fits (narrow, medium and wide), guaranteeing a roomy toe-box and comfortable fit.
2. Dr. Scholl’s Giorgie Memory Foam Flats
Dr. Scholl’s is known for its comfy, orthopedic shoes, and the Giorgie ballet flat is no exception. “I had purchased a lot of ‘cute’ non-supportive flats, and my feet, legs and back were paying for it. These help me get through the day,” one reviewer notes. The shoes feature a memory foam cool-fit insole and are available in sizes 6 to 11 in medium and wide widths. The company notably makes shoes that are roomier than industry standard, and the almond toe design adds a dainty point without squishing the toes. These flats come in six colors, including classic black, whiskey and a trendy silver metallic.
3. Clarks Rena Flat
Going to be on your feet for hours on end? Slip on a pair of these Clarks ballet flats for all-day comfort. The soft, elastic trim makes for a comfortable, flexible fit, while your feet will float on the molded, contoured cushion footbeds. These shoes have an antimicrobial lining made from partially recycled materials with a durable, non-slip sole. A slight heel gives a little lift, and the shoes are finished in a soft, breathable suede. There are four colors available: black, white, metallic gold and grenadine red.
4. Vivaia Valencia Flat
Promising “flats that feel like sneakers,” Vivaia creates machine-washable shoes out of recycled plastic bottles. The Valencia flats feature a shock-absorbing sole and “yoga mat” midsole that is lightweight with a high rebound. The foam insole provides elasticity, softness and arch support, while the heel padding is described as a “pillow” for ankles. Another draw is the moisture-wicking insole lining, made from the herb Artemisia Argyi, which the company says inhibits bacterial growth.
5. Birdies The Goldfinch Flats
Birdies is renowned for its seven-layer comfort tech. The first layer is shiny quilted satin, followed by targeted arch and heel support, then layers of cushioning, high density foam, a shock absorption pad and memory foam. Basically, they’re made for helping you float—er—fly away. “This style makes my whole outfit look French girl chic,” says Dana Dickey, senior editor at PureWow. “The quilted sole not only feels comfy but looks so luxe when I kick these off at home.” And PureWow Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera agrees, emphasizing how the padded footbed is a game-changer for comfort and support. The brand recommends going up half a size if your foot is wide or between sizes, and it may have a small break-in period, though LaBarbera recommends bending down the back a couple of times to soften up the spot where they hit at the heels. There’s also a 30-day fit guarantee—even if worn—so you can return with no questions asked.
6. Margaux The Demi Leather Flats
Promising French girl sophistication, Margaux's The Demi ballet flat is a classic style featuring a charming grosgrain strip and ultra-plush five millimeter foam insole. It’s made from a soft and luxe Italian leather and has a working cord bow that lets you customize and adjust its fit to your liking. Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu can attest: “This shoe logs literal miles without a word of protest from the feet. Plus, it comes in a wide width for those needing a little extra space.”
7. Naturalizer Maxwell Leather Flats
Looking for a shoe to take you from the office to drinks? The Naturalizer Maxwell flat is a winner, with its simple design that makes it feel at home in the office and at the bar. The contouring insole provides arch support, and the toe box is generous, making this a great pick for wide feet, though it’s important to note that it does come in a medium fit as well as wide. “I've been looking for a long time for the perfect flat,” one reviewer shares. “These are comfortable, with beautiful, soft leather, and a cushy footbed.”
8. Gentle Souls by Kenneth Cole Atlas Leather Flats
If you’re headed for a night on the town but don’t want to stumble through the evening in painful heels, meet these Kenneth Cole Atlas flats. Reviewers love the dainty bow detailing, and one even lauded the fact that they walked about a mile without discomfort. We’ll chalk that up to the Poron cushioning foam sole, as it’s built with high compression and can withstand the impact and shock from walking all day. With a rounded toe and raised heel, this ballet flat gives your outfit sophistication with comfort.
9. Rothy’s The Flat
This popular ballet flat, made from recycled plastic, comes in a rainbow of nearly 15 colors. With its rounded toe and lightweight, flexible design, the shoe is a versatile addition to any wardrobe. A buttery heel backing prevents irritation from rubbing, and they’re machine washable. Despite having an cloud-like comfortable feel, Dr. Metha recommends pairing them with arch supports for extra comfort as it has little arch support. Rothy’s customer Elizabeth P. says, “I had my first pair for five years before needing to replace [them] because the tread was worn out. They're perfect for everyday use and love that I can throw them in the wash whenever. I have high arches so [I] use inserts with these as well and they work perfectly.”
10. Born Brin Leather Ballet Flat
This sweet Born’s Brin ballet flat, which comes topped with an adorable bow detail, offers arch support with additional foam padding in the footbed. Buyers note that they can stand for long periods of time in these flats, and that they’re comfortable even on arthritic feet. “The shoe has arch support, but it isn't very high (noted for those who need full arch support),” notes one Nordstrom Rack reviewer. The rubber sole provides traction and flexibility when moving about, and the shoe comes in many bright colors like a soft rust, buttery yellow and light blue, to name a few.
From $100; $48 at Nordstrom Rack
11. Söfft Kenni Leather Flats
Aside from the plethora of colors (including a minty green, soft gold and this burnt red), the Söfft Kenni Flat has leather options: full-grain, metallic or Italian. The ballet flat has an elasticized heel with a tab for easy slip-on, while the three-quarter-inch heel gives a little lift. The leather-lined footbed features high-rebound foam and solid arch support, while the sole provides flexibility and traction. We’d pair this simple and versatile shoe with nearly anything in our closet, whether it’s a pair of jeans or a breezy sundress. Buyers suggest going up half a size if you have bunions, wide feet or simply wish to wear hosiery or socks with them.
12. Vionic Amorie Leather Flats
With its rounded toe box, the Vionic Amorie flat is a good choice for wide feet, while also offering cushioned arch support and a grippy rubber sole for stability. The brand recommends easing into the shoes, wearing them for limited hours the first few wears so the foot can acclimate to orthotic design, though one reviewer noted that the time was minimal. While there are a handful of colorways and patterns to select from, such as a cherry red and classic black, we’re partial to this chic leopard print oozing major mob wife vibes.
13. Aldo Preri Ballerina Flats
“This Aldo ballet flat is my go-to for spring outfits,” says Dickey. “The two-tone style is so versatile, and the heavy foam padded insole is really comfy.” What’s more, it’s incredibly chic (very reminiscent of Chanel). From the classic ballerina style to the quilted material and gold hardware embellishments, we’re obsessed with how luxe these look, and—get this—the refined shoes are only $60. Thanks to the dual-density foam and padded insoles, these flats boast a pillowy walk in every step. “They’re my go-to travel shoe because they work with dresses, shorts, jeans, everything…and I can have a full day of sightseeing without an ache. Also, the medium-deep rounded toe box design is roomy enough so that my foot has a little room to swell without chafing after a long day of walking,” Dickey adds.
14. Vivaia Margot 2.0 Square-Toe V-Cut Flats
According to PureWow Associate Editor Chelsea Candelario, Vivaia’s Margot 2.0 is *the* flat that’ll persuade even the most skeptical into loving ballet flats. “It’s SO comfortable. I didn't like wearing flats for a long time, but these made me a converter. I feel like I walked all over NYC and my feet is never in pain. I also love the square-toe design that makes it different than a traditional ballet flat.” If you were wondering what the 2.0 refers to, it’s referencing a few upgrades the brand took to its original Marot style, including a heel cushion that prevents blisters, extra arch support and a brand-new insole built with the upmost comfort in mind. But there are so many more features than that to love (It’s antimicrobial, breathable, machine-washable and comes in a whopping 50 colors and patterns).
What to Consider When Buying Ballet Flats with Arch Support?
Finding the ideal pair of ballet flats with arch support comes down to a few details:
What Are the Benefits of Shoes with Arch Support?
“Arch support is crucial in keeping your feet, knees, hips, back and body in proper alignment,” shares Dr. Pamela Mehta, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and medical advisor to The Good Feet Store. “Lack of proper orthotics can increase your chances of developing a serious foot condition or conditions in the joints above the foot and ankle.” Dr. Mehta notes that ensuring you have proper arch support can lead to better balance and posture. While the words “arch support” may recall clunky, practical shoes, she shares that arch support simply means you have a shoe that provides support to all four arches of the foot, which can relieve pressure on joints and reduce pain and discomfort.
Behold: 18 of the Best Ballet Flats with Straps, Starting at $25
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
