I Have Flat Feet and Bunions, and These Are 9 Pairs of Shoes I Can Actually Walk In

Name: Jack Rogers Flat Sandal
Brand: Jack Rogers
Price: 138 USD

Tested by two PureWow editors

By Marissa Wu

•

Updated Jun 5, 2025

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Original photos by Dara Katz and Marissa Wu

For as long as I’ve been alive, I’ve been searching high and low for the most comfortable shoes for my wide, flat, bunion-laden feet that weren’t orthopedic sneakers. Sometimes, laying in bed at night, I still have traumatic flashbacks to my middle-school days, wearing chunky pink tennis shoes with custom orthotics shoved inside. (With bell bottoms. The hell does not end.) Trust me, it was not the look.

Admittedly, I have a penchant for pretty shoes, but one thing I can’t do, no matter how much I wish, is suffer for them. Beauty *is* pain, but I don’t have the budget for daily $150 taxis when my feet hurt so badly I’m hobbling. In my rule book, if shoes are pretty, they also need to be walkable. Living in NYC, “walkable” is a lofty standard, because here, five miles go by in a flash. I

If you’re like me—and my colleague Executive Editor Dara Katz, who apparently also struggles in the footwear department—and don’t subscribe to the “beauty is pain” philosophy, but still want to look cute, I've got you. Here are nine pairs of shoes, from my staple ballet flats to heels, and, yes, a couple pairs of sneakers, that I, and my fellow flat-footed friends actually do wear on the daily. They all hit our criteria for comfortable shoes: wide widths, stretchy or flexible materials, padded and/or supportive insoles, no (or minimal) break-in time and lovely design. May you strut your best stuff yet

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An original photo I took of the Vivaia Sneakerinas in black

Original photo by Dara Katz

1. Vivaia Sneakerina

What I Like

trendy
comfortable
statement-making
available in many colorways and styles

What I Don't Like

not all-day shoes

Vivaia

Similar to me, executive editor, Dara Katz, was looking for a date-night shoe beyond the world of orthopedic sneakers. And, she found them in these Vivaia Sneakerina ballet flats. Says the editor: "Equal parts ballet flat and casual sneaker, the square-toe lace-up design is pretty without being precious, with satin ribbon ties that give them a playful quality that’s still more practical than manic pixie. More importantly: They’re cushioned like a yoga mat and breathable enough to wear in summer without making your feet feel like a cheese cave." Are they for all day walk-a-thons? Probably not, says Katz. But they're so versatile for a day-to-night look that they're no brainers for anyone who struggles with heels.

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 5–11
Material: eco-friendly satin and rubber sole

$159 at Vivaia

Original photo by Dara Katz

2. Vivaia Kara AdaptAll Sport Sandals

What I Like

three sandal variations
10 colorways
goes up to size 13

What I Don't Like

pricey
not machine washable

Vivaia

Another pair from Vivaia that Katz can't stop raving about, these sandals are must-haves for flat-footers: "As someone with foot pain, finding a shoe that’s comfy and cute is such a win. I have been in situations where I’m wearing such insanely ugly shoes that I’ve had to explain 'my feet hurt which is why I’m wearing these' before anyone judged my outfit." And despite being a cute pair of sandals...they're actually comfortable. "These sandals have a cushy, supportive sole that makes them feel more like a pair of sneakers than strappy sandals. But the real magic is in the adjustable knit straps. They’re soft, flexible and mold to your foot instead of forcing your foot to mold to them. My feet border on the wider side, but the material stretches nicely, staying supportive but not squeezing my circulation off."

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 5–13
Material: lightweight EVA and rubber sole

$149 at Vivaia

best shoes for flat feet and bunions: margaux the demi flat

Original photo by Marissa Wu

3. Margaux The Demi Flats

What I Like

plush foam insole
wide widths available
versatile

What I Don’t Like

leather finish chips easily

Margaux

If I had to pick a ride-or-die shoe in my closet, Margaux’s The Demi flat is it, hands-down. Throughout the years, I’ve owned multiple pairs (including The Pointe iteration) that have logged some serious mileage. Sneakers, while comfortable and supportive, have always been my last resort, but these flats make me feel like I’m gaming the system. It’s mostly thanks to the plush insole, which I think, as far as ballet flats are concerned, is incredibly generous with its padding. (And you can trust that I’ve done my homework as someone who has been wearing this style of shoe for over 20 years.) The other thing I love about Margaux is that they offer multiple widths, and the wide always hits just right, no break-in period needed.

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 3 to 14
Material: leather

$265 at Margaux

best shoes for flat feet and bunions: allbirds tree runners

Original photo by Marissa Wu

4. Allbirds Tree Runners

What I Like

super wide sole
footbed has great arch support
breathable mesh

What I Don’t Like

difficult to clean scuffs

Allbirds

I wear sneakers only under the pain of death, and when the occasions do arise, I would happily (not) die in my Allbirds Tree Runners. From the get-go, these were made for wide, flat feet. The footbed itself has the most surface area I’ve ever seen in a shoe, meaning my toes can happily splay out. (This feature also makes it incredibly sturdy; I’m prone to tripping but never do in these.) Then, there’s the contoured footbed. Every time I put these on, I can hear my feet do a happy sigh of relief when they get that added arch support. Whether I’m out hiking, exercising or running errands, these sneakers promise all-day comfort.

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 5 to 11
Material: eucalyptus fiber

$98 at Allbirds

best shoes for flat feet and bunions: inez frida pumps

Original photo by Marissa Wu

5. Inez Frida Pumps

What I Like

wide width
walkable block heel
padded insole with light arch support

What I Don’t Like

sole scuffs up easily

Inez

I love a good pump, but for years could *not* find a comfortable one. Lucky me (and, maybe, you), Inez’s Frida pumps check all the boxes as far as comfortable heels go. It’s available in a wide width, with a tapered square toe box that doesn’t pinch. As for the insole, it’s plush enough to rival Margaux’s, with just the right amount of arch support. The heel is also, crucially, a walkable 2.5-inch block that remains comfortable even after trekking through the city. I wouldn’t hesitate to wear them on a night out—which is something I never say about heels. My only downside is that I find the sole of the shoe scuffs up pretty easily, despite, for the most part, walking on paved sidewalk.

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 6 to 10.5
Material: leather, suede

$268 at Inez

best shoes for flat feet and bunions: margaux the edie boot

Original photo by Marissa Wu

6. Margaux The Edie Boot

What I Like

structured leather with supple suede that doesn’t pinch
roomy almond-shaped toe box

What I Don’t Like

can’t be worn with thick socks
pricey

Margaux

I’ve worn my fair share of leather boots over the years, and my chief complaint was always that the leather was too stiff. Inevitably, my feet would be straining against the inflexible material, leaving my bunions glowing red at best and nursing blisters at worst. But now, I’m ready to proclaim Margaux’s The Edie as one of the most comfortable boots ever. Why? The suede is super flexible while still holding its shape. (I recommend The Downtown Boot if you want an ankle-cut.) That means it won’t sag unflatteringly, but provides plenty of give for the widest part of my feet so that nothing is squeezed into oblivion. The almond-shaped toe box is also a great compromise between the (unforgiving) pointy shape I love and the roomy roundness my feet need. Only downside: You can’t wear super-thick socks with these boots, and as someone whose feet are cold even when it’s 90 degrees out, that’s a Debbie Downer on an otherwise great shoe from the brand whose designs make up 75 percent of my closet. (However, you may be able to wear medium-thick socks—I’ve done this with success.)

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 3 to 14
Material: suede

$545 at Margaux

best shoes for flat feet and bunions: soludos lauren lace up espadrilles

Original photo by Marissa Wu

7. Soludos The Lauren Lace Up Espadrille

What I Like

no break-in period
thick, sturdy soles
wide toe box

What I Don’t Like

toe box could run too large

Soludos

I recently discovered the joys of espadrilles and plan to have Soludos’ The Lauren on repeat this summer. The soles are sturdy and supportive, while the toe box is generously roomy—so much so that I suspect I could have sized down. However, because of the wiggle room, there was no break-in period. If the shoes do feel a tad snug, the fabric stretches, but you’ll want to ease into them and not walk five miles on the first go like I did.

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 5 to 11.5
Material: linen, jute

$89 at Soludos

best shoes for flat feet and bunions: rothy's the lace up sneaker

Original photo by Marissa Wu

8. Rothy’s The Lace Up

What I Like

machine washable
flexible, stretchy fabric
supportive insole

What I Don’t Like

stains can be hard to lift

Rothy's

Try as I might, I’m just not a Vans or Converse gal, so when I want something casual, Rothy’s The Lace Up are my go-tos. Though probably the most narrow of all my shoes, the stretchy fabric (made from recycled plastic!) ensures there’s plenty of flexibility and width for my bunions, which spill over ever so slightly. As for the footbed, its slightly-contoured arch support provides decent support that keeps me on my feet all day in a city.

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 5 to 13
Material: recycled plastic bottles

$149 at Rothy’s

best shoes for flat feet and bunions: jack rogers flat sandal

Original photo by Marissa Wu

9. Jack Rogers Flat Sandal

What I Like

wide sole
straps don’t cause blisters
footbed molds to your foot

What I Don’t Like

extra-plush footbed discontinued

Jack Rogers

I’ve been wearing a pair of Jack Rogers for the past couple years, and they come out of the closet every summer without fail. While they no longer make my exact sandals anymore, they do now have a dedicated selection of “wide” sandals for their classic flats. The footbed molds to your feet and the strap is like butter. The big problem I typically experience with sandals is that the straps will rub against my feet, and blisters abound. Even on the hottest, most humid days, these straps do not. And the sole is nice and wide, so my feet aren’t ever spilling over the edge. I can also walk miles in them. Win-win-win.

Fast Facts

Size Range: US 5 to 12
Material: leather, pigskin

$138 at Jack Rogers

Marissa Wu

SEO Editor

Writes across all verticals, including beauty, fashion, wellness, travel and entertainment, with a focus on SEO and evergreen content
Has previously worked at Popular Photography and Southern Living, with words in Martha Stewart and Forbes Vetted
Has a B.S. in journalism from Boston University

read full bio

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