I have long been a fan of comfortable shoes. The highest heels I’ve ever worn are 3 inches–and even those are fairly thick and sturdy heels. While I spend my summers in flip-flops and my winters in boots, I still need cute shoes for mild weather. Enter ballet flats. Ballet flats are almost the perfect shoe. They’re an excellent balance of comfort and style. In 2017, I started a quest to find the best ballet flats. I initially wrote these ballet flat reviews in 2019, after two years of research. Since then, I have updated this post multiple times.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might earn a commission or a discount, at no cost to you. Unless otherwise noted, I purchased all of these shoes myself. My ballet flat reviews are my own opinion.
Defining the Best Ballet Flats
Finding the best ballet flats is a challenging quest, partly because “best” is so subjective. The best ballet flats for my feet might be the worst ballet flats for your feet! For my ballet flat reviews to mean anything, you first need to understand the size and shape of my feet.
Finding the Best Ballet Flats for My Feet
I usually wear a size 7, but sometimes I need a 7 1/2. My dressy heels are almost all a 7 narrow, although I can squeeze my feet into a few 6 1/2 narrow pairs that I bought a decade or so ago. Most of my foot is an average width, but I have narrow heels.
My biggest challenge in finding my perfect ballet flats is my large toe knuckle. No, I don’t have bunions! Even as a little girl, I had to size up in my Mary Jane tap shoes because the top of the shoe hit my toe knuckle uncomfortably. The bone doesn’t look that big or stick out obtrusively, but it gets easily irritated with shoes that fit incorrectly.
Finally, I like to have a little extra wiggle room for my toes. My little toes already tend to get blisters when I walk a lot, so I prefer to buy shoes that won’t exasperate that problem.
Choosing Ballet Flats to Try
At the beginning of 2017, I started reading every review I could find on Tieks. After about six months, I decided to treat myself to a pair for my 30th birthday (in June 2017). Long story short, they were not the shoes for me.
Fast forward to early 2019. I decided to renew my hunt for the best ballet flats. This time, I would go a little wild and buy multiple pairs all at once. Like before, I read tons of reviews of multiple shoe brands. Eventually, I decided to try to following brands and sizes:
- Rothy’s, size 7 1/2
- Oka-B, sizes 7 and 8
- Lands’ End, sizes 7 and 7 1/2
- Crocs, size 7
I wish I had sucked it up and paid to try the Rothy’s ballet flats in both a 7 and a 7 1/2 at the same time. I eventually exchanged the 7 1/2 for a 7, but I really wish I had tried the sizes at the same time.
For comparison, I also tried on my Shoedazzle ballet flats that I bought back in 2011 or 2012. Red and purple patent leather (faux), fairly comfortable for several hours in socks. Flexible edge, which I need to accommodate my toe knuckle.
Ballet Flat Reviews
I didn’t intend to keep four new pairs of ballet flats… But I did. I’m still not positive about all of them, but I’m taking a chance!
I’m rating all of my ballet flats on different scales:
- Comfort, 1-5 stars
- Style, 1-5 stars
- Durability, 1-5 stars
- Customer service, 1-5 stars
Style is based on the entire range of colors, not just the shoe colors I picked. Style also refers only to the particular type of shoes I ordered from a brand. For example, Crocs make multiple types of ballet flats. My review only considers the colors offered in the particular ballet flat I tried.
Durability and comfort will be updated as time goes on. I’ve only worn my Tieks long enough to give a score on durability. Comfort scores are based on my initial testing, but I haven’t worn any of these new ballet flats for more than two hours at a time.
My customer service scores have two components. How well were the shoes packaged, since I ordered them all online? How easy are returns? N/A is for the shoes I ordered through a third-party instead of the brand directly.
Finally, I’m also including a price scale. These ratings are based on regular prices, but I will note which brands you can buy cheaper, either by waiting for a sale or finding the shoes on Amazon.
$ is $25 or less
$$ is $26-50
$$$ is $51-100
$$$$ is $100-200
$$$$$ is $201 or more
Again, these ballet flat reviews are subjective, based on my feet and my shoe preferences. However, I will do my best to describe what other feet types might work for each ballet flat brand and style!
Tieks Ballet Flats Review
I ordered the Ballerina Pink Tieks in a size 7. I later tried the Ballerina Pink Tieks in a size 8, but they were definitely too big.
My quick Tieks review!
- Comfort: 3 stars
- Style: 5 stars
- Durability: 3 stars
- Customer service: 5 stars
- Price: $$$$-$$$$$
Tieks ballet flats description, from their website:
The most versatile flats in the world. Made of the finest Italian leathers and designed to fold and fit in a purse. Wearable all day, every day.
I really wanted to love these shoes. I read hundreds of reviews. Everyone raved about how much they loved their Tieks.
When they first arrived, in their cute little box with the cute little flower, I was so excited. I immediately tried them on… And felt utter disappointment. I thought for SURE my Tieks would fit beautifully!
At first, I thought I needed to size up. Tieks is great about that. They will send you a second pair, free of charge, so you can compare the two sizes. Then you just return the pair that doesn’t fit. So I ordered an 8 for comparison… Definitely too big.
I kept wearing my size 7 Tieks around the house, in thin socks, wondering whether or not to keep them. Eventually I looked for Tieks reviews from people with protruding toe knuckles. Those reviews suggested wearing the Tieks around the house with thick socks to stretch them out. At night, stuff the toes for extra stretch.
So I took a leap of faith and kept my $175 shoes. I stretched them and stretched them. Eventually they were comfortable enough to wear for an hour or two (with socks) without hurting my feet. Which is just not what you expect when shoes cost this much. Keep in mind, the patterned Tieks cost even more!
Also, they developed small tears in the leather surprisingly quickly, especially with the little wear. Other Tieks reviews have had better experiences with durability, so perhaps it was just this color or this pair.
Final thoughts on Tieks ballet flats
Customer service is excellent. Style selection is absolutely stunning.
Tieks only come in whole sizes. If you’re a half-size, size down for narrow feet and size up for normal to wide feet. If you have very wide feet, you might want to size up a whole size.
Tieks are not for you if you’re on a tight budget, if you have bunions, if you have a protruding toe knuckle, or if you want comfortable shoes right out of the box.
Tieks might be for you if you don’t mind breaking in leather shoes until they mold to your feet, if you want lots of colors, or if you’re ready to invest in shoes.
Oka-B Ballet Flats Review
I ordered the Oka-B Taylor Flats in a size 7, Pink Salt. I also ordered the Oka-B Taylor Flats in a size 8, Azalea. Some Oka-B shoes are cheaper on Amazon, plus discontinued colors might be available.
My quick Oka-B review!
- Comfort: 3 stars
- Style: 4 stars
- Durability: TBD
- Customer service: N/A
- Price: $$-$$$
Oka-B Taylor Flats description, from their website:
Comfortable, colorful and effortless in an easy-to-clean splash-proof material, it’s the only ballet flat you’ll ever wear. Perfect for wearing to work, running errands and to brunch on the weekends.
I was really excited to try these shoes. Tons of happy reviews, good prices, multiple shades of pink. Best of all? Oka-B is a women-owned company right here in Georgia!
Out of all my new ballet flats, I have worn these the most. The size 7 fits pretty well while the size 8 was definitely too big. Since I ordered mine through Amazon, the return was quite easy.
I really want to love these shoes, but for now, I only like them. The soles are fairly thin, so my feet hurt when walking across gravel or another bumpy surface. After an hour or two, my toes feel a bit cramped. I’m thinking about stuffing the toes to stretch them a little, but I haven’t tried that yet.
However, I love the pink color, and I love how easily I can clean these ballet flats. I’ve worn my Oka-B ballet flats both with and without socks. There’s no rubbing against my toe knuckle!
In my opinion, Oka-B Taylor Flats are just as comfortable as Tieks, at a fraction of the price.
Update 04/15/2023: I still have these, but I rarely wear them. I can’t give a rating on durability because I just don’t wear them often. However, I have a corporate job now, so I’ll wear them to the office soon for a new test on comfort.
Final thoughts on Oka-B ballet flats
Supposedly Oka-B shoes are machine-washable and dishwasher-safe. I will stick with wiping them down with a damp sponge!
Oka-B is working towards a closed-loop production process. You can return your worn Oka-B shoes which will then be recycled and used for new shoes. Current Oka-B shoes use 15-25% recycled materials!
Oka-B Taylor Flats only come in whole sizes. They recommend sizing up if you’re between sizes.
Oka-B Taylor Flats are not for you if you have wide feet, hate when your feet sweat, or need to walk in them for a long time.
Oka-B Taylor Flats might be for you if you want pool/beach/lake shoes, love bright colors, or need budget-friendly shoes.
Lands’ End Ballet Flats Review
I ordered the Lands’ End Women’s Comfort Elastic Mesh Ballet Flats (no longer available) in a size 7, Baroque Rose. I also ordered the Lands’ End Women’s Comfort Elastic Ballet Flats in a size 7 1/2, Black.
My quick Lands’ End review!
- Comfort: 5 stars
- Style: 3 stars
- Durability: 5 stars
- Customer service: 5 stars
- Price: $$$
Lands’ End Women’s Comfort Elastic Ballet Flats description, from their website:
Ballet flats are lightweight with enough comfort to get you through a day on your feet. Ours put comfort first with a cushioned footbed that prevents fatigue and provides soft relaxation. The elastic topline also molds to your foot for a customized fit.
Since I initially bought these in 2019, Lands’ End has updated their description.
So cute. So comfy. There’s no guesswork with these pretty little flats. The elastic edge conforms comfortably to your foot without gapping. Just step in and go. And you’ll love the cushiony foam footbeds and flexible soles.
Technically these are two different styles of ballet flat. The pink ones have a polyester textured knit upper while the black ones have a leather upper. Both styles have an elastic edge, foam-cushioned insoles, and flexible rubber soles.
Hands down, these are the most comfortable ballet flats I have tried so far. The 7 and the 7 1/2 are very close in fit, so I kept the 7 1/2 black leather ballet flats for the extra toe room. Technically the 7 pink mesh ballet flats fit correctly, but they were just a bit snug.
Generally speaking, ballet flats are not supportive shoes. They’re just not designed to offer arch support. However, these are the most supportive ballet flats I have tried.
I’m tempted to buy the pink mesh shoes again, in the 7 1/2. Yes, I did this! Their style is definitely year-round. I don’t anticipate wearing the black leather flats in the spring or summer. Their style better suits the fall and winter.
Update 04/15/2023: Style selection is updated regularly! Right now, Lands’ End carries three varieties of the same ballet flats I own.
- Women’s Knit Comfort Elastic Ballet Flat Shoes (three colors, and yes, I’m ordering another pair today)
- Women’s Knit Comfort Elastic Ballet Flat Shoes (two colors, and no, I don’t understand why they’re listed separately)
- Women’s Comfort Elastic Slip On Ballet Flat Shoes (two colors in leather and two colors in suede)
However, they also have a bunch of other ballet flat options, just not with the elastic that I love.
Also, the durability is great. I wear my black leather ballet flats to the office all the time. They are so comfortable, and they still look amazing. The pink ones aren’t quite as comfortable–my heel shifts ever so slightly. However, I wear these throughout the spring and summer, and they’re still in great condition. I’ve ordered a similar pair in purple, in both a size 7 and a 7 1/2. I will update this post in a month with my further review!
Final thoughts on Lands’ End ballet flats
Lands’ End ballet flats come in half sizes AND wide sizes! Their sizing is definitely the most versatile out of all the ballet flats I tried.
Don’t pay full price for Lands’ End ballet flats. I bought mine during a spring sale and got 40% off.
Honestly, these ballet flats work for almost anyone. They’re a good price (especially on sale), their sizing is versatile, and they’re extremely comfortable. They might just be the best ballet flats!
Update 07/16/2020: During the 2019 Black Friday sales, these Lands’ End ballet flats were on sale. I bought the pink mesh ballet flats in 7 1/2. I love them! I definitely wear these pink flats and these black flats more than my others.
Update 04/15/2021: My exact mesh style is no longer available, but you can shop the full selection of Lands’ End ballet flats. They are often 40% off if you wait for a sale.
Rothy’s Ballet Flats Review
I ordered the Rothy’s Black Solid ballet flats in a 7 1/2. After wearing them around the house quite a bit, I decided the heel slipped too much. I exchanged them for the Rothy’s Begonia ballet flats in a 7. (The exchange was really easy!)
My quick Rothy’s review!
- Comfort: 2 stars
- Style: 4 stars
- Durability: TBD
- Customer service: 5 stars
- Price: $$$$
Rothy’s ballet flats description, from their website:
Rothy’s flats are the perfect shoe to get you through a busy day. Our women’s flats were designed to take you from sun-up to sundown in comfort and style.
I am taking a risk with these. The back of my Rothy’s ballet flats rub at my heel when I wear them without socks. While the website says their shoes “don’t need a breaking-in period,” multiple reviews state the backs rub at first. I’m desperately hoping that I just need to break in these shoes a bit for a perfect fit.
I did like the extra toe room in the 7 1/2 shoes, but the rest of the shoe fits my foot better with my size 7 pair.
I have not worn these very much because I exchanged the first pair for my current pair. I’ve only worn my pink ones for up to an hour outside the house, a handful of times.
Rothy’s flats are made from recycled water bottles. Also, while pricey, they’re a lot cheaper than Tieks. I really want these to be my perfect shoes!
Update 6 weeks later: I wore these for several hours on my birthday. I walked all over uptown Greenwood wearing my Rothy’s, with socks, in the rain. They were about as comfortable as you can get for wet shoes.
Afterwards, I hand-washed them in cold water and air-dried them. The next time I wore them, with socks, they gave me incredibly painful blisters on my back heels. I had packed them on a trip, with the intention of wearing them a lot, but my feet hurt so much after just wearing them at the airport and on the plane that I wore socks with sandals for my entire trip.
I don’t know if my Rothy’s shrunk in the rain. Maybe I’m still in the phase of breaking them in. Now that my blisters are completely healed up, I’m going to try my Rothy’s again.
Update 09/21/2020: I finally got around to wearing my Rothy’s again, with socks. I wore them for a trip to the eye doctor. 20 minutes driving there, maybe 5 minutes walking in, over an hour mostly sitting with a little walking, 5 minutes walking out, and 20 minutes driving home. No blisters, but my feet hurt so much afterwards. I have changed my Comfort score from 3 stars to 2 stars. I really wanted to love these shoes.
Final thoughts on Rothy’s ballet flats
I’ve read a lot of Rothy’s reviews. Several have mentioned inconsistent sizing. So if you order your regular size, and the Rothy’s are close, but not quite right, try exchanging them for the same size.
Rothy’s shoes are machine-washable, but I will probably stick with hand-washing them as necessary.
Rothy’s has a thriving resale market. If you take good care of your shoes, you can recoup some of the costs in a year or two if you tire of the color.
Rothy’s ballet flats are not for you if you have wide feet or you hate when your feet sweat.
Rothy’s ballet flats might be for you if you’re interested in sustainable shoes or want to buy bright colors and patterns.
Save $20 on your first pair of Rothy’s ballet flats by using my link!
Crocs Ballet Flats Review
I ordered the Crocs Black Kelli Flats in a 7. I actually snagged these for cheap on Zulily! Depending on your size, you also might find them for a good deal on Amazon. Unfortunately, I think the Kelli style is discontinued since I don’t see it on the Crocs website.
My quick Crocs review!
- Comfort: 4 stars
- Style: 2 stars
- Durability: TBD
- Customer service: N/A
- Price: $$-$$$
Crocs ballet flats description, from Amazon:
We think these flats with breezy heel and toe cut-outs qualify [as summer essentials], thanks to a feminine silhouette and single-mold construction that’s flexible enough to tag along on all your summer adventures.
I based the price range on the other flats available on the Crocs website since the Kelli Flats are no longer available.
Considering these are Crocs, they’re still pretty cute. But I can’t rank them high in style since they’re only available in black, and they still look like Crocs. Just cute Crocs.
I tried gel inserts with every single pair of ballet flats. They didn’t work with any of them, except my Crocs. The size 7 is just a little loose on my foot, but the gel inserts give me a perfect fit. With the gel inserts, the comfort bumps from a 4 to a 5!
I haven’t worn these much since I ordered them later than my other shoes. I’ve only worn them out of the house once, for an hour or two. This was without gel inserts, and my feet felt fine the whole time.
Update 6 weeks later: I’ve worn my Crocs ballet flats so many times since I first wrote this post! They’re incredibly comfortable. I can easily wipe them down with a damp cloth to clean them. They’re still not as cute as my other ballet flats, but they’re a great summer shoe. Oh, and I’ve worn them both with and without socks, always with my gel inserts.
Final thoughts on Crocs ballet flats
These Crocs only come in whole sizes. Based on the reviews on Amazon, some women sized up and others sized down. Personally, I think they run a little large.
If you’re looking for a more stylish alternative, check out all the Crocs styles on Amazon. You can still find other discontinued styles and colors, usually for a lower price than the Crocs website. I can’t attest for their comfort since I’ve only tried the Kelli Flats!
Crocs ballet flats are not for you if you want truly stylish shoes.
Crocs ballet flats might be for you if you need very comfortable shoes at an affordable price.
Take $15 off your order of $75 or more with code SAVE15 on Crocs.com!
How to Find the Best Ballet Flats for Your Feet
Now that you’ve read all of my opinions on shoes, how do you determine the best ballet flats for your feet? After all, what works for my feet might not work for your feet.
Here are a few tips for buying ballet flats online.
1) Read all the reviews
When I evaluated all the shoes I eventually purchased, I read as many reviews as possible. Glowing reviews are nice, but I focused on average reviews. 3-star reviews reveal a great deal about shoes, particularly if they aggravate a specific foot problem.
I also searched for reviews for my foot problem. I wanted to know what other women with foot knuckles thought about the shoes I was considering. Their reviews helped me narrow down my selection.
2) Order multiple pairs at once
It was hard spending several hundred dollars all at once on multiple pairs of ballet flats. But by doing that, I was able to compare the different styles and sizes directly. I regret not buying two sizes of Rothy’s at the same time.
If you do this, carefully read the returns policy first. I was able to return everything easily because I only wore my shoes indoors, and I returned them all in a timely manner.
3) Try your shoes in multiple ways
I tried all of my shoes in thin socks, with and without gel inserts. Once I felt pretty good about keeping the shoes, I tried them in my bare feet. (I did keep all the shoes I tried in my bare feet). With the Rothy’s, I also tried them without the removable inserts. Finally, I tried all of the shoes with heel liners.
By wearing my ballet flats in multiple ways, I could best determine the maximum possible comfort of each pair of shoes.
Top-Rated Ballet Flats on Amazon
Are you not sure if my ballet flats will work for you? Check out what’s available on Amazon! Please note that I have not tried the following ballet flats for myself. However, each style has at least 4 stars on Amazon, from at least 100 reviews. Prices range from $15 to $100. That said, Amazon prices can fluctuate, so instead of listing a price for each pair, I’ve grouped all the ballet flats into price categories.
Top-Rated Ballet Flats on Amazon under $30
Overall, these shoes have strong ratings. However, reading through the reviews, the positive reviews all mention these ballet flats are good for the price. If you’re spending less than $30 on shoes, don’t expect longevity!
Ollio Women’s Shoe Collar Shoe Pull Tab Comfort Ballet Flat
4 stars, over 200 reviews. 4 colors available. Half sizes available 6-9, whole sizes available 9-11.
- Synthetic
- Synthetic sole
- Manmade Material
- Elastic Collar with Rear Pull Tab
- Ballet Flats
- Heel Height: 0.1″
- Origin: Made in China
Amazon Essentials Women’s Ballet Flat
4 1/2 stars, almost 500 reviews. 6 colors available. Half sizes available 5-10, whole sizes available 10-13.
- Synthetic
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Classic and versatile ballet flat designed for daily wear and superior fit
- Casual silhouette with round toe shape and flattering profile
- Soft, faux leather upper with gently elasticized topline, faux suede microfiber lining for extra comfort and breathability
Top-Rated Ballet Flats on Amazon under $60
If you can afford to pay a bit more for ballet flats, these brands are a great deal. They’re still a reasonable price, but they’re real leather instead of faux leather.
Lucky Brand Women’s Emmie Ballet Flat
3 1/2 to 4 stars, depending on the listing. Over 5,000 reviews. Negative reviews seem to be an issue with Amazon combining product reviews from different listings. The negative ones refer to counterfeit versions, but I’m linking to a listing straight from Lucky Brand.
40+ colors available, but not in all sizes. Half sizes available 5-10, whole sizes available 10-13. Wide sizes available 6-11.
- 100% Leather
- Imported
- Synthetic rubber sole
- Heel measures approximately 0.25″
- Heel: 0.31 inches
Xielong Women’s Chaste Ballet Flat Lambskin Loafers Casual Ladies Shoes Leather
4 stars, over 2,000 reviews. 19 colors available, but not in all sizes. Half sizes available 5-12.
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Heel measures approximately 0.31 inches”
- Leather ballet flat with classic round toe and elasticized topline for enhanced fit Rubber sole
- Classic ballet flat with flexible, supportive sole and cushioned footbed
- material: imported lambskin.
- Comfort-minded ballet flat featuring genuine suede leather sock lining with breathable perforated arch
Top-Rated Ballet Flats on Amazon under $100
The main benefit from buying one of these options is the wide range of sizes. Both brands below offer many half sizes, plus narrow and wide widths.
Hush Puppies Women’s Chaste Ballet Flat
4 stars, almost 2,000 reviews. 36 colors available, but not in all sizes. Half sizes available 5 1/2-10, whole sizes available 10-12. Some sizes available in narrow, wide, and extra-wide.
- 100% Leather and Textile
- Imported
- Natural Calf, Fur Origin: China
- Rubber sole
- Heel measures approximately 0.25″
- Comfort-minded ballet flat featuring genuine suede leather sock lining with breathable perforated arch
- 1/4 inch molded rubber outsole that provides excellent traction and durability
- Zero g outsole built with lightweight materials
- HP02flex: cushioned triangle footbed pattern conforms to the way you walk, providing air circulation, flexibility, and support
Sam Edelman Women’s Felicia Ballet Flat
4 1/2 stars, over 600 reviews. 47 colors available, but not in all sizes. Some sizes and style combinations are priced over $100, but most are under $100. Half sizes available 4-12, whole sizes available 12-13. Some sizes available in narrow and wide.
- 100% Leather
- Imported
- Synthetic sole
- Heel measures approximately 0.25 inches”
- Breathable leather lining
- Footbed contains 4mm of padding for unparalleled comfort
Have you found the perfect ballet flats yet?
I’ve spent several months trying out these different ballet flats. Plus I’ve spent even more time reading ballet flat reviews! I hope my opinions will help you with your own shoe shopping!
What are your favorite ballet flats? Have you tried any of these shoe brands before? Share your comments!
