The 8 Comfortable (and Cute) Shoe Brands I Recommend to All My Friends

Sorry, but what even is a comfortable shoe? For so long, I kind of just assumed that in order to walk around all day and not want to rip my shoes off the moment I walked through the door, it was a given that I had to wear something a little clunky (or else sneakers). I blindly accepted that comfortable shoes had to sacrifice style and looking on-trend, which just simply isn't the case as you're about to find out. Had I known about the following shoe brands earlier, I could have saved myself some serious time, money, and blisters (so many blisters).

Once I realized that there's actually a wealth of shoes that are just as comfortable as they are cool, it was like I won the lottery, and now I go around telling anyone who will listen about my findings. I should also point out that there isn't a sneaker in sight in the below roundup. Nope, instead, I wanted to show just how sleek and polished the shoes on offer from these brands really are—you'll find everything from a pair of epic cow-print knee boots to patent-leather kitten heels. Ahead, discover why I'm recommending the following labels, and then shop my picks of the most comfortable shoe brands I've ever tried.

Aside from being one of the chicest ethical and sustainable shoe brands out there, Dear Frances uses the best quality materials to make their shoes, and it really makes a difference in how it feels to walk all day in one of their boots, sandals, or pumps.

Ask anyone who owns a pair of Dr. Martens, and they'll happily share just how comfortable they really are. Don't let the break-in period deter you—once your Docs are nice and worn in, they actually mold to the shape of your foot, so it ends up feeling like you're walking on a cloud (speaking from experience here).

For a shoe brand where the majority of the styles are under $200, finding a pair of Vagabond shoes feels like a secret. How are they this good and this affordable? It seems too good to be true, and yet the three pairs of their shoes I own speak for themselves. The true test? Somehow their pumps are downright enjoyable for all-day wear.

No matter the season, my classic penny loafers from G.H. Bass are always in heavy rotation. After just a few wears, they mold to your feet for the perfect fit that I swear makes them comfier to wear than half of the sneakers I own and considering the brand was founded in 1876, they've clearly had the time to perfect them. To me, they're the ultimate high-quality, long-lasting wardrobe staple."

Don't take the recommendation from me, take it from one of the many Who What Wear editors (and Kaia Gerber) who can attest that the denim brand's shoe collection is equally as comfortable as their well-known jeans.

Comfortable shoes (that don't compromise style) are hard to come by, so I was impressed to discover Essen, whose shoes have a timeless quality about them with certain details that make them feel more forward.

No matter how comfortable a pair of shoes promises to be, I always loathe the break-in period, so I was very pleased to find that the shoes from this Milan-based label have zero downtime. I wore their red suede ballet flats right out of the box for a busy day filled with meetings and barely felt a thing which almost never happens with a new pair of shoes. It speaks to the great care that the brand takes with its quality and craftsmanship.