The 15 Most Comfortable Spring Shoes We Tested Are Expert Approved

If you’ve got wide feet, Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle sandals are a smart choice. The brand’s iconic two-strap style comes in two widths: medium/narrow and regular/wide, but people who don’t have narrow feet can fit into the medium/narrow width, meaning there’s plenty of foot space.

The Arizona Big Buckle style also includes Birkenstock’s usual foot-health-conscious design features. The ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA, a lightweight rubberlike material) soles help cushion your feet, and Birkenstock's famous contoured foot beds are constructed to keep your feet in a natural position from heel to toe, although be warned, the shoes may take some breaking in. You might find the foot beds, which are engineered to mimic the feeling of standing on sand, uncomfortable at first, but the cork-latex surface will soften and mold to your feet over time, creating a custom fit. Likewise, the leather straps can be stiff initially, so keep a pack of blister patches handy and trust that the straps will soften up with regular wear.

The adjustable buckles will help you achieve a comfortable, supportive fit in the meantime. Stay the course and you’ll have a pair of virtually custom-fit sandals that will last for years to come. 

This style runs narrow, so you might consider sizing up and using the complimentary inserts designed to sit under the foot beds, providing a tighter, more secure fit. As with most shoes, you can expect a breaking-in period, but on the whole, this is a comfortable, stylish option for spring, whether you’re wearing them to the office or on a city vacation. 

Competition for the best walking shoes was fierce, but after rigorous testing, the Hoka Transport came out on top. The comfortable shoes have cushioned midsoles to reduce impact and increase stability, and quick-toggle laces make them easy to slip on and off in seconds. Designed with city dwellers in mind, they’re also water-repellent and easy to wipe clean.

Lindsay Modglin, who tested these sneakers, appreciates that they don’t require much breaking in. She describes them as perfect for everyday wear. Whether running errands, walking on the treadmill, or attending her son’s field trip, she says that they were reliably comfortable. Despite being roomier than she’s used to, with a wide toe box, the shoes didn’t give her blisters, and her feet didn’t slip around. However, because of their more spacious construction, she wouldn’t recommend them for vigorous exercise like jogging outdoors.

If you have persistent heel pain (plantar fasciitis), these ultracushioned sneakers from Hoka can help. They have foam EVA midsoles and molded sock liners that cradle the feet securely and comfortably, while the rocker outsoles make heel-to-toe transitions smooth and seamless.

Writer Caroline Lubinsky describes walking in them as “cloudlike,” noting that the exaggerated stack adds an extra inch to her height — an elevation that felt a little unusual at first but ultimately provided great shock absorption and comfort on long walks. Lubinsky gets mechanical foot pain and localized heel pain, and these sneakers helped alleviate discomfort. Her only gripe is that they don’t have a tab on the heel to make pulling them off or putting them on a little easier. 

For people with diabetes, finding accommodating, supportive footwear can make a huge difference to everyday comfort. The Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 is a certified PDAC A5500 shoe, meaning it’s a Medicare-approved therapeutic shoe for diabetes-related foot issues. Lubinsky says the sneakers were comfortable right out of the box and provided ample support, thanks to the insole construction, which guides a healthy range of motion and helps reduce overpronation or supination.

Lubinsky has plantar fasciitis and appreciates the cushioned yet supportive heels, which prevent pain. She notes that the shock-absorbing soles are perfect for walking or running but probably aren’t ideal for weight lifting, which requires a noncompressible sole for better balance.

Writer Brittany Vargas, who has knee pain, says that the sneakers significantly reduced impact when her feet struck the ground, and she declares them her new favorite running shoes. She also appreciates the arch support, which she believes helped prevent her feet from rolling inward (pronation). However, she feels they might have a little too much cushioning for ideal walking shoes and notes that the accommodating fit might be a bit too wide for those with narrow feet.

If you have heel pain or plantar fasciitis, this pair of lightweight, flexible sneakers could make all the difference, especially when you’re planning to be on your feet a lot. Boasting ergonomic cushioned heels and weight-balancing arch support, they help stabilize feet and bring the body into better alignment — factors that made them our tester’s favorite walking shoes for reducing plantar fasciitis.

The sneakers are available in two foot beds: neutral for medium arches or metatarsal for reducing forefoot pain and fatigue. Writer Alex Frost also appreciates the rise of the uppers, which she feels provide ample support for the ankles and feet, making these shoes a great option for cross-training. 

Vargas is a fan: She has flat feet, and these shoes encourage her to have more awareness of the terrain beneath her, whether she is walking or running. They are lightweight on her feet, and the extra-wide toe boxes provide greater stability and balance, including on uneven surfaces. She says that they are comfortable to wear for long periods, unless she was running on concrete. The shoes are designed for trail running, and the minimal cushioning doesn’t absorb impact the way that shoes with plush cushioning do. (She tested an earlier version, the Lone Peak 7).

All Altra shoes feature roomy toe boxes and zero to low drop. The Lone Peak 9, like earlier versions, features a 0-millimeter heel-to-toe drop, midweight cushioning, and grippy MaxTrac outsoles. They also have the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, which means they’ve been found to promote good foot health.

Propet TravelActiv FT flip-flops come in five widths, from narrow to XX-wide, to accommodate a range of foot shapes and sizes. Additionally, cushioned EVA foot beds and comfortable toe posts make these flip-flops ideal for standing and walking. They’re even water-friendly, and the grippy rubber soles provide traction on slippery or uneven terrain, from walking trails to poolside tiles. The length can run a little short, so you might want to size up. 

In warm weather, hiking boots can feel too hot and cumbersome for trail days. These supportive hiking sandals from Merrell are a spring-appropriate alternative. Lightweight, breathable, and water-friendly, you can wear them in the ocean or when crossing a creek, and the cut-out design allows water to drain quickly. The cushioned insoles keep your feet comfortable on any terrain, and the rubber soles ensure steadfast traction when you need it. These sandals have a wider fit, which can be too spacious for those with narrow feet, but might also allow better toe spreading while in motion, enhancing balance.

When it comes to casual comfort and ease, few shoes can compete with clogs. This pair from Snibbs was designed for anyone who spends long periods on their feet — every detail is geared toward all-day support and fatigue reduction.

I brought my pair on vacation and found them extremely comfortable while traipsing around the airport. The shoes are lightweight, and the EVA-cushioned insoles are bouncy and supportive. The clogs are convenient to slip on and off, yet they have never fallen off unintentionally and don’t cause any foot strain during walking. The certified nonslip rubber soles were particularly handy when I was hanging out by the pool. The design sometimes feels a little restrictive for my high foot bridges, but the clogs have never rubbed or caused blisters. 

If you’re wearing your running sneakers during strength training, you’re missing a trick. Cushioned insoles can make balance challenging when lifting heavy loads, so barefoot shoes like these from Vivobarefoot allow for better balance and sensory feedback. I was a convert after trying them during my workouts. The thin, flexible soles and wide toe boxes allow me to control my weight distribution much more easily, dramatically improving my stability, especially during single-leg exercises. The ultraflat design felt unusual at first, but my muscles soon adjusted, and ultimately my feet and legs felt more resilient. The only caveat is that they aren’t ideal for high-impact exercises, as I learned on a short, steep downhill hike. 

Whether you’re sightseeing on vacation or simply busy living life at home, these supercomfy sandals will help fight foot fatigue and keep you comfortable while on the go. Lightweight and flexible, they have cushioned insoles, featuring dual arch support to aid stability and natural alignment. The rocker soles enable seamless heel-to-toe transitions while walking, and the adjustable heel straps ensure a snug and comfortable fit. These sandals run wide, which might not suit narrower feet, and the arch support may be too subtle for those with a very high instep or issues that benefit from extra support, like plantar fasciitis.

If you’re prone to overpronation (your feet roll inward excessively while walking, causing the arch to flatten), then shoes with arch support can have corrective benefits. That’s fairly rare to find in a chic pair of flats, but these loafers, which have the APMA Seal of Acceptance, deliver.

Hidden inside are contoured insoles with arch support for stability and plush cushioning for added comfort. Additionally, they have deep heel cups for stability and flexible rubber soles to enable an easy range of motion. Some users say that these flats run large, so check the size chart before purchasing, and be willing to break them in slowly — Vionic recommends wearing them for only a few hours the first few days. But by the two-week mark, they should be perfectly molded to your feet. 

The typical flip-flop silhouette is ultraflat, which is usually not supportive. Archies has reimagined the casual classic with an emphasis on foot posture. These flip-flops were created by a physical therapist with 1 inch of orthotic arch support to help promote optimal foot positioning and better whole-body alignment. They even mold to your feet over time for a custom fit, helping reduce the pain and discomfort caused by a range of foot-health issues, including flat feet. They run a little narrow, but sizing up might help.