Kerrie Hughes
I live in sandals, even in the cooler months, and as a fashion editor, I've tried dozens of styles over the years. From minimalist flip-flops to super strappy gladiator sandals and everything in between, you name the style, I've probably tried it. And trust me when I say looks can be deceiving – a flat shoe doesn't always mean a comfy one.
I know that there's nothing worse than treating yourself to a new pair of sandals, only to realise you can't make it much further than your own front door without them rubbing your toes and heels. So, between myself and four other members of the woman&home team, we've put our heads (and feet!) together to come up with a definitive list of the six most comfortable sandals for women that we really would recommend to anyone.
These are the six styles we can wear all day, every day, without any soreness or blisters. Between them, there's a shoe to suit every outfit, and the best part is that much like the most comfortable trainers for women, they look as good as they feel, whatever the occasion.
The quick list
Birkenstocks need no introduction. These classic double buckle sandals have been huge news this summer, and were top of my list when weighing up the most comfortable sandals for women, as I've personally been wearing them for the last couple of years. And it turns out I'm not alone! woman&home's Ecommerce Editor Heidi Scrimgeour has been a Birky fan for 30 years, and Fashion Editor Rivkie Baum has worn hers all over the world. It's true that they take a little bit of getting used to, but once you do, you won't want to take them off.
UGG's foray into summer footwear proved just as popular as its signature boots, and much like the UGG Tasman slippers, they sold out quickly after first hitting the shelves. woman&home's Digital Editor Kerrie Hughes has owned hers for over a year now and says they really do live up to the hype. UGG has taken everything it knows about comfort and cosiness and turned it into a chic-looking sandal that goes with just about anything. Kerrie says she gets so many compliments when wearing them, which is a lovely added bonus to how good they already make her look and feel.
I tried these sandals earlier this summer, and I was surprised by how much I loved such a simple style. Forget the basic flip-flops you've had before - these are designed to be super supportive and comfortable with the arch support sole and specialised material, which moulds to the shape of your foot. These have also solved one of my biggest holiday packing dilemmas - what shoes to take. They require little space (and save on precious weight) in my fail-safe cabin bag, and have all my holiday footwear needs covered. No wonder flip-flop mega fan Jennifer Aniston loves them!
Finding a comfortable pair of heels feels like the holy grail of the fashion world, and these are exactly that. In versatile gold, they'll work with everything, and our tester, Freelance Fashion Editor Julie Player, has worn hers for lots of different occasions over the last two years. Their patented Tender Loving Air® comfort sole technology provides a cushioning layer that gives an “astonishingly comfortable” feeling underfoot.
The chunky sole on these sandals gave 5'2 Fashion Editor Rivkie a boost in height, and she says they were comfortable from the get-go. They'll add an athleisure look to your best summer dresses - think of them as similar to your most comfortable trainers, but just that little bit more breathable. They're super lightweight, and the knitted upper is stretchy, making them perfect for anyone with wider feet.
FitFlop has become a go-to footwear brand in recent years for us here at woman&home. The time, attention and clever technology that goes into making its shoes supportive and comfortable is so evident when you have them on. And the styles have come on leaps and bounds over the years, with some beautiful designs to choose from. Fashion Writer Molly Smith found these to be a sleeker and more leg-elongating take on classic flip-flops, with an incredibly springy sole. Sold!
Most comfortable sandals for women: tried and tested
Most comfortable sandals for women: best overall
The Arizona sandal is the slip-on, double buckle strap style that's been around since 1973. Countless colours and fabrics have been available over the years - including the waterproof EVA version Anne Hathaway loves - but for me, a classic pair of Arizonas is the ultimate Birkenstock buy.
At first, they might feel a little bit weird, but the clever cork footbed moulds to your foot the more you wear them, so they really do get better with time. You can actually replace both the soles and the footbeds if yours start looking a bit worse for wear.
I've had mine for a few years now, and they look just as good as the day I bought them. I've worn them on the beach and got them wet (even though you're not really supposed to!), but they're still my easy, everyday go-to.
The simple design means there are minimal danger areas where you might risk getting a blister, plus the buckle straps are adjustable. Just be sure to wear them around the house or on short trips out before all-day wear, to give the soles time to adjust to the shape of your feet.
Read more in the full Birkenstock Arizona sandals review
Most comfortable sandals for women: best suede
Kerrie first wrote about these UGG sandals last year, and she says her interest in them "hasn't waned".
The upper suede material is immediately recognisable as being made by the famous Australian brand, and if you weren't sure, the logo is placed in a subtle but unmissable position on the front strap and back. The hook and loop closure makes them easy to slip on, and the velcro fastenings at the front of the foot and the ankle are adjustable.
Kerrie says: "I wear these shoes daily, for everything from the school run to a walk to the pub on a summer's evening with friends. The cushioned sole makes them so comfortable, and the slight platform goes a long way to elevating any outfit as well as elongating and flattering my legs."
At £110, they are among the more expensive styles on our list, but the buttery soft suede and versatile design are worth every penny. You'll get just as much wear out of the sandals in the summer months as you will from UGG boots in winter.
Read more in the full UGG Goldenstar sandals review
Most comfortable sandals for women: best flip-flops
Who knew flip-flops with arch support was a thing? I certainly didn't before I tried these, but I'm telling you, it's a real game-changer.
I've never owned a comfortable pair of flip-flops before now. It seems like there's so little material to cause pain points, and yet they've always given me blisters between the toes. But with simple flip-flops back on the agenda in the shoe trends of 2025, I decided to give them another chance.
£35 might feel like a lot for flip-flops, but you really do get what you pay for. Archies is an Australian brand established by a physio who got fed up of warning patients about unsupportive flip-flops. Instead, Daniel Jones' design boasts up to 2.2cm of orthotic support in the sole and a tighter-than-normal strap to stop them from flapping so much. I'd go so far as to say they've reinvented something we all thought we knew.
They have over 92,000 reviews on the Archies site, 6,000 more on Amazon and Jennifer Aniston is a fan. Need I say more? I can assure you I've worn mine every day since I got them, and I forget I'm wearing them most of the time. High praise indeed.
These are the most affordable style on our list, and since they come in countless different colours, I say stock up!
Read more in the full Archie's arch support flip-flops review
Most comfortable sandals for women: best heeled sandals
It's not too late in the summer to be looking for wedding guest dresses, and naturally, you're going to need a pair of shoes to go with them. I went to Julie for advice, and she raved about the Air & Grace Dancing Queen sandals, which she's worn for every special occasion in the last two years.
I loved Air & Grace's platform trainers when I reviewed them last year, and much like FitFlop, I know they're a brand that really puts your feet first, so I wasn't surprised in the slightest that these came so highly recommended.
Julie explains that at 6cm high, the heels offer enough height to feel elevated and elegant, but are stable and feel sturdy to walk in. She added: "The first time I wore my Dancing Queen sandals was for a traditional wedding... I have a slight bunion on my left foot, but the soft leather and placement of the straps felt comfortable and didn't dig in. I danced for hours, and my feet felt great for the majority of the night."
"I've since worn the sandals to a variety of parties and smart functions, and over a couple of years, the leather has slightly softened, making them even more comfortable. Last week I wore them to my daughter's graduation ceremony, and again they felt comfortable and looked great with a bright floral dress. My daughter wore 'more affordable' strappy kitten heel mules and needed a box of plasters to repair the damage!"
These are the smartest and most expensive style on the list, but trust us when we say you won't need (or want!) to buy another pair of occasionwear sandals for a long time.
Read more in the full Air & Grace Dancing Queen sandals review
Most comfortable sandals for women: best for wide feet
Vivaia is a brand with a seriously impressive fan club - including Alexa Chung - so we wanted to find out if their designs really are as good as they look. Spoiler alert: we weren't disappointed.
Rivkie took the Vivaia AdaptAll Sport Sandal for a spin and was thrilled with what she found. She says: "I've spent years on the hunt for the most comfortable sandals, as someone who is often on the go and loves nothing more than a weekend exploring the city, I want sandals that not only look good but feel amazing too, and this pair of sporty sandals blew me away.
"The knitted straps, along with the light-as-a-feather sole, made these sandals the absolute dream to wear. The easily adjustable straps, as there are no prescriptive buckle holes, meant I could get the perfect fit for my foot. The sporty aesthetic meant these worked for casual and smart casual occasions and team well with everything from great summer dresses, to jeans and t-shirt combinations.
"While comfort is king for footwear, the slightly chunkier style and thick straps tap effortlessly into current seasonal shoe trends, meaning these sandals deliver on all fronts."
Read more in the full Vivaia AdaptAll Sport Sandals review
Most comfortable sandals for women: best platform
woman&home's Fashion Writer Molly Smith is a lover of platform shoe styles, from boots and trainers to open-toe sandals, so she was immediately taken by the FitFlop Flatform design.
She says: “As someone who loves platform shoes no matter the season, these FitFlop sandals fit perfectly into my wardrobe. They offer an extra bit of height and leg-lengthening capabilities.”
Most notably, she comments on their cushioned platform sole, which is particularly useful if you are someone who hits your daily step count or you’re planning to wear them on long office commutes. She notes, “What surprised me was how cushioned and springy the sole felt… Usually, with platform sandals, I find myself walking a bit more carefully, but these have a comfortable bounce that makes them much more forgiving and enjoyable to wear all day.”
Apart from the obviously comfortable sole, the sleek, minimal design is another reason to go for these platform sandals, and they feel high-end for a high-street product. Molly comments that the thick, wide leather strap and platform sole remind her of The Row Ginza Flip-Flops, making them one of the best sandal designer lookalikes to get your hands on this season. In terms of cleaning and care, they are relatively straightforward to look after. The sole is a durable rubber that's low-maintenance and easy to care for, and the strap is made from leather, which can be wiped clean with leather cleaner.
Overall, if you're looking for sandals that offer a little bit of extra height, comfort, and a sleek, on-trend design, the FitFlop Flatform sandals will work perfectly.
Read more in the full FitFlop leather flatform sandal review
How we tested
Finding a pair of sandals that is truly comfortable is harder than it sounds. It's such an individual thing - shoes that I find immediately comfortable might give you blisters no matter how long you try to wear them in.
That's why we shared the reviews among several team members. It meant we could consider various issues like wide feet and bunions, and get a general consensus. For instance, Birkenstocks came out on top as 'best overall' because so many of the team agreed they are.
I also thought a lot about price. The six on our list range from £35 to £169, so they're not throwaway purchases - they're styles that you'll likely love for years to come.
Comfort and support are, of course, the priority. We tested each pair of sandals to see how well they fared for everyday tasks like a commute to work or a dog walk. Some of the styles we've already worn and loved for years, like the UGGs, Birkenstocks and Air & Grace sandals. The FitFlop, Archies and Vivaia sandals were all new to us, but we made sure we had worn them for plenty of steps before we sat down to review them.
I also asked testers to think about how lightweight they felt, how cushioned they were, whether they're true to size, and if they would recommend them to a friend.
It's a myth that comfort and style can't go hand in hand, so the models we've recommended look just as good as they feel. We also thought about what you could wear them with - sandals to wear with dresses is all well and good until the last days of summer, when you want to wear them with jeans too.
Care is also a big consideration if you're investing in sandals you hope will last more than one summer. Patent leather Birkenstock sandals are easy to wipe clean, whereas the UGG suede sandals will need more TLC.
My best advice on how to choose the most comfortable sandals is to weigh up what exactly you'll be wearing yours for and how much you can spend. Trying them on is key, so check the returns policy of the retailer, then order more than one size and style, walk around in them at home, and only keep the ones that feel right.
If you're used to ordering a size up in trainers online, remember you most likely won't be wearing sandals with socks, so in most cases your normal size should be fine.
Styles that just missed the list
Between us all, we've tested dozens of pairs of sandals over the years, so it was a tricky task to narrow it down to just six.
The top three that just missed the list were:
- Sorel's Ella ankle strap sandals - I love these sturdy but stylish sandals; however they are more suited to women with particularly narrow feet, and they did need a bit of wearing in for me. The sole is comfortable but not super cushioned, so whilst more expensive, the UGG Goldenstar felt like a similar option that came out as a bit more comfortable overall.
- Toast Fracap fisherman sandals - Molly loves these bestselling fisherman sandals. In the softest Italian leather, they're really comfortable, but at £175, the price point makes them more of a luxury purchase than an everyday sandal.
- The FitFlop iQushion ergonomic flip-flops are a favourite of Kerrie's, but flip-flops was a competitive category, and I found the Archies to be a really good all-rounder.
FAQs
Are Birkenstocks podiatrists approved?
Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus, an award-winning, board-certified podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Florida tells me: "Yes, I usually recommend Birkenstocks because they have contoured footbeds, built-in arch support, and deep heel cups.
"These features are stabilising for the foot and encourage alignment, making it a good option for those with mild flat feet or low arches. But not all foot types. People with very high arches or very flat feet who need to wear specialty orthopedic shoes to get the best support from a shoe will need to consider other options.
"One thing I would also note is that while Birkenstocks are the go-to options for comfort and good foot health for many people, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They are stylish and supportive, which is why they are a popular “healthy” sandal choice when individual foot needs are taken into consideration."
