11 Comfortable Shoes for Sore Feet

To be honest, you can’t go wrong with any New Balance sneaker for a comfortable fit. That’s the brand’s whole thing: good materials, solid construction, sensible comfort. But on the 9060, the wide base sends your foot impact out and throws back some soft cushion in return. The midsole (what NB calls a “sculpted pod”) molds to your foot over time, which is really what makes this one stand out in the ocean of comfy New Balances.

You could walk into an Asics store blindfolded and come out with something more comfortable than most shoes you own, so this is another toughie to say just which sneaker is the best. But the latest Gel-Nimbus has such a crazy-soft landing on every step that it really takes the cake. It has a bit wider of a landing pad but not as wide as the New Balance.

The upper is soft and stretchy, and you feel like you have a ton of cushion without feeling as though your feet are stuck to the ground. They are lightweight and responsive, and they are easy to slip on and off. They’re good for running and better for wearing through TSA.

Birkenstock’s shearling-lined Arizona sandal is the best combination of Birkenstock’s best stuff. First, the signature, moldable cork footbed, of course. Next, the sandal, we find, is a bit more comfortable for the toes than the clog. Lastly, the shearling lining makes it feel soft to slip on every single time. For a shoe to wear around the house that’s as soft as a slipper but much more foot friendly, this is hard to beat.

Flower Mountain’s trail sneakers are designed for long periods of time outside, with a supportive midsole and a soft, cloudlike upper. Similar to a Birkenstock, it has a cork insole that molds to your exact foot shape. (This one is treated to repel odor and bacteria too.) It’s pricey but it’s great.

The chunky silhouette of this bad boy is present wherever people with feet are. And that’s for a reason: The insane stack height on the Bondi 9 is unmatched. You can use them for running, but we love them for walking and being nice to our feet on recovery days. It has a hefty cushion and soft, 3D molded collar.

Most boots require a break-in period, so it can be hard to call any of them as comfortable as, say, a knit sneaker. But Blundstones come pretty close. Esquire editors love these, thanks to their indestructible design, leather than softens over time, and pull tabs that make them easy and not time-consuming to put on.

The Nike Zoom Vomero 5 is a sleeper hit when it comes to comfy shoes. They are uber-popular right now, and the trendiest sneakers are not always trendy for reasons of comfort. These are, though. They are soft and lightweight, and they have a great cushion without a crazy stack height.

Kuru designs shoes specifically meant to ease foot ailments like plantar fasciitis. They are designed with a beveled heel crash pad—something that emphasizes taking pressure off your heel without messing with your stride. They feel a bit different than your standard sneaker, with a noticeable heel- and midfoot-hugging design. There are a few versions, but the high stack on this one is excellent for true comfort.

The anatomically supportive foam on the Oofos recovery slide is unlike that on most shoes you’ve worn before. It doesn’t have the super-soft, plushy feeling you might get in a sneaker, but that’s because it’s designed to support your foot in its best position. The footbed eases step impact but without doing so much work that your feet get into a suboptimal position.

Salomon XT-6 is an excellent shoe: simple, sleek, and stylish. It can take on an outdoor run as easily as a leisurely walk. It is a great alternative to the super-high stacked cushions of some of the other sneakers, thought it still feels soft. Plus, its Quicklace design makes getting it on and off easy.

On named this shoe well—you’ll feel like you’re running on clouds. Or walking, if that’s your style. There’s a reason this brand has become a cult favorite. Take this style, for instance, designed with a 10mm heel drop for extra support, a cushiony interior that still allows for a speedy run, and a sleek and stylish look. Plus, the outsole was designed to keep from trapping stones if you run outdoors or for some reason have stones in your house.