I live in sandals during the summer, and as a fashion editor, I've tried dozens of styles over the years. From minimalist flip-flops to super strappy gladiators and chunky fisherman sandals, 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 were top of my list when weighing up the most comfortable sandals for women, as I've personally been wearing them for 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.
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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 bonus to how good they already make her look and feel.
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I tried these sandals last 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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Most comfortable sandals for women: tried and tested
Most comfortable sandals for women: best overall
1. Birkenstock Arizona sandals
Best sandals overall
RRP: £50-£200 depending on style | Size range: UK 2.5-11.5 | Fastening: Slip on, buckled front straps | Colours: 100+
Birkenstock's signature footbedAdjustable strapsSimple design works with everythingColour and width choiceTake some getting used toMight feel chunkier than other sandals you're used to
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.
Most comfortable sandals for women: best suede
2. UGG Goldenstar Sandals
Best suede sandals
RRP: £110 | Size range : UK 3-7 | Fastening : 2 adjustable velcro straps | Colours : 2
Really comfortableStylishVery versatileNot waterproofDifficult to clean
Kerrie first wrote about these UGG sandals two summers ago, 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.
Most comfortable sandals for women: best flip-flops
3. Archies Arch Support Flip-Flops
Best flip-flops
RRP : £35 | Size range : UK 3-14 | Fastening: Slip on | Colours : 15+
Unrivalled supportVery durableWell-fitted, adjustable strapsRange of coloursMore than you might normally spend on flip-flops
Who knew flip-flops with arch support is 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 2026, 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 with 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!
Most comfortable sandals for women: best heeled sandals
4. Air & Grace Dancing Queen Sandals
Best heeled sandals
RRP : £169 | Size range: 36-43 (UK 3-9.5) | Fastening: Buckled ankle strap | Colours : 4
Cushioned insoleFlexible outsoleSturdy block heelSupportive strapsVersatile metallic shadeLeather upper and liningDecorative bow detailDelicate metallic leather prone to scuffs and scratches
If you're looking for wedding guest dresses, then 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, 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.
Most comfortable sandals for women: best for wide feet
5. Vivaia AdaptAll Sport Sandals
Best sandals for wide feet
RRP : £128 | Size range: UK 2.5-8.5 (including half sizes) | Fastening: Buckle | Upper/sole material: Crafted from 6 plastic bottles and antimicrobial and breathable materials | Colours : 19
Comfortable from the get-go, no wearing in neededMultiple colourways availableCasual and sporty aestheticThe elasticated straps could stretch through lots of wear
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."
Most comfortable sandals for women: best platform
6. FitFlop PLATFFORMS Wedge Toe-Post Sandals
Best platform sandals
RRP : £65 | Sizes: UK 3-9 | Fastening : Slip-on | Colours : 6 | Material: Nylon Upper & Microfibre Footbed
Cushioned midsoleAdded heightSleek designNot recommended for long walks
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 90s feel of the FitFlop PLATFFORMS (no, that's not a typo!) with their neoprene-style fabric.
We've road-tested loads of FitFlop shoes, and they never disappoint, so comfort was almost a given. But Molly even went so far as to call these the comfiest sandals she's ever tried, noting they give you extra height without the need for stilettos.
Let's face it, flip-flops can feel a bit basic, so adding a chunky platform wedge sole will lengthen your legs and make you feel a bit more put together. On their website, FitFlop call them "possibly the world’s most comfortable high heels", and reviewers certainly seem to agree.
Molly says: "From the first wear, the cushioned midsoles are instantly noticeable, offering you immediate comfort and a subtle cushioning with each step you take. Unlike lots of the platform sandals I have owned previously, this really makes a difference in being able to wear them all day long rather than for just a couple of hours.
"The toe-bar is also subtly padded, which wraps around the top of your foot, meaning that there is minimal rubbing. They also feature a practical sole with added grip, which adds even more stability when wearing them outdoors on a range of surfaces."
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 is a competitive category, and I found the Archies to be a really good all-rounder.
- FitFlop F-Mode flatform sandals - Molly tested these, as well as the similar platform FitFlops that did make it to our top six. She gave this style a slightly lower score, but still loved the bouncy sole and extra bit of height. This leather style is £90, vs the £65 price tag for the fabric FitFlop PLATFFORMS Wedge Toe-Post Sandals.
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 speciality orthopaedic 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."
