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If you’ve ever taken a ballet class, you know that those pretty pink satin slippers fall far from the realm of comfort, which sets an unfortunately low bar (we see the pun potential there, but we’re not taking the bait) for the dance shoe’s functional fashion counterpart, the ballet flat. Many run-of-the-mill styles do fall short of providing support and protection, but there are exceptions to the rule. Indeed, ballet flats with arch support do exist, which means you can get on board with the year’s biggest shoe trend without compromising comfort.
And who better to pirouette-turn to than Dr. Ann Anderson, podiatrist and podiatric surgeon with a background in ballet? “A ballet flat will not usually give as much arch support as a sneaker,” she admits. “But [they] can be supportive if the construction of the shoe incorporates an arch support.” Anderson suggests looking for a heel cup or arch support that is part of the shoe design in order to help support your foot overall. Despite the name, a “flat” shoe can still offer adequate support if it’s intentionally designed.
Fortunately, we know where to look for these footwear unicorns. Below, shop the 12 best ballet flats with arch support to wear this season.
If you only add one shoe to your closet this year, make it a ruby red slipper. This one from Margaux has a 4.8-star rating from nearly 850 reviews, most of which praise the shoe’s plush, customizable fit and multi-width sizing. And if you need even more support, Anderson suggests adding a custom molded orthotic prescribed by a podiatrist—as over-the-counter options can sometimes be too bulky or thick.
Best for: High arches
Sizes: 3-14
Colors: 15 options
Material: Nappa leather
Widths: Narrow, Medium, Wide
Customer review: “A problem I have with most flats is that they’re a little too flat. I’ve had more success with Margaux flats than other brands because they have a little cushioning inside.”
Designed in nude shades and natural palettes, Rebecca Allen’s patent flat features breathable lining and a foam-cushioned footbed for squishy-soft support. Side note: If you have a wider foot, you may want to size up in these, given the pointed toe.
Best for: People who gravitate towards neutrals
Sizes: 6-11
Colors: Black, Nude I, Nude II, Nude III, Nude IV
Material: Leather
Customer review: “I own two pairs and absolutely love them and get so many compliments! I’ve never had a pair of flats/skims that don’t slip in my heel when walking UNTIL these!”
A style we’re most looking forward to wearing this season, the Mary Jane makes a case for comfort with this square-toed, patent pair of flats from Cole Haan. An easy accomplice for fall denim or cozy sweater dresses, this shoe is lightweight and comes equipped with additional arch support.
Best for: Balletcore dressing
Sizes: 5-11
Colors: Black/Gold, Lizard Gold
Material: Synthetic, polyurethane
Customer review: “I wanted simple flats that weren’t boring. I wore them for the first time to a wedding. 10 hours, standing at least half of that time, plus dancing, and they were completely comfortable (and I have flat feet).”
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If you’re looking to add a little edge to your wardrobe, these flats from Birdies provide an ergonomic version of the trending mesh flat, and it has seven layers of “cloud-like comfort” in the footbed.
Best for: The fashion set
Sizes: 5-12
Colors: 12 options
Material: Cotton, rubber
Customer review: “The shoes are so well made. Extremely comfortable and have a beautiful appearance.”
In all likelihood, you’ve already seen Vivaia flats trending across social media, touting extreme comfort and earth-friendly composition. Complete with an Armisia Argy herbal insole, the Aria 5° provides promising heel rebound, arch and forefront support, and a padded heel patch for extra cushy comfort. This style is also machine-washable, making it a champion of convenience as well.
Best for: Earth-conscious shoppers
Sizes: 5-11
Colors: 31 options
Material: Recycled cardboard, carbon-free rubber
Customer review: “Vivaia’s shoes are made from recycled plastic bottles, which is what originally got me interested in the brand. I think we can all agree, 6 plastic bottles never looked this good...the first thing I noticed was the insole; these are now more cushioned and structured around the arches and toes.”
A lovechild of the classic ballet flat and timeless loafer, this airy flat comes with a molded EVA insole and a memory foam midsole. It’s also available in multiple widths, so it’s great for those with particularly wide or narrow feet.
Best for: Loafer fans
Sizes: 5-12
Colors: Black, Silver Metallic, Beige, Navy
Material: Leather, fabric, synthetic
Widths: Narrow, Medium, Wide
Customer review: “These shoes appealed to me straight away. They’re classic and comfortable. Dressed up or casual, I just love them.”
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Best Pastel
Rockport Reagan Ballet Flat
Not only do these classic ballerinas add an unexpected pop of pastel to your fall wardrobe, but they also cradle your feet in molded, shock-absorbing EVA foam.
Best for: Budget shoppers
Sizes: 5-11
Colors: Jade, Natural Beige
Material: Synthetic, microfiber
Customer review: “LOVE the jade green color!”
These charming, feminine flats have a removable PORON®-cushioned insole that focuses on offering maximum arch support.
Best for: Women who aspire to dress like Blair Waldorf
Sizes: 5-11
Colors: Navy, Camel, Leopard, Black/White
Material: Polyester, leather
Customer review: “These are incredibly comfortable. I wore them the first day for 10+ hours and no blisters!”
The classic black flat gets a sleek update in the form of this pointed-toe cutout style. Not only can you wear these with practically everything, but you’ll also be relieved to know they’re built with contour and comfort technology, so you can wear them (painlessly) all day long.
Best for: Those who favor pointed toes
Sizes: 5-12
Colors: Black, Hazelnut, Silver
Material: Synthetic
Widths: Standard, Wide
Customer review: “Cute, dressy flat. Fits true to size, rubs slightly on my heel...but they are great for dressing up an outfit.”
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These slingback flats bring sophisticated details to a classic style—like a side cutout, oversized buckle, and a cushioned footbed with arch support. Perfect for pairing with your favorite sweater and neutral slacks.
Best for: Those with a sense of old-school glamour
Sizes: 5-11
Colors: Black, Nude, Gold, White
Material: Leather, synthetic, rubber
Customer review: “These shoes are beautiful! True to size fit and well made. I had read some reviews that said these shoes run small...this is not my experience. I may get another pair!”
FitFlop burst onto the footwear scene in 2007 when they introduced biomechanically engineered sandals designed to complement “body structure, joint alignment and natural movement,” while still being non-ugly, of course. A hefty feat indeed, but they’ve overwhelmingly succeeded and expanded their footwear styles to include sneakers, boots, and flats—like this one with almost 300 5-star Amazon reviews.
Best for: Amazon Prime members
Sizes: 5-11
Colors: 19 options
Material: Leather, fabric, rubber
Customer review: “These were perfect...they fit so well they feel like slippers, especially with the subtly padded insole & cushioned outsole...they look like flats but have nice arch support.”
Best Podiatrist-Approved Brand
Vionic Uptown Ballet Slip-On
Anderson lists Vionic as one of her favorite brands when it comes to comfort and support. Vionic prides itself on podiatrist-approved options, no matter the style. So rest assured that this cute, orthotic ballet flat hosts top-tier technology meant to hug your arches and support natural alignment. And if you’re still not sold, this style also received the American Pediatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance.
Best for: Someone who wants extra traction
Sizes: 5-13
Colors: Gold, Black, Magnolia, Tan, Charcoal
Material: Leather, microfiber, rubber
Widths: Medium, Wide
Customer review: “So cute and comfortable! These are so cute- I love the shimmer! They will go with everything. I love that you offer wides!”
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Why Opt for Arch Support?
Typically, actual ballet dancers have notoriously high arches in their feet. But arch support-specific shoes are usually best for lower arch, or flatter, feet.
“Higher arch feet usually need more cushioning in the shoes for shock absorption than arch support, so I usually do not recommend an arch support shoe for these patients,” Anderson says. Whether your arches are high or low, you should always consult your doctor before ditching all your shoes for orthotics. If your feet are too flat, arch support can cause pesky callouses from excessive pressure along the arch. In this case, it’s best to seek out a custom orthotic that fits your shoes.
Why Do Ballet Flats Have Such a Bad Rap?
“Ballet can be very hard on your feet,” Anderson notes, due to years of stretching and strengthening the midsole to stand on pointe. But ballet flats in general are “not considered a supportive shoe because they lack significant shoe structure, they have a narrow toe-box, and have no support for the foot,” she states. And a super thin flat with no support can make you feel like your feet are literally pounding the pavement all day long.
To counteract this, Anderson advises looking for flats that specifically tout arch support or a heel cup, and a wider toe-box to allow for more wiggle room in the shoes. However, if you do have severe podiatric woes, you may want to wear the style carefully. “I will caution that ballet flats are usually not as deep as other shoes, and this can lead to nail injury due to excessive pressure on the nails,” Anderson warns.
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Meg Donohue
Associate Fashion Commerce Editor
Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different. Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and Town & Country. Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
