Comfort Shoes for Women Who Are on Their Feet All Day
The most comfortable everyday shoes combine a padded insole, a flexible skid-resistant sole, a low stable heel and the right width: M, W or WW.
If you stand, walk or work on your feet for hours, comfort comes from four things working together: a cushioned insole, a sole that bends with your step, a heel low enough to keep you steady, and a width that fits. Our comfortable wide-width flats are the easiest place to start at Catherines, because most of them are built around exactly those features.
The five features to look for in a comfort shoe
Check the product details for these five things before you look at color or style. If a shoe is missing two or more, it probably won't feel good at the end of a long day.
- Padded insole. The cushioning directly under your foot. It is what shoppers ask about when they want a shoe for a full shift.
- Flexible outsole. A sole that bends at the ball of the foot moves with your step instead of fighting it.
- Skid-resistant tread. A ridged, skid-resistant outsole adds traction on smooth floors at work and at home.
- Low, stable heel. A low heel with a wide base keeps your weight balanced; the styles below range from 7/8 inch to 1½ inches.
- An easy, adjustable fit. Elastic gore or an adjustable buckle with elastic gives a little as your feet move through the day.
Which width do you need: M, W or WW?
Width matters as much as length. If the sides of a shoe press on your foot or your foot spills over the edge of the insole, go up a width, not a length. The styles below come in Medium (M), Wide (W) and Wide Wide (WW).
- M (Medium): the standard width. Choose it if regular shoes fit comfortably across the ball of your foot.
- W (Wide): for feet that feel squeezed at the sides of standard shoes, or that get uncomfortable as the day goes on.
- WW (Wide Wide): the roomiest option, for feet that still feel snug in a wide width.
Many women find their feet feel fuller later in the day, so try new shoes on in the afternoon and pick the width that is comfortable then.
Our picks for long days on your feet
These three best-sellers come from Comfortview, a sister shoe brand we carry. Each one combines a padded insole and a flexible, skid-resistant outsole with a different heel height and silhouette, so you can match the shoe to your day.
Best for all-day errands and standing: the June slip-on flat
The June leather-like slip-on flat is a best-selling flat and the easiest pick for long days. It has a low 7/8-inch heel, elastic gore for comfort, a padded insole, and a durable, flexible, skid-resistant ridged outsole for traction. It comes in full and half sizes 7–11 and size 12, in M, W and WW.
Best for the office: the Vida slip-on pump
When you want a little height for work, the Vida slip-on block-heel pump adds a stable 1½-inch block heel to the same comfort essentials: a padded insole and a flexible, skid-resistant outsole. Wear it with skirts, dresses and work pants.
Best for desk to dinner: the Rider slingback
For a dressier look, the Rider peep-toe slingback sits on a 1¼-inch stable heel and has an adjustable buckle with elastic, so you can fine-tune the fit. Like the others, it has a padded insole and a flexible, skid-resistant outsole, and it also comes in size 13.
Best for weekend walking: wide-width sneakers
For walks and casual weekends, browse our wide-width sneakers and use the same checklist: padded insole, flexible tread and your true width.
How do these comfort shoes compare?
All three share a padded insole, a flexible skid-resistant outsole and M, W and WW widths. The real differences are heel height, how they fasten and where you'll wear them.
| Style | Heel | Fit Feature | Sizes and Widths | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June slip-on flat | 7/8-inch | Elastic gore | 7–11, 12; M, W, WW | Errands, standing, everyday |
| Vida slip-on pump | 1½-inch block | Slip-on | 7–11, 12; M, W, WW | Office, skirts and work pants |
| Rider slingback | 1¼-inch stable | Adjustable buckle with elastic | 7–11, 12, 13; M, W, WW | Desk to dinner, events |
How should comfort shoes fit when you try them on?
A comfortable shoe feels secure from the first step, with no pressure points. Walk around on a hard floor, not just carpet, and check these points before you decide.
- Toes: you should be able to wiggle them, with a little space past your longest toe.
- Sides: nothing should press or rub across the ball of your foot. If it does, try the next width.
- Heel: your heel should stay in place as you walk, not slip up and out.
- Elastic or strap: elastic gore or a buckle with elastic should feel snug, never tight or pinching.
- Hosiery: try shoes on with the socks or hosiery you'll actually wear with them.
How to style comfort flats so they still look polished
A sleek leather-like flat pairs with nearly everything in your closet, which is what makes it worth wearing every day. The June is designed to go from work to the weekend to nights out.
- Workdays: slim ankle pants, a tunic or blouse and a slip-on flat or a low block-heel pump.
- Weekends: cropped jeans or capris with flats, or sneakers for longer walks.
- Evenings out: a dress or skirt with a slingback adds polish without a high heel.
See every style, from flats to boots, in our full Catherines shoes and accessories collection.
Frequently asked questions
What shoes are best for standing all day?
Choose a low, stable heel, a padded insole, a flexible skid-resistant outsole and a width that matches your foot. A slip-on flat with elastic gore, like the June, covers all four, which is why it suits long days of standing and walking.
Do slip-on flats have enough cushion for an 8-hour shift?
Cushion feels different to everyone, so check for a padded insole first; the June, Vida and Rider all have one. Then make sure the width is right, since a shoe that pinches will feel worse by hour eight, whatever the cushioning.
Are low heels as comfortable as flats?
They can be when the heel is low, wide and stable. The Vida pump sits on a 1½-inch block heel and the Rider slingback on a 1¼-inch heel, both with padded insoles and flexible, skid-resistant outsoles.
What does elastic gore do on a slip-on flat?
Elastic gore is a stretch panel set into the upper. On the June flat it lets the shoe flex as you slip it on and as your foot moves, so the fit stays snug without a strap or laces to adjust.