Here we present you 12 extraordinarily comfortable shoes. We’ve got comfortable sneakers, of course, but we also have a go-to boot and a few of our favorite slides. Some are great for exercise, some better for work, a few that might never see the light of day outside your house. All are great at giving your feet a soft, stable, supportive surface to land on. Your feet and your podiatrist (probably) will thank us.
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Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
Table of Contents
Pros
- Impact-resistant sole cushions
- Cool as hell
Cons
- A wider sole than you might be used to
To be honest, you can’t go wrong with any New Balance sneaker for a comfortable fit. But you knew that already, didn’t you? 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.
| Support Materials | Dual-density midsole, Abzorb and SBS cushioning |
Pros
- Crazy Hoka cushioning
- Extended heel tab
Cons
- Some find the high stack height unstable
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.
| Support Materials | EVA foam, molded collar |
Pros
- Very versatile
- Excellent pull tabs
Cons
- Not as great in hot weather
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.
| Support Materials | Foam midsole |
Pros
- Overall excellent feel
- Trendy
Cons
- Not everyone loves the busy upper
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.
| Support Materials | Foam, Zoom Air cushioning |
What to Look for in Comfortable Sneakers
Fit: Obviously your shoes aren’t going to be comfortable if they don’t fit you perfectly. When shopping for the most comfortable sneakers on this list, consider not only your shoe size but also the width of your foot. Some run narrow, some run wide, and some have extended sizing options so you can secure the perfect fit for you.
Arch support: If you have flat feet, arch support is key. Even if you don’t, the more support, the more comfortable they’ll be. You can determine the arch-support level of a shoe based on the heel drop: The higher the heel drop, the more arch support. Anything higher than 10 mm is considered great for support.
Cushioning: It’s all about the cushioning, baby! Ideally, the right shoe will have a balance of being cushiony yet lightweight. Styles that have foam cushioning are optimal for achieving a soft footing that won’t weigh you down.
How We Chose the Most Comfortable Sneakers
Our editors go through a lot of shoes, whether for marathons, short runs, or daily wear. We’ve tried and tested a lot of picks over the years and even Endorsed a few. Every pick on this list has not only gone through our rigorous testing process but has also come out strong on top of hundreds of thousands of online reviews. We’re picking the best of the best only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features should I look for in a comfortable shoe?
As listed earlier, fit, arch support, and cushioning are going to be paramount. If you want to take it one step (footwear pun for ya) further, though, the fabric of your shoe is going to be a major factor. Leather isn’t exactly breathable or as flexible as other materials, but it is chic. If your feet are prone to getting hot, a breathable mesh upper will serve you well.
How do I care for my sneakers?
I know you might have the urge to throw your sneakers in the washing machine and call it a day, but that doesn’t always work. Always check the manufacturer’s suggestions for care. For the sneakers that are machine washable, double-check you’re washing them on the right setting. Otherwise, brushing off dirt with a bristle brush and cleaning the rest with a damp cloth is usually a safe bet.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s roundups is carefully chosen by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
When it comes to comfortable sneakers, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tried, tested, and loved, along with options that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear.
We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these comfortable shoes are the ones that are simply the best. Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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