I Have Flat Feet and Bunions, and These Are 7 Pairs of Shoes That Actually Fit Me Perfectly

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For as long as I’ve been alive, I’ve been searching high and low for the most comfortable shoes for my wide, flat, bunion-laden feet that weren’t orthopedic sneakers . Sometimes, laying in bed at night, I still have traumatic flashbacks to my middle-school days, wearing chunky pink tennis shoes with custom orthotics shoved inside. (With bell bottoms . The hell does not end.) Trust me, it was not the look. Admittedly, I have a penchant for pretty shoes, but one thing I can’t do, no matter how much I wish, is suffer for them. Beauty *is* pain, but I don’t have the budget for daily $150 taxis when my feet hurt so badly I’m hobbling. In my rule book, if shoes are pretty, they also need to be walkable. Living in NYC, “walkable” is a lofty standard, because here, five miles go by in a flash. If you’re like me and don’t subscribe to “beauty is pain” but still want to look cute, here are seven pairs of shoes, from my staple ballet flats to heels , and, yes, a couple pairs of sneakers, that I actually do wear on the daily. They all hit my criteria for comfortable shoes: wide widths, stretchy or flexible materials, padded and/or supportive insoles, no (or minimal) break-in time and lovely design. May you strut your best stuff yet.

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1. Margaux The Demi Flats

Marissa Wu

If I had to pick a ride-or-die shoe in my closet, Margaux’s The Demi flat is it, hands-down. Throughout the years, I’ve owned multiple pairs (including The Pointe iteration) that have logged some serious mileage. Sneakers, while comfortable and supportive, have always been my last resort, but these flats make me feel like I’m gaming the system. It’s mostly thanks to the plush insole, which I think, as far as ballet flats are concerned, is incredibly generous with its padding. (And you can trust that I’ve done my homework as someone who has been wearing this style of shoe for over 20 years.) The other thing I love about Margaux is that they offer multiple widths, and the wide always hits just right, no break-in period needed.

2. Allbirds Tree Runners

Marissa Wu

I wear sneakers only under the pain of death, and when the occasions do arise, I would happily (not) die in my Allbirds Tree Runners. From the get-go, these were made for wide, flat feet. The footbed itself has the most surface area I’ve ever seen in a shoe, meaning my toes can happily splay out. (This feature also makes it incredibly sturdy; I’m prone to tripping but never do in these.) Then, there’s the contoured footbed. Every time I put these on, I can hear my feet do a happy sigh of relief when they get that added arch support. Whether I’m out hiking, exercising or running errands, these sneakers promise all-day comfort.

3. Inez Frida Pumps

Marissa Wu

I love a good pump, but for years could *not* find a comfortable one. Lucky me (and, maybe, you), Inez’s Frida pumps check all the boxes, as far as comfortable heels go. It’s available in a wide width, with a tapered square toe box that doesn’t pinch. As for the insole, it’s plush enough to rival Margaux’s, with just the right amount of arch support. The heel is also, crucially, a walkable 2.5-inch block that remains comfortable even after trekking through the city. I wouldn’t hesitate to wear them on a night out—which is something I never say about heels. My only downside is that I find the sole of the shoe scuffs up pretty easily, despite, for the most part, walking on paved sidewalk.

4. Margaux The Edie Boot

Marissa Wu

I’ve worn my fair share of leather boots over the years, and my chief complaint was always that the leather was too stiff. Inevitably, my feet would be straining against the inflexible material, leaving my bunions glowing red at best and nursing blisters at worst. But now, I’m ready to proclaim Margaux’s The Edie as one of the most comfortable boots ever. Why? The suede is super flexible while still holding its shape. (I recommend The Boot if you want an ankle-cut.) That means it won’t sag unflatteringly, but provides plenty of give for the widest part of my feet so that nothing is squeezed into oblivion. The almond-shaped toe box is also a great compromise between the (unforgiving) pointy shape I love and the roomy roundness my feet need. Only downside: You can’t wear super-thick socks with these boots, and as someone whose feet are cold even when it’s 90 degrees out, that’s a Debbie Downer on an otherwise great shoe from the brand whose designs make up 75 percent of my closet. (However, you may be able to wear medium-thick socks—I’ve done this with success.)

5. Soludos The Lauren Lace Up

Marissa Wu

I recently discovered the joys of espadrilles and plan to have Soludos’ The Lauren on repeat this summer. The soles are sturdy and supportive, while the toe box is generously roomy—so much so that I suspect I could have sized down. However, because of the wiggle room, there was no break-in period. If the shoes do feel a tad snug, the fabric stretches, but you’ll want to ease into them and not walk five miles like I did in the espadrille wedges.

6. Rothy’s The Lace Up

Marissa Wu

Try as I might, I’m just not a Vans or Converse gal, so when I want something casual, Rothy’s The Lace Up are my go-tos. Though probably the most narrow of all my shoes, the stretchy fabric (made from recycled plastic!) ensures there’s plenty of flexibility and width for my bunions, which spill over ever so slightly. As for the footbed, its slightly-contoured arch support provides decent support that keeps me on my feet all day in a city.

7. Jack Rogers Flat Sandal

Marissa Wu

I’ve been wearing a pair of Jack Rogers for the past couple years, and they come out of the closet every summer without fail. While they no longer make my exact sandals anymore, they do now have a dedicated selection of “wide” sandals for their classic flats. The footbed molds to your feet and the strap is like butter. The big problem I typically experience with sandals is that the straps will rub against my feet, and blisters abound. Even on the hottest, most humid days, these straps do not. And the sole is nice and wide, so my feet aren’t ever spilling over the edge. I can also walk miles in them. Win-win-win.

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