Buying shoes online has never been easy, but thanks to associate editor Sierra Mayhew, now it is. She zips around the stores of New York City, trying on all the trending shoes to report on their comfort, fit, and style so you never have to make a return again.
When it comes to shoes, I get attached quickly. Although I probably have over 50 in my closet, you’ll find me in the same five to 10 pairs almost every time you see me. Why? Because these shoes are broken in, meaning I can be on my feet all day when wearing them. Comfort is of the utmost importance to me, so while I love pulling the trigger on pretty styles I can only wear for a few hours at a time, I keep coming back to the best of the best.
As someone who spends a lot of time on my feet, when I was tasked with walking around New York City for an entire day in a few brand-new pairs of shoes. I knew it would be a challenge, but I was excited. This ended up being an opportunity for me to get out of my shoe comfort zone and find pairs stylish and comfortable enough to keep up with the demands of the city. After many days spent on my feet, I found five pairs of shoes stood out above the rest. These shoes provide the necessary support for standing all day but also look great with my outfit. Below, find the winners that I highly suggest buying into before summer.
If you live in New York and have left your apartment within the past 30 days, you’ve likely spotted someone wearing a pair of Sambas. There is cult-like fanfare around Adidas shoes every few years, and it’s happening all over again with the love that cool fashion people have for these sneakers. My favorite thing about trendy sneakers is that they can be worn to run almost any errand on my calendar, no matter how far. Having trendy sneakers like this in my closet is a must-have for summer.
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Were they comfortable?
Cushy soles and structured sides made for a comfortable feel. I wore them to run to my storage unit, and my feet felt amazing. There was a bit of tension around the heel, which I’m working through by wearing extra-thick socks, but overall I’m very happy with this purchase.
These were the shoes that I was most excited to try. This striking shade of red was seen on the soles of models who walked the runways during New York Fashion Week just a few months ago, and I have been dying to try them ever since. Ballet flats are the trend to know this year, but the traditional style is a bit overdone for me, and I wanted to try something that felt different. When I posted these shoes to social media, a friend at Vogue told me she had them and thought they were the best. My purchase was justified.
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Were they comfortable?
Absolutely. They required some breaking in, which I did before wearing them by sporting socks with shoes around the house for a few days, but now they’re absolutely perfect. The soft leather is heavenly.
Ancient Greek Sandals is a brand that’s known for comfort-first shoes. The quality of craftsmanship behind everything they create is golden. Minimalist ‘90s-inspired sandals are all the rage right now, so I had to get my hands on these shoes ASAP.
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Were they comfortable?
I was quite impressed by this shoe. The ridges on the side provided extra support, and it felt melded to my foot with cushioning throughout. If you need something comfortable to stand in all day, here’s your fighter.
It’s rare for me to find a pair of heels I can step into and wear all day, but I made that happen the first day I stepped into these Reformation heels. That’s honestly why I go crazy for a block heel, and you should too. They’re so comfortable and make the experience of wearing heels 10 times better. Plus, the denim colorway goes with everything in my closet.
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Were they comfortable?
I wore these when I had to go to the office and be on my feet multiple times throughout the day. I was so relieved when I realized they wouldn’t squeeze my toes too much or add blisters, and now I’m convinced I need to order them in new colors. I’ve already seen one of the colorways I like sell out, so this means I need to act fast.
The shoes from Neil J. Rodgers have felt like my little secret for years, even though I talk about them at any opportunity. The styles they carry are so fashion-forward yet timeless and comfortable. I’ve never gotten a blister from one of their shoes. These backless loafers were next on my list and made a very simple red dress look more elevated. I was impressed.
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Were they comfortable?
As expected, they absolutely were. I guarantee this Italian-crafted shoe will leave you blister-free. Loafers can be tricky, especially when there is tension at the heel, but since this style is backless with a pointed toe, it simply doesn’t disappoint.
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I'm bringing these sneakers up again because they're that good—and bound to sell out fast.
These are on the way to me as we speak.
I'm all about the gold detailing here.
This sneaker is giving gorpcore in an elevated way.
Blazers will never fail you.
I love how the pointed toe on these shoes makes them stand out from my current collection of ballet flats.
I love this woven texture.
This pop of red is such a vibe.
I am dreaming about wearing these on a long weekend away.
I am ready for my first pair of Birkenstocks, and this might be the winner.
I can just tell that these will pass my test.
This is the perfect price point for a designer pair of shoes.
A classic loafer will never steer you wrong.
I like colorful shoes—a lot.
Everything I've tried from Sperry is gentle on the feet.
I've tried these and can confirm they're quite comfortable for a pair of heels.
I need these in every color.
The colorway on these sneakers is everything.
Strappy sandals are such a cool-girl move.
I'm obsessed with how comfortable these look.
I can tell these are comfortable.
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