The Best Travel-Friendly Ballet Flats You Can Buy Online

Rothy’s’ ballet flats have been flying off the online shelves since they were first spotted on Meghan Markle’s feet during her Australian tour in late 2018. Praised for their comfort and available in colors ranging from solid black to mint green, these round-toe kicks aren’t just pretty—they’re practical, too. If (or, in our case, when) they get dirty, simply throw them in the washing machine, air dry, and they’re good as new. The best part? They’re sustainably made from recycled plastic bottles.

There’s a reason why these babies are a perennial fan favorite. Not only do Sam Edelman’s Felicia flats come in a gazillion prints and textures (from snakeskin to suede, leopard to metallic), they come in regular, wide and narrow widths and feature padded insoles and an almond-shaped toe that flatters every foot.

You know how the elastic binding in some ballet flats can cut into your feet, leaving them red and sore? The Samara flats by Yosi Samra feature a wide elastic trim, so you’ll feel as if you’re wearing your bedroom slippers outside, not like you’re rubbing your skin off with every step. Fans rave about the padded, leather-lined insole and the reasonable price point, which starts at $35 and taps out under $100.

We adore the high vamp of Everlane’s Italian leather flats—perfect for those not down with the “toe cleavage” thing. Other features we love: the butter-soft leather that molds over time to the shape of your foot, the cushioned insoles, and the pull tabs at the ankle that makes getting them on easy as pie. With no break-in time required, they’re definitely our kind of shoe. 

The “girl next door” of ballet flats, the Emmie flat by Lucky Brand has wide appeal. With leather uppers, rubber soles, cushioned insoles, and gently rounded toes, this style checks all the ballet boxes. And since they’re in the $50 price range (and you can often find them on sale for as low as in the $30s), they fit your budget, too.

Looking for a ballet flat that’s a little edgier than the round-toe classic? Consider Prada’s Italian-made shoe, with a leg-lengthening pointed toe and a tiny gold logo charm to subtly telegraph your designer taste (and budget). A small stacked heel gives you a little lift, and the leather lining keeps your feet comfortable all day long.

Just like her character in “Sex And The City,” Sarah Jessica Parker’s Gelsey shoe (named for the American ballerina Gelsey Kirkland) is simultaneously city-slick and girly. Available with buttery leather or luxurious velvet uppers, the almond-toe ballet flats are an investment. But the fact that they’re handmade in Tuscany with Italian Nappa leather makes them a worthy one.

Designed to provide non-stop support where you need it most, these classic quilted flats get top marks for comfort and walkability. Nappa leather uppers recall a certain Chanel shoe (at, oh, a sixth of the price), biomechanically designed removable footbeds shore up weary arches, and rubber outsoles provide traction without unnecessary bulk.

OK, yes, these bowed beauties are a splurge. But if you’re ready to indulge in a truly luxe pair of ballet flats, Tod’s handmade-in-Italy flats should definitely be on your list. With a longer vamp and a dainty bow, they’re a stylish standout. And the 100% rubber bottoms, with Tod’s signature “pebbles,” make them distinctive at the sole level, too.

Italian shoemaker M.Gemi is our go-to for everything from oxfords to loafers (their Sacca Donna is a gift to stylish feet everywhere). Just days after launching their ballet flat in early 2020, praise for M.Gemi’s Ballare came tumbling in, with devotees calling it “indispensable,” “delicious,” “extremely comfortable for city walking,” and—our favorite—”like literal clouds.” But perhaps New Yorker Ariel said it best: “hands down the most comfortable flat I’ve ever worn.”