Top 5 Most Comfortable & Cute Summer Sandals

It’s that time of the summer when you realize all the super cute sandals you picked up for the summer aren’t all that comfortable. Tired of the blisters and heel/strap rubbing, you begin the hunt for replacement, comfy sandals so you can actually go out without meticulously planning how much walking you’ll be doing. I’ve been there. Here are some of my top picks for comfortable, yet chic sandals this summer.

Clarks Amelia Air Wedge Sandals

Clarks Amelia Air Wedge Sandals

Clarks Amelia Air Wedges are hands down one of the most comfortable wedges ever. Or maybe even all sandals in general. Premium leather, cushioned sole, summery espadrille feel, and with the platform, the actual height feels like nothing. I don’t feel much pressure on the ball of my feet in these, which is rare with almost 4″ heels. The detailing on these also makes these look expensive. Get them in cognac brown for casual days, but these in nude are a MUST have.

Clarks Amelia Air Wedge Sandals

They literally look like they instantly extended your legs by 4 inches,  making them look super long and making you look like you just lost 5 lbs. Some designers/brands don’t do a great nude and it just looks pasty, but Clarks really did a great job with the nude on this one. It really blends in well with your skin. I actually picked up both colors last year, and both still look great and are even more comfortable, if that’s possible. Didn’t expect Clarks to bring them back again this year, but guess with all those rave reviews (77 5-star reviews on Zappos!), they knew they had a popular style on their hands. Get your cognac Amelias on sale here for only $77, and your nude Amelias on sale here for $95 (yes, nude is more expensive as it is THE one to get!).

Salvatore Ferragamo Barbados Sandals

Salvatore Ferragamo Barbados Sandals

These Ferragamo Barbados sandals are super chic and cute, and the price is ridiculously reasonable for a pair of Ferragamos — only $160 (on sale at Zappos here!). I love that because these are essentially jelly sandals, you can wear them in the rain without fear. They’re also very bendy so they do somewhat bend with your feet as you walk. I’d recommend trying them on before purchasing though, because some people’s heels may rub against the heel cup funny. They cup mine perfectly though, so no rubbing at all and actually act to hold your feet in well. Get your pair here for $160.

Island Slipper PT202 Flip-Flops

Island Slipper PT202 Flip Flops

I’m in love with these Island Slipper PT202 sandals. Never mind that these are technically “Men’s” sandals, just get 2 sizes smaller than your usual size. Island Slipper has been making these leather sandals entirely by hand for the last 66 years, so you know you’re getting top notch quality you won’t find with mass-produced brands out there.

Island Slipper PT202 Flip Flop Sandals

They only use full-grain leather (which is the best, most expensive leather), and build in contoured heel cup and arch support for the ultimate comfort. J.Crew calls these state-of-the-art flip flops and I couldn’t agree more. They feel like heaven on your feet; I was amazed by how comfortable and plush they are the first time I slipped them on. Get your pair here from J.Crew for $89.95.

Balenciaga Arena Studs Sandal

Balenciaga Arena Sandals

These Balenciaga Arena Giant Studs Sandals are for anyone who have ever owned any Balenciaga bags or have liked them. Or even if you haven’t. They are made from soft crafted vintage lambskin, and feel amazingly soft and cushy on your feet. The classic Balenciaga Giant Hardware studs on top also act as a great pop of color and add just a touch of dressiness. I like them more than the version with the studs all around the straps, which feel too loud and a bit too much going on. Get yours here on sale for only $359.

K. Jacques Nehru Crisscross  Flat Thong Sandal

K. Jacques Nehru Crisscross Flat Thong Sandals

Made in St. Tropez, these K. Jacques Nehru sandals epitomize French craftsmanship and luxury. It’s amazing that with a design so simple and classic, these sandals can look so luxurious and effortlessly chic. But then again, minimalism is trending now precisely because too much accessorizing and crap piled on top of a single shoe just looks like you’re trying way too hard. And it’s kinda lame. These simple sandals are perfect for almost any summer outfit from beach wear to lunch at a cafe. Get yours here for $240.

Born Famke Clogs

I’m a flats wearer. I’ve tried so-called “comfortable” heels like J.Crew Etta, I’ve tried heels from known comfort brands like Clarks and Born, I’ve tried to find heels with substantial platforms, and I’ve even tried orthotic shoes (FWIW, Orthaheel Tide sandals are ultra comfy). None were that comfortable after a few hours or after some quick NYC walking. I resigned myself to ugly, matronly flats forever. Then I found these.

Let me just say — Most. Comfortable. Shoes. Ever. Ever. So comfortable that for the first time, I want to stock up with multiple pairs of every color. So insanely, crazy comfortable and cushiony that I actually hesitated blogging about this before I got the chance to hoard every pair out there in my size. 10x more comfortable than any of my flats because I no longer felt the hard concrete ground as I walked. It’s an instant lift, I looked like I instantly lost weight, and I felt confident yet comfortable. Worth every penny, all $85 of it. None of the other “comfort” shoes I purchased in the same order compared.

Born Famke

Born Famke – $85.99 on sale! Also available in Black. 113 5-star reviews on Zappos!

3.25″ heel, 1.25″ platform. Super cute under jeans/pants, even cuter with tights and skirts/dresses. I’ve received tons of compliments on these. Leather lining is a great plus — no stinky moisture even if you run, and yes you can run in these! Since the Born Famke only comes in this taupe color (Zappos calls it “dark brown leather” but it’s as taupe as this picture shows) & black, I’ve been obsessively trying to find any other Born shoe with the same platform +  heel structure since I’d imagine they’d be just as comfortable. Here are some:

Born Dollie

Born Dollie – currently only $69 on sale! Also available in Black. 16 5-star reviews on Zappos!

Born Curran

Born Curren – $100. Also available in Black. 11 5-star reviews!

I will certainly be buying both pairs, probably in black also. I may end up only wearing these and some variation thereof for the next decade. Versatile, flattering, and most importantly, extremely comfortable. Now go buy yourself a pair or two here at Zappos!

Nine West Donley

The boot craze continues. I don’t remember where I first saw the Nine West Donley booties, but I definitely did a double take because of the super cute military edginess and the amount of detailing. I forgot about them briefly, but then saw them again featured on TV when someone was talking about the military trend. I went on a hunt to find where I had first seen these, and was surprised when I saw that they were Nine West. I didn’t think Nine West usually had shoes with this amount of detail. But I was super happy about their being Nine West because that means they’re not too expensive and would be comfortable. Who am I kidding – even if these were uncomfortable, I wouldn’t care!

Nine West Donley

Of course, they were completely sold out in the only two places that carried them – NineWest.com and Macys.com. I thought maybe I was too late to the party and it was over. I probably googled “Nine West Donley” every day to see whether they would restock. Then bam, one day, a whole slew of sites started carrying them. Glad I caught this new batch – I’m sure they’ll sell out again soon!

Nine West Donley

Ugh, too cute! Looks like it has a 4″ heel, with a 1/2″ platform. Would not ordinarily think of this as comfortable, since we’re talking about a 3.5″ pitch here. But surprisingly, they are! I did my normal ball-of-feet test with high heels, where I stand still for a while and see if they kill the ball of my feet. If they do, that probably means the pitch is too great to really walk comfortably for an entire day. Well, these passed! They don’t feel too high to walk in at all. Definitely not as comfy as the Destry boots or my Irina clogs, but definitely comfortable for such a hot shoe!

Nine West DonleyNine West Donley

I’m wearing: Banana Republic Classic Trenchcoat

Here’s what I love most about these: usually I try to avoid above-the-ankle booties because they tend to cut off the line of your legs and make you look stumpy. For me, with my big ol’ calves, my legs look like big sausages that come to an abrupt end point. I’m not sure what it is about these, but the first thing I noticed is that they don’t make my legs look that way at all (I don’t think?). They kind of even look like they extend the line of my legs a little. Anyway, I LOVE them! I’ve spent the last few hours just walking around in them at home because I don’t want to take them off!

Go snag a pair before they sell out! Get 20% off the $128.95 price here at Endless.com.