15 of the Most Comfortable Women’s Loafers, Starting at Just $38
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Treating yourself to a brand new pair of shoes can be the cure to many problems, and lately, we cannot stop shopping for loafers. The style is totally timeless and incredibly versatile, whether you pair yours with jeans and a sleek turtleneck or a midi sweater dress. But finding the most comfortable women’s loafers can be tricky: One pair pinches, the other pair rubs and so on. Whether you like fur-lined slip-ons or a more professional style, there is a different kind of loafer for every occasion.
If you have wide feet, you're going to want to opt for a shoe that has a more relaxed fit or wider base like these Munro Penny Loafers ($210). And if you're gearing up for a long commute to work on foot, make the journey a little easier by picking loafers that offer support and traction. Perhaps these Margaux The Penny loafers ($325) to keep your feet feeling comfortable and looking chic.
Meet the Expert
Ashlyn Greer is a professional fashion stylist and the co-owner and co-founder of Fashivly, a personal styling site.
The Most Comfortable Loafers at A Glance
How We Chose the Most Comfortable Loafers
After sifting through reviews and trusting seven of our editors to give us their insight on the most comfortable loafers in their opinion, we've come up with a comprehensive list of picks that are likely to keep your feet comfortable while wearing. We considered things like material and the quality of the padding of each pair as well as how well they wear throughout a full day and which ones require break-in time.
Keeping these things in mind, here are 15 loafers you'll probably find as comfortable as we do, starting at just $38.
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1. G.H. Bass Lianna Super Lug Weejuns
We can’t talk about loafers without mentioning G.H. Bass. The brand has been around since 1876 and makes some of the best loafers on the market. And while we love most Bass styles, the Weejuns in particular are the perfection combination of fashion and function. The insole is nice and cushiony, and the lug sole adds a bit of height to your frame without sacrificing comfort. "I love the chunky sole and they're really cushioned and comfortable—I can walk around all day in these babies without worrying about blisters," reports Wellness Director Sarah Stiefvater.
2. Cole Haan Westerly Loafers
A classic loafer with a higher heel is the perfect way to elevate a professional look for the office. "These are not only the most comfortable loafers around, but the most comfortable shoes on the planet," raves Commerce Director Nicole Briese. "I honestly would choose them over sneakers, house shoes, slippers...anything. The padded sock lining literally feels like a cozy blanket being wrapped around your heel every time you walk, and it's nothing like I've ever experienced." They're lined with a molded sock for support and comfort for walking to work, and they're made of a water-resistant leather to keep your feet dry on rainy days, too.
3. Margaux The Penny
We feel luxurious and fancy just looking at these loafers. They're made of a high-quality Italian suede and have a contoured fit to hug your foot just right. Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu, reports, "They were made for city girls, aka they're great for walking in. My collection of Margaux shoes is growing shamefully. Cushioned, supportive footbed, beautiful styles and materials—really timeless."
4. Coach Sienna Slides
Coach has some of the chicest shoes on the market and these loafers are at the top of our list. Not only do they look great for professional and casual attire, the leather lining and upper are very soft to avoid any chafing or discomfort. "While the cushioning on the bottom of these is not nearly as luxurious as the Cole Haans, the softness of the leather on the sides is unparalleled—something that's greatly appreciated for someone like myself with bunions. They also have an open back, eliminating any would-be heel rubbing," says Briese.
5. Bibi Lou Zagreb Leather Loafers
The metal hardware along the upper of these loafers really caught our eye. Reviewers note they're super comfortable for all day wear, and our Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera agrees. "[They] have such a nice, cushy footbed it makes them great for wearing all day long," she says.
6. LifeStride London Loafers
A standard style loafer made for comfort is a staple for any closet. This pair is one of Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth's favorites because of how comfy they are to wear. "I needed no break-in time, which is rare for me—these loafers were incredibly comfortable right out of the box. And the footbed feels extra cushy for bonus comfort," she says. They're made with Soft System cushioning to support your feet from all angles, and the short heel is ideal for anyone with plantar fasciitis.
7. Vivaia Samantha Loafers
The square-toe style of these loafers is sleek and stylish. Considering the PU foam insole, heel rebound and arch and forefoot support, it's hard to imagine your feet won't be comfortable in these shoes. The material is incredibly flexible and breathable, too. "Both my daughter and I wore these shoes on a long trip, with lots of walking. No break-in time required. Attractive comfy shoes for travel or every day use," writes one reviewer.
8. Everlane The Modern Loafer
This leather is buttery soft and adds a polished look to any ensemble, from a pant suit to your go-to jeans. There’s also an additional layer of padding atop the foam-cushioned insole—a feature that the brand promises will mean there’s “zero break-in needed.” You can grab this pair in this camel hue or a timeless black. "The fit is dead on, the leather is soft. I have tender feet but could wear these without socks the first day and all day no blisters. I bought them in two colors and even plan to take them on a vacation where I will be doing a lot of walking," raves one customer.
9. Birdies The Vesper
Spice up your slipper rotation with these sleek loafers. The shoe has a suede upper and faux fur-lined interior for the comfiest, warmest feeling with every step. The sole has detailed traction for a no-slip hold while the footbed offers supportive comfort to your arch. And don’t worry about them being too heavy: The platform is foam-based with a rubber sole, so they’re lightweight and comfy to wear.
10. Dr. Scholl’s Classy Penny Loafer
The chunky lug sole gives this pair a sportier appeal for more casual looks. Swap your white sneakers for these babies to go with your classic jeans and sweater combo. This particular pair has an anatomically cushioned footbed for supportive comfort and a bit of padding on the top edge to keep the backs from rubbing your heels. .
11. Rothy's The Almond Toa Penny Loafers
The insole of this low-key silhouette is made to mold to your foot for strategic comfort, thanks to the cushioned footbed. Our favorite part? They're also machine washable. The upper is thinner than most styles, which makes them flexible and excellent for lots of walking. Because these are so simple in design, we recommend pairing them with statement trousers or dresses, because they’ll complement the rest of your outfit without stealing the show.
12. J.Crew Winona Penny Loafers
You can’t go wrong with a traditional penny loafer. The brand’s team tests these shoes in-house to ensure they are comfortable and walkable for customers. The glossy finish of the spazzolato leather gives a sleek and polished look that will make your entire outfit seem even more luxurious. Customers do say that they run a tad small, so make sure you check out the size chart before you purchase. One satisfied customer raves, “If you’ve been looking for a classic, old-school traditional penny loafer—one that doesn’t compromise style for comfort, then look no further. These loafers are chic, well made and far from dowdy! They look terrific with cropped jeans and a blazer and have a spot-on preppy appeal to them that I happen to like. Super sophisticated and just all-around crisp! Highly recommend them.”
13. Vionic Cheryl II Leather Loafers
These cute loafers are made for comfort, support and all-around wearability. The podiatrist-designed footbed is made with Orthaheel to optimally support your foot's natural alignment. They also boast a supple leather, so they don’t chafe and irritate your skin. This chic shoe is at the top of our list for a comfy loafer that won’t make your outfit look dowdy.
14. Gucci Princetown Shearling Loafer Mule
If you’re looking for a pair of loafers that you can slip on at the office after you take off your winter boots, these will not disappoint. The fur lining makes it feel like you’re wearing We love the sleek gold chain link across the upper and the polished simplicity of the black leather. Whether you’re wearing a pair of trousers or jeans, this sophisticated yet fun pair of mules will make walking around the office way more comfortable.
15. Munro Geena Penny Loafer
If you’re looking for something a little more professional and preppy, this style fits the bill thanks to the low-key sole and soft, suede-like finish. It has an arch-supporting footbed and the low heel is great for walking or standing.
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What to Look for in a Comfortable Loafer
Opt for loafers with padded insoles and pairs that are made with sturdy material that will last over time. Because loafers are such a versatile shoe, they need to have durability since you can wear them so frequently. The more support in the shoe, the more comfortable your feet will be.
Is It Normal for Loafers to Hurt?
Because loafers are usually made from a thicker, tougher material like leather, which can have extras built into the heels for stability, they can feel uncomfortable to wear at first. This is why we recommend testing out brands or styles that work for your feet the best so you can avoid blisters or sore feet, or, at the very least, be prepared for a little bit of a break-in time. "Soft leather loafers are your best bet for a style that's easy to break in. Some synthetics (and more structured/tough leathers) can be harder to break in and can cause more blisters than some of us are comfortable with!" Advises Greer. Looking for even more comfort right off the bat? Greer has one more tip: "[Check] in the inside sole where the shoe meets the inside part of the foot. Some loafers have built-in cushion beds there to help with rubbing, and most online product shots show this part of the shoe too."
How to Break in Loafers
According to Greer, the best tip for breaking in loafers and avoiding discomfort is making sure you're getting the right size. "A lot of blisters and rubbing with shoes are actually caused from a shoe that's too tight or too big, causing more friction than necessary either way," she says. Some break-in time for stiffer shoes like leather loafers is totally normal. The key to breaking in loafers is getting the shape to stretch a bit to more comfortably sculpt to your feet. So, wearing thick socks around the house under your loafers can be helpful at first. Alternatively, you can take your new pair to a shoe repair stores, where the pros will stretch them out for that lived-in feel. There are other methods, too, like heating and bending. "My grandma showed me this trick she used to use on her shoes years ago and I always go for it first when I get a new pair of stiff shoes," says commerce editor Olivia Dubyak. "Basically you heat your shoe up where it's tight, like with a heating pack, and then twist and bend the shoe." This may not be an instant fix, but it helps to do it several times before wear to work it most effectively.
What Are the Best Socks to Wear with Loafers?
If you're still in the break-in period with your loafers, opt for a pair of socks with a thicker material for padding against the heel. You can also style your loafers with a set of higher socks for a dark academia or Rory Gilmore style, too. "For sock and loafer pairings, the best rule of thumb is opposites attract! If you're styling chunkier loafers with denim or a maxi, pair with a slimmer knit sock. If you've got a slim heeled or flat pair of loafers and you're pairing with a mini, a chunkier sock can help balance out the look," says Greer.
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
