Calling It Now: Wedges Will Be the Shoe of the Summer

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Love 'em or hate 'em, wedges are back! No matter where you stand on shoe trend, there's no denying that wedges are some of the most comfortable shoes to wear. And while the polarizing footwear style may have reigned supreme in the early aughts (#tbt to the wedge booties I wore everywhere my freshman year of high school), wedge heels and platforms are coming back in a major way. This spring and summer, you can expect to see wedges e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e, and to help you hop on the 2000s trend, I've rounded up all the most comfortable wedges (including sandals, pumps, and yes, even sneakers) that'll make you want to retire your stilettos for good.

So...why are wedges more comfortable than traditional heels? As podiatric surgeon Dr. Robert K. Lee previously told Cosmo, wedges put "less pressure on the forefoot when walking" since they have a flat surface that touches the ground and—as a result—more surface area for your feet to press against. Tbh, wedges can be even more comfortable than flat shoes since the angled soles provide better arch support than a totally flat style. Not convinced yet? Maybe these cute (and comfy!) wedges will change your mind.

Keep reading for all the chicest and comfiest wedges you can wear this season, including classic cork and espadrille wedges as well as elevated all-leather styles.

Joanie IV Y Strap Wedge Sandal

Looking for a pair of wedges that'll go the distance? These are your girls. With their chunky platform and subtle wedge lift, these sandals provide SO much cushiony height, all while the adjustable ankle strap keeps you feeling stable and supported.

• Size range: 5-12 with half sizes

• Material: Leather or suede

• Height: 3" heel with 1.5" platform

• Colors: Honest Beige, Black, Utility Green, Velvet Tan, or Yellow Ray

Glowing Customer Review: "These sandals have become my favorite sandal and I buy this style every year! They are so so comfortable. I’ve worn them for work, travel, and just out and about and I’ve never had any pain or problems with these. They are my tried and trues. Not to mention you can style them all ways, formal or casual!"

April Platform Sandal

Whoever thought a shoe with a four-inch heel could actually be comfortable?? Sam Edelman really went there with the April Platform, which boasts a classic braided trim and your choice of a raffia or suede upper. And despite those g-i-a-n-t platform wedges, testers say these shoes are impressively lightweight.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: Raffia or suede

• Height: 4.3" heel, 2" platform

• Colors: Linen, Marigold, Sand, Rustic Brown, or Black

Glowing Customer Review: "I knew I’d love these the moment I saw them online. WOW. They are stunning, lightweight, and the orange is such a nice pop of color for spring/summer."

Enya Wedge Sandal

Leave it to Reformation to make a wedge slide look like a damn work of art. I'm obsessed with the cutout heel shape and the chic square toe—plus, you can choose between buttery leather, soft suede, or a sustainably-sourced cellulosic fiber that legit feels like satin.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: Leather, suede, or Naia Renew

• Height: 3" heel

• Colors: Almond, Black Suede, or Porcini Satin

Glowing Customer Review: "After trying these wedges on with half my wardrobe, I can tell you that they're not just cool and comfortable—they're versatile, too."

Open Toe Espadrilles

IMO, no one would guess these bbs cost ya less than $50. Reviewers <3 the spongey latex insoles, the classic braided jute design, and the stretchy elastic ankle straps, which let you slide 'em on with ease—no buckles or zippers required.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: PU leather

• Height: 3.3" heel, 1" platform

• Colors: Black, Blush, Navy, Camel, Nude, or White

Glowing Customer Review: "These are so comfortable and fit really well. I was worried about the over-the-toe strap since I have wide feet, but these don't pinch or cut at all. The top strap is flexible, as well as the one behind the ankle. Will be perfect for long events on my feet at work!"

Carina 60mm Espadrilles

Fact: I saw Kate Middleton wear Castañer espadrilles, so I bought Castañer espadrilles. These lace-up beauties are ridiculously comfy, thanks to the soft leather lining and lightly padded footbeds, and the fact that they're celebrity-approved is just the icing on top.

• Size range: 5-10 with half sizes

• Material: Canvas

• Height: 2.7" heel, 1" platform

• Colors: Ivory, Black, Bright Pink, Marsala, Sand, Light Blue, or Dark Blue

Glowing Customer Review: "Even though they look narrow, they fit well and are flattering. I am normally unsteady in heels and don’t wear them, but these shoes allow me to walk confidently and surely without teetering. Plus, the shoes do not bother my plantar fasciitis at all."

Jitney Knot Wedge Sandal

Brb, going to replace my old neutral wedding guest heels for these strappy stunners. Featuring a tubular vintage-inspired knot detail and slim ankle straps, these wedges are classic with a modern twist, and like all Cole Haan shoes, these bbs use ~3D Lux Comfort Technology~ to provide ah-mazing cushioning and arch support.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: Leather

• Height: 3.3" heel

• Colors: Soft Gold, Silver, Pecan Brown, or Black

Glowing Customer Review: "Stylish comfort with great cushioning and support. Fits true to size. Cole Haan never disappoints."

Takarah Wedge-Heeled Sandal

It's giving ~minimalism.~ I'm all about the dainty multi-strap design and modest two-inch heel on this one, and since they feature spongey, padded insoles, you'll feel like you're walking on soft lil clouds with each step. Looooove it.

• Size range: 5.5-12 with half sizes

• Material: Faux leather

• Height: 2" heel

• Colors: Blue, Brown, Pink, or Black

Glowing Customer Review: "So nice! Straps feel a lil tight over my foot, but not unbearable. After wearing them a few times I’m sure that’ll break them in and not feel so snug. Perfect for work and everyday!"

Harris

Podiatrist-founded footwear brand Frankie4 ALWAYS delivers when it comes to chic, comfy shoes, and the Harris espadrille wedge is no exception. Available in two width options, reviewers are in love with the classic jute finish, luxe leather uppers, and the oh-so plush triple-layered support and cushion system.

• Size range: 6-13 with half sizes, medium or wide width

• Material: Leather or suede

• Height: 2.3" heel, 1" platform

• Colors: Camel Suede or Black

Glowing Customer Review: "These are so comfortable! I had pretty much stopped wearing anything other than flats, but thought I’d give these a go, [and] I’m so pleased I did! They were so easy to wear straight away—I completely forgot I was wearing wedges."

Goodtimes Wedge Sandal

Attn, ppl w/ wider feet: These shoes are for you. Casual and sporty with a platform-layered wedge heel and crisscross straps, these bbs offer SO much cushion with their soft foam lining—and since they come in two different width options, they're definitely wide-foot friendly.

• Size range: 5-12 with half sizes, medium or wide width

• Material: Faux leather

• Height: 2.75" heel, 1.5" platform

• Colors: Black, Porcelain, Toffee, Gold, Warm Silver, Yellow, or Mid Blue

Glowing Customer Review: "I have very high arches and wide toes. I have varicose veins and knees that get sore if I wear heels for more than an hour. But I put these shoes on and loved them from the first hour on!!! I actually had a broken big toe at the time I bought them and they still felt comfortable!!! Actually, truly, really comfortable!!"

Air Max 90 LV8

Listen, I know wedge sneakers haven't been cool for at least a decade. But it's time to change that because you've gotta admit that Nike's take on the wedge trend is pretty fun, no?? Boasting stacked Nike Air units, muted colorways, and mixed material uppers, these sneaks will give you a srsly ~elevated~ look.

• Size range: 5-12 with half sizes

• Material: Leather, suede, and textile

• Height: 2.25" heel, 1.25" platform

• Colors: Baroque Brown, Phantom, Light Pumice, Wolf Grey, Black, or Siren Red

Glowing Customer Review: "Wow, so comfortable and stylish! I could wear these for hours and feel like I’m walking on a cloud. Also love the bit of a lift, as I am on the shorter side."

Luciana Knot Detail Wedge Sandal

Okay, how precious is she?? I love the minimalist silhouette on this wedge sandal (especially that cute knot detail on the toe straps!), and though that ankle strap is pretty slim, reviewers say they still felt totally secure and supported while wearing these cuties.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: Leather

• Height: 3.25" heel

• Colors: White, Champagne, Pink, or Silver

Glowing Customer Review: "This shoe is stunning! I got the rose gold one. The height is comfortable for dancing all night. I wore them for a beach wedding with a formal maxi dress [and] they did well walking on packed sand. Beautiful quality all around."

Diana Wedge Sandal

Will I be wearing these shoes all summer long? Yep, you better believe it. From the trendy sawtooth outsole to the ridiculously cushy built-in OrthoLite insoles, these wedges are well worth your $80—and they come with your choice of canvas or leather straps.

• Size range: 5-12 with half sizes, medium or wide width

• Material: Leather or canvas

• Height: 2.5" heel, 1.5" platform

• Colors: Black, Blue Denim, Natural, Tan, or Ballet Pink

Glowing Customer Review: "I received them two days ago and was so excited about how cute they looked on me I decided to wear them to work yesterday. I wore them all day at work (and I’m a teacher so I’m on my feet all day) and continued to wear them into the night when I had a few friends over. After over 13 hours on my feet they still felt super comfortable!"

Piali Slingback Pump

These hybrid wedge-heel slingbacks don't just look cool as hell—they're also surprisingly comfortable (especially considering that three-and-a-half-inch heel). The angular, architectural silhouette is such a standout in a sea of chunky rope-wrapped wedges, and the padded footbed makes this pump a lot more walkable than it looks.

• Size range: 5-12 with half sizes

• Material: Suede and leather

• Height: 3.5" heel

• Colors: Warm Caramel or Black

Glowing Customer Review: "True to size. Comfortable height. I can wear them all day at work without any pain. They can be worn with dress pants or jeans."

Toni Knotted Puffy-Strap Wedges

Found: the impossibly tall puffy-strap wedges all the fashion girlies wore to Coachella this year. Despite the height, these statement sandals are way comfier than you'd think, largely due to those spongey puffed-up straps and cushy footbeds.

• Size range: 5-11 with no half sizes

• Material: Woven fabric and natural PU

• Height: 4" heel

• Colors: Black, Chalk, or Orange

Madera Wedge

Hi, were you aware Teva made a wedge sandal? Featuring a v walkable cork wedge, cushioned footbed, and moisture-wicking microfiber lining, these strappy leather sandals are the perfect balance of sporty and sleek.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: Leather

• Height: 2.25" heel, 1.75" platform

• Colors: Black, Tigers Eye, or Eucalyptus

Glowing Customer Review: "These are the most comfortable and most stylish Tevas I have ever worn. The insole feels like you are walking on a cloud. The thinner straps and less bulky velcro make these sleek and beautiful. And flatform bottoms feel very stylish."

Patty

If you <3 a chunky silhouette, these are the shoes for you. Since they're made with Melissa's proprietary Melflex PVC plastic (a flexible, recyclable material that smells like straight-up bubblegum), the Patty mule is impressively lightweight and so, so comfy.

• Size range: 5-10 with no half sizes

• Material: PVC plastic

• Height: 3.25" heel, 1.25" platform

• Colors: Beige, Black, Pink, or Green

Glowing Customer Review: "Wow, these are so comfy and so cute! I’ve been wearing these nonstop and my feet feel great. I swear, everywhere I go I get at least one compliment. I’m normally a 7.5 and I got a 7 and they fit great. Size down if you’re in between sizes."

The Danza

Why did these ballet flats go viral? Here's why: They've got a secret wedge built into the footbed, which provides all the arch support other flats are lacking. Genius! And ofc, reviewers also love that modern square toe and coquette ribbon detail, as well as buttery-soft leather uppers.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: Leather

• Height: 0.8" heel

• Colors: Black, Tan, Ecru, Navy, Antique Rose, Cloudy Gray, or Sunset Red

Glowing Customer Review: "These are probably the most beautiful ballet flats on the internet. They are the only ones that actually support your feet. Love the padded footbed, hidden wedge, and slightly squared-off toe. Just beautiful."

Lightweight Wedge Sandal

You probs know Rothy's best for its A+ flats, but you def shouldn't sleep on these platform wedge sandals. The buckle-free straps are stretchy for an easy slip-on design, and the soft, molded footbed feels like a memory foam mattress for your foot. Oh, and did I mention these sandals are machine-washable, too?

• Size range: 5-13 with half sizes

• Material: Recycled plastic bottles

• Height: 2.25" heel, 1.75" platform

• Colors: Cardamom, Salt, or Pepper

Glowing Customer Review: "This sandal is so comfortable and I wear it everyday and everywhere. I wore this on a long walking day in Disney, and my feet felt amazing! 100% recommend, and it is good for long walks!"

Yves Wedge

Just imagine how powerful you'd feel rolling into an event wearing THESE. Made with your choice of patent leather or mirrored metallic material, these mile-high sandals boast a trendy peep toe, slim ankle straps, and a memory foam-cushioned insole for comfort.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: Mirror synthetic or leather

• Height: 3.8" heel

• Colors: Silver, Gold, Ivory, Tan, or White

Glowing Customer Review: "Great summer wedge without the cork look. So comfortable!"

Tiago Wedges

There's no better way to hop on the raffia trend than with these summer-ready sandals from Dolce Vita. Made with neutral raffia uppers and recycled materials for the outsole, these give you plenty of height without compromising on comfort, and they can be worn with legit e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

• Size range: 5-13 with half sizes

• Material: Raffia

• Height: 3.4" heel, 1.8" platform

• Colors: Natural, Black, or Blue

Glowing Customer Review: "This wedge is very cute and comfortable! Wore almost all day and no problems! True to size!"

Page 70 Wedge

K, I know she isn't cheap. But when you get a pair of shoes from podiatrist-founded brand Marion Parke, you can expect SERIOUS quality, trust. These fisherman-style wedge sandals come with a proprietary insole that's crafted to feel custom, while that rattan-wrapped sole makes 'em feel like an ideal choice for every summer 'fit.

• Size range: 5-11 with half sizes

• Material: Leather

• Height: 3.2" heel, 1.75" platform

• Colors: Stone, Light Cream, Luggage, or Navy

Glowing Customer Review: "Perfect style, height, color…very pretty and comfortable shoe. Just what I was looking for."

Why trust 'Cosmo'?

Cosmo's team of digital fashion experts have decades of combined experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore Page and conduct research across retailers of all kinds—testing many brands IRL—to bring you the best clothing and accessory picks for every season. Basically, we’ve curated the internet to bring you the chicest options like it’s our job (because it is, heh).

Each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge and includes products for all sizes. These comfortable wedges were chosen based on style, functionality, testability, price point, and so many reviews to put together this shoppable list of the very best for you!

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