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What makes a sandal stylish is often a matter of taste and opinion. Comfort, however, comes down to specific criteria. Materials, construction, flexibility and breathability are some of the factors that experts take into consideration when evaluating the most comfortable sandals for women—and you should too, if you want a pair you can wear all day that won’t cause blisters or inflame conditions like plantar fasciitis.

Sorel's Kinetic Sandal is among our top picks for its cushiony foam footbed and scalloped sole, ... [+] which give you all-day comfort (the colors are cool, too).

You don’t need to shop in a podiatrist’s office, though. Plenty of everyday sandals combine orthopedic details with actually-cool designs. Here’s what to look for: a thick, cushioned sole that’s firm but not too stiff in the midsole and a slightly elevated silhouette or wedge that tapers down to your forefoot, which shifts your weight away tender areas like the heels. Deep heel cups and flexible straps also help cradle your foot and keep it securely in place to prevent pronation or rolling your ankles.

To find a high quality sandal, you have spend a bit more than you normally would for say, a pair of throw-away flip flops or wedges that look cute but make you wince by the end of the day. In this case, you get what you pay for. Still, there are deals to be had. Ahead, 9 of the most comfortable sandals for women that are stylish and kind to your feet.

Best Sandals For Overall Comfort: Sorel Kinetic Sandal

Best Sandals For Walking: Mephisto Helen Sandal

Best Sandals With Arch Support: Skechers Arch Fit

Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis: Fitflop Lulu Toe-Post Sandal

Best Sandals For Hiking: Teva Women's Ascona Sport Web Strappy Sandal

Best Supportive Sandals: Geox Gardenia Sandals

Best Affordable Sandals: Hoka Ora Recovery Slide

Best Platform Sandals: Hush Puppies Sunshine Slides

Best Strappy Sandals: Sorel Ella II Sandal

Sorel is well-known for their incredibly comfortable boots and the Portland, Oregon brand’s sandals are expertly designed and stylish as well. The wildly popular Kenetic cradles your foot securely with a leather-textile strap and the molded sole take the pressure off your arches and is grounded in lightweight rubber for extra cushioning and traction. The sandals also strike the right balance on the height, with a one inch platform, and cool, Marni-like color-blocking.

Mephisto was founded in France in 1965 and sets the standard for impeccably designed sandals, which have earned the respect of podiatrists and style-conscious fans. The Helen is a bestseller with hand-finished straps, a contoured footbed that molds to your foot and a flexible latex sole. The Soft Air technology also reduces shock and relieves pressure on joints. On the fashion side, this pick comes in more than 20 different colors and styles, which gives you a lot of options for day and evening wear.

Skechers applies the technology that make their sneakers so comfortable to their sandals as well. This pair has a podiatrist-designed shape, which was developed using data from 120,000 foot scans, over 20 years. The contoured footbed supports your arches and increases weight dispersion to reduce any pounding and, as added bonus, this sandal is machine-washable.

Fitflop is an orthopedic-like brand with fashion-conscious appeal. These highly-rated ergonomic sandals feature a triple-density “Microwobbleboard” midsole, engineered by British biomechanists to absorb shock and diffuse underfoot pressure. The results provide support to the areas where plantar fasciitis can cause inflammation—i.e. the thick band of tissue connecting your toes and your heel—and prevent flare-ups.

Teva’s ultra-supportive sandals are great for light treks or travel. The Ascona is the newer version of the bestselling Tirra—it’s designed with contoured EVA midsole for cushy arch support, nylon shanks to stabilize your foot on uneven terrain and a rugged rubber outsole that gives you traction, especially on slippery, wet surfaces.

For stylish option that offers stability, New York City-based podiatrist and foot surgeon Danielle Edwards recommends this sporty Geox sandal, which has adjustable straps. “It’s comfort meets fashion. Platform sandals and wedged sandals are in style right now and this pair is comfortable and good for your feet due to the breathable and lightweight design,” she says.

Edwards likes Hoka’s recovery slides for an extremely well made and priced option. Designed to gently cradle feet, the $50 sandal is made from a dual-layer construction with a soft top layer and a tougher outsole for durability and stability. “I find them to be especially supportive and helpful for my runner patients to wear after workouts, and in general, for any type of foot and leg pain,” Edwards says.

These newly released sandals are supportive without looking orthopedic. The insole is made of high-rebound memory foam to provide bounce along with extra padding, which helps distributes your weight evenly and prevents foot pain. The molded outsoles give you a good amount of traction, too, so you can walk on slippery or rocky surfaces without any discomfort. The bright colors are just fun.

You can find a lot of cheaper strappy sandals on the market but those often wear out after a few uses. For a pair that actually lasts, consider Sorel’s Ella. The bestselling sandals have full-grain leather with stretch gore straps, a cushioned foam footbed that softens your step and a razor-cut, scalloped outsole for extra traction. You’ll get a little bounce when you walk, which is essential in a flat, and they come in 15 different colors from beautiful tan to gorgeous light blue.

New York City-based and Lenox Hill podiatrist and foot surgeon, Danielle Edwards, advises looking for sandals with sole technology to offer arch support and ankle straps that make walking enjoyable, minus any foot strain. Specifically, she likes the Hoka Ora recovery sandal. “I always recommend these shoes for my patients with heel issues and arch pain. I tell them to buy a second pair and use them as indoor slippers and it really helps relieve plantar fasciitis.”

It's no secret that high-heels don’t serve the purpose of comfort. However, if you’re looking for a more elevated shoe with a few inches, Edwards says the Geox Dual-Band Platform sandal is a must. “It’s comfort meets fashion. Platform sandals and wedged sandals are in style right now and this pair is comfortable and good for your feet due to the breathable and lightweight design.”

If you’re someone whose work requires you to stand all day, Edwards says Fitflops are the perfect option. Whether you’re sightseeing or taking a long walk, this footwear brand is biomechanically engineered provide all-day support. “Fitflops straps don’t cause irritation on the bunion or tailors bunion area, which is often a concern for my patients with wide feet,” says Edwards.