The 6 Flat Trends a Podiatrist Loves and Loathes

Even though they get don't always get as much airtime as the boots, sneakers and heels we own, we can always rely on the comfort and simplicity a pair of flats provide. They're essentially the bread and butter of any woman's shoe rack. This is especially true if you're a city girl or someone who's constantly on the go—you probably take for granted how comfortable and effortless the shoes are, right?

Well, not always. You see, just like the buzzy sneaker styles and heels infiltrating all the retailers now, not all 2019 flat trends are made equal—at least not as far as a podiatrist is concerned. We fashion girls may be able to dream up an outfit at the first sight of a trendy pair of shoes, but a doctor preoccupied with the health of your feet has different ideas.

Enter podiatrist and Gotham Footcare founder Miguel Cunha. He weighed in on the biggest flat trends of the moment, sharing which he'd be overjoyed to see you wear—and which he advises avoiding like the plague. From classics like loafers that you can't go wrong with to more surprising offenders like ballet flats (he's got mixed feelings), the doctor shared his unfiltered thoughts on the matter. Keep reading to discover and shop the best flat shoes for feet (and consequently, the worst).

ON THE FENCE ABOUT: BALLET FLATS

Ranking: 3/5

Why: "Flimsy shoes like ballet flats rarely offer good arch support, shifting the center of your body mass backward, which can make painful arches hurt more. Ballet flats also lack proper shock absorption, which can lead to greater stress on not only your feet but also your knees and back. Avoid shoes that can be easily bent in the mid-arch. This shoe I rank a three because it has more support surrounding the sides of your feet when compared to a slingback."

Shop ballet flats:

LOATHES: SLIDES THAT ARE COMPLETELY FLAT

Rating: 1/5

Why: "I recommend avoiding slide shoes that are completely flat, as they will contribute to pronation and collapse of the arch, which may contribute to plantar and posterior heel pain, shin splints, knee pain and back pain. The slide shoes are the worst shoe of this list because it has no heel support, and the toe box is very narrow, which will aggravate your feet. I recommend looking for slide shoes that have a wedge that is 3/4 of an inch rather than one that is completely flat as it places less tension on the Achilles tendon and will feel more comfortable."

Shop slides with a one-inch heel:

LOVES: MARY-JANES

Ranking: 4/5

Why: "I'm ranking this shoe slightly better than a ballet flat because it has support on the top of the foot."

Shop Mary-Janes:

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LOVES: BABOUCHES

Ranking: 4.5/5

Why: "Babouches are structurally built like a loafer with the option of being able to fold down its heel. When worn with the heel folded down, it is considered a slide shoe, which I do not recommend as much as with the heel up for the same concerns I mentioned in about flat slides. I'm ranking this shoe slightly less than its loafer counterpart only because the loafer has heel support at all times, which, by virtue of this, makes the loafer a more supportive shoe."

Shop babouches and convertible flats:

LOATHES: SLINGBACK FLATS

Ranking: 2/5

Why: "This shoe is an upgrade from a slide shoe only because it has a slingback that adds some support to the ankle. Shoes with ankle straps help support the shoe on the foot and eliminate the need for your toes to hang onto the shoe, thus reducing the development of hammertoes. Otherwise, it is not a great shoe option."

LOVES: LOAFERS

Ranking: 5/5

Why: "Loafers provide a great fashion alternative to heels and look just as dressy with work. These shoes have far more shock absorption, they don’t bend easily, and they have more support surrounding the sides and top of the foot which in turn will result in less foot pain such as arch pain and heel pain."

Next, Bye, Heeled Boots—I Went and Found the Best High-Street Flats for You