Foldable flat shoes are like the footwear equivalent of a Swiss Army knife for women. They can be slipped into a handbag or stored in a glove compartment in case they’re needed.
They’re minimalist shoes, featuring a lightly cushioned insole and a rubber outsole. They don’t usually require a break-in period and can easily be hidden away when not needed.
We recommend the Skechers Cleo – Bewitch. It has a stretchable woven fabric upper that comes in a number of colors, an air-cooled memory foam insole, and it’s machine-washable.
Here are the best foldable flat shoes for women who need an easily portable backup shoe.
Top 3 Best and Favorites
Best Overall
| Best Overall |
SKECHERS Cleo – Bewitch
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| Check Price |
Top Style
| Top Style |
Fit In Clouds Studs
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| Check Price |
Best Dress Shoes
| Best Dress Shoes |
Meeshine Foldable Soft Pointed Toe Ballet Flats
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| Check Price |
Best Overall
1. SKECHERS Cleo – Bewitch
The Cleo – Bewitch shoe is lightweight and made of flat knit woven fabric.
It’s available in a number of different colors to suit every outfit. It has a pretty scalloped collar design that adds an extra feminine touch.
The woven fabric is stretchable and soft, perfect for swollen and sore feet. The soft fabric lining offers a luxurious in-shoe feel. In the toe, a tapered point makes this design look smart while still allowing toe room.
An Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole offers light support and comfort. It’s covered with a fabric layer for comfort underfoot.
There’s a ⅛-inch heel, which is noticeable but not high enough to put pressure on the forefoot. A rubber traction outsole provides good grip but is still flexible enough to be able to fold and slip into a handbag.
The shoe is machine-washable for extra convenience. It should be washed on the cold cycle and air-dried.
Women with narrow feet may need to order a size smaller for a snug fit.
PROS:
- Stretchable woven fabric upper
- Air-cooled memory foam insole
- Machine washable
- Scalloped collar design
CONS:
- This shoe runs slightly wide and those with narrow feet may need to order a size smaller
Runner-Up
2. Lucky Brand Emmie Leather Flats
These shoes can easily be used as smart footwear. They come in either leather or fabric uppers and are smart enough to be worn with a professional outfit if necessary.
The upper also features stitching detail around the collar and a rounded toe for comfortable toe splay.
It has an easy slip-on design with a lightly elasticized opening for a comfortable fit. The synthetic lining is breathable but may become slippery with sweaty feet.
A lightly padded footbed offers some comfort underfoot and the rubber outsole is flexible and has nice grip on most surfaces. The heel is 0.31 inches in height.
PROS:
- Choose between leather or fabric upper
- Elasticized topline
- Padded footbed
- Flexible, rubber outsole
CONS:
- The synthetic lining may cause sweaty feet to slide
Best Style
3. Fit In Clouds Studs
These foldable flat shoes for women are stylish and have a lot of character.
Available in gold, silver, bronze, black and red, these flats are embellished with sparkling studs on the forefoot of the upper. The upper is made from soft leather and has a shine to it that gives these shoes a luxurious feel, despite their lightness.
They’re easy to slip your foot into, and the elastic opening provides a snug fit without being restricting. It’s also very durable. The sole is made from rubber and is split into two sections to make folding the shoe easier.
You can use these shoes comfortably indoors and outdoors, thanks to the thick rubber underneath.
It provides some shock absorption and protection from the ground, as well as offering traction. A drawstring bag is provided to carry these foldable flats in.
PROS:
- Crinkle patent leather upper
- Soft insole lining
- Stitched split sole
- Thick outsole
CONS:
- Not much support for those who need arch support
Top Dress Shoes
4. Meeshine Foldable Soft Pointed Toe Ballet Flats
These dress shoes would be perfect for smart or fancy occasions.
They are adorned with rhinestones or sequins in the shape of a flower—on the forefoot of the shoe—and they come in a number of neutral colors that would go with any smart outfit.
The upper is made from PU leather, and is soft against the skin as well as being durable. A light, perforated insole provides a thin layer of cushioning as well as being breathable.
The rubber outsole is non-skid, providing safety and stability on most walking surfaces. It is also very flexible. You can fold the heel up and tuck it into the toe box to halve the size of this shoe, which makes it easy to carry in a handbag.
Some users may find that they need to air the shoes before wearing them as they have a chemical smell when first unboxed.
PROS:
- Decorated upper
- Breathable insole
- Anti-skid rubber sole
- Folds into a small size
CONS:
- Some people may find that the shoes have a chemical smell and need to be aired before wearing
Best Leather Upper
5. Hush Puppies Chaste Ballet
These flats come in about 30 different upper finishes. Some of these are textile and some are leather.
If you are looking for leather flats specifically, we recommend these for their excellent quality.
These shoes are made from cognac leather in light brown, black leather, light pink, and perforated white. The leather is soft but durable and looks stylish. There’s also a leather sockliner for soft comfort.
In the footbed, a triangular HPO2 Flex cushion provides shock absorption and adapts to your own unique stride to give you support and flexibility. The ZeroG outsole is made of slip-resistant rubber and is lightweight but durable.
These flats come in both medium and wide, so there’s something for every size and shape of foot.
(Note that the elastic around the collar contains latex, so if you’re allergic to latex you won’t be able to wear these shoes.)
PROS:
- Full-grain leather upper
- HPO2 Flex cushioning
- Slip-resistant rubber outsole
- Available in wide widths
CONS:
- The elastic around the collar is latex, which may be a problem for some
Best Lambskin Flats
6. Xielong Chaste Ballet Flat Lambskin
These flats have a leather upper and a lambskin footbed for extra comfort. Lambskin—or sheepskin—contains a substance called lanolin, which makes it similar to human skin so it’s soft and comfortable on the feet.
These shoes have a rounded toe to allow for plenty of space and reduce the risk of foot problems caused by cramped toes.
A heel of approximately 0.31 inches high provides stability and enhanced heel cushioning. The rubber sole is highly flexible and provides grip on a variety of different surfaces.
The footbed is lightly cushioned and features perforations in the arch for better air circulation.
Some individuals may find that the shoe is a bit too narrow to be comfortable on their feet.
PROS:
- Soft, lambskin footbed
- Classic round toe
- Leather upper
- 0.31 inch heel
CONS:
- Some people may find the shoe to be a bit too narrow
Most Color And Style Options
7. DREAM PAIRS Sole-Simple Ballerina Walking Flats
If you like a fun shoe, these ones come in a variety of bright colors or animal print. You can also find plain colors like black, brown, or white if you do want something more neutral.
The upper is made from soft polyurethane and has an elasticized topline for a more snug fit and to keep the heel secure in the shoe.
Underneath, a rubber outsole is very flexible. Even with the low wedge heel of approximately 0.15 inches, the shoe can fold in half easily to be stored away.
Some people might not be able to wear this shoe because of the cushioned footbed, which is made from latex.
Those who have a latex allergy should avoid this shoe, as the footbed cannot be removed.
PROS:
- Available in vivid colors or animal print
- Low wedge heel
- Elasticized topline
- Ultra-flexible outsole
CONS:
- This shoe has a latex cushioned footbed, which some individuals may be allergic to
Best For Wide Feet
8. Yicornchen Womens Foldable Soft Ballet Flats
Individuals with wide feet may have trouble finding shoes that fit them comfortably, especially when it comes to minimalist shoes like foldable flats.
These shoes are on the wider side and should be comfortable for those who have slightly wider feet.
It has an ultra-flexible rubber sole that not only provides good traction on a variety of surfaces, but can also bend in half to be stored in a bag without damaging the shoe. The synthetic upper is durable and tough, although those that are shiny can become scuffed if worn outdoors.
A breathable lining allows for adequate airflow through the shoes to keep the feet cool and dry. The insole is very lightly cushioned and offers moderate arch support.
PROS:
- Easy on and off
- Moderate arch support
- Easy to clean upper
- Breathable lining
CONS:
- Shiny finish may become scuffed easily
Best Traction And Grip
9. Talaria Flats
Individuals who find themselves walking on a variety of different surfaces will appreciate the non-slip nature of these foldable flats.
The rubber outsole is flexible and offers excellent grip, whether you’re relaxing at home, at work, or walking through the shopping mall.
There’s extra rubber in the heel, which offers good impact absorption on every step. The elastic nature of the shoes and the collar help to provide a tight but comfortable fit, and prevent the shoe from slipping off while you’re wearing it.
PROS:
- Thick, grippy rubber sole
- Comes with matching bag
- Elastic trim
- Choose from a variety of colors
CONS:
- Not very durable if you’re wearing them often and for long periods of time
FAQs
Why should you always carry foldable flats?
Foldable flats are excellent to have with you at all times in case you need an extra pair of footwear.
This could be helpful in the event that your shoes get wet or dirty, or if you prefer to travel in one pair of shoes and then switch to something more comfortable afterward.
They are also an excellent way of saving space in your suitcase when traveling, as they take up half the space of regular flats.
How do I choose the right shoes?
Flats are usually minimalist shoes that don’t have a lot of padding or support. But there are still certain factors to consider when buying a pair of foldable flats.
Make sure the shoes you choose are durable. The seams should be tightly sewn and the upper and inner lining should be constructed from high-quality materials.
There should also be a strong elastic collar and a thick and long-lasting rubber outsole.
The outsole should be made of rubber for both durability and traction. Some flats use a leather sole that is lighter but doesn’t provide as much traction on slippery surfaces.
There should be adequate cushioning in the arch and heel of the shoe. Many flats include a low heel, which provides extra impact absorption. Insoles are usually made of latex or memory foam.
Those who have a latex allergy should pay particular attention to the material of the insole.
