Ballet Flats Compared, by Sole and Fit

5,777 ratings at 4.5, the best-rated flat here with the deeper record. Owners say it is comfortable from the first wear, causes no blisters, fits wide feet, and has a tread that holds up. It folds into a storage bag, and owners roll it into a medium handbag.

The listing states a PVC sole, a water-repellent faux leather upper, a fabric lining and a 3-layer cushioned insole. Everything is synthetic, which is the price of a flat that folds.

835 ratings at 4.5. Owners love the bright red and the way it goes with everything, call it good value, and like the cushioning and the stretch straps, which stay put once set. The listing states a knit upper and lining, a rubber sole and a buckle strap.

Fit splits: some owners find it true to size, others say it runs big. The strap makes it the flat for a heel that slips out of plain pumps.

10,341 ratings at 4.4, the second-most-rated flat here. Owners call it slipper-soft and say it feels like walking on foam, and it arrives with a spare pair of insoles. The listing says the rubber outsole is injection-moulded to the knit upper without glue, with a low wedge.

A glued sole is where cheap flats usually part. Owners still split on durability, and several find it too wide.

4,674 ratings at 4.4. Owners say it is comfortable out of the box with no blisters, true to size, and especially good on narrow feet, and several prefer it to far dearer knit flats. The listing states a stretch knit and mesh upper, a memory foam latex insole, a rubber non-slip sole and a narrowed heel that grips without rubbing.

3,468 ratings at 4.4. Owners call it slipper-like, say it looks as pictured, and wear it to work and on weekends. The listing states a knit upper, a rubber sole and a memory foam insole, and says the shoe can be machine washed with the insole out, then dried in the air.

Arch support splits owners. It is a commuter flat that can be cleaned, not a supportive one.

2,141 ratings at 4.4. Owners love the timeless shape and the colours, and say it goes from jeans to dresses without rubbing. The listing states a leather upper, a synthetic sole, a padded insole and an elastic topline, with a bow and an SE charm.

It runs narrow, according to owners, and some question the leather quality. It is the flat for someone who wants leather against the foot and has a slim one.

85,223 ratings at 4.3, more than every other flat here combined. Owners call it slipper-comfortable and good for everyday wear. The listing states a faux calfskin upper, a faux suede lining with a leather heel lining, a memory foam insole, a heel pillow and a 1/4 inch heel, in regular and wide widths.

It ranks last on rating. Owners say it runs small, so round up between sizes, and some say it lasts only a few months.