No one wants stinky shoes. So, you have two options: grab any old shoe and hope they don’t get stinky and then waste your time trying to clean and deodorize them or you can buy a ballet flat that comes with odor preventing technologies built-in.

Breathability
Breathable materials in these are a little harder to find, as they are dress shoes, not athletic shoes, and are not designed to maximize breathability. However, some materials found in ballet flat uppers are more breathable and can help keep your feet cool. Cool feet don’t sweat as much and breathable materials let air slip through your shoes to dry your feet, cooling them down even more. With less stinky sweat filling up your shoes, the fewer odors that will develop and cling to your shoes.

Antibacterial & Antimicrobial Properties
Instead of sacrificing durability and support for more breathable, flimsier materials, some manufacturers opt to incorporate antibacterial and antimicrobial properties into their products Bacteria and fungi are what cause stinky shoe odors and shoes with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties naturally combat odors on their own.

Waterproofing
Sometimes a shoe gets utterly ruined when it’s gotten wet. A little water usually won’t hurt any shoe, but some shoes are more vulnerable than others. This is generally due to the materials used in the design of the upper of the shoe. Shoe designers bear this in mind when designing and constructing a shoe. If they don’t use a naturally waterproofed material in the shoe, some manufacturers will waterproof the shoe. This isn’t a big deal if you’re not going hiking in the woods across a river- and let’s be real, you’re probably not doing that in your ballet flats- but if you live in a floodplain, a waterproof shoe would be best.

These products will all look similar, but there is some variety in their shape and styles. Mainly these differences come in the toe box area and the upper design. A toe box that is too small will squish your feet and could cause serious medical conditions, including chronic back pain, so be sure to pick out a pair with ample room for your toes to fit comfortably. Everyone’s feet will be different and some people will be fine with a narrow toe box. Others must have a wider toe box in their shoes. There are three toe box shapes that are commonly found in shoes.

Squared
A squared toe box offers the most room for your toes to spread out, but some people find this style dull and boring. If you have wide feet, though, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider investing in a pair with a squared toe.

Rounded
A rounded toe box is a happy medium. It’s generally not too wide nor too narrow. For people who have average or somewhat narrow or somewhat wide feet, rounded toe boxes would be best. If it’s too tight, don’t wear it.

Pointed
A pointed toe box is the narrowest and even some people with narrow feet may find this style too tight on their toes. It’s possible to find some that are wider, but this style makes it harder to find a comfortable forefoot fit for people who have wide feet. It’s a popular style, however, and worth looking into if you really like pointed shoes.

Support and stability are even more critical in these than in some other shoes, because they are smaller and thinner. They sometimes have a ribbon or strap to wrap around your ankles and offer support, but many modern options do not. The ribbons and straps serve more to keep the shoe on your foot than they are to support your ankles.

Some ballet flats have thicker insoles that offer both support and cushioning, but many don’t. It’s crucial that you try these shoes on or check the reviews to confirm the amount of support offered by these shoes. Similarly, the outsoles on classics are designed to be flexible and almost nonexistent. Some modern options come with better outsoles, but many of them will not offer much by means of support.

Two areas to spend extra time investigating are the insole and outsole. Here is how they are relevant to finding a stable, supportive shoe.

Insole
The insole is of paramount importance when you are selecting a ballet flat. You must consider how much cushioning and support you need and which styles of ballet flat offer what you need. Classic options generally lack cushioning in their insoles or offer very little. More modern styled products have better insole cushioning than others. Some even have sport memory foam and latex foam insoles!

Outsole
The purpose of cushioning, aside from feeling nice when you put your foot on it, is to absorb the shock generated from walking, running and dancing.

Depending on how fast you are moving, how much you weigh, and the style of shoes you are wearing, that impact can be so intense that it leads to injury. The purpose of the outsole is to absorb as much of that shock as possible. As with the insole, classics have thin, sometimes ineffective outsoles, but more modern versions have better outsoles. Generally, outsoles in these are made of leather, synthetic materials, or rubber.

For safety purposes, you need your shoes to have good traction. Slips and falls aren’t kind to our fragile human bodies and the older you are, the more likely you are to suffer a grievous injury. The outsole of some ballet shoes are so slick that they would be a safety hazard in some environments, but others come with enough traction built in that you could walk down an icy sidewalk with little difficulty in them.

Flexibility is also one area that these seem to really thrive in. They were designed to be flexible to allow the dancer to stretch and move their foot freely in proper ballet technique. However, some modern options have opted more for stability than flexibility, which is good for some people, but some flexibility is still needed. Some of these come with elastic bands or elastic top-lines to increase the flexibility of the shoe and to help it fit more comfortably.

By ensuring your shoes are both flexible and equipped with a solid grip and traction, you can be assured to perform at your best while not risking bodily injury.

A variety of materials can be found in the upper construction of this product these days. The most common are leather, suede, and cotton, but these are just a few of the materials used in the upper design of today’s ballet flats. Some of these materials are less comfortable because they are more rigid. More flexible materials can be hot and hold on to odors. It’s up to you to decide which material will work best for you.

Leather
Leather is the firmest material used in most ballet flats. It can be unforgiving and abrasive if the shoe doesn’t fit properly. It also doesn’t flex as well as other materials.

Suede
Suede is actually a type of leather. It’s not as firm as standard run-of-the-mill leather, but it’s also pretty unforgiving.

Cotton
This material is more flexible, but it’s also warmer and has poor temperature management properties. Ballet flats with cotton uppers, however, can also be quite stylish.

Synthetic
Synthetic uppers are entirely man-made and include no animal products whatsoever. Depending on the materials used and the design of the upper, synthetic uppers can be the most flexible.

Other Materials
Manufacturers like crocs also create their own materials that they use in the uppers of their shoes. Depending on the material and the company, these materials can increase the flexibility and comfort of the shoes. However, some manufacturers prefer stability over flexibility.

Padding
Some ballet flats also have padding included in the sides of their uppers, which adds another layer of comfort and protection to your vulnerable feet. Sometimes it’s padded leather, other times its lightweight foam and other materials. As mentioned earlier, leather is the least flexible.