Arguably the most important feature of any given design is its comfort level. Whether or not it can be worn for hours on end if it leaves any indentations or hotspots if your feet feel tired after taking it off at the end of the day… All of these concerns are valid, because after all, who enjoys wearing uncomfortable footwear?

This is exactly why we have put comfort as the top of our criteria. While other aspects are not to be disregarded, we can’t help but feel that having a stylish, durable, easily adjustable, and even high-quality design means very little, if it gives us nothing but pain and blisters while we wear it.

So let’s take a closer look at how different designs from our list achieve comfort, and what you should be paying attention to when looking for new footwear.

• Footbed:
  One of the key features of a shoe is its footbed. The footbed can largely determine how comfortable the design is, mostly because this is the part that comes in direct contact with the sole of your foot.
  Footbeds should be made out of malleable, but firm materials, such as leather or memory foam, for example, which can take on the contours of your foot, but still provide you with enough support throughout the day. They should also come with a fair share of cushioning, for smooth, comfy rides.
  Molded, or contoured footbeds are also a great option if the molds on it correspond to the shape of your foot sole. In these, your foot will feel gently cradled as you walk, and it will reduce the risk of foot fatigue, no matter how much distance you cover.
  Additionally, the footbed could have an arch cookie built into it, which is always a bonus. Arch support is essential in correcting gait disbalances, such as overpronation, but it also prevents medical conditions such as pes planus, or flatfoot.
• Midsole:
  The midsole, as you may guess by its name, is the part of the design which goes in the middle, between the outsole and the insole, or the footbed. It doesn’t come in contact with your foot, but it does affect the comfort level of a shoe.
  It would be preferable if the midsole is made out of a springy material, one which provides enough bounce, or energy return. A great example of this is found in the case of Want Les Essentiels Montoro, which has a midsole made out of EVA. EVA, or ethylene vinyl acetate, is an impact absorbing material. It distributes the force of the impact through the midsole instead of letting it get absorbed by your joints, thus reducing the chances of the ankle, knee and even hip pain in the long run.
• Heel:
  Because there are a couple of designs on our list which are not flat, we also have to address how a higher heel influences comfort.
  Heels are regarded as not the most comfortable, and it is no wonder why - they put the foot in an unnatural position - the more unnatural the higher the heel is - which can result in a myriad of problems, such as cramping and pain, hammer toes, bunions, ankle and knee pain, etc.
  In order to feel the most comfortable you can in a high heel, look for two things: a lower height, and a thicker heel.
  Heels that are three inches and lower are more comfortable to walk in, as the angle between your heel and your toes is not so sharp, taking excess pressure off of the ball of your foot.
  A thicker heel, one which is blocky or wedge in shape, provides a stable foundation for you to walk on. This prevents wobbly movements in your ankle, reduces your chances of losing your balance and falling, and it also evenly distributes your weight along the design.
  Heels which are four inches and higher, and stiletto in shape - while undeniably elegant and fancy in style - are difficult to endure for longer than a couple of hours at a time, so keep that in mind while you’re shopping.

Thanks to the wide range of different designs in our guide, we also have a handful of different styles to consider. When choosing a good option for yourself, think about the purpose you’re getting these shoes for, where you’ll be wearing them, and if they fit your personal aesthetic.

Because Canadian footwear brands tend to have a bit of that French class and effortless grace infused into their designs, it is no wonder that there is an abundance of fashion-forward, downright stunning styles in our list.

You can choose from pointy toe flats and sandals, such as the John Fluevog Marlene and the Brother Vellies Sister; playful and vintage pumps, like the Aldo Nicholes and John Fluevog Nuumite; and even a derby oxford to pair with an elegant suit, like the Want Les Essentiels Montoro. There is a dress option for everyone’s taste and for every occasion, with multiple color combinations to choose from.

Even functional footwear, such as an ankle bootie to keep you warm during the winter, can be sophisticated, as we see in the case of La Canadienne Evitta.

There are, however, a few choices which are not suitable for a formal, or even a semi-formal gathering. These are the Native Jefferson, and the Sorel options, both the Joan of Arctic and the Caribou.

The Native Jefferson is essentially made for a fun time by the water, but it can also be worn in other casual situations, such as in exploring the city, going on a shopping trip to the mall, or even having a picnic at the park.

Sorels, on the other hand, are reserved for the deepest of snows and the most freezing of weathers. They are not meant to be stylish - although a point could be made that the Joan of Arctic is one attractive snow boot - but are meant to provide you with maximum protection against low temperatures and wet conditions. You don’t buy these boots to look cute, but to stay warm and dry.

As we mentioned at the beginning of this section, which style you opt for is entirely up to you. If you’re not a fan of heels - choose a flat design! If you want something casual - go for a cute bootie or the versatile Native Jefferson. If, on the other hand, you need something impressive to complement your bold style - go for the Aldo Nicholes or the John Fluevog Nuumite. There is no right or wrong when it comes to style, only what works best for you.

Materials are what determines the comfort of any particular design, in large part, as well as some other of its properties, such as breathability, flexibility, durability and similar. Materials are the key feature when assessing the quality of a design, and you can tell a lot by it from what it is made of.

Fortunately, the vast majority of items on our list are made from amazingly high-quality materials, ones that are specially selected and specially treated just for those products, and which guarantee that you are getting your money’s worth when you purchase a new pair of shoes.

What most of them are made of - with the exception of the Aldo Nicholes and the Native Jefferson - are leather and suede.

These are two sides of the same coin - leather has a smooth, sometimes polished finish, while suede is quite literally the opposite side of it, with a plush, luxurious feel to it. Both of these materials are durable - especially if layered thick - breathable and undeniably comfortable.

Leather and suede allow air to properly flow in and out of a design and thus help in maintaining a healthy climate inside. We have already talked about how they change shape over time, to fit the shape of your foot, providing you with a level of comfort that is unmatched by any other material type.

The downsides to leather and suede are that they are not waterproof - though this can also be fixed, by using special waterproofing agents and constructions, as in the case of Sorel Joan of Arctic, Sorel Caribou, and La Canadienne Evitta - and they are more expensive than other materials, consequently driving the price of such designs up, as well. Additionally, leather and suede need regular cleaning and conditioning in order to last for as long as possible. (And trust us, that is a long, long time.)

Less impressive when it comes to materials are the Native Jefferson, constructed entirely out of EVA, and the Aldo Nicholes, which is made from textile or faux suede, depending on the color option. There is nothing wrong with these designs, and they will most likely last you a couple of seasons, but they may not be as comfortable, or as breathable as those which are made from leather and suede.

However, given that EVA and textile are synthetic materials, these two options are animal-friendly (beast-free, as Native proudly declares), and are also less costly than their genuine leather counterparts.

We love a design which we can customize to fit us however we like. The truth of the matter is that not everyone fits into the same mold when it comes to foot shape or size. Some people have problems with bunions, some have high insteps, feet that are too wide or too narrow, thick or thin ankles - all of these can benefit from a little adjustability, a nice and easy way of helping us wear our footwear more comfortably.

Of course that the best choice when it comes to adjustability is a lace-up closure. It offers you the chance to customize the fit of a design almost in its entirety, a feature that is especially neat when it comes to boots, such as the Sorels in this guide, where you need to make sure that it fits right both in the foot area and the ankle and leg parts.

Another way to add adjustability to different designs is to introduce buckled straps. These are not as fully customizable as laces, because the straps come with an already predetermined number of holes for the buckle, but they offer some wiggle room nonetheless. You can see these closures in the John Fluevog Marlene and the Aldo Nicholes.

Finally, there are also three designs, the La Canadienne Evitta, the Native Jefferson and the Brother Vellies Sister, which have no way of adjusting the fit. isn’t a bad thing, necessarily - it only means that you should read their reviews, and examine the brands’ size charts carefully before you decide whether or not these options will be suitable for you and your foot shape.

Lastly, if you’re already investing in a solid new pair of shoes, it is reasonable that you also expect them to last for some time. Preferably, years, right?

Well, when it comes to almost all of the options on our list, you actually can expect them to last for years.

The trick is, as we may have mentioned before, in the quality of the materials (though construction also plays an important role in a design’s durability). All but two of the items in this guide are made from leather and suede, which are legendary when it comes to durability. After all, there is a reason why these materials have, for centuries in producing footwear. With a little bit of cleaning and care, designs made from genuine leather and suede can last up to a decade, without ever showing signs of wear.

The Native Jefferson, made from EVA, is similarly durable. It may not last decades, but it will definitely keep you company for several seasons to come. It helps that it has a rubber rand and toe guard, which protect the design from excessive scuffing.

Finally, the Aldo Nicholes, which is made from textile, is probably the least durable option. It will not fall apart in record time by any means, but textile is a thin material which frays easily, and if you wear this design frequently, you shouldn’t expect it to last nearly as long as any of the other ones.