With a true heatwave pending and festival season about to begin, flat summer shoes are the only thing you should have on your shopping agenda. What makes the perfect flat summer shoes, I hear you ask? Well, it's the element of ease and breathability. They're exactly the type of footwear you will want to keep on your feet for the whole day, offering ultimate comfort and a bit of breeze to boot.
For summer 2026, our footwear focus is shifting from pure style onto functional silhouettes that merge trendy silhouettes with designs inspired by the world of sports. Just like street style girlies' favourite fashion trainers, including Puma Speedcat, Adidas Tokyo and Salomon XT6, this year's hottest summer flats are embracing the element of performance as part of the look. Except this time round, the silhouettes feature cut-outs, barefoot-style soles and light-weight materials that will allow your foot to breathe. Basically, everything is tailored for that exact moment when the heatwave hits and the temperatures turn up to unsettling, boggy degrees, but the rest of your life has to continue.
To help you tackle hot temperatures in style – and with optimal levels of aeration – we've curated a list of 8 pairs of functional shoes that will easily incorporate into your wardrobe, along with breezy outfit ideas that will keep you cool.
1. Suede clogs
Though the appeal of Birkenstock clogs isn't unique to summer seasons, they are one of those impossibly comfortable styles that mould to your foot as it expands due to heat. As a result, things don't get comfier – specifically their Naples silhouette, which has a brogue-like upper and an open back. In pastel pink, it will be an ideal pairing for a lightweight linen dress.
2. Cut-out trainers
While hiking shoes look chic against a mini dress, they can often feel quite cumbersome due to their waterproof uppers. The Crocs Trailbreak 2 is a great alternative that offers the same sturdy effect, with the benefits of side cut-outs. Whether you wear them with socks or not, they will act as a grounded counterpoint for a mini linen dress.
3. Woven slip-ons
Trainer-mule hybrids are a guaranteed hit for summer, combining the chicness of a mule with the functional sole of an outdoor shoe. A woven pair, like these Merrell ones, are a great shoe option for trendy lace-trimmed shorts. With a lightweight top, it's the best way to tackle the heat – for bonus styling points, pick shoes in a contrasting colour to the rest of the outfit.
4. Mary Jane trainers
The return of the Puma Speedcat is one of those classic Y2K comebacks that will carries a lot of nostalgia. However, Puma's Mostro Fey trainer is a slightly more futuristic, Mary Jane-inspired shape that introduces a sense of modernity. They will look great poking out of a maxi skirt with lace details and a denim top, like this halter-neck waistcoat from New Look.
5. Hiking sandals
If there's an underrated flat summer shoe, it's the Keen Newport. Created as a cross between a walking sandal and an old-school water shoe, it offers the perfect amount of coverage for active city use. The layer of neoprene is really helpful during hot weather, as it allows the foot to move without losing on stability. Wear them with a mini sailor dress and your heatwave look will be sorted in a snap.
6. Crochet boat shoes
Lili Curia is one of those buzzy shoe brands that reimagines classic shapes with a bit of whimsy. Their summer-ready update on a boat shoe includes some delicate lacing and a white crochet materials that will go exceedingly well with a sleeveless linen dress in a pastel shade. And don't worry, no boat is needed when you're wearing a pair of these.
7. Mesh ballet flats
What if a mesh flat was also a trainer? The talented people at Ganni know the answer, and it looks something like their flat-soled ballerina with lace-up details. Add parachute off-white trousers, a slim-fitting cotton tee and a fun bucket hat: your summer uniform is sorted.
8. Lace-up ballet trainers
To make sure a full linen outfit feels city-appropriate, consider adding a suede shoe in a bold colour. This Ecco pair of lace-up ballet trainers in burgundy fits the bill, and will even look office-ready with some linen shorts and a crisp white shirt. Heatwave who?
