Rule for Comfortable Shoes is Stupidly Simple
Sure, they should fit, not choke your foot, breathe, and last longer than a season. All the usual stuff.
But the real exam is whether you can slip into them without doing a yoga pose.
I hate laces. If by day three the shoe still needs tying, pushing, or a damn shoehorn, it's trash. Works the same for boot, sneaker, and everything else.
Comfort means zero bending and zero tools. Slip in. Walk out. Done.