The Best Slides
If we're not planning an arduous trek into uncharted territory, we might be looking for a casual shoe that can be quickly slipped on and off. Slide sandals offer the ideal solution for relaxed wear, with an easy opening that can be donned in seconds, lightweight and padded construction that puts a spring in your step without undue bulkiness, and a rugged synthetic composition that can resist a splash and last for years to come. These simple slippers aren't just cozy for indoors, either; their minimal designs and practical form make them ideal for holiday strolls, beach and pool wear, and after-sport wind downs.
What to Look For
While we searched for the best slides on the market today, we were on the lookout for options that provide ample padding and support, are waterproof in construction, and offer a variety of color options. We love the Joomra pillow slippers, which, as the name would suggest, give a gentle cushioning to each step with their 1.7-inch soles. You won’t be short of color coordination possibilities with nine bold tones to choose from, and this waterproof EVA material is well suited to wet wear. If you’re looking for ultimate traction and liquid expulsion for aquatic applications, check out the Baya slides from Crocs. Read on below to find the rest of our favorite slides.
Joomra Pillow Slippers
Sink into these cozy contenders from Joomra and your feet with thank you later. With a thick ethylene vinyl acetate sole lifting you a full 1.7 inches from the ground, each step you take will be gently cushioned from impact. A concave vamp within the footbed pairs while a deep heel cup holds your feet firmly in place, ensuring a comfortable podiatric profile by evenly distributing your weight. This sleek pair doesn’t just bring comfort, either: we love the contemporary minimalist aesthetic of these bold monotone designs.
Pros:
- Waterproof and quick-drying plastic make these an ideal choice for bathroom or poolside wear.
- Edge curvature and a wave pattern on the soles provide added traction.
- We also love the raised lip at the front of each slipper, which protects your toes from knocks.
Cons:
- These slides could be a little wide for those with smaller feet.
Cushionaire Feather Recovery Slides
Tread lightly
Stroll forth as light as the proverbial feather in these cozy, soft foam slippers. Each footstep you take will be gently padded by an absorptive molded cushion footbed. With a formidable thickness of 1.75 inches, these deep soles could surely shield the princess from the pea. A textured outsole reduces slips and slides underfoot and extends up the entirety of each sole, offering stable traction all around.
Pros:
- We love the fifteen different color designs, which range from understated suave monotones to bold and brilliant tie-dye patterns.
- Traction inside the footbed means these slides are less prone to slipping from your feet in wet conditions.
- This wide toe box optimizes airflow so your feet can breathe as you unwind.
Cons:
- These sandals can run small, so you may want to remeasure and consult the sizing chart before ordering.
Adidas Adilette Comfort
Tried and tested
Get your hands on a classic from the top dogs in the slides game. Adidas has serious experience when it comes to designing top footwear across the board, and these iconic slides don’t disappoint. Despite slim appearances, this contoured footbed sits atop a spongy rubber sole offering robust support for your feet on surfaces hard or soft. The tacky grip of this synthetic upper will hold your feet in place and avoid rubbing and irritation during wear.
Pros:
- A hook and loop strap closure makes it easy to don and doff these slides. We like that we can also adjust the tightness to suit our feet.
- A simple aesthetic and 40 color options make these casual slippers a suitable accompaniment for most relaxed outfits.
- This compound plastic won’t retain odor as much as some other options.
Cons:
- These slides might not be as comfortable if worn with socks.
Crocs Unisex Baya Slide Sandals
Aqua step
Crocs haven’t always been the height of fashion, but recent years have seen these East Coast water shoes surge in popularity as wearers around the globe gather to appreciate their practicality and distinctive style. These Baya slides depart from the classic Crocs clog shape to bring a singular style for laid-back wear. Sculpted from patented Croslite resin, these springy soles gently cradle each step. This water-friendly material is suitable for any aquatic escapade, and channeling perforations across the foothold ensure your feet won’t stay wet for long.
Pros:
- A raised heel of just under an inch in height offers a more classic sole geometry than flat slides, making this option more comfortable for extended wear.
- We love the patterned tread, which provides a high-performance grip that will keep you stable on a range of surfaces.
- This toe box has a generous width, giving your little digits more wiggle room than the average pair of slides.
Cons:
- Some users reported these slides warping or shrinking if exposed to high temperatures.
Vionic Kiwi Slide Sandal
Strap up
If you thought slides couldn’t be any easier to slip your feet into, think again. This sturdy velcro hook-and-loop closure allows effortless adjustment, so you’re sure to find a snug fit whether barefoot or rocking socks, relaxing or on the move. Padded PU nubuck uppers gently distribute dorsal pressure as you walk, eliminating the familiar strain and discomfort of stiff plastic options. And with a patented Vio-motion support cushioning each step with ultimate arch support, you won’t feel you need to switch footwear before you saunter off into the distance.
Pros:
- The wave-patterned tread will help you find your balance on slippery surfaces.
- These supportive arches are comfortable and relieving for sufferers of plantar fasciitis.
- The hook-and-loop closure makes these slides easy to put on without manipulating the ankle, so they could be a suitable temporary pair after suffering a sports injury of the like.
Cons:
- The PU upper is porous and absorptive, so it shouldn’t be submerged in water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to remeasure or adjust my regular sizing for a good fit?
All of the slides we found use standard US street shoe sizing, so you don’t need to prepare for a full session remeasuring your feet. Nonetheless, preferences vary, with some opting for a looser fit for casual wear and others needing a tight closure with the foot to avoid blisters. Most of the options we reviewed only provide integer sizes, so if you usually fit into a half size you might need to make a call on sizing up or down. If in doubt, each manufacturer provides a detailed sizing chart, and it won’t do any harm to quickly whip out a measuring tape to be sure.
Are my slides safe to wear in the shower?
Many common applications for slides involve a splash, so most of the options on the market are waterproof. Be sure to check the tread with caution before striding onto wet, soapy floors, as some options offer more grip than others.
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