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Flip-flops’ cool older sibling, slides are the ultimate comfy, convenient summer shoes. The best slides for women take those factors to the next level—they’re basically clouds for your feet to float on, they won’t leave you a sweaty mess, and they’re cute enough to wear with your entire warm weather wardrobe, from leggings to summer dresses.
But here’s the thing: Not all slides are created equal. In fact, a lot of them lack many of the key features podiatrists like to see in footwear, like arch support, reliable shock absorption, and a back strap or heel counter. They can also put you at risk of injury if you have balance issues or are prone to tripping, physical therapist Melania Anderson, PT, DPT, manager of the Total Joint program at the Bone and Joint Institute at Hartford HealthCare, tells SELF. For all those reasons, they’re generally not suitable for all-day wear or fast-paced activities, Adam Ferguson, DO, a foot and ankle specialist and board-certified orthopedic surgeon at the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute, tells SELF.
Still, there’s no denying that slides are just plain comfy—and there’s no harm in wearing them around the house, out to run errands, or for a day at the beach. To bring you feet-friendly pairs that go beyond the basics, we asked SELF staffers and podiatrists for their recommendations. All you need to do is pick which pair is your favorite (still tough, we know).
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Merrell Hut Ultra Wrap, $80
- Runner-Up: Oofos Ooahh Slide, $60
- Best for Arch Support: Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed, $150
- Best Budget Pick: Shade & Shore Neida EVA Two Band Footbed Slide Sandals, $10
- Best for Walking: Lululemon Restfeel Slide, $58
- Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3, $60
- Best for Recovery: Vionic Rejuvenate, $90
Shop the best slides
Need an easy shoe for beach days, pool trips, take-out runs, or lounging at home? Slides are the answer. Check out our picks below, then read on for expert advice on how to choose your perfect pair.
Best Overall: Merrell Hut Ultra Wrap
When we gave the Ultra Wrap slide a Sneaker Award in 2023, our testers had nothing but glowing things to say: “These sandals are beyond comfortable. I’ve never owned a pair that feel this good.” One person wore theirs for over 100 hours and noticed that they were still just as comfortable as the day they tried them on.
This slide is comfy, supportive, breathable, and stable on slippery surfaces. It also has adjustable straps to prevent it from flying off your foot (and add a cool outdoorsy accent too). If you want a pair of slides that you can really wear anywhere—and not just shuffle around in—the Ultra Wrap is it.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Mesh, synthetic fabrics, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)
Runner-Up: Oofos Ooahh Slide
These highly cushioned slides are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), meaning a panel of experts has found that their high-quality design promotes healthy feet. Podiatrists have previously recommended them to SELF for people dealing with foot pain, and we named the flip-flop version a SELF Fave back in 2020. Both shoes have the same foam footbed, which our tester said cradled her arches and took some pressure off her feet.
Sizes: US 6 to 15 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials, proprietary foam
Best for Arch Support: Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed
Birkenstock
Arizona Soft Footbed
Truly, we’ve yet to see a year go by where the Birkenstock Arizona isn’t in fashion, but there’s more to them than stylish looks. Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute St. Vincent’s Medical Center, previously recommended this classic sandal for its supportive design that molds to your foot the more you wear it. Both of its leather straps are adjustable, so you can ensure a close fit across your forefoot and midfoot.
Sizes: EU 36 to 42 | Widths: Narrow and medium | Materials: Suede, cork, foam, EVA
Best Budget Pick: Shade & Shore Neida EVA Two Band Footbed Slide Sandals
Shade & Shore
Neida EVA Two Band Footbed Slide Sandals
One SELF editor says she lived in these Birkenstock look-alikes last summer. They’re slightly contoured to hug your feet and both straps are adjustable to make sure they stay snug. And good news if you’re planning to sit poolside this summer: They’re plastic and ready to take on water.
“They are shockingly comfortable, for being so affordable,” one SELF editor says. “I have major foot issues and am able to wear them constantly without any pain.” As a nice bonus, she doesn’t have to worry about them getting dirty: “I rub a little dish soap on them to get them good as new.”
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA
Best for Walking: Lululemon Restfeel Slide
The Restfeel’s sole is on the thinner side, but according to SELF’s director of fitness and food, it has plenty to offer in terms of cushion—so much so that it ousted her other comfy footwear. “I originally thought I’d wear them only post-workout, but after I slipped them on once for an errand, they quickly became my go-to summer shoe,” she says. If you can’t get your 10k steps in without blisters, consider swapping your sandals for these babies.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Foam, rubber
Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3
Podiatrists (and SELF staffers) love Hokas for relieving plantar fasciitis pain (which usually feels like an aching or stabbing sensation in your heel)—and that’s not limited to the brand’s sneakers. Erik Sims, DPM, managing partner of Sims & Associates Podiatry in New York, previously told SELF that the Ora 3 is a great option for people who deal with plantar fasciitis, since it has a thick, heavily cushioned sole that should help reduce some of the impact from your footsteps.
Sizes: US 5 to 16 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA
Best for Recovery: Vionic Rejuvenate
These slides are what dreams are made of for one SELF staffer who slips them on after lifting weights or going for long walks. They’re her go-to house shoes too: “These slides have replaced my fuzzy slippers for the warm weather—and honestly, it’s for the best because they’re way more supportive.” She also shouts out their grooved footbed, which has a lightly massaging effect that feels great on sore or swollen feet.
Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic fabrics and materials, EVA
More great options
Still haven’t found a pair you can’t wait to slip on? The options below come highly recommended by staffers and online reviewers.
Nike Victori One
Nike’s best-selling Victori One has a cool, minimalist design that looks great on its own or, dare we say, with your favorite colorful socks. We also like that the sole gets thicker at the heel for a little more comfort. Take our word for it—you want these in your gym bag to let your feet breathe after a hard workout.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials, foam
Adidas Adilette Comfort Slides
Adidas
Adilette Comfort Slides
They might look a whole lot like the Adidas pool slides of your youth, but the Adilette Comfort Slides have a plusher footbed and come in trendier colors. This writer has had her pair for about seven years, and they’re just as comfy as ever. You can certainly wear them outside (the sole is sturdy enough for pavement, dirt, or sand), but they also make the perfect breezy house shoe if clogs and slippers tend to feel too hot for you.
Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials and fabrics, EVA
Cushionaire Feather Slides
Cushionaire
Feather Slides
With more than 26,000 five-star Amazon reviews backing them, these slides are bound to make your feet feel happy. They have a lightweight build and squishy footbed to put a little spring in your step.
“From the moment I slipped them on, I felt like I was walking on clouds,” one shopper wrote in a review. “What really stands out is how lightweight they are while still providing excellent arch support. The recovery design is perfect for tired feet, and I’ve noticed less foot fatigue since I started wearing them.”
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA
FitFlop Lulu Thong Sandal
Those $1 flip flops that fold under your toes as you walk and make you trip across the pavement? Swap them for these supportive platform sandals with a gradual heel drop that offers some nice cushioning under the back of your foot. They come in several neutral colors, all of which have matching leather straps for a sleeker look.
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Leather, EVA, microfiber
What to consider while shopping for slides
The factors below set comfy slides apart from just-okay ones.
Slides aren’t often very supportive, but as we mentioned earlier you can’t deny the sheer convenience of a good pair—and Dr. Anderson notes that they’re a fine option for short errands and outings where you’ll be off your feet most of the time (say, lounging by the pool). You just want to avoid feeling like your arch is collapsing or your toes are gripping the inside of the shoe as you walk, she says. If you can find a slide that feels supportive, meaning its insole maps to and cradles the shape of your foot, and somewhat secure, maybe with the help of a deep heel cup or toe groove, that’ll be your best option.
Cushioning is helpful too, and slides marketed for “recovery” are often made with thick layers of comfy foam. That includes many of our top picks, like the Merrell Hut Ultra Wrap, Oofos Ooahh, and Hoka Ora 3. These brands claim that these designs can help your feet and joints rebound faster from tough workouts. While they’re pretty darn comfortable, they probably won’t optimize your rest days in any substantial way, Dr. Ferguson says. Your best shot at a solid recovery routine is consulting with a physical therapist or sports medicine specialist, Dr. Anderson says.
The footbed of your slide should hug the natural curve of your foot without putting pressure on your arch. When you walk, the straps should keep your foot in place and prevent it from sliding forward or coming up off of the footbed. Adjustable straps really come in clutch because you can tighten them just enough to give you extra security as you move.
How we tested the best slides
Our testers wore their slides to walk their dog, take out the trash, drive home from the gym, run to the grocery store, hang by the pool, and so on. The pairs that they really loved made it onto this final list.
Any of the slides we didn’t test were recommended by podiatrists who know what to look for in comfy footwear. Plus, we sifted through reviews from various retailers; all of our picks are backed by hundreds, if not thousands, of happy shoppers.
Related:
- 18 Pairs of Comfy Walking Shoes for Every Occasion
- The Very Best Shoes for Standing All Day, Whatever Your Plans Are
- These White Sneakers Are Anything But Basic
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