We loved slip-ons from OluKai, Dr. Scholl's, and Cariuma.
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Because we believe convenience while traveling is key, slip-on shoes are essential footwear to pack for any trip. Making a mad dash from the TSA security line to your gate? You’ll be grateful to have a pair of shoes that slide right on and are plenty comfortable for the sprint ahead.
While there are plenty of slip-on shoes on the market, we personally tried 20 pairs of slip-on shoes from trusted brands like Cariuma, On Running, and Allbirds. For two weeks, we wore the shoes for activities including air travel, long walks, working in the office, and running errands around the city to gauge the level of comfort and support offered by each. Whether you’re in search of an athletic sneaker or a slip-on fit for the office, we’ve rounded up our winners below to help make shopping easier.
The construction of the shoes feels sturdy and supportive, and the style is versatile enough for the office or running errands.
The mesh upper is a bit stiff at first.
From the office to the airport, the OluKai Pehuea slip-ons will take you to any destination in comfort and style. These sneakers have the perfect balance of weight thanks to the thick rubber outsole and lightweight mesh upper. Hands down the best aspect of these stylish kicks is the supportive midsole that boasts just the right amount of arch support to keep your feet cushioned in all the right places. One unique feature of these slip-ons is that the heel has a drop-in seam so the backing is designed to fold down easily to put the shoes on and pop back up to support the foot.
When it comes to slick surfaces, these sneakers have plenty of traction on the bottom of their dense rubber soles so we didn't have any issues walking on all types of terrain. While the mesh upper is breathable, it was a little stiff at first and we had to use our hands to step into the shoes. After a few wears, the upper began to loosen up a bit and mold around the foot, meaning the fit will only get more comfortable over time. With 16 different color options in sizes 5 to 12 with half sizes available, there are plenty of combinations to choose from for all style preferences.
The Details: 5 to 12 | Mesh, rubber
These are extremely durable and well-made for the price, so you can rely on them wear after wear.
The shoe has a narrow fit but there are wide sizes available, too.
The Dr. Scholl’s Madison Sneaker is designed for comfort thanks to the cupped heel, memory foam midsole, and generous arch support in the footbed. We’re big fans of the cushioned bumper in the heel of the shoe that prevented blisters, meaning these slip-ons were ready to be worn right out of the box. The construction of the shoe has a lot of flexibility to aid with movement so whether you're walking on flat or uneven terrain, these shoes have the perfect amount of support and mobility for a variety of adventures. There are options for recycled faux leather, canvas, flannel, and suede upper materials, and size options in both regular and wide, so you can pick from a number of styles and sizes. The regular size had a tighter fit so consider getting a wide size if your feet aren’t narrow.
The Details: 5 to 13 (wide sizes available) | Recycled faux leather, canvas, flannel, polyurethane, microfiber
The merino wool upper is flexible enough to gently mold around your foot while keeping it secure in the shoe at the same time.
The wool upper isn’t super breathable.
The Allbirds Wool Loungers have a flexible wool upper with the perfect amount of give to form around the foot without constricting it or causing chafing. There is a solid amount of cushioning in the midsole and the soft lining feels similar to stepping into a pair of slippers. Since the upper is made with thick merino wool, these aren’t the most breathable shoes, but they are super cozy and warm, especially in colder seasons. The shoes feel premium and durable, leading us to believe they have a super long life ahead of them. And since the insoles are removable, you can easily update your sneakers with a new pair to give them a refresh without having to buy a brand new pair. The shoes can also be machine washed on delicate, but be sure to read the cleaning instructions carefully.
The Details: 5 to 11 | ZQ merino wool, SweetFoam EVA
The rubber soles are very dense and sturdy and the leather upper is sleek and molds to the foot over time.
There is a slight break-in period where the leather has to soften up.
Platform sneakers are a timeless trend, and we recommend the Vince Warren Platform Sneakers if you’re in search of an elevated look. The rubber outsole gives you an extra 1.5 inches of height, and it feels very sturdy so you won’t have to worry about twisting your ankle or tripping easily. The sneaker comes in several upper materials like suede, textile, and leather, so you have a variety of styles to choose from. At first, the leather material was stiff and slightly irritating, causing some minor blistering. However, the leather quickly softened up after several hours of wearing the shoe. You can expect a minor break-in period, but it'll be well worth it for the comfortable and customized fit that only improves as you wear them. Plus, the midsole has just the right amount of arch support to cushion the ball of the foot and the heel cradles the foot to prevent it from slipping up.
The Details: 5 to 13 | Leather, textile, rubber
These super breathable, eco-friendly shoes are made with a cooling bamboo knit and lightweight sugarcane EVA foam.
We noticed a short break-in period where the shoe rubbed on the heel slightly.
When it comes to breathability, Cariuma IBI Slip-ons are the best, especially for spring or summer. If (and likely when) your feet get sweaty, the insoles can be removed and washed separately, or the entire sneaker can go into the washing machine for hassle-free cleaning. Made with vegan and sustainably sourced materials like a bamboo knit upper, sugarcane-based EVA foam outsole, and a Mamona oil and cork insole, you can feel good about your purchase while looking good in these stylish kicks, too. While the insole is plenty comfortable and provides ample arch support, you can easily switch out the insoles for custom ones if desired. There was some slight redness on the foot during the first wear, but that was a one-time occurrence and didn’t happen again. If you're heading on a tropical vacation or sightseeing in the summertime, these sneakers are comfortable and cooling despite a slight break-in period.
The Details: 5 to 13 | Bamboo knit, memory foam and cork insoles, sugarcane EVA
The rubber traction pods in the toe and heel of the shoe help with stability in all types of terrain.
These have a casual, athleisure style that is best for everyday wear.
The Kizik Women’s Lima sneakers scored highly in all of our testing categories, including traction. Thanks to the rubber traction pods designed to stabilize the heel and toe of the foot, these shoes provided plenty of stability on slick surfaces. Made with Kizik’s cushioned RabbitFoam material, the outsole feels extremely sturdy and supportive after wearing the sneakers all day. The no-tie laces give the sneakers an athletic style, making them the perfect everyday footwear for running errands and going for long walks, but they may not be the best slip-ons for anything fancier. However, if you’re looking for a pair of sneakers that will support and stabilize you all day long, these are an excellent pick.
The Details: 6 to 13 (wide sizes available) | Knit, rubber, RabbitFoam
These performance sneakers are supportive and flexible for running, weight training, and playing sports.
It’s a performance sneaker designed for activities like running and walking, not for dressier occasions.
Designed for running, weight training, playing tennis, and dashing through an airport to catch a flight, the On Cloud 5 running shoes are the best performance slip-ons we tried. The cooling recycled polyester upper combined with the supportive CloudTec cushioning make these sneakers impressively lightweight without sacrificing stability and durability. The CloudTec cushioning is designed to absorb impact and cushion the foot as it lands, making running feel like "running on clouds," as the brand correctly claims. Plus, all of the materials are breathable and waterproof so no matter where your runs take you, you won’t have to worry about coming home with wet or sweaty feet. While the built-in insole is plenty comfortable, it can be removed to easily replace with a new insole or a customized one to best fit your workout preferences.
The Details: 5 to 11 | Recycled polyester, Zero-Gravity foam, rubber
These shoes have an elevated look that's not too formal but not overly relaxed – perfect for events that call for business casual attire.
They don't have the most elevated look and may be too casual for some offices.
These lightweight shoes don't miss when it comes to quality and comfort. The padded back heel keeps your foot in place without rubbing or chafing, even after long days of walking. Right out of the box, the shoes were supportive and have grown even more comfortable as they mold to the foot. During our tests, we used these in cold weather and they provided plenty of warmth and breathability. While they do run slightly large, we appreciated the extra bit of room so we could also wear no-show socks for an added layer of cushion. We love the overall style of these slip-ons, especially the narrow toe that elevates the look of the shoe, making these a perfect choice for your business casual fits.
The Details: 4 to 12 Extra wide | Cotton
These shoes are fully machine washable.
The price point makes these an investment.
The APL Women's TechLoom Traveler are true to their name and perfect for travel — wherever you go. They are lightweight (perfect for packing), sturdy, and the sole feels like walking on a cloud. The fabric on the heel does not rub at all whether you wear socks or not, and the upper material gently hugs the top of your foot to help you feel secure. During our tests, we wore these on multiple long walks and our feet never felt sweaty. We also wore these in the rain and had no issues with traction. The sole did scuff a bit during our tests but, because these shoes are fully machine washable, we were able to pop them in our washer to return them to perfect condition.
After wearing 20 pairs of slip-on sneakers from trusted brands like Allbirds, Dr. Scholls, and Cariuma, we evaluated the shoes based on comfort, support, durability, and fit. For two weeks, we took thorough notes and paid close attention to the break-in period (if there was one), the level of arch support provided, and the durability and traction of the shoes after wearing them in various conditions. To get a feel for the arch support, we tried to bend the shoes to see how sturdy they were.
Some pairs of slip-ons slightly trailed behind our top picks. However, we did like some aspects of these shoes so they still earned an honorable mention.
Skechers Slip-ins: Ultra Flex 3.0 - Brilliant: Compared to the other athletic sneakers we tested, these Skechers had a similarly supportive and breathable design for being on your feet all day. However, the upper material scuffed on the first wear so we knocked off points for durability with these ones.
There are a few things you want to look for in a comfortable slip-on shoe, including arch support, cushioning, and soft materials. The midsole should have plenty of cushioning for shock absorption and the footbed should have a ramp-like shape for arch support. When it comes to the upper and lining materials, knit, leather, and suede will be softer on the top of the foot and help prevent chafing.
Slip-on shoes are super convenient since you can easily put them on hands-free. On the flip side, that means if the fit is loose, your heel will lift up which could cause blisters. You’ll want to look for a snug fit at the top of your foot while still having room in the front to wiggle your toes. If you’re wearing no-show socks it will make the fit a bit tighter, so be sure to consider that when you’re shopping for slip-on shoes.
If you’re planning on wearing slip-on shoes in the summer or spring, opt for a pair with a cooling knit upper. For the colder months, a pair of sneakers with a wool or leather upper will be much warmer. You’ll also want to factor in the weather conditions and look for slip-ons with water-resistant or breathable materials for rain or sun.
As always, we recommend you defer to the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning a pair of shoes to avoid damaging them. Some slip-ons can be machine washed and others require delicate spot cleaning, so you’ll want to double check beforehand.
Slip-on shoes are ideal for a variety of activities, including walking. However, it’s important to get a slip-on that prioritizes comfort for the feet with generous arch support and cushioning. While it depends on the shoe, sometimes the more you wear them, the more the footbed and upper will form to your foot for an even more comfortable fit.
It’s ultimately a personal choice, but wearing a pair of socks or no-show socks can be super beneficial, especially if you’re breaking in your pair of slip-on shoes. Wearing socks can help absorb moisture from the feet and prevent chafing on the sides or heel of your foot, so wearing them may be helpful.
With so many options to choose from when it comes to slip-on sneakers, luckily they will never go out of style. Choose something versatile in a neutral color that you can pair with multiple outfits in your travel wardrobe, and your slip-on sneakers will likely become your go-to footwear option for years to come.
Travel + Leisure Commerce Writer Anna Popp writes most of the team’s tested roundups and participates in almost every travel test in our lab and in real-world settings. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna tried a pair of shoes in this test and worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best women’s slip-on shoes.
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