I popped a disc in my spine a few months back, and one of the things that saved me a lot of pain during my recovery was slip-on shoes. With these, I could wear shoes that looked normal without the pain of bending over to put them on and do up the laces. I have been testing new pairs since then, looking at the various ways that manufacturers such as Kizik, Skechers and others create a shoe that you can slip on as easily as a pair of slippers, but which still look like normal shoes you could wear to work, socializing or anywhere.
I tested seven different pairs of shoes, rating them for ease of use, style, comfort and the intangibles that make you feel comfortable and more confident, no matter how much your back might be aching.
Why you should trust me
I have tested consumer products ranging from automatic coffee makers to Xbox peripherals for publications including PC World, Reviewed.com, CNET and many others. For all of those publications, I bring an objective scientific eye to testing products and helping consumers make better buying decisions. For the Filter US, I’ve tested the best gadgets if you live with back pain, the Kiziks hands-free shoes and an eco-friendly mattress.
How I tested slip-on shoes
A good pair of slip-on shoes should be comfortable, cool looking and ridiculously easy to put on. So, I wore each pair for dog walks and ambles around town, logging how comfortable they felt on the move and around the house. I asked friends, family and strangers on the street to tell me what they thought of the look of the shoes, talking to sneakerheads, comfort fans and all those in between.
To test the slip-on feature, I looked at how easy it was to step into the shoes and put them on, when paying attention and without looking down: imagine leaving a shoe-free friend’s house encumbered with leftovers and stepping into them by the door. A good pair of slip-ons should guide your feet into place, with a clean action to the heel mechanism that makes them work. A bad pair will need you to move your feet in a certain way, or, God forbid, reach down and move the shoes to get them on.
After this review was completed, I donated all of the slip-on shoes to Goodwill.
For more, check out our guide to tech neck fixes, the best seat cushions and products that offer help with back pain.
The best slip-on shoes in the US
Best overall slip-on shoes:
On Cloud 6 Sneakers
Why we love it
While most of the shoes from Swiss manufacturer On are for runners, hikers and other athletic types, the Cloud 6 are an all-day casual wear pair, made with the same hi-tech materials. Translation: they are incredibly light on the feet – just 9.4oz – but slip on easily and feel very tough and resilient. They’re also the only pair I tested that included a second pair of longer faux laces and extended eyelet loops that allow you to lace them further down the top of the foot, more like a pair of running or hiking boots, which disperses the pressure for those with sensitive feet. The fit of the 8.5 men’s pair I tried was good: tight without being restrictive.
I found the step-in mechanism to be darn near perfect: just step into the shoe, slide your foot forward and the heel pops back up without catching, hitching or any excess pressure. In use, the fit is tight but comfortable, with enough give for all-day use and enough ventilation to avoid stinky feet. Taking them off is easy too: just hold down the heel with the other foot and step out. Plus, as someone who loathes heavy branding, the On logo is small and easily mistaken for a bit of abstract stitching.
It’s a shame that … they are so expensive and are only water resistant, not waterproof: to be able to walk in the rain, you’ll need to go up to the Cloud 6 waterproof, which adds a waterproof membrane and another 1oz (28g) of weight and another $20.
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Half sizes: Yes
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Width options: Standard
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Returns: 30 days, unworn
Best budget slip-on shoes:
HeyDude Men’s Wally Stretch Sox Slip On Loafer
Why we love it
At about $65 the HeyDude (or, as they put it, HEYDUDE) Men’s Wally Stretch Sox Slip-on Loafers are about half the price of our top pick, but they are much more than half as good. This low price gets you a solid pair of comfortable, cool-looking loafers with a decent step-in design, good traction and a comfortable fit. The 8.5 men’s size I tried came in a denim-like blue fabric material that felt breathable.
The fit on these shoes is comfy but much looser than the others: they don’t feel loose enough to slip off, but they are a lot looser on the heel and across the top of the foot. The laces are adjustable, but it isn’t easy. The shoes are also machine washable once you remove the laces and insoles: HeyDude recommends a minimal amount of liquid detergent and a gentle cycle followed by air drying.
The step-in design is fine: I found that the heel back bent over easily and popped up without problems when I stepped in and pushed my foot forward, but that’s partly due to the looser fit and more, erm, loafing design of these loafers. The fit of the 8.5 men’s pair that I tried was OK, although the loose design of these shoes makes it a little difficult to judge: they feel large by design.
It’s a shame that … they lack the more refined fit and finish of other pairs I tested. Without socks, a couple of rough seams by the tongue rubbed against my bare foot, especially as the shoes moved around while I was walking. Adjusting the laces requires unpicking a tight knot inside the decorative tassel, then tightening and retying the knot without losing your spot.
HeyDude is also not a name I’d relish telling someone who liked the shoes and asked me what brand they are. But, then again, I am an old fart, so if it’s hip with you kids, go for it. You be you, you wacky funsters.
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Half sizes: No
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Width options: Medium, wide
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Returns: 30 days, unworn
Best everyday slip-on shoes:
Kizik Madrid 2
Why we love it
Stepping into a pair of Kizik Madrid 2 shoes feels like stepping into an old, familiar and very comfortable pair: they just feel right straight out of the box, zero breaking-in required. The stretchy upper knit material gives them plenty of flexibility, so you don’t need to adjust the laces, although you can undo and retie the knot if you want. The standard lace and knot also makes them look more like normal casual shoes than some, which have a more running-shoe-like design.
The arch foam insole is quite bouncy, which gives you a certain spring in your step, but not enough to make you feel like a kangaroo. There is plenty of toe space, and Kizik offers an extra wide version for those with wider feet. The fit of the 8.5 men’s pair I tested was spot-on: comfortable without being tight, with room for the toes to wiggle.
The step-in mechanism (which Kizik refers to as the Internal Cage) is easy: step into the shoes and the heel top bends over under the ball of your foot. Push your foot forward and the heel top pops back without catching or scraping, so you don’t have to brace the shoes or lean on the heel, as the friction of the sole is enough to stop the shoe slipping forwards.
It’s a shame that … you can’t machine wash them: they are spot-clean only. The insoles can be machine washed and air dried, though, which is a plus for kids with stinky feet.
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Half sizes: Yes
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Width options: Standard, wide
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Returns: 30 days, unworn
Best travel slip-on shoes:
OluKai Nohea Moku Men’s Shoes
Why we love it
If your travels take you from beach to boardroom via barbecue and family bonding in a single day, the OluKai Nohea Moku has your back. Well, your feet, anyway: these breathable slip-on, no-lace boat shoes can be worn with or without socks and includes rain holes and quick-drying materials. That means you can go from skipping through the surf to slouching poolside without stopping to dry your shoes or worrying about the stank of damp socks.
Personally, I think that all sounds completely exhausting, but my experience with the Nohea Mokus (translation: handsome in Hawaiian apparently) while dog walking and gardening was great: the 8.5 men’s size pair I tested were instantly comfortable and the tension of the laces and the stretchy design held the shoes on without pinching. (Which is good, because the laces can’t be adjusted.) When I wore them without socks, I had no issues with rubbing or pinching on my feet.
It’s a shame that … the slip-in design is rather rudimentary compared with others: the heel back of the shoe is made of a more flexible material than the sides, so it bends under the ball of your foot when you step in, but doesn’t always pop back up around your heel when you move it forward. I found I had to shuffle my foot around or even, heaven forbid, lean over and pull the heel back up to get them on.
Like most deck shoes, they have minimal cushioning or bounce, which makes for a different feel when walking that might not suit those with foot pain or who have to stand for long periods at work. The thin breathable design does mean your feet get a bit chilly in colder climates: a quick dog walk on a chilly New England fall morning led to rather chilly toes for me, even with socks on.
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Half sizes: Yes
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Wide options: Standard
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Returns: 30 days, unworn
Best casual slip-on shoes:
Skechers Men’s Slide Step Sole Glover Peak
Why we love it
Instant comfort: the Glover Peaks slip on like a glove and fit tightly, but without pinching. The thick memory foam insole and rubber soles provide a bouncy, boing-y feeling that feels like it is pushing you to run. Skechers refers to this design as Glide Step, but it’s more of a push step – there’s a forward tilt and push from the structure that makes you feel like stepping forward. If you are inspired to go out for a jog (or even a long walk), your feet will stay cool and dry as these shoes have great ventilation. You’ll also stay firmly on the sidewalk: the rubber soles have excellent grip for navigating the obstacle course of daily life, and the memory foam insole provides comfortable cushioning.
The step-in system is the best of the ones we tested: even though the back of the shoes is high, it bends easily under your foot, then pops right back behind the heel when you push your foot forward without catching or pulling on your sock.
Kudos also goes to Skechers for providing the widest range of shoe sizes available, from a diminutive size 6.5 up to a Bigfoot-esque size 16. There is no wide fit version, though. I found the fit of the 8.5 men’s pair I tested to be just right, with a comfortable fit for the heel and toes. The shoes are also machine washable.
It’s a shame that … the branding on the shoe is a bit vulgar, with a giant logo that is obvious even with black thread on black fabric. The rubber soles provide plenty of grip, but can also be rather squeaky on wooden floors.
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Half sizes: Yes
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Width Options: Medium
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Returns: 45 days, unworn
Best work slip-on shoes:
Skechers Slip-ins: Max Cushioning Glide-Step
Why we love it
The ridiculously named Skechers Slip-ins: Max Cushioning Glide-Step are our top pick for those of us who have to work for a living: they offer the same comfortable, bouncy insole as our casual pick, with the same Glide-Step design that feels like it’s pushing you onwards. That also helps if you are on your feet all day: the cushioning means you can shift your feet easier and keep the circulation in your feet going. That’s joined with a few work-related innovations, such as a Goodyear rubber nonslip insole and ASTM-F2892-rated electrical hazard insulation, which means they won’t provide an easy path for electricity if you happen to touch something live. That’s not just important for electricians: retail and other commercial workers are regularly around electrical devices that can kill.
The slip-on design is excellent, with the apex of the shoe’s back bending over under your foot, then smartly snapping back behind your heel with a slight forward motion once your foot is all the way in. It’s an impressively smooth design that just works. Plus, the shoes are machine washable.
It’s a shame that … the huge white logo branding is a bit much and seems inappropriate for a pair of work shoes. (Unless you work for Skechers, I guess.) I also found that the 8.5 men’s pair I tested felt a little tight in the toes and across the top of the foot: you might want to go up a half size from your usual.
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Half sizes: Yes, 7.5 – 11.5
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Width options: Medium, extra wide
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Returns 45 days, unworn
The best of the rest
Best for loafers and lounge lizards
Rothy’s Men’s Ravello Penny Loafer
The Ravello Penny Loafers are a comfortable, stylish pair of loafers for, well, loafing about. The design is clean and simple, and the suede-like ReVelvet material is plush and soft on bare feet. It’s made from recycled bottles (one pair takes 13 bottles, apparently) and the rubber insoles are nice and grippy for the dancefloor. The penny part of the name comes from the diamond cut in the strap over the top, supposedly allowing you to store an old penny in it so you can get home after a night on the town. (A credit card doesn’t fit, unfortunately.)
It didn’t make the final cut because … they aren’t true slip-ons: although the loose fit means you can usually slip them on and off without reaching down, there’s no structure to push the heel top back up around your feet.
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Half sizes: Yes
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Width options: Medium
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Returns: 30 days, unworn
Best everyday slip-on shoes:
Kizik Lima 2
The Lima 2 are quite similar to the Madrid 2, but with a cleaner design, slightly wider foot entry and tongue shape that I found more comfortable on longer walks.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the Lima 2s are a great pair of shoes, but the Madrid 2s were my preference in the end.
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Half sizes: Yes
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Width options: Medium, wide, extra wide
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Returns: 30 days, unworn
What you need to know about slip-on shoes
How do slip-on shoes work?
Magic. Well, sort of: these shoes rely on a combination of clever design and flexible materials, all covered with a tasty sauce of patent law. The specifics vary, but the gist is that a precisely formed piece of plastic in the heel provides a specific mixture of flexibility and rigidity. This makes the heel flexible enough to bend under your foot when you put your heel into the shoe, but rigid enough to snap back into its initial shape when you move your foot forward, pushing the heel back around the ball of your feet without you having to pull on it.
The real fun starts when the lawyers get involved. Kizik, for instance, has several hundred patents on what it describes as “rapid entry footwear”, while rival Skechers has their own portfolio of patents covering what they describe as their “hands-free slip-in” shoes. Kizik is now suing Skechers in the US and Europe, claiming that Skechers has used their patent designs without a license. Skechers have denied this. This case is continuing, but it hasn’t yet reached a point where either company has stopped making shoes. The winners? The lawyers, as the case is likely to drag on for some time.
Do these shoes stay on?
Yes. Although older slip-on shoes and slippers have a reputation for loose fits and slipping off when you move your foot, none of these modern shoes have this problem. No matter how vigorously I shook a leg, danced or gyrated, they all stayed on. (Oh, the things I do for the sake of journalism.)
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
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These shoes may look like any other, but Kiziks have a secret superpower
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Traveling or standing all day? Compression socks will help your feet
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You need to sit down for this – the best seat cushions in the US to relieve your back
