9 Oh-So-Comfy Slip-On Sneakers That Podiatrists Love

A neighborhood walk is all fun and games—until you trip on your untied shoe laces and go flying down the pavement in front of seemingly everyone you know. Maybe you’re over trying to unravel seemingly bulletproof knots, or bending over to tie your shoes isn’t an option because you’re pregnant or you have limited mobility. No matter what’s led you to search for the best slip-on sneakers, these comfy, podiatrist-approved pairs can make life a lot easier.

Over several weeks, the SELF team tested a bunch of slip-on sneakers to get a feel for how comfortable and versatile they can be—and only a few shoes made the final cut. While slip-ons haven’t always been the most stylish sneaks on the block, we found cute, versatile pairs that totally blend in at the gym or the office. The only difference: You can slide your feet in and go, without fussing over the fit.

Sound like what you need? Shop our favorites below.

Our top picks

1. Best for Flat Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X Cruz v3, $90
2. Best for Bunions: APL TechLoom Bliss, $220
3. Most Breathable: Allbirds Women’s Tree Dasher Relay, $130
4. Best for Walking: Ryka Podflow EZ Walking Sneaker, $80
5. Best for Hiking: Merrell SpeedARC Matis, $180
6. Best for the Office: Dr. Scholl’s Madison Cloud Slip On Sneaker, $50
7. Most Cushioned: Under Armour UA SlipSpeed Mega Running Shoes, $160
8. Best for Travel: On Cloud 5 Coast, $150
9. Best for Cycling: Tiem Slipstream Cycling Shoe, $135

Shop the best slip-on sneakers

After testings a bunch of pairs, we’ve narrowed it down to the few below.

Best for Flat Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X Cruz v3

Pros

• Tie laces make them customizable
• Available in wide sizes

Cons

• Only available in light colors that can get dirty easily

Hear us out: This shoe might have laces, but the tongue is built right into the upper for easy wearing. Our tester found that she could tie these once and then take them on and off without any hassle.

She was also impressed by the fit, especially because she has flat feet and narrow heels: “I’ve struggled in the past with slip-on sneakers, since you can’t typically adjust the snugness once they’re on—and my heels sometimes slip out of them as a result,” she says. These, on the other hand, fit like a glove.

“They’re also incredibly lightweight and easy to bop around in for a day while basically forgetting you’re wearing them,” she says. “They have a supportive, bouncy feel to them that makes them an ideal walking shoe!”

Best for Bunions: APL TechLoom Bliss

Pros

• Breathable upper
• Very stretchy
• Upper molds to your foot for a close fit

Cons

• Not adjustable
• Expensive

One SELF editor has worn APLs for six years—they’re her must-have for walking her pup, running errands, and more. “The mesh is really stretchy and comfortable, and the sneakers form to your feet for a custom-fit feeling,” she says. “I also like how they look! I think they’re pretty cool.”

Our tester has a bunion, so not every shoe is a slam dunk, but the Bliss’s stretchy upper is thoughtfully designed to avoid creating painful pressure points—even when our tester broke her toe, they still felt ultra-comfy.

Most Breathable: Allbirds Tree Dasher Relay

Pros

• Stretchy knit upper boosts airflow to keep feet cool and dry
• Heel pad prevents rubbing and blisters
• Machine-washable

Cons

• Pricey

As a seasoned health and fitness editor, one SELF tester hasn’t had to purchase a pair of sneakers in 10 years—but after testing these, she immediately grabbed a second pair in another color. “These are my new favorite everyday sneakers. I put them on the afternoon they arrived and haven’t taken them off since,” she says.

Now, onto the details: The Tree Dasher Relay has a solid amount of cushioning without feeling bulky, a pad at the heel to prevent rubbing, and a knitted upper that’s stretchy and breathable.

“They’re great for people with high-maintenance feet and pregnant people (both are me), which means anyone with less needy feet would find them comfortable and easy to wear, too,” our tester says.

Best for Walking: Ryka Podflow EZ Walking Sneaker

Pros

• Easy to clean
• Lightweight
• Plenty of cushioning
• Available in wide sizes
• Comfortable for long days spent standing or walking

Cons

• Our tester had to hold the back of the heel while she slipped them on

Ryka makes some of our favorite walking sneakers—the Devotion Max, our senior commerce editor’s go-to, won a 2024 Sneaker Award—so we were jazzed to test a pair of the brand’s slip-ons.

Our tester was impressed with how good they felt right out of the box. “They also have ample cushioning and are pretty lightweight, so they’re really comfortable for everyday walking and being on your feet for extended periods of time,” she says. Her only note is that you have to hold the back of the sneaker to make sure your heel doesn’t drag it inside the shoe, but she still says “they’re relatively easy to slip on.”

Our tester found out the hard way that these are pretty easy to clean: “The first day I wore these, my neighbors’s dogs ran over to say ‘hi’ and ran all over my feet with muddy paws. My new fresh white sneakers were COVERED in mud,” she says. “So I brought them to the sink and scrubbed them with hot water, dish soap, and a brush, and they got back to like 90% clean. I was very pleased with how nicely they cleaned up.”

Best for Hiking: Merrell SpeedARC Matis

Pros

• Very sturdy and supportive
• Sleek, sporty style

Cons

• Pricey

These slip-ons are specifically designed for hiking—and we found they’ll actually stand up to a long trek, based on how sturdy they feel. Part of that support comes from the adjustable toggle, which let our tester tighten the ties for a closer fit. “They are by far the comfiest and cutest slip-on shoes I have tried,” she says. “And I’d feel comfortable doing a high-impact activity in them.”

To make sure you stay steady on the trails, their outsoles are made with Vibram rubber— the gold standard, Courtney Sweeney, a river guide at the Northwest Rafting Company in Hood River, Oregon, previously told SELF. They’re also treated with odor-controlling Cleansport NXT to prevent your feet from stinking post-hike.

Best for the Office: Dr. Scholl’s Madison Cloud Slip On Sneaker

Pros

• Comes in lots of different styles
• Available in wide sizes

Cons

• Runs a little small, our tester says

Looking for something you can also wear to your office or out to dinner? These Dr. Scholl’s slip-ons fit the bill. To make sure you’re not sacrificing comfort for style, they have a padded insole with plenty of arch support.

Even better? They’re a real time-saver. “My feet slip into these on their own—no hands required—which I am THRILLED about, and now I want them in every color,” our tester says. “They’re perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to (or simply can’t—hi, pregnant belly!) bend over to put their shoes on multiple times throughout the day.”

Most Cushioned: Under Armour UA SlipSpeed Mega Running Shoes

Pros

• Very supportive
• Wide size range
• Laces don’t need to be tied
• Machine-washable
• Good for wide feet, according to our testers

Cons

• Expensive
• Toggle closure is a little clunky

These 2024 Sneaker Award winners have that trendy, chunky look, and it’s not just a façade: They have tons of cloud-like foam cushioning that hugs your foot and feels cool to the touch, according to the brand. “They are SO, SO comfortable and amazingly lightweight,” one SELF tester says. And they don’t skimp on stability either: “My whole foot and ankle feel supported—no blisters or pressure points!” she adds.

They do have laces, but the clickable, toggle-like BOA closure, makes sure they’ll never come untied on you. Another nice feature: The heel cup folds down into the shoe, in case you want to wear them as mules.

Best for Travel: On Cloud 5 Coast

Pros

• Very lightweight and easy to pack
• Snug upper molds to your foot
• Breathable

Cons

• Pricey
• May not be cushioned enough for some

One SELF editor wore these on two long treks through the airport. Her verdict? “They’re the perfect shoe to toss in your backpack or suitcase, to wear on hot days, and to kick on and off easily,” she says.

The Coast is super lightweight and pretty minimalist—you might think they’re missing some padding when you first try them on, but that’s actually the magic of them. “Because they’re so light, they sort of do whatever your foot wants them to with little to no resistance,” one tester says. “It’s a no-shoe shoe.”

They won’t add any bulk to your feet or your carry-on, and they’ll stay comfy and breathable for days of sightseeing.

Best for Cycling: Tiem Slipstream Cycling Shoe

Pros

• Breathable
• Feels stable during rides
• Lots of cushioning
• Narrow heel cup won’t let your foot slip
• Machine-washable

Cons

• Pricey
• SPD cleats are sold separately

When you’re pedaling hard in spin class, that last thing you want is achy feet. Tiem’s Slipstream shoes are the perfect balance of sturdy and cushioned, which earned them a 2024 Sneaker Award. “It feels soft and snug on my foot, but the outsole is firm enough that it’s a great stable base for pedaling,” our tester says. “It’s so firm that it doesn’t flex at all when I try to bend it.”

And good news with anyone with always-sweaty feet: “The upper is plush and cushy, which made me assume that it wouldn’t be the most breathable, but I tested these out on a 90-degree day when the studio was STEAMY, and my feet never felt too hot.”

Which features to look for in slip-on sneakers

While you’re shopping for new sneaks, we recommend keeping these factors in mind:

How we tested slip-on sneakers

We know a thing or two about sneakers—after all, we’ve tested hundreds of pairs over the years. For this list, we scoured dozens of sites to find cute slip-on sneakers with lots of great reviews. Then, we wore them during our day-to-day routines.

Our testers found that most slip-on styles don’t feel secure enough for high-impact workouts like running, but we loved wearing them to walk our dogs, run to the grocery store, and meet up with friends. Only the comfiest sneaks that actually made our lives easier earned a spot on our final list.

Related:

• The New Brooks Glycerin 22 Is a Picky Runner’s Dream
• The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes Available on Amazon
• 10 Comfy Shoes That Won’t Leave High Arches Hanging

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