Editor’s note: The Shop TODAY team updated this article with current pricing.
I'm not one of those people who struggle to get in their daily 10,000 steps. Although New York City has a great public transportation system, I once walked nine miles through Queens to get to Central Park. Of course, it helps that I only wear the best walking shoes. I don't think I've ever spent less than $75 on a pair. So, when I discovered these bestselling Amazon sneakers for less than $35, I was skeptical. However, I wasn't wary enough not to try them.
Why I tried Slow Man sneakers
Don't be fooled by the name of the brand. The Slow Man mesh slip-on sneakers have a four-star average rating from more than 102,000 total ratings.
I think the $35 price tag is one reason these Amazon walking shoes are so popular. It also helps that they come in over 20 colors and two styles: slip-on shoes and bungee laces. I love how sleek the laceless style looks, so that's what I got. However, if I were going to run in these shoes, I'd want the bungee laces so I could tighten them and have more support.
Why I like these sneakers
They're so comfy, I forget to take them off
Normally, the first thing I do when I walk in the door is kick off my shoes. When I'm wearing these shoes, though, my feet are so comfortable that I often forget to take them off. For starters, because the mesh feels like a thick pair of socks, I don't always wear socks with them. Sometimes, I even think of them as my socks and forget I'm wearing shoes altogether.
Second, while they're not as lightweight as my Crocs, they're a lot lighter than traditional sneakers. They have a noticeable platform heel, but there's an air bubble in it, so it's not heavy. It's similar to the air bubbles in another popular pair of shoes that I paid $100 for.
Most importantly, they recently earned a spot in Shop TODAY's first annual Sneaker Awards and were labeled as the Best Budget-Friendly Sneaker.
The platform heel is the Goldilocks of heights
I've never worn a walking shoe with a heel before, so I thought it would drive me crazy or be uncomfortable (like some reviewers had said). However, within five minutes of wearing this shoe, it felt like I was literally walking on air. The .78-inch heel platform isn't high enough to feel like I'm going to twist my ankle. Still, it's high enough that I look two inches taller and 10 pounds lighter. I think they also make my legs look longer.
What to consider
Great for pavement, cobblestones and even sand
I wore these many times while living in Porto, Portugal, a city that dates back to 1123. (Thanks to the uneven cobblestone streets, I never forget that fact.) Fortunately, I was able to slip on these shoes and comfortably cover seven miles of ground — including several stretches of cobblestone.
I also liked wearing these on my beach walks around Porto. In the summer, my go-to beach shoes are my beloved OluKai flip-flops that I've had for six years. But since we're still in the middle of winter, it's too cold for flip-flops. These shoes are perfect because I can easily slip them on and off, and I don't need to wear socks. And because they're made out of mesh, they also dry quickly.
Who are the Slow Man sneakers best for?
I used to think a good pair of walking shoes had to cost at least $75. Now I know better, and I have more than 10,000 five-star Amazon reviewers and satisfied shoppers to thank.
More sneakers to shop
The brand says these sneakers are so lightweight that they might feel "lighter than your slippers."
"They are cute, comfy and great quality. They are my go-to when I am going to be on my feet all day," says one Amazon reviewer.
According to the brand, these shoes offer "second-skin-level comfort" and are designed with a midsole that's suitable for training and running.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Katie Jackson is a freelance travel writer and frequent contributor at Shop TODAY.
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DSW
