Slides are easy to slip on, cozy to wear and great alternatives to sneakers when it comes to support, especially when comfort is a priority. Though they have a simple design, they combine features and components for a superior yet laidback feel.
Footwear that you slip on in less than three seconds? I'm in! But most importantly, slides that can relieve the impact of daily walks and floor impact are top on my list.
To help you on your slide-shopping journey, Shop TODAY spoke with five podiatrists who shared what to look for when purchasing slide sandals.
Are slides good for your feet?
While slides are good for your feet in short periods, they should not be worn when you're walking long distances all day, according to podiatrist Priya Parthasarathy. Another podiatrist, Ashley Lee, adds that while you shouldn't wear this kind of footwear for long periods, “properly fitting and supportive slides can help with arch and heel pain and can be generally comfortable to wear."
Additionally, many slides on the market are only designed for casual wear and may not have the support and design your feet need, warns podiatrist Janine Ferrigno-Taddeo. “Wearing poorly designed slides for extended periods can lead to foot pain and other issues,” she adds.
What qualities should you look for in slides?
- Support: Miguel Cunha, DPM, says support is crucial when looking for slides and suggests opting for an “anatomically contoured footbed that supports and cradles your arch to maintain the natural alignment of your feet.”
- Arch: Lee says arch support is a must to prevent foot pain. A non-supportive shoe can lead to “foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, neuromas, bunions, hammer toes and pain to the ball of the feet.” To check if your slide has proper arch support, Parthasarathy recommends attempting to bend your shoe in half. If the shoe can fold in half, then it does not have proper support. She also says you should not be able to push down and completely flatten the arch support of a slide.
- Size: Cunha emphasizes finding the correct size when searching for the most comfortable slide, especially if you experience foot pain. In order to have a comfortable fit all day long, Cunha purposes trying slides on at the end of the day because this is when "Your feet are most swollen due to fluid retention from gravity, as this will give you a more accurate fit.” Ferrigno-Taddeo also recommends making sure your toes have enough room to move freely but aren’t loose enough that will cause the slides to fall off.
- Material: When searching for the most comfortable slides, you need to pay attention to the composition of different parts of the shoe. For the upper part of the slide, Cunha says leather is common for its durability, breathability and moldability, but also recommends polyester, nylon and synthetic leather as more affordable options. He also advocates for cork and memory foam for the footbed of the slide because they absorb shock and are comfortable. Finally, rubber is recommended for the outsole because of its traction and durability.
Who should wear slides?
Parthasarathy says people who work from home should wear slides as their home footwear (or house slippers) because the human body is not meant to walk on hard floors all day. Why? Podiatrist Emily Splichal explains that hard floors could put stress on your feet and lower back, and therefore, cushioned slides are ideal to help alleviate pain or stress.
Parthasarathy also recommends slides for people who train periodically and need a recovery shoe. While recovery shoes are considered pain-relievers in the footwear category, you can also find flip-flops with recovery benefits. For instance, recovery footwear includes arch support and cushioning and is meant for "active recovery" after athletic activities.
“If you have just finished working out, or just finished a run or something like that, then it’s nice to step into a pair of slides to let your feet breathe and get out of a hot, sweaty shoe." Parthasarathy says.
Below you will find slides recommended by experts and approved by editors.
Most comfortable slides, according to experts
The classic: Adidas Adissage Slides
- Adjustable strap
- Prongs for passage
- simple design
- Limited cushion
- No foot cradle or arch support
Colors: 4 | Sizes: 5-19 | Material: EVA
A classic choice seen in sports and athletics for years is the Adidas slide. The highlight feature of this product is the EVA massage nubs on the footbed that can help alleviate stress and pressure on your feet. The strap of this slide also allows a bit of adjustability based on your foot width and needs.
Splichal recommends these slides because they are a classic staple in the slide department, and she loves the prongs that massage your feet while you wear them.
Keeping things casual: Chaco Lowdown Leather Slide
- Adjustable straps
- Easy slip on design
- Stylish leather details
- Not super cushioned
- Complaints of tiring feet
Colors: 3 | Sizes: 5-12 | Material: Rubber
These slides feature a great balance between comfort and style with their leather details, making it easy to dress up or down. Chaco states this slide has contoured arch support to help with healthy alignment and all-day comfort underfoot.
Parthasarathy also recommends these slides because of the lower profile and the adjustable straps, “so it’s good for someone with a wider foot or someone with a bunion because you can adjust them.” She says these are great if you like the look of a Birkenstock but want your slides to be more personalized to your feet.
Most raved about: Oofos OOahh Slide Sandal
- Great cushion and comfort
- Rocker toe
- Wide color selection
- One piece construction
- Could cause instability
Colors: 7 | Sizes: 5-16 | Material: Not specified
These slides are all-around the most recommended by experts and editors for their intense cushion and comfort. Oofos promises these slides have special foam technology that absorbs more impact than traditional footwear and a footbed that reduces stress on joints.
Cunha is just one of the many experts who recommend the Oofos slides. He says, “These APMA-approved sandals are designed with an anatomical arch to cradle your feet with superior shock absorption compared with traditional foam sandals, wider footbed and enables a natural motion of the forefoot with increasing space of the forefoot to reduce the stress placed on the forefoot.” Lee also calls out the rocker bottom sole feature of this shoe that some clients may enjoy. However, she also says these slides might not be great to wear all day because of the softer soles.
Many editors on the Shop TODAY team also recommend these slides, including associate editor Kamari Stewart who said they were a lifesaver when she ran a half marathon. "The entire time during the race, I was thinking about how excited I was to put these on afterward," she explained. "The relief is immediate and they're really a cut above the rest in terms of recovery footwear."
For style or recovery: Hoka Ora Recovery Slide
- Lots of color options
- Textured, gripped outer sole
- Cushioned footbed
- No adjustable straps
- Stack may be hard to walk in
Colors: 18 | Sizes: 5-16 | Material: EVA
These Hoka slides are great for both recovery and lifestyle, featuring ventilated airflow channels, injection-molded sugarcane EVA midsole and more to deliver comfort. These slides also rank moderate in stability and plush when it comes to comfort levels.
Parthasarathy’s stamp of approval on these slides comes from her confession that she wears these Hoka slides at home every day as her home shoes. “It cradles your foot, it has a lot of shock absorption and it has a higher footbed with cushioning,” she explains. Splichal also recommends these slides because of the rocker and higher cushion.
The cushioned sole: Vionic Rejuvenate Recovery Sandal
- Simple design
- Adjustable straps
- Hugs foot all around
- No width options available
Colors: 7 | Sizes: 5-14 | Material: EVA
These recovery slides are great for showing your feet some love with adjustable straps, textured footbeds and dual-density cushioning. Receiving the APMA Seal of Acceptance, these slides are guaranteed by the American Podiatric Medical Association to promote good foot health.
These slides are recommended by Cunha because of the contoured arch support, shock-absorbing midsole and deep heel cup that leave you cushioned and comfortable. “These sandals also include dual adjustable closure straps and a platform heel for stability and walkability," says Cunha.
For the fashionista: Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle
- Adjustable comfort
- Stylish design
- Buckle may add pressure
- Shopper may not want cork
Colors: 10 | Sizes: 4-12.5 |Material: Cork and EVA
A staple and icon in the slide department is the Birkenstock brand. The Madrid-inspired slide offers a contoured cork-latex footbed and a single strap for support. These can be thrown on with your athletic clothes or dressed up with jeans to run around town.
While Splichal and Parthasarathy recommend different Birkenstock styles as the most comfortable slides, Cunha recommends this pair in particular. He likes how these APMA-approved sandals offer “a raised toe bar designed to encourage the natural gripping motion of your toes and a leather line contoured cork footbed that will mold to the shape of your foot for personalized support that comfortably cradles your arch with every step.”
Simple and easy: Archies Arch Support Slides
- Simple design
- Focus on arch support
- No adjustable straps
Colors: 6 | Sizes: 5-16 | Material: Cell foam material
The Archies slides have a simple and elegant look that won’t overwhelm whatever outfit you may be wearing. According to the brand, these shoes are so comfortable since they mold to your feet, are lightweight, have arch support and are a one-piece construction.
Lee loves these foam slides thanks to their ability to mold your feet. “The arch is a little more supportive so it can be used for longer periods without causing fatigue,” she adds. "It has a snug but comfortable upper strap to keep the foot from sliding too much.”
Most comfortable slides, according to editors
The affordable choice: Bronax Pillow Slippers
- Affordable price
- Plush and comfortable
- Easy to clean
- No high-tech qualities
- No adjustable straps
Colors: 15 | Sizes: 4-16 | Material: EVA
If you're looking for an easy and affordable Amazon slide, I would really recommend these. Not only can you purchase them in different colors to match your style that day, but also, they feel like a pillow when you walk. The shoe features a thick sole that provides support and comfort while being lightweight and compression resistant.
Plus, they fall into my favorite category because they are an easy throw-on shoe to wear at the beach, the store or indoors. Although they do not contain many of the intricate supportive and foot health features of other slides, they are an affordable choice for short usage when you aren’t walking around too much.
Crocs Unisex Mellow Recovery Slides
- Simple design
- Comfortable and cushioned sole
- Holes for breathability
- Complaints of sliding off
- Runs a little large
Colors: 3 | Sizes: 6-12 | Material: Not specified
These particular Crocs have a simple, yet modern design that can be worn around the house as your feet melt into the foam footbed. Editor Emma Stessman adores these slides as a recovery shoe, and she said they saved her feet after running 500 miles in 2023.
"They have deep, cupped footbeds and a soft material that your feet practically sink into," she expresses. "I swear every time I put them on it's like my feet are breathing a sigh of relief. Though, if you're like me and you have sweaty feet, I'd recommend wearing socks with them or else they might slip off."
The stylish slide: Reef Cushion Vista Hi
- Supportive arch
- Platform
- Stylish design
- Stiff straps
Colors: 19 | Sizes: 5-1 | Material: Cork and EVA
These slides are the perfect combination of a cute platform sandal, with an easy slide-on design; not to mention they are so fashionable and perfect for summer! As the name suggests, this slide has a great cushion with its platform appearance that provides great arch support and heel cupping.
Writer Danielle Murphy says her favorite part about this shoe is the different textures across the slide and she also appreciates the arch support. “As someone with a wider foot, I was worried the double straps would feel too restrictive, but I was pleasantly surprised by their comfy feel,” she adds. However, Murphy wishes the cushioned sole was a bit softer. Editor Anita Chomenko also recommends these slides for most occasions, but they aren’t the “best sandals for a city girl commuting and walking a few miles in a day.”
The slide for foot health: Avos Therapy Slide
- Different height attatchments
- Great for stretching the foot
- adjustable straps
- Complaints of flimsy materials
Colors: 1 | Sizes: 5-13.5 | Material: Not specified
These Avos slides promise to be a time-saving therapy shoe that helps you to increase flexibility and improve circulation, while walking instead of dedicating time to foot recovery. The brand emphasizes the benefits of rolling your feet on a tennis ball daily, and the brand states this slide can achieve similar results in optimizing physical performance and decreasing the potential for injury. The shoe comes with different therapy arch heights, based on what your feet might need that day.
Senior editor Jess Bender recommends these slides because of their pressure inserts. “You can give your arches the support they really need depending on the exercise you’re doing,” she explains. “The company also prides themselves on targeting athletes with plantar fasciitis, so I appreciate that kind of proactive therapy approach to the design.”
Frequently asked questions
Splichal emphasizes the importance of what shoes people wear because your feet are your foundation. In other words, if your feet are unstable, then the rest of your body won’t be stable either.
The muscles in your feet and legs are used in every step you take, so Splichal warns your movement in an unsupportive or incorrect shoe could “overload” the foot and lead to plantar fasciitis or other issues.
Wearing slides may aggravate certain feet conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis and hammer toes, says Parthasarathy, because your toes have to work harder to ensure your foot does not come out of the shoe. However, slides can also be good for these conditions because there is no constant friction or pressure on your toes.
Splichal also emphasizes that you can walk unnaturally on a slide than other shoes because your toes and foot have to work to stay on the slide.
According to Parthasarathy, there are no required heights for slides. However, if you need more cushion, she recommends looking for height. Also, if you have gate or balance issues, she advises being careful with higher slides because they might be difficult to balance.
Parthasarathy says shock absorption is the impact absorbed by the shoe that would have been pressure applied to your feet if you were barefoot. Sufficient shock absorption in a slide is important because it can reduce the wear-and-tear on your feet.
How we chose
Consulting the advice of multiple podiatrists, Shop TODAY curated a list of the most comfortable slides that can provide comfort, relief and support to every shopper. Shop TODAY also took editors' recommendations on their favorite comfortable slides.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Miguel Cunha, DPM, is a podiatrist located in New York City who is the founder of Gotham Footcare. Cunha is also a trained and skilled ankle surgeon.
- Dr. Emily Splichal, DPM, is a podiatrist and human movement specialist, based in New York City at the Center for Functional & Regenerative Podiatric Medicine.
- Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, is a podiatrist in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is an American Podiatric Medical Association spokesperson and serves on the board of directors of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
- Dr. Ashley Lee, DPM, is a podiatrist at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists in Hinsdale, Illinois. She has a special interest in pediatric reconstructive surgery as well as adult and pediatric sports medicine.
- Dr. Janine Ferrigno-Taddeo, DPM, is a podiatrist at Millburn Podiatry in New Jersey, and she is also a medical consultant for Aetrex.
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