Flip-flops’ cool older sibling, slides are the final word cozy, handy summer time footwear. The perfect slides for ladies take these elements to the following stage—they’re mainly clouds in your ft to drift on, they received’t depart you a sweaty mess, and so they’re cute sufficient to put on along with your total heat climate wardrobe, from leggings to summer time attire.
However right here’s the factor: Not all slides are created equal. In reality, numerous them lack most of the key options podiatrists wish to see in footwear, like arch help, dependable shock absorption, and a again strap or heel counter. They will additionally put you susceptible to damage you probably have steadiness points or are liable to tripping, bodily therapist Melania Anderson, PT, DPT, supervisor of the Whole Joint program on the Bone and Joint Institute at Hartford HealthCare, tells SELF. For all these causes, they’re typically not appropriate for all-day put on or fast-paced actions, Adam Ferguson, DO, a foot and ankle specialist and board-certified orthopedic surgeon on the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute, tells SELF.
Nonetheless, there’s no denying that slides are simply plain cozy—and there’s no hurt in sporting them round the home, out to run errands, or for a day on the seaside. To deliver you feet-friendly pairs that transcend the fundamentals, we requested SELF staffers and podiatrists for his or her suggestions. All you’ll want to do is decide which pair is your favourite (nonetheless powerful, we all know).
Our high picks
- Finest General: Merrell Hut Extremely Wrap, $80
- Runner-Up: Oofos Ooahh Slide, $60
- Finest for Arch Help: Birkenstock Arizona Smooth Footbed, $150
- Finest Finances Decide: Shade & Shore Neida EVA Two Band Footbed Slide Sandals, $10
- Finest for Strolling: Lululemon Restfeel Slide, $58
- Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Ora Restoration Slide 3, $60
- Finest for Restoration: Vionic Rejuvenate, $90
On this article
Store the most effective slides
Want a straightforward shoe for seaside days, pool journeys, take-out runs, or lounging at residence? Slides are the reply. Try our picks under, then learn on for knowledgeable recommendation on how to decide on your good pair.
Finest General: Merrell Hut Extremely Wrap
After we gave the Extremely Wrap slide a Sneaker Award in 2023, our testers had nothing however glowing issues to say: “These sandals are past snug. I’ve by no means owned a pair that really feel this good.” One particular person wore theirs for over 100 hours and observed that they have been nonetheless simply as snug because the day they tried them on.
This slide is cozy, supportive, breathable, and secure on slippery surfaces. It additionally has adjustable straps to stop it from flying off your foot (and add a cool outdoorsy accent too). In order for you a pair of slides that you may actually put on anyplace—and never simply shuffle round in—the Extremely Wrap is it.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: Mesh, artificial materials, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)
Runner-Up: Oofos Ooahh Slide
These extremely cushioned slides are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Affiliation (APMA), that means a panel of specialists has discovered that their high-quality design promotes wholesome ft. Podiatrists have beforehand really helpful them to SELF for folks coping with foot ache, and we named the flip-flop model a SELF Fave again in 2020. Each footwear have the identical foam footbed, which our tester stated cradled her arches and took some stress off her ft.
Sizes: US 6 to fifteen | Widths: Medium | Supplies: Artificial supplies, proprietary foam
Really, we’ve but to see a yr go by the place the Birkenstock Arizona isn’t in vogue, however there’s extra to them than trendy appears to be like. Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute St. Vincent’s Medical Middle, beforehand really helpful this basic sandal for its supportive design that molds to your foot the extra you put on it. Each of its leather-based straps are adjustable, so you’ll be able to guarantee an in depth match throughout your forefoot and midfoot.
Sizes: EU 36 to 42 | Widths: Slender and medium | Supplies: Suede, cork, foam, EVA
Finest Finances Decide: Shade & Shore Neida EVA Two Band Footbed Slide Sandals
One SELF editor says she lived in these Birkenstock look-alikes final summer time. They’re barely contoured to hug your ft and each straps are adjustable to verify they keep comfortable. And excellent news should you’re planning to take a seat poolside this summer time: They’re plastic and able to tackle water.
“They’re shockingly snug, for being so inexpensive,” one SELF editor says. “I’ve main foot points and am capable of put on them continually with none ache.” As a pleasant bonus, she doesn’t have to fret about them getting soiled: “I rub slightly dish cleaning soap on them to get them good as new.”
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: EVA
Finest for Strolling: Lululemon Restfeel Slide
The Restfeel’s sole is on the thinner facet, however based on SELF’s director of health and meals, it has loads to supply by way of cushion—a lot in order that it ousted her different cozy footwear. “I initially thought I’d put on them solely post-workout, however after I slipped them on as soon as for an errand, they shortly turned my go-to summer time shoe,” she says. In the event you can’t get your 10k steps in with out blisters, take into account swapping your sandals for these infants.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: Foam, rubber
Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Ora Restoration Slide 3
Podiatrists (and SELF staffers) love Hokas for relieving plantar fasciitis ache (which normally appears like an aching or stabbing sensation in your heel)—and that’s not restricted to the model’s sneakers. Erik Sims, DPM, managing accomplice of Sims & Associates Podiatry in New York, beforehand informed SELF that the Ora 3 is a superb possibility for individuals who cope with plantar fasciitis, because it has a thick, closely cushioned sole that ought to assist cut back a number of the impression out of your footsteps.
Sizes: US 5 to 16 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: EVA
Finest for Restoration: Vionic Rejuvenate
These slides are what goals are product of for one SELF staffer who slips them on after lifting weights or going for lengthy walks. They’re her go-to home footwear too: “These slides have changed my fuzzy slippers for the nice and cozy climate—and truthfully, it’s for the most effective as a result of they’re far more supportive.” She additionally shouts out their grooved footbed, which has a calmly massaging impact that feels nice on sore or swollen ft.
Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: Artificial materials and supplies, EVA
Extra nice choices
Nonetheless haven’t discovered a pair you’ll be able to’t wait to slide on? The choices under come extremely really helpful by staffers and on-line reviewers.
Nike Victori One
Nike’s best-selling Victori One has a cool, minimalist design that appears nice by itself or, dare we are saying, along with your favourite colourful socks. We additionally like that the only will get thicker on the heel for slightly extra consolation. Take our phrase for it—you need these in your fitness center bag to let your ft breathe after a tough exercise.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: Artificial supplies, foam
Adidas Adilette Consolation Slides
They may look a complete lot just like the Adidas pool slides of your youth, however the Adilette Consolation Slides have a plusher footbed and are available trendier colours. This author has had her pair for about seven years, and so they’re simply as cozy as ever. You’ll be able to definitely put on them exterior (the only is sturdy sufficient for pavement, filth, or sand), however additionally they make the proper breezy home shoe if clogs and slippers are inclined to really feel too sizzling for you.
Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: Artificial supplies and materials, EVA
Cushionaire Feather Slides
With greater than 26,000 five-star Amazon evaluations backing them, these slides are sure to make your ft really feel completely satisfied. They’ve a light-weight construct and squishy footbed to place slightly spring in your step.
“From the second I slipped them on, I felt like I used to be strolling on clouds,” one shopper wrote in a overview. “What actually stands out is how light-weight they’re whereas nonetheless offering wonderful arch help. The restoration design is ideal for drained ft, and I’ve observed much less foot fatigue since I began sporting them.”
Sizes: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: EVA
FitFlop Lulu Thong Sandal
These $1 flip flops that fold below your toes as you stroll and make you journey throughout the pavement? Swap them for these supportive platform sandals with a gradual heel drop that gives some good cushioning below the again of your foot. They arrive in a number of impartial colours, all of which have matching leather-based straps for a sleeker look.
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Supplies: Leather-based, EVA, microfiber
What to think about whereas looking for slides
The elements under set cozy slides other than just-okay ones.
Slides aren’t typically very supportive, however as we talked about earlier you’ll be able to’t deny the sheer comfort of an excellent pair—and Dr. Anderson notes that they’re a fantastic possibility for brief errands and outings the place you’ll be off your ft more often than not (say, lounging by the pool). You simply wish to keep away from feeling like your arch is collapsing or your toes are gripping the within of the shoe as you stroll, she says. If yow will discover a slide that feels supportive, that means its insole maps to and cradles the form of your foot, and considerably safe, possibly with the assistance of a deep heel cup or toe groove, that’ll be your best choice.
Cushioning is useful too, and slides marketed for “restoration” are sometimes made with thick layers of cozy foam. That features a lot of our high picks, just like the Merrell Hut Extremely Wrap, Oofos Ooahh, and Hoka Ora 3. These manufacturers declare that these designs may also help your ft and joints rebound sooner from powerful exercises. Whereas they’re fairly darn snug, they in all probability received’t optimize your relaxation days in any substantial approach, Dr. Ferguson says. Your finest shot at a stable restoration routine is consulting with a bodily therapist or sports activities medication specialist, Dr. Anderson says.
The footbed of your slide ought to hug the pure curve of your foot with out placing stress in your arch. Once you stroll, the straps ought to maintain your foot in place and forestall it from sliding ahead or developing off of the footbed. Adjustable straps actually are available clutch as a result of you’ll be able to tighten them simply sufficient to present you further safety as you progress.
How we examined the most effective slides
Our testers wore their slides to stroll their canine, take out the trash, drive residence from the fitness center, run to the grocery retailer, hold by the pool, and so forth. The pairs that they actually cherished made it onto this closing record.
Any of the slides we didn’t check have been really helpful by podiatrists who know what to search for in cozy footwear. Plus, we sifted by evaluations from varied retailers; all of our picks are backed by lots of, if not 1000’s, of completely satisfied consumers.
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