The 13 Most Comfortable Slides for Summer 2024, Tested by Real People
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Slip into Adidas, Chacos, Birkenstocks, and more
People / Anna Knief
If you don’t already have a pair of comfortable slides in your closet, it’s time to find your perfect pair.
Celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Hilary Duff have frequently stepped out wearing this casual and versatile footwear. Slides are lightweight, packable and easy to slide on and off, so they’re ideal for summer travel, errands, or pool days. We’ve tried out the bestselling styles looking at fit, comfort, and durability to help find your new favorite pair.
Just Launched
We’d be remiss not to add that Dr. Scholl’s Shoes just launched a collaboration with Free People. And while we haven’t had a chance to try these slides out, the boho-chic denim and eyelet styles are worth a mention.
Keep reading to find the next addition to your wardrobe!
Best Overall: Adidas Adilette Comfort Slides
Pros
They allow a little extra room for those with wide feet.
The ample cushioning in the footbed keeps you supported and comfortable, even when you spend a lot of time on your feet.
The cushioning molds to your feet over time for added comfort.
Cons
The comfort slides run a little big.
Editor’s Note: We tested the Adilette Boost Slides, but they have been discontinued so we’re recommending the Adidas Adilette Comfort Slides as an alternative.
While the Boost slides won best overall because of their design, fit, and comfort, the Comfort slides share these qualities. The Comfort slides have a foamy, cushioned insole that isn’t so plush that you sink into it, but is soft enough to keep you comfortable and supported.
There’s also a slight lip along the edge of the foamy footbed that grips your feet so you don’t have to worry about them slipping off while walking. Our tester wore the Boost slides while doing chores around the house and on a light stroll through the neighborhood. They didn’t experience any discomfort, chafing, or irritation, and since the Comfort slides are made from the same material, we think these would be great for everyday wear.
The $35 price point is a great value for the quality. The only word of caution is that they run a little big, so you might consider sizing down.
Colors: 8 | Material: Synthetic upper, rubber footbed | Sizes: 5–11
Best Overall, Runner Up: Nike Jordan Hex Slides
Pros
Incredibly soft thanks to the foamy texture, and molds to your feet the longer you wear it which adds comfort.
The shoes are lightweight and airy.
The rigid outsole gives nice traction, so you don’t have to worry about slips.
Cons
They run a bit big, so you should expect to size down.
This Nike pair has a fun, geometric look and a soft, foamy texture that feels like walking on a cloud. The slides mold to your feet the longer you wear them for added comfort, and the top strap keeps them secured without feeling too tight.
Even though they’re almost entirely made of molded foam, there’s ridging on the outsole which adds traction when you’re walking. These fell just short of best overall because they run a bit big. You should plan on sizing down half a size, or a full size if you have narrow feet. That aside, the value and quality is impressive!
Colors: 3 | Material: Molded foam | Sizes: 6–13.5
Best Budget: Cushionaire Women's Lane Cork Footbed Sandal with +Comfort
Pros
Suede straps and cushioned footbed give these slides a surprising level of comfort.
The thick, sturdy soles and ridged outsoles provide good traction and support, so you feel stable while wearing them.
These run true to size, so there’s no guesswork when shopping.
Cons
The buckles on the straps stain the suede.
If you’re not looking to make a major investment, this Cushionaire pair is an Amazon gem. Our tester was impressed by how comfortable they were: The suede straps felt soft on their feet and didn’t chafe at all, and the cushioned footbed added support and comfort. On the outsole, thick ridged rubber gave the slides nice traction no matter how much our tester moved around.
We appreciate that these run true to size, so there’s no need to decipher complicated manufacturer guides when picking the right pair. One drawback we noticed was that the buckles on the straps stained the suede material — it’s not a dealbreaker considering the price but is something to keep in mind. These would be great for anyone who likes the look of Birkenstocks but isn’t ready to invest in the real thing.
Colors: 22 | Material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate | Sizes: 6–9.5
Best Birkenstock: Birkenstock Women's Boston Soft Footbed Clog
Pros
The support ridges in between the toes add extra support and grip so that they don’t fall off your feet.
The firm soles maintain support, and the cushioned top layer has a level of softness which makes the slides great for casual, everyday wear.
The cork soles, suede material, and metal hardware give these a high quality look and feel.
Cons
On hot days, the suede insole may chafe against your skin if you wear the shoes without socks.
Birkenstock sizing is specific, so you should follow the sizing guide closely, especially if you’re ordering your first pair.
Of course, if you are ready to bring home some Birkenstocks, then this is the pair you should buy. The Boston Clog has a suede footbed, durable EVA sole, and sturdy metal hardware. The support ridges around the toes give these slides a nice grip and keep them in place under your feet when you’re on the go. Like a few other slides on our list, these gradually mold to your feet and get even more comfortable as you wear them.
Since they’re made from suede on the inside as well, there’s a chance of blisters on particularly humid days. While these shoes are expensive, you’re paying for high quality materials and a well-known brand, so their worth depends on how much you’ll wear them. If you prefer flats or slides, these would be a great long-term investment. Keep in mind that Birkenstock’s sizing is pretty specific, so you’ll want to follow their sizing guide closely when shopping.
Colors: 5 | Material: Suede footbed/upper, EVA sole | Sizes: 4.5–12.5
Best Arch Support: Chaco Women’s Chillos Slide
Pros
The adjustable strap makes these slides comfortable for wide or narrow feet.
Durable and supportive, they’re great for running errands or changing into after a workout.
Even though they feel sturdy, they’re still lightweight and soft.
Cons
These aren’t the most versatile style-wise because they have a more sporty look, so they’re better for running errands or wearing around the house.
Oftentimes slides are pretty flimsy and don’t provide enough support, but Chaco is celebrated as a brand that makes slides designed for rough-and-tumble activities. We love this adjustable pair, which allows for a customized fit and added comfort. They’re made with Chaco’s Luvseat™ signature footbed which encourages healthy alignment.
While they do feel sturdy and well made, they’re also lightweight. If you want something you could easily transition from the pool or beach to dinner, these aren’t the best fit — as they have a more sporty look. However, if you want a pair of slides to wear post workout for added recovery, or if you just need something with extra support, these are worth the purchase.
Colors: 9 | Material: Polyester upper, Luvseat™ arch support, EVA out sole | Sizes: 5–12
Editor Pick: Ugg Goldenstar High Slide
Pros
These slides have a cushioned platform footbed which adds extra comfort and shock absorption.
They have two velcro straps that you can adjust as needed.
The dense rubber sole has good traction so you won’t slide while wearing these slides.
Cons
They do cause some chafing when you walk fast due to the suede material.
It’s no secret that celebrities love their Uggs — just ask Sarah Jessica Parker or Jennifer Lopez. Our editors are also fans of this brand, thanks to the durability, styles, and comfort. If you like the ease and casual design of Birkenstocks, the Goldenstar High Slide has a similar appearance, but with the added benefit of a foam platform that cushions your foot.
The length fits true to size, and the shoes are a little wide (ideal for those with wider feet), but if you need a tighter fit, the velcro straps are adjustable. We like the soft neutral color options: Sage green, beige, brown, and gray. However, if you find yourself walking quickly through, say, an airport (as one of our editors did recently), the suede material might slightly chafe your skin.
Colors: 4 | Material: Sugarcane EVA outsole, foam footbed, suede upper | Sizes: 5–12
Best Durability: Chaco Women’s Lowdown Slide
Pros
These shoes’ adjustable straps add security and a more customized fit.
They are lightweight, supportive, and comfortable — no break-in period required.
The rubber and polyester material dry quickly, so these are great for transitioning from wet to dry land.
Cons
They have a fairly pronounced arch in the footbed, so this may cause discomfort if you’re particular about that sort of thing.
The material is on the noisier side when you walk.
Chacos are built for outdoor activities, so it makes sense that they proved the most durable in our test. Much like the Chillos, this pair has an adjustable strap which ensures a good fit — you can opt for a looser feel or tighten them so they don’t slip off your feet.
We really like these for running errands, traveling, or spending the day outside. We didn’t notice any break-in period for them whatsoever, and didn’t experience any discomfort, blistering, or chafing. The rubber and polyester material work together to repel water and dry rather quickly, so if you’re spending a day at the lake or beach, these are perfect for the wet-to-dry transition.
You should keep in mind that these have a fairly pronounced arch in the footbed, which could cause discomfort if you have flat feet. They’re also noisy, but for $65, we believe this is worth the purchase if you want a pair of slides that are built to last.
Colors: 8 | Material: Polyester upper, Luvseat™ arch support, rubber out sole | Sizes: 5–12
Best Cushion: Reef Cushion Vera Cruz Slide
Pros
The footbed is so soft that it felt like the shoes had already been broken in on the first wear.
The thick outsoles and anatomic contouring around the arches make you feel supported with every step.
The vegan leather material gives these a versatile appearance for everything from running errands to going to dinner.
Cons
The loops that secure the straps in place are made of plastic as opposed to metal, which gives them a cheaper look.
What we loved most about these leather slides was how soft they were. It was like they’d already been broken in: The footbeds were soft and cushioned, and there was no blistering or chafing during testing. Anatomic contouring around the arch and thick rubber outsoles add a nice amount of support so you can spend lots of time on your feet without feeling discomfort.
They’re also made of vegan leather, which gives them an elevated look — easily dressed up or down. One drawback is that the plastic material for the strap loops, which makes them look a bit cheap. However, the plushy cushioned feel in the footbed and the buttery soft vegan leather still earns our recommendation.
Colors: 3 | Material: Vegan leather, rubber outsole | Sizes: 5–11
Best for Travel: Message Mullen Slide
Pros
They’re machine washable which makes for easy maintenance.
They have excellent traction, which is ideal for on-the-go movement and travel.
Functional and sleek, these are easily transitionable for a wide range of events.
Cons
They’re a little more expensive than others on our list.
This functional pair of Message slides are sleek and fashionable. They’re made of upcycled cork and have a knitted compression material, their signature hugflex™, on top. Parts of the shoe feel tight when you first put them on, but they mold to your foot’s shape overtime. That said, they were so comfortable from the minute we put them on, for every occasion — whether having brunch with friends, walking through the airport, exploring a new city, running errands, or doing chores around the house.
Even though they’re simple and soft, they still have excellent traction on the soles, so you don't have to worry about slipping and sliding while you walk. These are ideal for travel because they have a versatile and comfortable design.
And they’re machine washable: Whether you’ve spent a day at the beach or a week walking around dirty airport floors and busy streets, just toss them in the wash on a gentle cycle in cold water for an easy refresh. Though a little expensive, we can confirm these are incredibly comfortable, durable, and high quality.
Colors: 4 | Material: Cork, rubber sole | Sizes: 5.5-13
People / Ivy Ford
Best Sporty: Nike Offcourt Adjust Women's Slides
Pros
This pair has good cushioning and support for your feet.
The adjustable strap allows for a more secure fit.
The shoes are comfortable and stay in place when you walk around.
Cons
There aren’t half sizes, but our tester sized up and found a good fit.
Our tester’s feet became quite sweaty when wearing these slides.
These Nike slides are great for the locker room, travel between games, and anywhere else your exercise might take you. Our tester sized up, but the adjustable strap is ideal for those who wear half sizes.
This pair was comfortable and stayed in place when our tester walked around. The footbed also has enough cushioning to provide support (ideal for flat feet). One thing our tester noted was that their feet got quite sweaty when wearing these shoes (which was unusual for them). This might be due to the thick foam padding on all sides of the shoe — which adds to the overall comfort.
Colors: 2 | Material: Dual-density foam | Sizes: 5-12
Best Waterproof: Crocs Women's Swiftwater Sandal
Pros
These shoes are so lightweight and flexible, it’s easy to forget you’re even wearing them.
There’s no break-in period required, and even with all the criss-crossing straps there was no chafing or blistering.
Significant traction on the soles and waterproofing all around makes these easy to wear from wet to dry land.
Cons
They don’t provide much arch support.
If you’re planning on spending a lot of time in the water this summer, the Swiftwater Sandals from Crocs are a good value. During testing, these slides were quite durable and didn’t lose their like-new quality. We appreciated that there wasn’t a break-in period, even though we expected some blistering and chafing due to the rubbery criss-cross straps.
These are lightweight and flexible, but still provide comfort and traction so that you feel secure without being weighed down. Alas, because they’re so lightweight, there’s minimal arch support. But if you want something simple and lightweight you can wear at the pool or lake, these are worth the under-$40 price tag.
Colors: 17 | Material: Ethylene vinyl acetate | Sizes: 4–11
People / Julia Warren
Best Leather: Quince Nappa Leather Double Buckle Slides
Pros
The adjustable buckle straps give these a more customized fit.
The footbed feels soft and velvety.
The leather makes these easy to dress up or down.
Cons
The metal buckles cheapen the look.
These slides run small and don’t come in half sizes.
We found an awesome Birkenstock lookalike with this pair by Quince. What we love most about these is how soft they are: The leather straps feel buttery smooth, and the footbed has a velvety feel that maintains its plushness even after extended wear. They feel like Birkenstocks but are even softer, which is why they’re ideal for those who prefer leather.
The leather material makes them easy to dress up or down, so they’ll definitely earn their place as a staple in your closet. That said, the metal buckles — though sturdy — have a lower quality look, and the slides run small without half-size options. Overall, they’re a great Birkenstock alternative that’s softer and nearly half the price.
Colors: 3 | Material: 100% full-grain nappa leather upper with suede insole, cork midsole, EVA outsole | Sizes: 5–10
Best for Vacation: Reef Cushion Vista Hi Sandal
Pros
The cork material in the footbed provides enough grip that you won’t feel like you’re slipping and sliding while walking.
Deep grooves on the thick outsoles make for excellent tread on a wide range of surfaces.
The vegan leather material makes them easy to pair with casual or dressy outfits.
Cons
There is a break-in period as the leather straps caused some irritation in the beginning.
A small piece of the cork in the arch of the foot started peeling off after testing.
This Reef pair is a go-to for one of our editors when traveling on beach vacations, and our testers enjoyed them as well. The cork material in the footbed has a decent amount of grip so that you’ll feel secure while wearing them: The soles had good traction across pavement, grass, carpet, tile, and sealed cement.
They’re also visually versatile: Our editor has worn them for a casual beach day and then paired them with linen shorts for a nicer dinner afterward. They do require some break-in though. A day’s worth of wear caused some irritation on our tester’s foot from the straps. That said, if you wear them a few times before your trip, you’re good to go (speaking from our editor’s experience). There was also some wear with the cork, but overall, these shoes are a solid and chic option for your next getaway.
Colors: 13 | Material: Vegan leather, rubber sole | Sizes: 5–12
Other Comfortable Slides We Tried
OluKai Hila Slide: This pair has soft cushioned straps and a decent amount of traction that keeps you feeling stable and supported. They’re also waterproof, which makes them ideal for wearing to the beach or lake, and the sole is thick and sturdy so you could wear these on a wide range of rough surfaces without feeling discomfort. However, they run small and are extremely narrow, so it’s a bit of a fight to get your foot into the straps. For $80, we ultimately felt that they weren’t worth it.
Skechers Go Walk Massage Fit Slides: We appreciated that these didn’t cause any irritation or chafing thanks to the knitted top strap, and they run a little big which makes them easy to slip on and off around the house. However, the texture on the footbed is kind of lumpy, which was a little jarring. Also, they have a sportier look that wouldn’t allow for much flexibility with your wardrobe. At the end of the day we felt the $80 price point was a little steep considering you wouldn’t be able to wear these many places, and they weren’t very comfortable.
Things to Consider Before Buying Comfortable Slides
Support
While you probably won’t be wearing a pair of slides on days when you’re doing strenuous activity, it’s important to pick a pair that’s supportive. “Look for a slide with a cushioned rubber or EVA sole that provides good arch support and stability, [and also] has outside grooves on the bottom for traction,” podiatrist Cory Clement, DPM tells PEOPLE. For those who need extra arch support, we love the Chacos Chillos because they’re sturdy yet lightweight, and they have an EVA outsole that protects your foot.
Durability
If you’re only planning on wearing your slides around the house, you won’t need to worry as much about them being exposed to the elements. But if you’re planning on wearing them while doing things like yard work and traveling, you’ll want to pay more attention to the material you’re choosing.
If durability is top of mind, you should opt for a pair with thicker soles that will hold up against rough terrain, like the Chacos Lowdowns. i If you’re wearing them on vacation, or to the pool or beach, you should look for pairs made with waterproof material, like the Crocs Swiftwaters.
Fit
Even if slides aren’t the kind of shoes you’d wear for a long hike or a workout, you still want them to fit properly and feel comfortable. You don’t want a pair that fits so tight that it’s a struggle to slip them on and off (they’re called slides for a reason), but instead there should be a little bit of extra room for added convenience.
According to Dr. Clement, “Molded footbeds offer better support and help your feet conform better.” The Nike Jordan Hex slides are a great example of this: They mold to your foot’s shape and become more comfortable the longer you wear them. When shopping, you should also be aware of the brand’s sizing — whether they run big or small, come in half sizes, or are designed for narrow or wide feet.
How We Tested
Our editors selected 28 best-selling slides and tested them over the course of two days, evaluating them on fit, durability, comfort, and support. Testers wore their respective pairs for at least two hours each day (not including the break-in period, which was considered a separate part of the test). Testers wore their slides for a wide range of activities, including traveling, dining out, shopping, running errands, and going on walks. The slides that keep our testers’ feet supported, comfy, and pain-free made this list.
Why Trust Us
Olivia Avitt is a freelance writer for PEOPLE who specializes in thorough, honest product reviews. When writing this story, she carefully reviewed the test results of the included products and put together the need-to-know details to help you pick the most comfortable slides for you. She also consulted podiatrist Dr. Cory Clement, who provided expert insights on what you should look for in a pair of slides for maximum comfort and support.
Meet Our Experts
Cory Clement, DPM is a California-based podiatrist, specializing in foot and ankle concerns.
What Is PEOPLE TESTED?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
