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Because we believe convenience while traveling is key, slip-on shoes are essential footwear to pack for any trip. Making a mad dash from the TSA security line to your gate? You’ll be grateful to have a pair of shoes that slide right on and are plenty comfortable for the sprint ahead.
While there are plenty of slip-on shoes on the market, we had our Travel + Leisure editors, writers, and skilled product testers try 20 pairs of slip-on shoes from trusted brands like Cariuma, On Running, and Allbirds. For two weeks, we wore the shoes for activities including air travel, long walks, working in the office, and running errands around the city to gauge the level of comfort and support offered by each. Whether you’re in search of an athletic sneaker or a slip-on fit for the office, we’ve rounded up our winners below to help make shopping easier.
Best Overall: OluKai Pehuea Slip On Sneakers
From the office to the airport, the OluKai Pehuea slip-ons will take you to any destination in comfort and style. These sneakers have the perfect balance of weight thanks to the thick rubber outsole and lightweight mesh upper. Hands down the best aspect of these stylish kicks is the supportive midsole that boasts just the right amount of arch support to keep your feet cushioned in all the right places. One unique feature of these slip-ons is that the heel has a drop-in seam so the backing is designed to fold down easily to put the shoes on and pop back up to support the foot.
When it comes to slick surfaces, these sneakers have plenty of traction on the bottom of their dense rubber soles so we didn’t have any issues walking on all types of terrain. While the mesh upper is breathable, it was a little stiff at first and we had to use our hands to step into the shoes. After a few wears, the upper began to loosen up a bit and mold around the foot, meaning the fit will only get more comfortable over time. With 16 different color options in sizes 5 to 12 with half sizes available, there are plenty of combinations to choose from for all style preferences.
The Details: 5 to 12 | Mesh, rubber
Best Value: Dr. Scholl’s Madison Slip On Sneaker
The Dr. Scholl’s Madison Sneaker is designed for comfort thanks to the cupped heel, memory foam midsole, and generous arch support in the footbed. We’re big fans of the cushioned bumper in the heel of the shoe that prevented blisters, meaning these slip-ons were ready to be worn right out of the box. The construction of the shoe has a lot of flexibility to aid with movement so whether you’re walking on flat or uneven terrain, these shoes have the perfect amount of support and mobility for a variety of adventures. There are options for recycled faux leather, canvas, flannel, and suede upper materials, and size options in both regular and wide, so you can pick from a number of styles and sizes. The regular size had a tighter fit so consider getting a wide size if your feet aren’t narrow.
The Details: 5 to 13 (wide sizes available) | Recycled faux leather, canvas, flannel, polyurethane, microfiber
Best Platform: Vince Warren Suede Slip On Platform Sneakers
Platform sneakers are a timeless trend, and we recommend the Vince Warren Platform Sneakers if you’re in search of an elevated look. The rubber outsole gives you an extra 1.5 inches of height, and it feels very sturdy so you won’t have to worry about twisting your ankle or tripping easily. The sneaker comes in several upper materials like suede, textile, and leather, so you have a variety of styles to choose from. At first, the leather material was stiff and slightly irritating, causing some minor blistering. However, the leather quickly softened up after several hours of wearing the shoe. You can expect a minor break-in period, but it’ll be well worth it for the comfortable and customized fit that only improves as you wear them. Plus, the midsole has just the right amount of arch support to cushion the ball of the foot and the heel cradles the foot to prevent it from slipping up.
Best Traction: Kizik Lima Slip-on Sneaker
The Kizik Women’s Lima sneakers scored highly in all of our testing categories, including traction. Thanks to the rubber traction pods designed to stabilize the heel and toe of the foot, these shoes provided plenty of stability on slick surfaces. Made with Kizik’s cushioned RabbitFoam material, the outsole feels extremely sturdy and supportive after wearing the sneakers all day. The no-tie laces give the sneakers an athletic style, making them the perfect everyday footwear for running errands and going for long walks, but they may not be the best slip-ons for anything fancier. However, if you’re looking for a pair of sneakers that will support and stabilize you all day long, these are an excellent pick.
The Details: 6 to 13 (wide sizes available) | Knit, rubber, RabbitFoam