Whether heading out for the day or heading through airport security, the convenience of a slip-on shoe pays off with every wear. Like any footwear, they run the gamut in terms of materials, design, and style. For my travel and day-to-day wardrobe, I look for a slip-on shoe with ample support for spending hours on my feet and a design that I can get on and off hands-free. I also prefer a sleeker aesthetic that can be paired with casual and more dressed-up looks.
We’ve tested 30 pairs of men’s slip-on shoes over the past year, wearing them to work, at the gym, and out on the town. For each pair, we assessed their comfort, durability, fit, material quality, and value. Our overall favorite is a pair of sporty sneakers, though many others impressed us with their performance, style, and ease of use.
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The Kizik Men’s Athens stood out to us for its integration of lightweight, breathable materials without sacrificing support and stability. The mesh fabric that spans virtually the entire shoe (minus the sole) is complemented by Kizik’s External Cage—an externally attached heel stabilizer that doesn’t impede airflow to the feet. This, combined with the thick and supportive sole, made them comfortable to wear and walk in—no break-in period needed. While the shoes deliver solid arch support, we wish the soles were as squishy as other Kiziks we’ve tried. We were able to slip on the shoes hands-free with ease, and with a quick pull of the laces, we were ready to head off. The quality construction and sporty design make these a versatile shoe for wearing to work, the gym, or with casual attire.
The Details: Sizes 4.5-15 (standard and wide) | Mesh upper, polyester lining, rubber outsole
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Designed with premium leather that is built to last, the Naot Executive Directors are sure to level up your look. They remind us of low-rise Chelsea boots, and we were impressed with the quality of the leather, both in terms of durability and aesthetics. They offer solid arch support, and the sturdy rubber outsole adds protection and traction to comfortably walk on varied terrain and surfaces. Though they took some time to break in, we never experienced any chafing, and they were easy to get on without using our hands. Despite the sturdy leather construction, we found them to be quite breathable. However, we’d recommend sizing up if you’re weary of a snug fit or plan to wear these shoes with thicker socks.
The Details: Sizes 7-14.5 | Leather upper, suede-lined cork and latex footbed, rubber outsole
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Why We Love It
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Durable, comfortable, and easy to slip on, we wanted to wear these as much as we could throughout the day.
The Birkenstock Boston Clogs were comfortable to wear from the start and only improved with use. After a month of regular wear, the footbeds felt practically customized to our feet. We love how easy they are to slip on and off—even while wearing heavier wool socks. They proved comfortable to wear with or without socks, though the leather isn’t the most breathable when worn barefoot. We found that the cork footbeds added great arch support, but this material keeps the shoe quite rigid. There’s plenty of room in the toe box, and the traction was sufficient for getting around town or working in the garden. We were also impressed with the lightweight design and natural conditioning of the leather, which gives it a one-of-a-kind feeling. The clogs are available in an array of sizes, including narrow, regular, and wide widths.
The Details: Sizes 6-13.5 (regular and narrow) | Leather, cork, EVA foam
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OluKai lives up to its reputation for casual style and functional design with the Lae’ahi Slip On Sneakers. They include the brand’s drop-in heel, letting you switch between wearing them as a slide or slip-on sneaker. We found them extremely comfortable to wear from the start, which surprised us given the sturdiness of the shoe materials. The microfiber lining feels soft against the skin, and we haven’t experienced any chafing or blisters. We did, however, find them lacking breathability, but we expect that sweaty feet could be avoided if wearing these with socks. The shoes offered sufficient support and traction for casual use, from walking around town to milling around at social gatherings. But we suspect that those with higher arches might need to add insoles for optimal support.
The Details: Sizes 7-15 | Polyurethane, rubber
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For lasting comfort and reliable performance at an affordable price, we love the Skechers Men’s Summits High Range Slip-on Sneaker. We found the mesh upper to be very breathable and forgiving, while the soles are equipped with memory foam to give plenty of padding, but not at the cost of stability. They fit true to size and didn’t require any break-in period. We appreciate how easy they are to step into. Rather than a collapsible heel, the shoes have a built-in shoehorn that helps the feet slide in hands-free. We felt that this design choice boosted ankle support, too, with the more rigid heel. Although we found the mesh uppers to be well-made and attractive, it’s worth noting that the laces are purely decorative. So far, we haven’t noticed any signs of excessive wear, and the traction has served us well on slippery surfaces.
The Details: Sizes 6-16 (regular and wide) | Mesh, foam
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Why We Love It
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They’re featherlight, supportive, and comfortable to wear all day and across different activities.
The Kuru Atom Slip-on Sneakers kept us light on our feet. They proved comfortable to walk in for miles without any blisters, hot spots, or foot pain to speak of. Each shoe weighs just 11 ounces, depending on size, and still boasts arch support, traction, and shock absorption. The lightweight mesh upper is very breathable, and we didn’t experience any overheating. We appreciate that the sleek aesthetics and integrated support make these a versatile shoe that can handle a day’s worth of activities, from the office to soccer practice and casual nights out. We’ve worn them with khakis, jeans, and shorts, and they look good with just about everything. Slipping them on was simple enough, but required that we use a hand to keep the heel from folding in, so they’re not a true step-in design. We did notice a bit of extra length and our feet sliding just a little over time, so we felt it may be worth sizing down a half size.
The Details: Sizes 7-13 | Mesh, rubber
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Many leather shoes require some time to break in, but not these slip-ons from Cole Haan. We didn’t have any rubbing, chafing, or pinching when wearing these right out of the box. The EVA midsole, which is made with 25 percent rubber sourced from dandelions, combined with a luxurious foam footbed, stood out for its cloud-like comfort. The Lubbock leather—available in multiple colors—elevates the look of these slip-on sneakers. We found the stretch laces to be effective in getting the perfect fit. We haven’t noticed any wear or tear, but the fact that the laces and insole aren’t removable gives us some pause about the ability to replace them if damaged. In addition to leather, the GrandPro Luxe Slip-on Sneakers are available in suede for a more relaxed style.
The Details: Sizes 7-16 (medium and wide) | Nubuck leather or suede upper, bio-based rubber outsole, foam footbed, EVA midsole, polyester lining
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Why We Love It
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Equipped with soft lining, padded soles, and broken-in leather, these shoes are easy to slip into and wear right away.
We’ve tried various loafers, and these from Cole Haan deliver a timeless style and comfort-oriented design at an investment-worthy price point. We feel that they could be styled up or down to pair with casual and formal attire alike. The combination of a lugged outsole and pillowy insoles kept our feet protected and supported while walking. The thick outsole would make them a great choice for weddings and nights out where you need elevated durability alongside aesthetics. We had no issues wearing these barefoot—the textile lining was plenty soft while adding enough texture to keep our feet from sliding. The stitching and construction of the leather appear high quality, and we love that they’re fairly malleable and broken in from the get-go.
The Details: Sizes 7-16 (medium and wide) | Leather, EVA
Table of Contents
Other Slip-on Shoes for Men We Liked
There were three other pairs of men’s slip-on shoes that were worth consideration for their lightweight design. However, they didn’t earn a place on our list due to concerns about support and durability.
SeaVees Hawthorne Slip On: While we were fans of the lightweight materials and how easily they slip on, we wish these shoes had more durable soles and some level of arch support.
Hey Dude Men’s Wally: The featherweight design and supportive soles impressed us, but we have concerns about wearing them for longer periods outside since the thin canvas material isn’t water-resistant.
Travel + Leisure / Jared Annear
Allen Edmonds Oliver Slip-on Stretch-Lace Sneaker: This pick strikes an ideal balance between a dress shoe and a sneaker to transition from the office to a night out seamlessly. However, they are a bit stiff and did not become more comfortable even after six months of testing, so we don’t find ourselves reaching for them often.
Travel + Leisure
Our Testing Process
We tried 30 pairs of men’s slip-on shoes to determine the best options for different uses, styles, and budgets. For each pair, the Travel + Leisure team assessed the comfort, durability, fit, and quality of construction. We began by inspecting the materials and testing the flexibility of the shoe to get a sense of arch support. Then, we wore each pair throughout a two-week testing period, making a point to wear them for most of the day and across a range of surfaces, including pavement, grass, and other unpaved terrain.
We considered the breathability, weight, break-in period, and any instances of chafing and pain to evaluate the comfort of each shoe. For fit, we examined how easily the shoe slipped on, the space in the toe box, and whether it was true to size. We also focused on the arch support, traction, and durability of materials to reach a final verdict for each pair of slip-ons. Finally, we reflected on the value of each pair of slip-on shoes, meaning whether the style and quality are worth the price. Our favorites stood out for their lasting comfort, resistance to wear and tear, and versatility to wear for daily activities, travel, or more formal occasions. We will continue testing each pair for six months after the initial testing period to provide updates accordingly.
Travel + Leisure
Tips for Buying Slip-on Shoes for Men
Consider where you’ll be wearing them
Slip-on shoes can be designed to cater to specific settings or everyday use. Perhaps you’ll be wearing them for special occasions, trips to the beach, or running daily errands. In any case, where you’ll wear them should factor into the selection of the shoe style and materials. If they’ll primarily be worn around the house, comfort is likely top of mind. For more active use, traction, durability, and fit are key considerations. Whereas those seeking a quality slip-on work shoe might want to prioritize style and arch support in their search.
Get the right fit
Sizing between shoe brands can vary considerably, and not just in discrepancies between the U.S. and European shoe sizing systems. Finding the right fit can make the difference in comfort, as loose shoes will put you on the path to discomfort and blisters. Brand sizing charts are a key place to start to determine your ideal fit, but it’s also a good idea to browse customer reviews to see if shoes run large or small. Some slip-on shoes also have methods for adjustment, including traditional and elastic laces, to achieve a more secure fit and prevent chafing.
Travel + Leisure
Frequently Asked Questions
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Should I wear socks with slip-on shoes?
Wearing socks with slip-on shoes can come in handy for breaking them in and wicking away sweat. However, many slip-on shoes are designed to be worn barefoot, if desired. If wearing without socks, try to get a snug fit to prevent chafing.
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Are slip-on shoes good for walking?
Some slip-on shoes are intended for leisurely walks, while others are geared for more active use and long hours on one’s feet. Slip-on shoes with arch support, solid traction, and thicker outsoles to reduce impact can be great for walking. If buying for a trip or special event, it’s worth taking them on a test run to see if they need breaking in beforehand.
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How do I wash slip-on shoes?
The manufacturer’s instructions should outline whether you can wash a given pair of slip-on shoes, plus any other recommendations for care and maintenance. Both the Skechers Summits and Rothy’s The Ravello Slip Ons are machine washable. Others may only have removable insoles that can be washed.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Kevin Brouillard is a writer based in upstate New York. He’s an avid traveler who has worn his way through a variety of slip-on shoes, between an Italian wedding, the Peace Corps in Cambodia, and around his property in the Catskills. He also incorporated insights from our team to compile this list of the most comfortable slip-ons for men.
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