10 Pairs of Slides That’ll Make Getting Out the Door So Much Easier

Flip-flops’ cool older sibling, slides are the ultimate comfy, convenient summer shoes. The best slides for women take those factors to the next level—they’re basically clouds for your feet that won’t turn them into sweaty messes and are cute enough to wear with your entire warm weather wardrobe, from leggings to summer dresses.

With so many cushy options available, it can be hard to separate the truly exceptional slides from the pairs that are just okay. That’s why we looked back at past Sneaker Award winners, SELF Faves, editors’ picks, and podiatrist recommendations to find styles from top brands that you’ll want to live in.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Merrell Hut Ultra Wrap
2. Runner-Up: Oofos Ooahh Slide
3. Best Budget: Adidas Adilette Comfort Slides
4. Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3
5. Most Supportive: Vionic Rejuvenate
6. Most Stylish: Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed

In this article

• Shop the best slides for women
• More great options
• What to look for in a good pair of slides

Need an easy shoe for beach days, pool trips, takeout runs, or lounging at home? Slides are the answer. Check out our picks below, then read on for expert advice on how to choose your perfect pair.

When we gave the Ultra Wrap slide a Sneaker Award last year, our testers had nothing but glowing things to say: “These sandals are beyond comfortable. I’ve never owned a pair that feel this good.” One person wore theirs for over 100 hours and noticed that they were still just as comfortable as the day they tried them on.

This slide is comfy, supportive, breathable, and stable on slippery surfaces. It also has adjustable straps to prevent it from flying off your foot (and add a cool outdoorsy accent too). If you want a pair of slides that you can really wear anywhere—and not just shuffle around in—the Ultra Wrap is it.

• Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Mesh, synthetic fabrics, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)

These highly cushioned slides are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), meaning a panel of experts has found that their high-quality design promotes healthy feet. Podiatrists have previously recommended them to SELF for people dealing with foot pain, and we named the flip-flop version a SELF Fave back in 2020. Both shoes have the same foam footbed, which our tester said cradled her arches and took some pressure off her feet.

• Sizes: US 6 to 15 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials, proprietary foam

It might look a whole lot like the Adidas pool slides of your youth, but the Adilette Comfort Slide has a plusher footbed and comes in trendier colors. This writer has had her pair for about seven years, and they’re just as comfy as ever. You can certainly wear them outside (the sole is sturdy enough for pavement, dirt, or sand), but they also make the perfect breezy house shoe if clogs and slippers tend to feel too hot for you.

• Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials and fabrics, EVA

Podiatrists (and SELF staffers) love Hokas for relieving plantar fasciitis pain (which usually feels like an aching or stabbing sensation in your heel)—and that’s not limited to the brand’s sneakers. Erik Sims, DPM, managing partner of Sims & Associates Podiatry in New York, previously told SELF that the Ora 3 is a great option for people who deal with plantar fasciitis, since it has a thick, heavily cushioned sole that should help reduce some of the impact from your footsteps.

• Sizes: US 5 to 16 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA

Slides aren’t known for their arch support, but Vionic’s Rejuvenate is a bit of an exception. Between its Velcro upper strap and contoured insole, it hugs your entire foot. One SELF staffer calls it her go-to house shoe: “These slides have replaced my fuzzy slippers for the warm weather—and honestly, it’s for the best because they’re way more supportive.” She also shouts out its grooved footbed, which has a slightly massaging effect.

• Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic fabrics and materials, EVA

Truly, we’ve yet to see a year go by where the Birkenstock Arizona isn’t in fashion. Paulina Piekarska, DPM, a foot and ankle specialist and surgeon at Hartford HealthCare Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute St. Vincent’s Medical Center, previously recommended this classic sandal for its supportive design that molds to your foot the more you wear it. Both of its leather straps are adjustable, so you can ensure a close fit across your forefoot and midfoot.

• Sizes: EU 36 to 42 | Widths: Narrow and medium | Materials: Suede, cork, foam, EVA

Still haven’t found a pair you can’t wait to slip on? The options below come highly recommended by staffers and online reviewers.

Another under-$40, pool-style slide, Nike’s best-selling Victori One has a cool, minimalist design that looks great on its own or, dare we say, with your favorite colorful socks. We also like that the sole gets thicker at the heel, for a little more comfort.

• Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Synthetic materials, foam

In addition to making some of our favorite ugly clogs, Crocs offers some super pillowy slides. Reviewers love the Mellow slide for its incredibly comfortable feel, and we appreciate the airflow vents in its upper.

• Sizes: US 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Proprietary foam

The Restfeel’s sole is on the thinner side, but according to SELF’s director of fitness and food, it has plenty to offer in terms of cushion—so much so that it ousted her other comfy footwear. “I originally thought I’d wear them only post-workout, but after I slipped them on once for an errand, they quickly became my go-to summer shoe,” she says.

• Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Foam, rubber

Here’s another stylish option from Birkenstock, which comes highly recommended by another SELF staffer. It has the same molded footbed as the Arizona, but with a single chic buckled strap.

• Sizes: EU 36 to 42 | Widths: Narrow and medium | Materials: Suede, cork, felt, jute, EVA

What to look for in a good pair of slides

Most slides lack many of the key features podiatrists like to see in footwear, like arch support, reliable shock absorption, and a back strap or heel counter. They can also put you at risk of injury if you have balance issues or are prone to tripping, physical therapist Melania Anderson, PT, DPT, the Total Joint program manager of the Bone and Joint Institute at Hartford HealthCare, tells SELF. For all those reasons, they’re generally not suitable for all-day wear or fast-paced activities, Adam Ferguson, DO, a foot and ankle specialist and board-certified orthopedic surgeon at the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute, tells SELF.

But as we mentioned earlier, you can’t deny the sheer convenience of a good slide—and Dr. Anderson notes that they’re a fine option for short errands and outings where you’ll be off your feet for most of the time (say, lounging by the pool). You just want to avoid feeling like your arch is collapsing or your toes are gripping the inside of the shoe as you walk, she says. If you can find a slide that feels supportive, meaning its insole maps to and cradles the shape of your foot, and somewhat secure, maybe with the help of a deep heel cup or toe groove, that’ll be your best option.

Cushioning is helpful too, and slides marketed for “recovery” are often made with thick layers of comfy foam. That includes many of our top picks, like the Merrell Hut Ultra Wrap, Oofos Ooahh, and Hoka Ora 3. Their brands claim that these designs can help your feet and joints rebound faster from tough workouts. While they’re pretty darn comfortable, they probably won’t optimize your rest days in any substantial way, Dr. Ferguson says. Your best shot at a solid recovery routine is consulting with a physical therapist or sports medicine specialist, Dr. Anderson says.

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