We Found the 10 Best Slip-On Sneakers for Walking, Workouts, and All-Day Wear

Best Overall

New Balance Fresh Foam X Cruz v3

$90 $80 at Amazon $90 at Zappos $90 at Dicks Sporting Goods

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-12 (medium, wide), Men’s 7-15 (medium, wide) | Best For: Running, walking, casual wear, gym workouts | Materials: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Women’s 5.8 ounces, Men’s 7.1 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who They're For

Best for those who want a sneaker that’s comfortable and supportive for running and other exercise but stylish enough for casual wear.

Why We Love Them

New Balance Fresh Foam X Cruz v3 Sneakers nabbed our best overall spot thanks to their lightweight comfort and solid support. During test runs on our treadmill, they offered good stability and shock absorption, keeping our feet and joints pain-free. They fit comfortably and securely, with absolutely no tightness or rubbing. Other running-friendly features include their super-soft, breathable upper and grippy sole, which helped us stay steady. 

With comfy cushioning and a sleek, attractive design, they also worked well for walking our dog, gym workouts, and all-day casual wear. We also appreciate the loop at the rear of this shoe, which makes it quick and easy to get the shoes on and off.  

Also available in men's sizes at Amazon, New Balance, Zappos, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. 

Potential Flaws

• This shoe is so versatile for exercise and casual wear that we wish it came in more than just a few color options.
  

Best for Running

Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 5.0 Shoes

$70 at Amazon View on Dicks Sporting Goods $32 at Adidas.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Men’s 6.5-14 (medium, wide) | Best For: Running, walking, casual wear, gym workouts | Materials: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Men's 11 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for active people who want a versatile slip-on sneaker for running that also works well for walking, gym workouts, and daily activities.

Why We Love Them

Adidas’ Lite Racer Adapt 5.0 Shoes are a comfortable, versatile, and budget-friendly option that works well for running but can also be worn for gym workouts, casual wear, and fitness walking. During testing, their secure fit and versatile style made them easy to wear for various workouts and daily activities. We loved wearing these to and from yoga class and on long walks home after our beach volleyball games. We found their plush cushioning to be extremely comfortable and supportive, helping to keep our usual ankle and knee pain at bay.

When we wear these, we feel super agile, and they provide great ankle stability thanks to their sturdy base. We also appreciate their springy cushioning and solid arch support, which are features we look for in a good pair of running shoes. We also like the large tab on the back of the shoe that allows us to quickly and easily slip them on and off. With its durable construction and sleek style, this pair makes a great running shoe and everyday sneaker.

Potential Flaws

• When we tested this pair, they felt a little tight when we first put them on but then loosened up comfortably after we continued to wear them.

Best Budget

Skechers Go Walk Flex Alani

$65 $49 at Amazon $49 at Zappos

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-13 (medium, wide) | Best For: Walking, casual wear | Materials: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Women's 7 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who They’re For

Best for those who want a budget-friendly, casual walking shoe that offers plush cushioning, good arch support, and springy responsiveness. 

Why We Love Them

If you want a comfortable, convenient walking shoe that’s also budget-friendly, we recommend Skechers’ Go Walk Flex Alani Shoes. When we first slipped them on (hands-free), we were impressed with their plush, pillow-like comfort and solid arch support. Their smooth, stretchy upper delivered a snug, secure fit without feeling overly tight.

Unlike many other sneakers with ample cushioning, this pair feels lightweight and flexible, whether we're wearing them around our house, outside on concrete, or walking on a treadmill. We love their pronounced rocker shape, which allows for faster transitions and a quicker walking pace. Plus, we like that they’re machine-washable—an easy and convenient way to keep them fresh.  

Potential Flaws

• During testing, our feet sometimes felt a bit warm. However, this didn’t bother us and we didn’t experience any discomfort, irritation, or blisters as a result. 
• Although we love their plush comfort, we wish the design was a bit less clunky and more streamlined. 

Best Waterproof

Vessi Cityscape Shoes

$105 at Vessi.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-11, Men’s 6-14 | Best For: Walking, casual wear | Materials: Knit upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Women’s 6.7 ounces, Men’s 6.7 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who They’re For

Best for those who want a supportive, waterproof, and lightweight shoe for travel and casual wear.

Why We Love Them

Vessi’s Cityscape Classic Shoes are comfy, supportive, and waterproof. During testing, we were impressed with their support and shock absorption, which helped ward off foot fatigue, even after hours of walking. They offer the perfect ratio of cushioning to weight, feeling plush underfoot without weighing us down.

This shoe’s knit upper has holes that are small enough to keep water out but still allow sweat and heat to escape, keeping our feet comfortable and dry even on long 5-mile walks. Plus, the elastic ankle collar allows us to slip our foot in easily for a comfy, glove-like fit. And its outsole is extremely grippy, and we felt confident walking on wet, slippery surfaces as it was raining.

Also available in men's sizes at Vessi.

Potential Flaws

• We don’t think this shoe is as stylish as other options on our list. However, we still think it’s a great option for anyone who wants a super comfy, slip-on, waterproof shoe that can handle wet conditions with ease.
• We love the sole’s grippy traction for walking in wet conditions but found it caught on certain surfaces, including a polished concrete floor at the airport.
  

Best for Stability

Merrell Women's Alpine 83 Sneaker Recraft

View on REI View on Merrell.com $140 at Backcountry.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-11, Men’s 7-15 | Best For: Walking, casual wear, hiking | Materials: Suede leather and recycled textile upper, recycled foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Women's 10.9 ounces, Men's 10.9 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 4.3/5

Who They’re For

 Best for those who need a supportive, stable shoe for walking and hiking on light trails.

Why We Love Them

Some slip-on shoes might feel flimsy and unstable, but that’s not the case with Merrell’s Alpine 83 Recraft Sneakers. During testing, our feet felt very well-supported, especially in the heel and arch area, and we didn’t notice any ankle instability. We wore this pair for hours on various terrain, including uneven pavement, concrete, soft playground surfaces, and dirt trails, and their cushioning kept our feet comfy and protected.

Adding to the overall stability, their grippy outsoles delivered outstanding traction to keep us sure-footed and confident on uneven and wet, slippery surfaces. Plus, their recycled mesh upper provided good airflow, and we didn’t notice any irritating seams or rough areas. Stylish and versatile, this pair can easily go from trail to town.

Also available in men's sizes at Merrell and REI.

Potential Flaws

• During testing, we found the snug ankle collar made it difficult to slip these shoes on quickly. Those with wider feet may want to consider sizing up.
  

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Orthofeet Kita Hands-free Sneakers

$125 at Amazon $135 at Orthofeet.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-12 (medium, wide, extra-wide) | Best For: Walking, gym workouts | Materials: Knit upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Women's 9.7 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who They’re For

Best for those with plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes) who need a supportive walking shoe with good shock absorption and wide width options.

Why We Love Them

If you have a history of plantar fasciitis, you can protect yourself by wearing a slip-on sneaker with good support and ample cushioning in the heel area, like Orthofeet’s Kita Hands-Free Shoes. When we first stepped into them, we were impressed with their customizable fit. They come with an orthotic insole, fitting spacers, and an arch booster insert so that we can easily find the right level of support—which is crucial for keeping plantar fasciitis-related pain at bay.

Their upper material feels soft and smooth, with no irritating seams to cause chafing or blisters. And generous cushioning provides plenty of shock absorption during low-impact workouts and long 5-mile walks on various terrain, including asphalt, concrete, grass, and dirt. We also like their sturdy rubber outsoles, which deliver good traction on various surfaces, including a wet sidewalk during a rain shower.

Potential Flaws

• This shoe comes in a wide range of sizes and widths. However, we’d love to see more color options available.
• While we love how these shoes feel, we wish they were a bit more stylish so we could pair them with our everyday attire.

Best for Walking

Allbirds Tree Dasher Relay Walking Shoes

$130 at Zappos $135 at Nordstrom $130 at Allbirds.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-11, Men’s 8-14 | Best For: Walking, running | Materials: Knit upper, sugarcane foam midsole, natural rubber outsole | Weight: Women’s 10.6 ounces, Men’s 10.9 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who They’re For

Best for those who want supportive shoe that’s also very responsive for walking.

Why We Love Them

Allbirds’ Tree Dasher Relay Walking Shoes are responsive and stable, making them a nice option for fitness walkers who want a convenient, slip-on sneaker. During testing, we wore these machine-washable shoes around our house, running errands, on neighborhood walks, to the beach, and during travel. We appreciate that their outsoles’ rubber traction pads deliver reliable grip on various wet and dry surfaces, including sand, grass, concrete, linoleum, and uneven sidewalks, while the flared heel enhances their overall stability. 

Thanks to impressive shock absorption, these shoes also help prevent knee and joint pain on long, seven-mile walks. We also love that the shoes feel very breathable and have minimal seams, which helps protect against blisters. And their removable insoles feel flexible while providing ample arch support. Plus, their handy pull tab and flexible upper make it easy to slide in and out of them, which we loved when we had a big travel day and had to go through airport security four times.

Also available in men's sizes at Zappos and Allbirds. 

Potential Flaws

• This shoe doesn’t come in extended widths, so it may not be the best option if you have wide feet.
  

Best Lightweight Feel

OluKai Pehuea Slip On Sneakers

$100 at Amazon $100 at Zappos $100 at Nordstrom

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-12, Men’s 7-15 | Best For: Walking, casual wear | Materials: Mesh and leather upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Not listed | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Who They’re For

Best for those who want a lightweight, easy-to-pack slip-on shoe for warm weather travel or casual wear.

Why We Love Them

OluKai’s Pehuea Shoes are perfect for warm-weather vacations or casual summer wear. When testing this pair, we were impressed they provided cushioned comfort despite their minimalist design. With a sleek, streamlined style, they pair well with anything—making them a great option for travel.

We also found that this shoe is very breathable, keeping our feet cool and comfortable for extended periods of wear in warm conditions. Plus, we didn't notice any overheating, sweating, or blisters. We also love their versatile drop-in heel design, which allows us to wear them as regular sneakers or as clog-style slide-ins when the heel is down.

Also available in men's sizes at Amazon, Zappos, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Potential Flaws

• These aren’t available in wide widths, so they may not work well for those with wide feet.
• Their outsoles are fairly smooth, so they’re not the best option for wet conditions.
  

Best for Casual Wear

Kizik Women's Brisbane Shoes

$139 at Nordstrom View on Kizik.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 6-13 (medium, wide) | Best For: Walking, casual wear | Materials: Leather and mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Women's 12 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Who They’re For

Best for those who want a stable, supportive slip-on sneaker for walking and casual wear.

Why We Love Them

Kizik’s Brisbane Sneakers feature a cool, retro-modern style and plush comfort that makes them ideal for casual wear. During the testing period, we appreciated their solid arch support—especially when standing on our feet for hours. These shoes offer plenty of ankle support and stability and don't feel flimsy at all. Our knees and other joints felt pain-free, even after walking in these shoes for a long time.

We love this shoe’s convenient step-in design, which allows us to get them on and off completely hands-free. Its wide toe box offers plenty of room for toes to splay out—this makes it a great choice for those with bunions or stability concerns. Plus, its extremely grippy outsole helped keep us steady when walking on various surfaces.

Potential Flaws 

• During testing, these shoes felt slightly heavy, especially after wearing them on a long walk.
• These aren’t as breathable as some others we tested, and we found our feet getting hot and sweaty in warm weather.
  

Best for Narrow Feet

Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit

$80 $69 at Amazon $88 at Zappos View on Shoppremiumoutlets.com

Key Specs

Sizes: Women’s 5-13 ( medium, wide), Men’s 7-16 (medium, extra-wide) | Best For: Walking, casual wear | Materials: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Weight: Women’s 8 ounces, Men’s 11 ounces | Our Overall Rating: 4/5

Who They’re For

Best for those with narrow feet who need a slip-on shoe with good arch support and a snug fit for walking or casual wear.

Why We Love Them

Skechers’ Go Walk Arch Fit Shoe offers a sleek, low-profile design at a budget-friendly price that works well for those with narrow feet. During testing, its toe box didn’t feel as wide as other slip-on sneakers, making it a good option for those who worry about their narrow feet sliding around too much. We also like that its ample cushioning helped hold our feet securely in place while providing good responsiveness during walks on the treadmill.

We noticed its solid arch support right away and like how it contours to the shape of our feet. This helped keep our feet in proper alignment and made us feel incredibly stable, even when walking on an incline. We were also impressed with its upper, which feels smooth, soft, and breathable, with no irritation or uncomfortable rubbing. Plus, these are machine-washable, making it easy to keep them looking clean. 

Also available in men’s sizes at Amazon and Zappos.

Potential Flaws

• While we loved the ample arch support, it may feel too stiff for some.