These Comfortable Slip-On Sneakers Make Life So A lot Simpler

Our tester has a bunion, so not every shoe is a slam dunk, but the Bliss’s stretchy upper is thoughtfully designed to avoid creating painful pressure points—even when our tester broke her toe, they still felt ultra-comfy.

Most Breathable: Allbirds Tree Dasher Relay

Pros

• Stretchy knit upper boosts airflow to keep feet cool and dry
• Heel pad prevents rubbing and blisters
• Machine-washable

Cons

As a seasoned health and fitness editor, one SELF tester hasn’t had to purchase a pair of sneakers in 10 years—but after testing these, she immediately grabbed a second pair in another color. “These are my new favorite everyday sneakers. I put them on the afternoon they arrived and haven’t taken them off since,” she says.

Now, onto the details: The Tree Dasher Relay has a solid amount of cushioning without feeling bulky, a pad at the heel to prevent rubbing, and a knitted upper that’s stretchy and breathable.

“They’re great for people with high-maintenance feet and pregnant people (both are me), which means anyone with less needy feet would find them comfortable and easy to wear, too,” our tester says.

Best for Walking: Ryka Podflow EZ Walking Sneaker

Pros

Cons

• Our tester had to hold the back of the heel while she slipped them on

Ryka makes some of our favorite walking sneakers—the Devotion Max, our senior commerce editor’s go-to, won a 2024 Sneaker Award—so we were jazzed to test a pair of the brand’s slip-ons.

Our tester was impressed with how good they felt right out of the box. “They also have ample cushioning and are pretty lightweight, so they’re really comfortable for everyday walking and being on your feet for extended periods of time,” she says. Her only note is that you have to hold the back of the sneaker to make sure your heel doesn’t drag it inside the shoe, but she still says “they’re relatively easy to slip on.”

Our tester found out the hard way that these are pretty easy to clean: “The first day I wore these, my neighbors’s dogs ran over to say ‘hi’ and ran all over my feet with muddy paws. My new fresh white sneakers were COVERED in mud,” she says. “So I brought them to the sink and scrubbed them with hot water, dish soap, and a brush, and they got back to like 90% clean. I was very pleased with how nicely they cleaned up.”

Best for Hiking: Merrell SpeedARC Matis

Pros

• Very sturdy and supportive
• Sleek, sporty style

Cons

These slip-ons are specifically designed for hiking—and we found they’ll actually stand up to a long trek, based on how sturdy they feel. Part of that support comes from the adjustable toggle, which let our tester tighten the ties for a closer fit. “They are by far the comfiest and cutest slip-on shoes I have tried,” she says. “And I’d feel comfortable doing a high-impact activity in them.”

To make sure you stay steady on the trails, their outsoles are made with Vibram rubber— the gold standard, Courtney Sweeney, a river guide at the Northwest Rafting Company in Hood River, Oregon, previously told SELF. They’re also treated with odor-controlling Cleansport NXT to prevent your feet from stinking post-hike.

Best for the Office: Dr. Scholl’s Madison Cloud Slip On Sneaker

Pros

• Comes in lots of different styles
• Available in wide sizes

Cons

• Runs a little small, our tester says

Looking for something you can also wear to your office or out to dinner? These Dr. Scholl’s slip-ons fit the bill. To make sure you’re not sacrificing comfort for style, they have a padded insole with plenty of arch support.

Even better? They’re a real time-saver. “My feet slip into these on their own—no hands required—which I am THRILLED about, and now I want them in every color,” our tester says. “They’re perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to (or simply can’t—hi, pregnant belly!) bend over to put their shoes on multiple times throughout the day.”

Most Cushioned: Under Armour UA SlipSpeed Mega Running Shoes

Pros

• Very supportive
• Wide size range
• Laces don’t need to be tied
• Machine-washable
• Good for wide feet, according to our testers

Cons

• Expensive
• Toggle closure is a little clunky

These 2024 Sneaker Award winners have that trendy, chunky look, and it’s not just a façade: They have tons of cloud-like foam cushioning that hugs your foot and feels cool to the touch, according to the brand. “They are SO, SO comfortable and amazingly lightweight,” one SELF tester says. And they don’t skimp on stability either: “My whole foot and ankle feel supported—no blisters or pressure points!” she adds.