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The Best Slides for Men Are Utterly Comfortable and Effortless

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Best Budget Slides: Adidas Adilette Slides

Adidas

Adilette Slide

Pros

  • Excellent value
  • Retro style
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Not particularly versatile
  • Strap isn’t adjustable

For less than the price of an exceptionally affordable DoorDash order, you can own perhaps the most iconic, historically significant slide in the entire canon. Introduced in 1972, the Adidas Adilette hasn’t changed much since then—there’s still a quick-drying upper, suction pads on the sole to prevent slipping on wet surfaces, a contoured footbed, and that unmistakable three stripes design. “They’re the perfect slide for lazy days and poolside hangs,” Ortiz says, “they’re comfy, lightweight, and, crucially, waterproof.”

It’s worth noting that while we recommend the Aquas, there’s also the Adilette Comfort slides, which aren’t waterproof but have a softer foam cushioned footbed. However, the Aquas don’t lack in comfort thanks to a nice update: The strap now has a little jelly in it, for added comfort and improved security. All killer, a little filler.

Best Recovery Slides: Oofos Ooahh Slide Sandals

OOFOS

OOahh Slide Sandals

Pros

  • Extremely comfy soles
  • Ergonomic fit
  • Help soothe sore muscles

Cons

  • Strap isn’t adjustable
  • Ergonomics take getting used to

When it comes to recovery sandals, we think you can do no better than the Oofos Ooahh slides. They’re a longtime favorite here at GQ thanks to the brand’s patented EVA footbed that absorbs 37% more shock than your garden-variety EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate, which is what most plush slides are made from). The curvature of the sole and footbed also creates something of a natural cradle, which lightens the load on your feet.

Out of all the slides we tested for this guide, the Ooahh slides offered the most arch support while being incredibly cushioned and stable. “They feel like wearing a foot massage,” Ortiz says. Simply put, they’re lighter, softer and more ergonomic than any other slide we slide into, and they’ll make your feet feel great even after the hardest of sweat sessions.

Best Upgrade Slides: Todd Snyder Nomad Suede Slide

Todd Snyder

Nomad Suede Slides

Pros

  • Can be dressed up a bit
  • Footbed comfort increases over time
  • EVA outsole provides grip

Cons

  • Strap isn’t adjustable
  • Not remotely waterproof

If you didn’t think slides could clean up, may we introduce you to the Nomad Slides. The product of approachable menswear patron saint Todd Snyder, the Nomads feature a super-textured suede strap that flows right into a suede-wrapped molded foam footbed, and all of that sits atop a long-lasting EVA outsole. When taken together, what you get is a gorgeous sandal that will look just as distinguished at the beach with some shorts as it will at dinner with some flowy slacks.

Surprisingly, it’s not that easy to find a simple, elegant, high-quality slide that isn’t exceedingly spendy. “We searched for hours and couldn’t find one that satisfied what we were looking for, except for Todd Snyder,” Ortiz says, adding that ”the suede is luxurious, the silhouette is refined, and the construction is fantastic.”

Best Designer Slides: Bottega Veneta Band Slides

Bottega Venetta

Band Slides

Pros

  • Two straps
  • Ultra-lightweight
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Straps are fixed
  • High price point

We’ll level with you: Designer slides have the potential to be a pretty cynical offering, especially when most designers go for the single-strap look with their logo across it. On the other hand, Bottega’s Band Slides transform the concept of molded rubber footwear entirely, using “humble slide” as a baseline and iterating from there. The result is a one-piece, two-strap design that looks like a futuristic take on something from ancient times, complete with odd little cutouts and a treaded sole for needed grip.

Best Slides for the Outdoors: Teva Hurricane Verge Slides

Teva

Hurricane Verge Slide Sandal

Pros

  • Straps lock in the foot
  • Super grippy and stable
  • Quick-drying upper

Cons

  • Open toes aren’t the best for hiking
  • Rugged look may not appeal to all

Adventure slides exist? Better believe it. And Teva’s are, unsurprisingly, our favorite of the bunch. Equipped with an adjustable strap system and a quick-drying upper to lock your foot in during more strenuous activity, these also have an off-road approved outsole with a shank running through it for stability purposes. Are there better shoes for the tough stuff? Of course, an entire category is built upon the pursuit. But if you’re looking for one that’s easy to get in and out of, impossibly lightweight and completely unafraid of water, these are world-class. Will they cruise a Class 3 scramble? We wouldn’t advise trying, but if you’re on a trail, they’re plenty of shoe.

More Slides We Love

Hoka Ora Recovery 3 Slides

Hoka

Ora Recovery 3 Slides

Hoka made a name for itself by crafting some of the cushiest running shoes anyone had ever seen, and when that expertise is applied to slides… sheesh. Springy, soft, supportive and ergonomic in design, they’re not so much shoes as they are little vacations for overworked trotters. If you’re trying to treat your feet, these are a five-star experience.

Nike Victori One Slides

Nike

Victori One Slides

Pre- and post-workout slides aren’t supposed to be fancy, but they are supposed to be comfortable and easy to slip on and off. That’s just what these are. With a little practice, we’d wager you could probably do either action without even breaking stride.

King Kennedy Slides

King Kennedy Rugs

Rug Slides

King Kennedy bursted onto the scene with some of the coolest Boston-adjacent mules we’d ever seen, outfitted with beautiful leather insoles and defined by the insane vintage rugs that were reappropriated as one-of-one uppers. Turns out they make slides too, and they’re a) just as good—with the same leather insole and insane rug application—and b) about half the price.

Marni Trompe L’oeil Slides

Marni

Trompe L’oeil Slides

We’re in the midst of a fashion moment for Trompe L’oeil—the practice of rendering extremely realistic, 3D-presenting graphics on 2D surfaces—and we’re pleased to report that slides haven’t just entered the chat, but are currently warping reality with the best of them. These ones from Marni, for instance, have a rubber sole and padded fabric strap, despite looking as refined as anything made of leather.

Danner Shelter Cove Slides

Danner

Shelter Cove Slides

Danner doesn’t compromise on any of their high-quality, long-lasting, hard-wearing footwear, something proven by their rubber slide—perhaps the easiest thing to let standards slip on, if they were so inclined. . Made from a super comfortable, featherweight EVA rubber, the two-strap design locks in the foot well, and the outsole has more grip than most adventure models, which means that these are the perfect second pair of shoes for nearly any outdoor adventure.

Suicoke LETA-Ab Slide Sandals

Suicoke

LETA-ab Slide Sandals

For the unfamiliar, Suicoke has turned the slide into an artform, and the LETA-ab’s are a masterpiece. The chunky sole is crazy comfortable once you’ve broken it in, the strap is showy and functional, and the Atop® twist-lock closure system gets you a custom fit with just one twist of the disc.

What to Look for in Slides

While slides are a pretty pared-down concept, there are still some things to consider when zoning in on a pair. Here’s what we think about when we’re scouting for ours:

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