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The 18 Slip-on Shoes Every Woman Needs in Her Closet

Your definitive guide to the greatest clogs, flats, loafers, and more.

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variety of womens shoes displayed alongside a model wearing a pair
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I want my life to be as convenient as possible. I go to the nearest grocery store, send my toddler to a preschool five minutes from my house, and I wear slip-on shoes. I spent a significant portion of my young life lacing up Converses; I don't have that kind of time anymore! Not when I'm spending all my minutes trying to get my kids' shoes on their bitty little feet, anyway. I want shoes that I can slide on as I'm heading out the door, and I've amassed quite a collection.

What qualifies as a slip-on shoe? Well, it just has to... slip on. It can be a mule, a flat, a clog, a slipper, even a sneaker. Slip-on shoes come in handy for just about any occasion, whether you're pruning the roses, picking the kids up from school or headed to a wedding. What matters to me is that they're comfortable and cute—and all the following shoes fit that criteria.

Ahead, you'll find old-school picks like Vans' canvas slip-ons, shoes with weekend vibes like TOMS' famous alpargatas, and even a couple of dressy options to keep in mind for date night. And of course, we'll get into office flats from Birdies, Rothy's, and Vivaia.

A slip-on staple for many of us since the '90s (or before), Vans canvas slip-ons are a no-brainer for this list. I've owned so many versions of these, including the original checkerboard, an elevated suede pair, and my current favorite style: black-and-white platforms. Still, the original skater shoe is hard to beat, especially when there are so many cool collaborations. Kpop Demon Hunters shoes, anyone?

Over the last decade, there's been a big boom in companies that specialize in flats for women in the office. Birdies is a huge player in this market, thanks to their huge selection of non-slip rubber-soled shoes. The Starling is one of their all-time most popular styles, but they also offer ballet flats, Mary Janes, and more styles–all with pillowy insoles for all-day comfort. These also come in just about every conceivable color, including a few rotating patterns.

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Wendy Lace-Up Loafers
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Confession: HEYDUDEs are not for me. But they are for my husband, my in-laws, and tens of thousands of wearers who gush over the brand. People love how the memory-foam insoles cradle their feet, how lightweight they are, the fact that they're machine washable. This particular style, Wendy, comes in over a dozen colors so you can coordinate with every outfit in your closet.

Rothy's, another mega-popular brand in the flat shoe space, is one of my favorites because they have a toe shape for everyone. I'm very particular about only wearing shoes with an almond toe, and they have tons of flats and sling-backs for me. But they also have mules, boots, wedges, slippers, and sandals with pointy toes, square toes, and round toes. They're all comfy, machine washable, and come with durable rubber soles.

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5
Crocs, But Make Them Nice

Crocs Dylan Platform Clog

Dylan Platform Clog

Everyone knows Crocs' unisex clogs are immensely popular; the classic version has hundreds of thousands of reviews on Amazon. But the Dylan clogs have their own cult following (including Meghan Markle), and these really just improve on the closed-toe show by adding a trendy platform. These are made of the same EVA material as the originals, but the style is more contemporary.

I recently tested about a dozen pairs of white sneakers, and these slip-in shoes from Skechers came out on top. They are truly hands-free–no shoe-horns needed–yet my feet have never slipped out of them, the way they do with some other slip-on sneakers. They're a cute style for running errands, and the real coup is how easy they are to clean. The top is a water-resistant quilted fabric that, unlike canvas or suede, gets truly clean with just a wipe of a wet washcloth.

Note: If you deal with plantar fasciitis, our readers also love the Skechers Summits Slip-Ins Dazzling Haze Sneaker.

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Another great option for the office, flats from Vivaia provide a ton of cushiony support for your soles. They're made of a breathable knit fabric made from plastic bottles so you can choose to wear socks, or not! They also come in pointed, square, almond, or round toe shapes and can be tossed in the wash on a cold cycle. If you do opt for one of these, I highly recommend getting a matching mini tote, preferably with a cat on it.

Alpargata Red Heritage Canvas
Now 34% Off

Unfancy flats for $50? Sign me up. The classic Alpargata shoe from TOMS is as popular as ever, and not just because they're eco-friendly (though that helps). They come in dozens of colors, have a pretty reasonable price tag, and there are versions with increasingly more padding, depending on what your feet need. The traditional style is enough for me, but if you need extra comfort, try the Alpargata Plus, which comes with a CloudBound™ arch insole. If you have plantar fasciitis, I recommend the Resident Plus, which have molded arch support.

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Want a slip-in with a little bit of lift? LifeStride is the way to go. These wedges are far more comfortable than heels, add some height to your frame, and come in two widths. The brand prides itself on its Soft System® cushioning, which evenly distributes your weight so you're not putting too much stress on any single part of your foot. Like the loafer but not the lift? There's also a highly rated flat version, which is often on sale on Amazon.

10
Best Slip-ons for Recovery

Kizik Athens Sneaker

Athens Sneaker
AmazonAlso Consider

Another one of my favorite sneaker brands, Kizik exclusively makes shoes that slip on. They have a few styles, but the Athens is beloved for being ridiculously comfortable. They feature a molded foam midsole, lightweight traction, and four-way stretch knit fabric. It's the proprietary "cage" that locks heels in that makes them my pick for the best recovery shoe. Once you step in, you're not slipping out! They're great for pregnant women, anyone recovering from surgery, or those with chronic physical conditions.

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11
The Special Occasion Splurge

Sézane Ninon Low Ballerinas

Ninon Low Ballerinas

If you like to treat yourself to a fancy pair of shoes every now and then, look no further than Sézane. This French fashion brand has excellent high-end options, including these low-heeled Mary Janes. Patent leather dresses up any outfit, and unlike some strapped shoes that require nimble hands to navigate tiny buckles, these are hands-free. (Though if you do prefer more straps, I recommend the Elodie version, which has a slightly higher heel and four buckles!)

You can't toss a pebble in the suburbs without running into a teen or a mom wearing UGG's obscenely popular Tasman II shoes. Sure, it's technically a slipper, but that doesn't stop anyone from wearing them to sip tea at Peet's Coffee or spectate at the high school basketball game. Why are they so popular? It could be the sheepskin lining to the fluffy interior, but it's probably the signature trim around the ankle that tells people you're cool enough to own real UGGs. Years after popping into TikTok feeds, this remains one of the greatest slip-ons money can buy.

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If I worked in an office, I would have a closet full of Franco Sarto loafers. Designed by a third-generation Italian artisan, these shoes aren't just comfortable, they're beautiful. The Edith (pictured) is a silhouette that will never go out of style, even if you go with the baby blue version. Then again, I've never seen a ballet slingback quite as unique (or well-reviewed) as the Tegan, which comes in 10 colors. (Hot tip: While I think the price tag reflects the quality, you might be able to snag these on sale directly from the brand's website.)

Pointed Toe Flats
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I know, I know, $90+ for flats? I get it, so here's a backup option: flats from Amazon-fave brand Dream Pairs. They're not made with the same attention to detail as some of the higher-end brands, but they're beloved nonetheless. Dream Pairs has dupes of a certain shearling slipper mentioned above, fabulous knitted loafers, even foldable ballet flats. They're well crafted for the price, even if they're not made in Italy!

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I am famously not a slipper person. I have told many people not to buy me slippers. Then my brother ambushed me with a pair of these shearling slippers from Birkenstock for Christmas. I appreciated the gesture but knew they wouldn't go to good use in my house... then I started wearing them... every day. These slippers are rad. They are cozy, breathable, and fit securely on my feet. There's a removable, cushioned insole and a lightweight cork-and-latex footbed. The pair I received is Rudolph's nose-red, and I have to say, I've grown to appreciate the pop of color. Then again, this neutral shade might be less jarring at 7 a.m.

16
The Unisex Heros

Allbirds Cruiser Slip-ons

Cruiser Slip-ons
Now 60% Off

It wouldn't be a roundup of comfortable shoes without a representative from Allbirds! The eco-friendly brand is known for its sneakers, but they also have a number of flats, slippers, and even a slip-on tennis shoe. I nominated this corduroy Cruiser for this story because they're easy to slide on and the material adds an elevated touch to an otherwise everyday shoe. Every part of this slip-on was designed with quality in mind, from the organic cotton upper fabric to the Merino wool blend lining to the proprietary SweetFoam® midsole. Prepare for happy feet!

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Why wear anything but slip-ons in the summer? I'm partial to the wedges and espadrilles from André Assous, including these shockingly comfortable sandals. The wide straps come in natural (pictured), white, and clear–the latter of which I recommend for vacations, because they pair with any color scheme. At 2.5 inches, the heel isn't insane and there's a cushioned footbed for extra comfort.

It was hard to pick one shoe from OluKai, given how many slip-on options they have. The Pehuea sneakers are great for walking, the Mi‘i mules are cute and trendy, and the Huia tennis shoes come with no-tie laces and a heel that folds down. In the end, I have to give them credit for their most popular model of all time: the Ohana. These mega-comfortable beach sandals come in dozens of colors and are lauded for their anatomically designed footbed. Made with the beach in mind, these dry quickly and won't cause blisters.

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