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
In our previous iteration of this article, we reviewed the Nomad slides and were really impressed with the overall quality from the materials to the construction to the attention-to-detail. While we still stand by those slides, it looks like Todd Snyder may or may not be shelving the style. At the very least, they’re on sale and sizing is sparse. That said, if Todd Snyder’s manufacturing has stayed consistent, we also like the updated version of the Nomad which features more coverage, as well as the Crossover Nomad sandals, a variant of the original Nomad which features two overlapping straps rather than a single piece of leather.
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.
Best Designer Slides: Hermès Izmir Sandal
Gucci may have the name drop on several rap tracks, but there’s no doubt that Hermès slides are the ultimate designer slides. Handcrafted in the Hermès atelier in France, these slides are understated but still send out a clear message: I’m rich, bro. Or at least, you have a sophisticated palate for the finer things of life. Designer slides come in and out of vogue, but since this is Hermès we’re talking about, you know they’ll always be in.
Best Slides for the Outdoors: Teva Hurricane Verge Slides
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
What to Look for in a Great Pair of 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:
Intended use. We tend to start here. While plenty of slides are adept in multiple disciplines, if you have a use-case in mind—the gym, summer hikes, or the beach, for example—lead with that. Most slides are, indeed, relatively similar, but that doesn’t mean that all of them will deliver the same ride or handle the same elements or work with every outfit.
Materials. If you’re looking for something you can wear in or near water (or after the gym or sauna), you’ll want to prioritize rubber, nylon and other materials that don’t degrade or get waterlogged or crack when exposed to consistent moisture. If you’re trying to find something that wouldn’t feel out of place at dinner, leather, suede, cork and other materials that are found on more traditional footwear will play far better than rubber ones.