Our tester has a bunion, so not each shoe is a slam dunk, however the Bliss’s stretchy higher is thoughtfully designed to keep away from creating painful strain factors—even when our tester broke her toe, they nonetheless felt ultra-comfy.

Most Breathable: Allbirds Tree Dasher Relay

Execs

• Stretchy knit higher boosts airflow to maintain ft cool and dry
• Heel pad prevents rubbing and blisters
• Machine-washable

Cons

As a seasoned well being and health editor, one SELF tester hasn’t needed to buy a pair of sneakers in 10 years—however after testing these, she instantly grabbed a second pair in one other colour. “These are my new favourite on a regular basis sneakers. I put them on the afternoon they arrived and have not taken them off since,” she says.

Now, onto the small print: The Tree Dasher Relay has a strong quantity of cushioning with out feeling cumbersome, a pad on the heel to stop rubbing, and a knitted higher that’s stretchy and breathable.

“They’re nice for folks with high-maintenance ft and pregnant folks (each are me), which implies anybody with much less needy ft would discover them snug and simple to put on, too,” our tester says.

Greatest for Strolling: Ryka Podflow EZ Strolling Sneaker

Execs

Cons

• Our tester needed to maintain the again of the heel whereas she slipped them on

Ryka makes a few of our favourite strolling sneakers—the Devotion Max, our senior commerce editor’s go-to, received a 2024 Sneaker Award—so we have been jazzed to check a pair of the model’s slip-ons.

Our tester was impressed with how good they felt proper out of the field. “In addition they have ample cushioning and are fairly light-weight, in order that they’re actually snug for on a regular basis strolling and being in your ft for prolonged intervals of time,” she says. Her solely observe is that it’s a must to maintain the again of the sneaker to ensure your heel doesn’t drag it contained in the shoe, however she nonetheless says “they’re comparatively simple to slide on.”

Our tester came upon the onerous manner that these are fairly simple to wash: “The primary day I wore these, my neighbors’s canines ran over to say ‘hello’ and ran throughout my ft with muddy paws. My new contemporary white sneakers have been COVERED in mud,” she says. “So, I introduced them to the sink and scrubbed them with scorching water, dish cleaning soap, and a brush, they usually received again to love 90% clear. I used to be more than happy with how properly they cleaned up.”

Greatest for Climbing: Merrell SpeedARC Matis

Execs

• Very sturdy and supportive
• Modern, sporty fashion

Cons

These slip-ons are particularly designed for climbing—and we discovered they’ll truly stand as much as a protracted trek, based mostly on how sturdy they really feel. A part of that help comes from the adjustable toggle, which let our tester tighten the ties for a more in-depth match. “They’re by far the comfiest and cutest slip-on footwear I’ve tried,” she says. “And I’d really feel snug doing a high-impact exercise in them.”

To be sure you keep regular on the paths, their outsoles are made with Vibram rubber— the gold commonplace, Courtney Sweeney, a river information on the Northwest Rafting Firm in Hood River, Oregon, beforehand informed SELF. They’re additionally handled with odor-controlling Cleansport NXT to stop your ft from stinking post-hike.

Greatest for the Workplace: Dr. Scholl’s Madison Cloud Slip On Sneaker

Execs

• Is available in a number of totally different types
• Obtainable in vast sizes

Cons

• Runs slightly small, our tester says

In search of one thing you may as well put on to your workplace or out to dinner? These Dr. Scholl’s slip-ons match the invoice. To be sure you’re not sacrificing consolation for fashion, they’ve a padded insole with loads of arch help.

Even higher? They’re an actual time-saver. “My ft slip into these on their very own—no arms required—which I’m THRILLED about, and now I need them in each colour,” our tester says. “They’re good for anybody who doesn’t wish to (or just cant—hello, pregnant stomach!) bend over to place their footwear on a number of occasions all through the day.”

Most Cushioned: Beneath Armour UA SlipSpeed Mega Operating Sneakers

Execs

• Very supportive
• Vast measurement vary
• Laces don’t should be tied
• Machine-washable
• Good for vast ft, based on our testers

Cons

• Costly
• Toggle closure is slightly clunky

These 2024 Sneaker Award winners have that stylish, chunky look, and it’s not only a facade: They’ve tons of cloud-like foam cushioning that hugs your foot and feels cool to the contact, based on the model. “They’re SO, SO snug and amazingly light-weight,” one SELF tester says. They usually don’t skimp on stability, both: “My entire foot and ankle really feel supported—no blisters or strain factors!” she provides.