Best Slip-On Sneakers

Though my own need for slip-on sneakers results from my disability, I’ve come to realize that just about everyone loves slip-on shoes. I have three children (two of whom wear adult-sized shoes), and every one of them slips their shoes on and off, whether or not they were intended to be used that way. (And yes, they all know how to tie laces.)

So for some it’s a simple matter of convenience, while for others slip-on shoes are an absolute necessity. In any case, it’s not surprising that the market has been flooded with so-called “slip-on” sneakers in recent years. I say “so-called” because many of the options out there are actually not easy to slip on.

While there is a lot of overlap between “slip-on” shoes and “hands-free” shoes, many slip-on shoes have to be pulled on with hands or need to have folded-in heels pried out. 

Because I’ve been wearing slip-on shoes for decades, whether they were designed to be slipped on or not, I’ve become pretty good at determining which shoes will easily slip on and off, simply by looking. 

Harnessing my personal experience, my work covering this category as a journalist, search and sales data, and feedback from others in the disabled community, we assembled a list of 11 shoes that were either known to be hands-free or had the potential to be hands-free. 

We put together a panel that included both disabled and able-bodied evaluators—including yours truly. Our eight panelists represent various ages, heights, body types, and footwear needs. Each panelist tested all 11 pairs.

Here’s how they stacked up.