Best Slip-On Sneakers
Our panelists walked the walk to find comfortable, supportive athletic shoes that you can step right into
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Finding the right shoe can be tough if you can’t tie laces. I know this from experience. Because of my disability (arthrogryposis), I can’t use my fingers. So, long after my peers had learned to tie their shoes, I was still depending on my parents to do it.
It’s not that I didn’t try. I practiced over and over, grabbing the shoelaces between my toes, looping and pulling, and eventually I even managed a passable knot. But it was a pointless skill for me because you can’t tie shoes that are on your feet with your feet.
Eventually, I gave up except in rare circumstances when I really needed a supportive tennis shoe. Then, I’d size up and slip on the shoes already tied.
Accessibility & Aging
Mobility scooters, hearing aids, motion-sensing lights, lift chairs, adaptive kitchen tools, adjustable beds, and more—products to make life easier, safer, and more comfortable.
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.
