With spring just around the corner, it’s time to take note of your summer footwear. Now is the perfect moment to take out the slides from your closet where it has been hiding for the past few months. It’s only recently that the slides have transformed themselves from the lazy footwear of the college crowd to an everyday staple. Paid it up with a buttoned-up casual shirt and shorts and you are ready to go.
From a casual stroll in your neighborhood park to a day out on the beach, they are a must-have summer essential. Not only are they extremely comfortable but they are essay to slip-on-design make them a favourite choice for people of all age groups.
Initially when you hear the word slides, you immediately conjure the rubber sandals highly common for poolside wear. But other styles are certain to catch your fancy. Some of them come with leather options, soft cushion pads and even stylishly designed arches.
So no matter what your style is, finding the right pair among countless others may prove to be difficult. But there is no cause for worry. We have rummaged through thousands of customer reviews and ratings to come out with some of the best slides for men.
Table of Contents
Are you in a hurry? Check out below!
Enjoying a 4.6-star rating and rave reviews from countless satisfied customers, this popular pair of slices from Adidas (Adidas Men’s Adilette Shower Slide) is one of the best men’s slides worth aiming for. This pair of slides includes a contoured footbed and super soft cushioning for all-day comfort. In addition, it comes in multiple colour options to suit your style.
Buying guide for the best men’s slide
There are certain parameters to be kept in mind while looking for the perfect pair.
1. Design – Slides are no doubt a comfortable pair of footwear to slip into when you are out at a poolside or beach. But do not compromise on style. Fortunately, slides go well with shorts and a casual shirt but choosing the wrong pair may give you a laid back look.
Design is also imperative in deciding how comfortable they are. The midsole should perfectly cradle your foot. They should also smugly cover your foot without being too tight. This ease of use is the key element of their popularity.
2. Material – In fact at one point in time slides was merely nothing more than rubber slip-on. Although with time the material has undergone a huge transformation. Bear in mind that slides are designed especially for the summer months. So if it looks like cheap plastic wear, you should discard it at once. This aspect is particularly vital if you suffer from sweating feet. Look out for slides made of EVA. EVA is a highly porous material that resists water.
The slides should not be overly weighty. Nowadays modern slides are lightweight and durable, great for wearing all day long.
3. Size – Size matters a lot if you are planning to wear it day in and day out. The best slides are tailored to perfectly cradle your feet. So if they appear too large you will literally7 have to drag your feet to prevent them from sleeping? On the other hand, if they are small, your toes and heels will uncomfortably hang out from the sides.
4. Adjustable/fixed Straps – This is a matter of personal choice. Some go for a single broad strap that covers the top of the foot firmly. Others prefer adjustable straps. Adjustable straps are the preferred choice of the people who are most comfortable in the slides. Moreover, you can lose enough or tighten the strap at your convenience.
5. Non-Slips – As we have stated earlier slides are super comfortable for beachwear purposes. However, you like your shoes to be relaxing and allow enough breathing space. While the insoles may offer maximum comfort, there is always a chance of you slipping. The bottom sole should be slip-resistant. Otherwise, it can be very dangerous. So be on the hunt for slides that stay put.
Top 7 slides for men
Without any further delay let us look at some of the best water slides to slip into this summer.
Nike Men’s Benassi Just Do It Athletic Sandal
This stylish and comfortable pair of slides from Nike is a must-have addition to your sporting footwear collection. The single strap is made of faux leather with jersey lining. The major advantage of Benassi is its anti-slip feature. This sandal is a Phylon midsole that provides lightweight cushioning. This pair of slides comes with flex grooves to allow perfect movement. Their fitting is quite good and with time these slides adjust to the conjure of the foot making it all the more comfortable.
Pros
- Solid look
- Easy to maintain
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Tight fit
- Narrow not suitable for a broad fit
Under Armour Men’s Ignite V Slide Sandal
Under Armour men’s ignite V slide sandal is all about quality and comfort. The footbed comprises 2 lairs of performance 4D foam for ultimate comfort. It has an adjustable synthetic strap that comes with a HeatGear lining. Ignite V is more than just comfortable footwear to hang out in. It is equally stylish with plenty of thought given into its integrated design. The EVA outsole comes with a traction pad for easy treading in water. The slide itself is quite thick and there are plenty of groves at the bottom.
Pros
- Adjustable strap
- Good traction
- Heat guard prevents your foot from sweating
Cons
- Long time to dry
- Padding poor
- Unstable
Adidas Men’s Adilette Shower Slide
True to its name this “shower slide” is the best waterproof slide for travelling. Its immense popularity has made it the No. 1 best seller in this category. Being highly waterproof you can happily tread on puddles and rain sidewalks. You can slip into this stylish pair of slides for all-day comfort even when you are idling with your friends on a camping trip. Although its style may not match up to the high-end slides nevertheless it is a basic and functional pair of slides that would not let you down when you wade through a spring. It is available in multiple colour options.
Pros
- Plenty of cushioning for extra comfort
- Perfect grip even watery surface
Cons
- Poor quality
- Shrinks
- Runs small
Nike Men’s Kawa Slide Athletic Sandal
If you are looking for a minimalist design, a functional pair of slides Nike Men’s Kawa slide is just perfect for you. The SOLARSOFT foam footbed gives a cozy feel to your feet. The Kawa Men’s slide features a phylon foam midsole for lightweight comfort. They are perfect house slippers as well as your travel companion.
Pros
- Flexible
- Soft and thick
- Imparts cushiony feels
Cons
- Fit bit small
- Uncomfortable without socks
DC Men’s Bolsa Slide Sandal
This is one of the best men’s slides that incorporates the best in comfort and durability. The DC footwear is a unique fusion of art and skateboarding. The dual-density EVA midsole is comfortable for long walks and the fixed leather strap adds a clean nice touch to the overall design. Many people have raised concerns that the footbed and the straps incorporate different design spheres. But this only heightens its attractiveness.
Pros
- Affordable
- Made of quality material
- Plenty of padding for comfort
Cons
- Not true to size
- The colours are a bit dubious
Lacoste Men’s Croco Slide Sandal
This pair of slide sandals from Lacoste is a functional pair of sturdy sandals with youthful touches. It is a common refrain that slider straps can be a bit discomfort able. Many brands address this issue by designing the slides that come with extra foam inside to impart a soft, cushiony touch. Lacoste exceeds all expectations in this regard. This is a must-have item in your closet for a laid back summer look. Its water-resistant feature is ideal for beachside picnics or pool parties.
Pros
- Footbed provides comfort
- Ideal for long summer walks
Cons
- Bad design-foot prone to blisters
- Runs small
- Not good for broad feet
Adidas Men’s Alphabounce Slide
If you are a person who demands more than just an ordinary pair of slides to lounge comfortably, you might consider buying Adidas Men’s Alphabounce Slide Sport Sandal. True to its name these are not mere “sporty” sandals but they feel like “$150 running shoes” as one proud customer rightfully pointed out. These basketball-inspired slides include 3 stripes adjustable upper straps and soft foam lining inside. The contoured footbed perfectly cradles the feet.
Pros
- Good support and grip
- Strap wide and comfortable
- Padded strap
Cons
- The design needs to be better
Final Thought
By now you must have had a fair idea about some of the best pool slides under $100. For the most part the latest slides come with a lot of arch support and padding for comfortable wearing day in and day out. But bear in mind if you suffer from plantar fasciitis you are better off choosing footwear that gives ergonomic support to the entire foot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question:1. Should you opt for a bigger slide?
Slides like any other footwear should fit your feet snugly. Otherwise, you will experience some measure of discomfort. Slides are specially designed for summer. During summer your foot tends to swell up a lot, so having a size bigger will prove to be advantageous. On the contrary, if you opt for a size smaller your toes and heels hang out through the edges.
Question:2. Which is better: slide or flip flops?
Both are casual footwear designed for the long summer months. However, if you must choose between them, slides are a better choice. Slides are more comfortable to wear as they provide arch support unlike flip flops. The absence of arch support leads to tired and aching heels.
Question: 3. Time when one should avoid wearing a slide?
Slides are no doubt casual and comfortable footwear but only when the weather is warm. At times they may not be the most appropriate footwear to use. This is especially true when you are attired for a formal occasion or workplace. Walking in a casual pair of slides in your office is sure to give out the wrong signal to your colleagues or potential clients. Besides, it is best to avoid puddles and dirt roads while wearing slides. The dirt and grind can easily be embedded in your insoles which make the slides look awfully dirty.
Question: 4. Do I need to put on socks while wearing slides?
It is entirely a matter of personal choice. There is no hard and fast rule. If you feel comfortable in wearing socks go ahead and do so.
Question: 5. Slides are unisex, is that true?
As a general rule slides are basically unisex. But it basically depends on the specific brand you are using.
