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Up until recently, the best slides for men were any of them—so long as you didn’t wear them in public. But in the span of just a few short years, slides have evolved from the lazy footwear of frat boys and protectors against wart-averse gym-goers to everyday-appropriate. Hell, they’re now being used for popping the question. While we can’t co-sign wearing them to get engaged, we do wholeheartedly endorse slides for the vast majority of off-the-clock activities. The slides renaissance arrived partly because we’re all a little less buttoned up these days, but mostly because they’ve landed in the crosshairs of designers. The right aesthetically on-point pair—and, as you’ll discover below, you’ve got a pile to choose from—will cap off your best casual (and casual-ish) fits with a pinch of middle-fingers-to-the-sky attitude.
If you‘re not sold on full-time slides, we get it. Maybe dip a toe (or 10) into the slides revolution by copping a pair for the beach (with a fresh set of swim trunks)? Let the freedom wash over your feet. Our guess: before long you’ll be slipping them on almost daily. Hell, you may get to September and start pulling a Jared Leto, rocking slides with socks well into autumn. Don’t fight the feeling.
From the poolside classics to the minimalist upgrades you can pair with a suit, are the 23 best men’s slides to slip into.
The Best Slides Shopping Guide
The Best Slides, Period
Adidas makes a handful of inarguably perfect items—tennis shoes and tracksuits, mainly—and their iconic Adilette slides absolutely make the list. Chances are, you’ve worn them before—taking out the trash growing up, in the shower in college, or at the beach at any point in your life—and never considered them particularly stylish. But trust us: the sporty three-stripe design, the cushy rubber soles, the wallet-friendly price tag? All of it adds up to a pair of slides you can absolutely count on and should always have on hand.
The Best Sneaker-Inspired Slides
What you’re probably realizing by now is that the best slides for men tend to be the ones built around already classic looks and logos. Which makes the transition easier. Already living in checkerboard Vans sneakers? Then scoop up the drop-top version. All the same versatility and punkish pop as a slip-on, but maybe even more comfortable to wear thanks to the pillowy straps and molded footbed. Add in the absurdly affordable price, and there’s no shame in keeping all your slip-on footwear in the same family.
The Best Do-Everything Slides
Hoka’s hulking, heavily-cushioned slides are neither subtle nor simple. As strategically engineered as any of the outdoor brand’s runners or hikers, these recovery slides are like therapy for your feet. Distinctive dual-layer construction EVA soles provide cloud-like cushioning and arch support, while outsole grooves add traction. These slides will run errands happily, then make your dogs happy after you’ve run 10 miles.
The Best Elevated Slides
As comfortable as they are, there really are some occasions where you should leave the slides at home. Unless they look as good as these raffia slides cooked up by Marni and No Vacancy. Hand-woven in Italy, the band is a mix of bold colors paying homage to the hazy seventies when leisurely fits oozed sex appeal—instead of a trip to the local supermarket. The molded leather footbed elevates these slides out of communal shower territory into wining and dining with some of the finest, a.k.a. exactly what you’d expect when you’re dropping close to a stack on a pair of sandals.
The Best Freaky-Deaky Slides
If you prefer your poolside footwear to make a lasting impression than any ‘ol pair of rubber slides won’t do. What will really get the people going is this limited edition pair of MUUK sandals dreamed up by KidSuper’s Colm Dillane. Featuring a chunky lace-up closure, ripstop-webbing band, and elevated sole, it’s a playful rendition of a classic silhouette soaked in a punchy colorway that’ll garner attention without being obnoxiously distracting. In other words, the perfect accessory when you’d rather skip the talking altogether and make your fashion moves in silence.
