Best Slip-On Sneakers and Slides for Summer
The Best Shoes to Carry You Through the Season’s Hottest Days
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Summer is showing no signs of slowing down, and that’s probably an understatement — the thermostat climbs ever higher, but there’s relief in the form of a few summer style moves. Chief among them? Sure, a breezy camp collar shirt can keep your top half cool, but the best summer slip-ons and sneakers are your top casual footwear pick when the mercury climbs (and climbs).
Slip-on sneakers of all sorts are easy to step into when you’ve got to get out the door in a hurry — say, to the beach or a BBQ — and because you’re lightening up your footwear, you’re helping keep your feet cool while circulating just a bit of extra air flow around your legs. It’s the little things that make the difference, and you definitely don’t want to be sporting any clunky footwear during the dog days of summer.
RELATED: Best Men’s Sandals for Summer
Brands you know and love are making ultra-comfortable slip-on sneakers and slides with hard-wearing (yet lightweight) materials like canvas, and you’ll see more than a few classic brands among our picks for the best summer slip-ons and sneakers. The even better news? You’ve still got plenty of time to get plenty of wear out of your newest lightweight footwear purchase this season.
These are the best summer slip-ons to help you stay stylish and cool in the heat.
Vans Classic Slip-Ons 98 DX
Vans
When you think of dependable sneakers that deliver timeless style in spades, you think of Vans, right? The California brand nods to its heritage and history with sneakers that throw things back to the company’s OG Anaheim factory, and all of the other details you need in a pair of summer slip-ons are on-point, too. The cotton canvas upper is durable and summer BBQ-approved, and the crisp off-white color pairs well with literally anything in your seasonal wardrobe.
$75 at Huckberry.com
Sperry Striper II Slip-on Sneakers
Sperry
You might know Sperry for its famed boat shoes and moccasins, but not every occasion is going to be well-suited for leather slip-ons. That’s where the brand’s hard-working, perfectly casual Striper II slip-ons enter the equation, made with a canvas upper and a flexible rubber outsole. These low-profile slip-ons are ideal to wear with tan chino shorts and a navy polo for simple, subtle style.
From $42 at Amazon.com
Cole Haan Nantucket Slip-on Sneakers
Cole Haan
Cole Haan manages to blend classic style with modern technology for a smooth ride, turning average sneakers into a kind you can slide into and wear all day long. We’re big fans of the Ivory Canvas option, which pairs up with navy chinos and a crisp white polo as well as it wears with olive chino shorts and a black short-sleeve henley.
From $64.38 at Amazon.com
ECCO Cathum Perforated Slip-on Sneakers
ECCO
For as lightweight as slip-on sneakers are to begin with — remember how critical that can be in the heat — ECCO takes things a step further. How so? Take a close look at the Cathum Sneakers, which deliver maximum airflow via a perforated upper. And for the utmost in day-to-night comfort, from the beach to the bar, ECCO FLUIDFORM technology delivers plenty of rebound in the outsoles themselves.
From $63.59 at Amazon.com
Hurley Jordan Slip-ons
Hurley
There’s no doubt that a classic slip-on in a crisp color like navy or white provides exceptional versatility in your footwear rotation. But, the biggest thing with the best slip-on sneakers is that you’ve got options if you want to shake things up ever so slightly. Take the Hurley Jordan slip-ons: Keep the rest of your outfit clean and classic (as with tan stretch cotton chino shorts and a white short-sleeve henley), and let this camo pattern do the talking.
From $29.95 at Amazon.com
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Slip Sneakers
Converse
When you crave the convenience of a slip-on but the sharp style of a lace-up sneaker, a hybrid option that hits all the right notes is the way to go. Case in point: These ridiculously easy-to-wear Chuck Taylor slides, which blend the classic details of the legendary Chuck Taylor sneaker with the breezy style of a slip-on. Wear them with rolled light wash jeans and a slub pocket tee for laid back weekend beers.
From $53 at Amazon.com
REEF Cushion Homey Slides
REEF
One of the many things we appreciate about the best summer slip-ons and slides? The fact that the best of the best in the category tend to toe the line between a sneaker and a sandal, and they tend to do so quite stylishly. These wear almost like a slipper, but blend black and brown color detailing for style that’s sharp enough to wear out of the house with cool-as-can-be linen trousers and a camp collar shirt.
$75 at Reef.com
Florsheim Edge Double Gore Slip-ons
Florsheim
Perhaps you’ve got a pair of Florsheim dress shoes in your style rotation, but every so often, you’ve got to go even more lightweight and comfortable — yet still polished. That’s where the Florsheim Edge Double Gore can make a major difference this season, from the simple and sleek black-and-white color combination to the lightweight midsole for some added pep in your step. Wear them all weekend long and into the next week during work-from-home days aplenty.
$74.90 at Florsheim.com
Peter Millar Drift Slip-On Sneakers
Peter Millar
Who said slip-on sneakers have to lean ultra-casual? Peter Millar doesn’t cut any corners when it comes time to amp up your footwear in a way that’s easy going yet still polished. The Drift goes all out, using tech-savvy materials like merino wool in the upper to wick away sweat and resist odor. It doesn’t hurt that the pattern nods to classic menswear designs, either. Feel free to wear these with a navy linen suit and a light blue dress shirt (sans tie, of course).
$165 at PeterMillar.com
Allen Edmonds Alpha Woven Slip-ons
Allen Edmonds
Just as with a few other brands that make some of the best slip-ons for summer, perhaps you’re well-acquainted with Allen Edmonds’ finely crafted dress shoes. Go ultra-casual — without sacrificing style points — with these textured slip-ons, which are a premium upgrade to your off-duty footwear game. They’re worth the investment, given that you can also wear them to the office with tan chinos and a navy polo for Casual Friday style that’s anything but sloppy.
$255 at AllenEdmonds.com
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