Introduction
When it comes to dressing in style, there’s one component of our outfits that we men seem to overlook: our shoes. While they may seem insignificant, the shoe you choose to rock says a lot about your style and can greatly impact your overall look. With that being said, picking the right sneaker can be a challenging task. We’re here to help. In this article, we’ll go break down the many reasons why picking a stylish shoe is vital, as well as explore some of your most popular options. Then, we’ll zero in on one of those options — the slip on sneakers — by reviewing five of the most popular slip on shoes available on the market today. Let’s dive right in.
The Importance of Shoes
There’s an old saying repeated by fashion gurus and style aficionados around the world: the shoes make the man. For some proof of this, look no further than the iconic character of Forest Gump, who said, “you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes, where they’re going, where they’ve been.” It’s a fundamental truth of life that your sneakers can speak measures about your character and personality. They’re a core aspect of your look, and it’s simply ignorant to overlook that. Take, for example, a study published in the Journal of Research in Personality by Omri Gillath et. al. They got 208 people together and asked them to infer an individual’s personality traits solely by looking at pictures of their shoes. The researchers found that “observer ratings were correlated with the shoe owners’ self-ratings” and that the observers were reasonably accurate in their guesses. Who would’ve guessed?
Here are some of the study’s findings, curated by BreoBox. They found that flashy shoes are indicative of an extroverted personality. Naturally, a shy, reserved, and otherwise introverted person would never be caught wearing bright, colorful shoes. It’s in their nature to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Conversely, extroverted people want that attention on them, so they seek it out through their sneakers!
Shoenvious also analyzed the study’s results, and they concluded that “practical and affordable shoes” are associated with agreeable people. They also found that people with “well-kept” shoes are perceived to be the conscientious type. Most often, these results lined up with the actual personality traits that were self-reported by the individuals. Even if they didn’t, the bottom line is that these preconceptions people form about you solely based on your sneakers! The first impression you give someone starts well before you say your first word to them. AskMen even went as far as to say that “women check out your shoes” before their eyes rise to scan the rest of your look.
Susan Scheftel, a professor of medical psychology at Columbia University, wrote in Psychology Today that shoes “function as extensions of our identities.” Why not deliberately choose the perfect pair that reflects who you are? Why mindlessly throw on whatever sneakers are closest to you that day, sacrificing your ability to make a good first impression? Well, maybe because we don’t know what type of shoes to wear. That’s where we come in.
Types of Shoes
Each type of shoe carries its function, benefits, and purpose. You wouldn’t wear running shoes to a formal cocktail party, just like you wouldn’t wear your dress shoes to a hike. While those examples might seem obvious, life isn’t always so clear. Would your wear Chelsea boots or slip ons to a business-casual lunch with a coworker? Or would you skip over both those choices and opt for the boat shoe? While the wide variety of men’s shoe options may seem like a huge positive, it makes it much more difficult to select the right shoe. Get ready for a quick overview of the most popular shoe types that are out there.
Boots
Boots have always been one of mens most stylish shoe options, partly due to the sheer variability that is available. You can get leather boots that fit perfectly as a dress shoe. You can go for some hiking boots that offer superior cushioning and optimal comfort for your foot. You could prioritize style and rock a chic pair of chukka boots, Chelsea boots, or even desert boots. Countless other boot variants offer their unique benefits, such as accommodating flat feet or wide feet. There are many different base materials to choose from, such as suede or leather, and just as many exterior materials, such as rubber outsoles. Check out this article by Ties for a more in-depth look at men’s boots.
Athletic Shoes
The next staple of mens footwear is the athletic shoe. While these sneakers may have been built with the athlete in mind, they function as much more than just a running shoe (although they satisfy that purpose quite well.) The tennis shoe has been widely acclaimed as an exceptional solution to foot-related issues like plantar fasciitis. Their effective arch support, paired with the rubber sole, make most of these sneakers a cornerstone for the comfortable shoe. Moreover, you can pair them with a multitude of different outfits. DMarge writes that you can mix these shoes with “slim and skinny denim and chinos” and should be paired with a print or graphic t-shirt. They add that these sneakers should be prioritized for casual or street occasions only and urge anyone who frequents the tennis shoe to keep them “clean and respectable.”
Slip On Sneakers
The next category of mens shoes is one of the most beloved forms of sneakers known to man: the slip on shoe. Widely considered the best casual shoe, the slip on sneaker offers versatility and style to its wearer without sacrificing even an ounce of comfort. These shoes can be your go-to travel shoe, your walking shoe, or even your dress shoe if they’re worn right. Slip on shoes are typically low, lace-less shoes. While some are made from leather to present a stylish look, there is a variety of other slip ons that use different materials to optimize for comfort. A common and well-known example of the stylish slip on is the loafer. While it was first created in 1926 by Raymond Wildsmith as a pair of bespoke house shoes for King George VI himself, the loafer is now made by countless companies, both affordable and luxurious. Cole Haan, a notable menswear brand, produces loafers that are available for under $100. Conversely, fashion powerhouse Yves Saint Laurent carries their loafer that can run you nearly $1,000!
Dress Shoes
The final shoe type we’ll be covering is yet another must-have in every man’s collection: the dress shoe. While these shoes may not seem like the most versatile shoe, as their use cases are quite limited, they fulfill their purpose with utter style. Aside from a few pairs of loafers, there aren’t many types of shoes that you can wear to a formal setting. You can’t wear your desert boots, and certainly not your tennis shoes. However, the dress shoe rises to the occasion and completes your look with grace and elegance. Often, these are leather shoes that feature a traditional lace-up system. Like some of the other shoes we’ve covered thus far, you can find the formal shoe in various variations: the Oxford, the Derby, the Monk Strap, and so on. Check out this article by Ties to explore the history of these different dress shoes and their unique characteristics.
Finding the Best Men’s Slip on Sneakers
Now that we’ve taken some time to familiarize ourselves with the different kinds of men’s footwear let’s move on to the focal topic of this article: finding the best pair of men’s slip on shoes for you. We’ll attack this difficult question by analyzing five of the most popular slip on sneakers available on Amazon today. We’ll give you a brief overview of each pair, consider their key value-adds and what the company claims, and then see how the public consensus feels about each pair. Here are the five slip on shoes we’re reviewing today:
- Hey Dude Wally Loafer
- Skechers Go Walk Max Slip On
- Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc
- Skechers Go Walk Evolution Ultra
- Lugz Men’s Clipper Slip On
Let’s get this started.
1. Hey Dude: Wally Loafer
The first slip on sneaker we’ll be looking at comes from the Hey Dude Store, and it’s their Wally Loafer. This slip on shoe is made from elastic cotton fabric and features a lace-up system. It offers a rounded toe design with flex-and-fold technology that serves to promote healthy feet and facilitate freedom of movement. The shoe has an insole that reduces odors and breathable cotton. Hey, Dude says this shoe is both comfortable and lightweight, even going so far as to say it’s like you’re walking on a cloud. We’re inclined to agree with the elastic material and flex-and-fold technology they used. The Wally Loafer comes in a whopping 36 different color options. They have classics such as light-grey, black, and white and more creative choices such as camo, stars and stripes, and polar camo. These sneakers are available in sizes 7 to 15 and are machine-washable.
So what do the people have to say about this slip on? Well, it seems like they love it. The Wally Loafer has garnered a 4.8/5 star rating from over 40,000 global ratings. That’s an exceptional public standing. One pleased customer said these shoes are “incredibly comfortable” and lightweight. There were plenty of positive reviews just like that, so the Wally Loafer is a great choice.
2. Skechers: Go Walk Max Slip On
The next slip on sneaker we have for you is the Go Walk Max, made by none other than the footwear titan: Skechers. These sneakers are made from 100% imported textile and feature a rubber sole. The shoe’s upper is made from a super lightweight mesh fabric that gives you an ideal fit, and the slip on design has a heel-loop to make it easy to put these kicks on. Further, the heel is extra-padded for optimal walking comfort. The midsole of this shoe is a 5GEN sole — a proprietary lightweight injection-molded compound with memory retention that helps absorb impact. So far, these are looking like the best walking shoes. The insole has Goga Max technology that further optimizes support and cushioning, with high-rebounding to extend responsive feedback. To top it all off, the size 9 of this shoe only weighs 7 1/2 oz. These sneakers come in 16 color options, most of which are some shade of black, grey, or white. Also, they come in sizes 7 through 13, accommodating for narrow and wide feet.
This shoe was rated 4.5/5 stars from 28,809 global ratings. One satisfied buyer said these sneakers are “incredibly lightweight, comfortable, and affordable,” even adding that they’re ditching their lifelong loyalty to Nike for Skechers. Another happy consumer said wearing these shoes is like “walking on a cloud,” adding that the shoe is easy to put on and fits perfectly.
3. Merrell: Men’s Jungle Moc
Merrell makes this men’s slip on shoe, and it’s their Jungle Moc. Unlike the other two slip ons we’ve covered so far, this shoe is made from 100% imported suede leather. It has a rubber sole, and offers comfort-driven features such as pigskin lining and an Ortholite footbed. These factors help make this a reliable choice for your everyday footwear. The Jungle Moc also has a compression-molded EVA foot-frame that provides extra cushioning. EVA footbeds are made from a special material that helps ensure every step is gently absorbed. These shoes are available in 23 colors, including black, butternut, oak, and taupe. Its sizes range from 6.5 to 13, also offering wide options in every size for those with wider feet.
This shoe is rated 4.7/5 stars based on 31,944 global ratings. A satisfied buyer from the United States said that this sneaker offers “superb arch support” and is “very comfortable.” Another happy customer who purchased the Gunsmoke color said their Jungle Mocs are “very comfortable for long trips” and “keep a good support” around their feet.
4. Skechers: Go Walk Evolution Ultra
Next, we have another slip on sneaker from Skechers: the Go Walk Evolution Ultra. This shoe is made from 10)% imported synthetic fabric. As the self-proclaimed leaders in walking technology, Skechers boasts this shoe’s comfort and support. It features a lightweight and responsive Ultra Go cushioning and high-rebound Ultra Pillars that react to your every step, making for the ultimate walking experience. Just as the other Skechers slip on we reviewed, this pair also has an air-cooled Goga Mat insole to optimize breathability. The Go Walk Evolution Ultra comes in 12 different color options, most of which are neutral shades such as black, brown, white, grey, and taupe. The size options range from 6.5 to 12.5, also offering wide options. The shoe is also machine washable.
This slip on received an overall rating of 4.7/5 stars from 26,355 global ratings. One customer was super happy with their purchase, saying this is the “most comfortable shoe” they’ve ever worn. Another customer said the Evolution Ultra slip on is far superior to the Go Walk Max, both shoes made by Skechers.
5. Lugz: Clipper Slip On
The final slip on shoe we’ll look at is the Clipper sneaker, made by Lugz. This slip on features a rubber sole, made from 100% canvas. It has a cushioned insole for added comfort, while the outsole is made from vulcanized rubber. It has the traditional slip-on style typical of such shoes, but boasts flexible side-fore panels that make it easy to take them on and off. Furthermore. The Clipper slip on has breathable lining with a padded collar that optimizes for a comfortable fit. This sneaker is available in a wide variety of color options, 36. You can certainly find the usual choice, such as black, white, and brown. But you can also go for more unique looks, like blue, black with white splatter, or olive. The Clipper slip on comes in sizes ranging from 3.5 to 16, and includes wide options.
This sneaker has gained an overall rating of 4.4/5 stars, based on 23,800 global ratings. While that is still a great rating, the customer reviews weren’t as beaming as some of the other slip ons we’ve covered today. One consumer said these were a “good choice,” adding that the “cost is reasonable for the quality.” Another buyer was not so pleased with this shoe, saying it is “not a good daily shoe” that broke down after “not even two months.” Take what you will!
Wrapping Up
Don’t judge a book by its cover is a statement with which most people would agree. However, when drawing the first impression about someone based on their outfit, we all can’t help but jump to conclusions! Every part of your outfit should be carefully curated — including your shoes. We hope this article gave you some insight into what your choices are when it comes to men’s footwear. More importantly, we hope you gained some meaningful direction in picking your next pair of slip on sneakers!