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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 16 best men’s slides to slip into.
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 Wild Flex Slides
Well over a century after it first debuted on the Parisian house’s travel trunks, Louis Vuitton’s monogram remains among the most flossy and recognizable prints on the planet. As proof of its power: the pattern can make slides straight-up luxe. Is it absurd to drop half a stack on a pair of rubber sandals? Yes. Should that stop you if you’ve got the bank and the fits to pull them off? Absolutely not.
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 Designer Slides
In some ways, these deceptively simple rubber slides are a perfect encapsulation of of what makes Bottega Veneta such a fashion powerhouse right now. They’re splashy, sure, but it’s the brands understated, elegant signature Intrecciato woven leather that takes these slides to the next level. You could slip these on with a navy linen suit at a cocktail party, and nobody would blink an eye. (Pedicure highly recommended.)
The Best Elevated Slides
If you prefer things clean and uncluttered—as in, you have a dozen pairs of white Common Projects meticulously lining the shelves of your closet—then these sandals are for you. Age-old British shoemaker Grenson stripped the pool slide down to its barest, classiest essentials. The two straps are crafted from hand-painted calf leather, and the outsole comes outfitted with a striking rubber tread for extra grip and stability. They’ll slip seamlessly into your streamlined lifestyle without skipping a beat.
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.
11 More Slides We Love
