Stop Using Cloud Slides. Use These Podiatrist-Approved Sandals Instead (2024)

Schaeffer named Rainbow as his go-to brand for comfortable sandals. That's because it has a leather footbed that molds to the bottom of your foot as you walk. After testing this for a couple of months, I found that this molding ends up feeling like a customized fit. I also love that it's super durable, and some other editors who own Rainbow Sandals say they've lasted for at least five years of consistent wear. Though we did find that wearing this in salt water can cause some minor (though hardly noticeable) cracking. Plus, it takes a long time to dry, compared to rubber sandals we've tested.

Along with the leather footbed and padded strap that come standard across the brand, there is an extra layer of leather added, along with a memory foam arch support wedge. Style-wise, a leather flip-flop is the most versatile sandal you can own. If it's in a tan or brown color, you can style it with just about any summer fit.

Read more: Best Flip-Flops With Arch Support

Buttery soft Italian suede is the essential ingredient in this luxury slide. Todd Snyder chose a nappier texture, with an almost furry-like feel to it, that is softer on your feet than typical suede. Along with feeling great, it gives a pretty elevated vibe for a sandal. I found that it went perfectly with a linen suit and dress shirt for a casual beach wedding. You can just as easily slip it on with chino shorts and a knit polo for a day in the sun. That kind of styling range makes for easy packing.

A suede sandal like this has the benefit of molding to your foot over time. After a month or so of steady wear, I found that the hide will compress where your feet carry the most weight and stretch or contract to fit snuggly. The molded foam footbed also compresses to accommodate your feet. That means that, as comfortable as it starts out, it only gets better with age. Just do your best to never get the suede wet, especially with salt water.

There are a couple key features of the Birkenstock Arizona sandal that make it exceptionally comfortable, but the cork footbed is definitely the most impactful. It's firm but flexible, compressing a bit over time to mold to your foot. It's also breathable, letting air get to the soles of your feet and absorbing sweat without retaining it and getting funky. The Arizona Soft uses a less dense cork for the footbed, making it easier to break in. I also found that the soft variation was more comfortable for extended wear than Birkentock's standard, harder footbed.

“I wear Birkenstock depending on my outfit choice.” Schaeffer says, “It provides great foot contouring and is comfortable.” It's a sentiment our style editors agree with. The Arizona can pull off a more put-together vibe than most sandals, thanks to the leather strap and metal buckle design. It is an excellent option for every-day wear. Leather strap versions are available, but the suede is a little softer to the touch, making it just a bit more comfortable.

Nisolo makes a simple men’s cross strap sandal that can handle "vacation vibes" and dressier occasions. Thick leather straps are secured under a leather wrapped memory foam footbed that is soft but not squishy. A grooved leather heel block adds traction and places the sandal on a slight angle, which keeps your foot in place as you walk; a key feature for a leather slide without a contoured footbed. It comes in a tan or a dark brown, and you really can't go wrong with either color.

I really like Nisolo as a source for leather goods with a luxury look and feel, sold at a mid-range price point. The cross strap design has been around higher end brands for years, but this is the best sub-$200 version I've tried out. It can be your go-to sandal all summer long because it is super comfortable and goes with everything. Or you can keep it set aside for more momentous occasions, like spiffed up social events, low-key weddings, and outdoor date nights.

When you need an easy to wear and super comfortable sandal to just slip on at short notice, it is hard to beat the Adidas Adilette. There are seemingly endless color combinations available, either featuring the Adidas logo or the signature three stripes across the strap. The single-piece injection molded rubber foam is a little squishy, but firm enough to keep a steady grip. It makes for a strictly casual look but couldn't be easier to wear.

Scheffer prefers his Adidas slides for lounging around. "I love them." He warns, "But, that’s just around the house." Why? Because, while the highly cushioned footbed provides ample comfort, it is lacking the firm support that your foot and ankle need for moving around all day. So try to relegate your slides to short-term use, like kicking around at home, running out for a coffee, or heading to the pool and back. The fully waterproof and sturdy single-piece construction make it ideal for poolside lounging.

Read more: Best Adidas Shoes

Believe it or not, you can go hiking in sandals. However, it requires a tough construction, like the Teva Hurricane XLT2. In order to get the support needed for strenuous activities like exploring the great outdoors, this rugged sandal has a three layer sole just like a hiking shoe. The footbed is contoured and textured to keep your foot firmly in place, even when wet. An EVA foam midsole provides a balance between firmness and cushioning. For sure footing in slippery and muddy conditions, a Durabrasion Rubber outsole offers ample traction.

Three point adjustable velcro straps will keep this comfortable sandal firmly attached to your feet. The nylon straps, made from recycled plastic bottles, come in 11 different colors. That includes a few of Teva’s signature GORP-core infused patterns. This sandal isn't just for exploring the outdoors. We found that its comfortable footbed is just as useful while traversing a city. The lightweight materials and foldable straps mean the Hurricane takes up very little room in a bag or suitcase.

Read more: Best Hiking Shoes

If strong arch support is your primary concern, then check out the Ooriginal Sandal from Oofos. A wide toe box allows your toes to naturally splay and grip as you walk. There is a slight tilt to the sandal, which provides a firmer base in the balls of the feet for stepping, while having more cushioning in the heel where most energy is absorbed in each step. It has the cushioning to be a recovery sandal, along with the stability and support to be an every day slip-on shoe.

Olukai makes flip-flops almost entirely out of full grain leather, with some rubber added to the outsole for traction and an EVA midsole for cushioning. As Schaeffer explained, leather molds to your feet as it breaks in, which provides great support and traction. The level of craftsmanship on display with this sandal is on par with some of the nicer dress shoes I've come across. This results in a steep price for a pair of flip-flops, but I've seen Olukai sandals last for nearly a decade of steady use.

As a Hawaiian company, Olukai builds sandals that you can rock all day, every day. The Hiapo is wider in the toe area than typical flip-flops, which allows your toes to splay naturally as you walk. If you have wide feet like me, this is a blessing. The footbed is contoured for arch support to begin with, then the leather molds to fit your foot as it ages. By using isolated rubber pads built into the leather, rather than a full rubber outsole, there is a more natural flex to the sandal.

If you are going for the cloud slide look, this is the sandal to do it with. Hoka is best known for highly cushioned runng shoes, but it also makes extremely comfortable sandals, like the Ora Recovery Slide 3. Touting the official Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, it is engineered to help your feet and legs wind down after a work out. I found that it works just as well as all-day warm weather footwear, especially with so many looks to choose from. There are four core colors, along with over a dozen seasonal colors available from Hoka, so you can find the ideal shade to match your style.

There are three separate molded EVA foam pieces that form the upper, midsole, and outsole. Each has a different density to achieve an optimal balance of support and cushioning. I could feel the difference immediately when compared to every other cloud slide I've worn. Rather than being one big, puffy piece of foam rubber, the nuances make this sandal sturdy and secure enough for extended wear.

Read more: Best Hoka Shoes for Walking

Designed for transitional weather in the spring and fall, this fleece-lined sandal from Crocs provides a plush bed for your foot. With the exception of the fleece lining, the entire sandal is injection molded from Croc’s trademark EVA foam blend. This special recipe has been the backbone of the footwear company's meteoric rise, creating a firm base for your foot while still putting a little bounce in every step. The outsole is slip resistant, making it ideal for water activities and rainy days. Just keep in mind that the fleece lining will take a few hours to dry, unlike standard Croc sandals.

After some testing, I found that this comfortable sandal is best for lounging around. It's also convenient for throwing on when you need to head out for leisurely activities or knocking off the to-do list. Most Crocs are more comfortable with socks, but you don’t have that problem with the Classic's fleece lining. It is perfect for wearing to the gym if you want to keep your sneakers fresh and makes for a nice post-exercise sandal.

Read more: Best Crocs for Men

What to Look for

Materials

If you’re looking for something casual, foam rubber is a good material for athletic slides, as well as beachy thong sandals and strappy outdoors designs. The latter two options typically come with a layered design of different density materials that provide both support and cushioning.

For a more stylish and dressy looking sandal, stick to leather and suede. A high quality leather sandal will cost more, sometimes upwards of $100, but the leather will mold to your foot over time, leading to a personalized fit. Well made leather sandals are also much more durable than rubber and fabric alternatives, which means you get a lot more wear for your money.

Traction

This goes for both the outsole and the footbed. Since sandals are often worn around water, firm grip on the outsole is crucial to avoid slips. At the same time, a lack of grip on the footbed can cause your foot to slide around in the sandal, leading to an equally hazardous tripping hazard. Contoured footbeds, especially with materials like cork and leather that mold to your feet over time, are the best way to keep your feet firmly in your sandals.

Cloud Slides vs Traditional Slides

Every time we go to Schaeffer for footwear advice, he emphasizes the importance of support in your footwear. This means having firmness in the right places to cradle your heel. This helps keep your arches from stressing, and allowing your toes to move naturally as you walk. Simply put, cloud slides offer no support. Even traditional foam rubber slides, like the Adidas Adilette, don’t provide the kind of support recommended for long-term wear.

Athletic slides were invented for athletes to wear before and after competition and training. The strains of exercising cause your feet to swell, which is alleviated by the extra cushioning, according to Schaeffer. However, extremely cushioned cloud slides cause excess strain on your feet and legs by creating unnatural walking motions. Walking on pillows, as it turns out, is not good for your body when done for long periods of time.

Along with cool downs, there are some very good uses for extra cushioned sandals. Schaeffer says that Adidas slides are his preferred footwear for lounging around the house. They also work well for quick trips, like to the pool and back when you’re on vacation. That squishy comfort is great, as long as you're limited to short distances.

How We Selected

Lanphear is a style pro with more than a decade of experience testing menswear essentials, including comfortable sandals. For this story, he tested more than 15 sandals to evaluate their comfort, materials, traction, and just how well they fit. He also consulted with Men's Health staffers like Deputy Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan, on their favorite picks. Plus, podiatrist Bradley Schaefer also provided his go-to sandals, and approved of all the shoes on this list.

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