Running shoes are sometimes difficult to tie just right. I sometimes prefer to leave them a little loose because tying them a bit too tight can hurt my foot. Slip-on shoes are one solution. They usually have stretchy laces that fit feet snugly but not tight.
Slip-on running shoes might be what you are looking for if you want a shoe that is easy to slip on and off. These usually have a stretchy mesh upper and a snug feel, and some have laces while others do not.
I have a pair of running shoes that I converted into slip-on shoes. They have worked well for me. I changed the laces to a stretchy type so I can easily put them on and take them off. That makes them feel snug and saves me time.
What are Slip-on Running Shoes?
Slip-on running shoes are the same as regular running shoes and come in the same varieties that you are used to seeing, except that you can slip them on easily without tying your shoe.
Slip-on running shoes have:
- Laces that you may or may not have to tie.
- A tongue that is attached to the shoe or no tongue so that it looks more like a slipper.
- A collar and tongue section usually has elastic material to aid in letting you slip on the shoe.
- Pull tabs or longer material at the heel cuff and tongue so you can easily get your shoes on.
- Sometimes the collar extends up the shoe with stretchy sock-like material.
If you have your slip-on running shoes, most of the time, you can’t adjust how snug they feel, so trying on a few varieties of slip-on shoes and different sizes is highly recommended before buying.
Which Slip-on Shoes Are Rated Best?
The best slip-on shoe for you might be different from someone else. I recommend going with a brand and type of shoe cushioning you are used to when buying a slip-on running shoe.
According to Runrepeat.com, the following slip-on running shoes have received some of the best ratings.
1. On Cloudswift
These are rated great by many reviewers. These are shoes that are good for walking and running. If you have a high arch, these might be good shoes for you.
They tend to be flexible and have a firm cushion. You can find them for about $150 (as of today) at many online stores.
- Weight: Men 9.9oz, Women 8.5oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 7mm
- Cushioning: Firm
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper with plastic rib support.
Reasons to Buy On Cloudswift
- They are comfortable shoes that you can wear all day and still feel good in.
- They are good to run in because they stay snug to your foot and don’t feel loose or rug if you get the right size.
- “Runners who appreciate neutral-oriented shoes with a moderate to high cushion-to-weight ratio will love this shoe. It’s light and agile enough to be versatile to handle a variety of workouts. It’s also cushioned enough to be durable and comfortable for long runs.” (jackrabbit.com)
2. Adidas Alphabounce Beyond
They tend to be fairly flexible and have soft cushioning. If you have a high arch or heel pain, these might be good shoes for you.
- Weight: Men 12.2oz, Women 9.9oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 10mm
- Cushioning: Soft
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper with plastic at the laces.
Reasons to Buy Adidas Alphabounce Beyond
- These are shoes that can give you a lot of cushioning. Reviewers like that it gives them extreme comfort when they wear them.
- Some people use them when their foot is recovering from something to help reduce pain when walking.
- “This running shoe is only for those who need neutral to under pronation (or supination) support type. But people with high arches and those with special orthotics that are thicker than the removable Bounce insole might find this shoe tight on the instep.” (reviewgem.com)
3. Merrell Trail Glove 7
These shoes are loved by many. Most reviewers rated them high, with 4+ stars. These are for runners looking for comfortable barefoot running shoes.
They are durable and flexible and just a bit of cushion. If you’re looking for a light barefoot shoe and have strong feet already, then they might work for you.
- Weight: Men 1 lb. 2.4 oz., Women 14.2 oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 0mm
- Cushioning: Minimal
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper with plastic cross pattern overlay.
Reasons to Buy Merrell Trail Glove 7
- When you want a shoe for trail running that is light and constructed well, this shoe should be one to consider if you use minimalist shoes.
- Some people use them for hiking and running on trails. They have somewhat rigid soles, so your feet feel protected from rocks, etc.
- “Merrell Trail Glove 7 is slip-resistant; therefore, you can jump and hop, controlling yourself easily. The most attractive part of Trail Glove 4 is, it looks good, with whatever you are wearing.” (runnerchoice.com)
4. Brooks Ricochet 3
If you need a snug-fitting shoe that is responsive and grips the ground well, you may like this shoe.
- Weight: Men 9.4oz, Women 8.4oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 8mm
- Cushioning: Energize Level 2 of 3
- Terrain: Everyday Runs, Treadmill, Cross Training
- Material: Mesh Upper with plastic at the laces.
Reasons to Buy Brooks Ricochet
- It feels comfortable to wear and when you run, it feels like it’s helping you get more energy through your stride.
- If you need a shoe that feels snug like a sock and holds your foot in place well, this one works well.
- “The Brooks Ricochet is a solid daily trainer. While I don’t love it, I certainly don’t hate it.” (believeintherun.com)
5. Nike Men’s Epic Phantom React FK Sneaker
If you need a snug fit that can wrap around your foot snuggly and a good durable cushion, you may like this shoe.
- Weight: Men 8.4oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 10mm
- Cushioning: Soft
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper with no laces.
Reasons to Buy Nike Epic Phantom React Flyknit
- It feels very comfortable to wear and when you run, it feels somewhat springy.
- If you need a shoe that is light and feels snug like a sock, this could be your next shoe to consider.
- ” I had no issues with foot slippage or anything like that. It felt very snug and stable on my foot.” (youtube.com)
6. Adidas Ultraboost Uncaged
This shoe seems to perform well and helps runners feel like their feet are secure while wearing them.
- Weight: Men 10.7oz, Women 9oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 10mm
- Cushioning: Between soft and firm
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper with plastic around the laces.
Reasons to Buy Adidas Ultraboost Uncaged
- This shoe tends to feel reliable over time and provides plenty of comfort.
- If you need a shoe that slips on fairly easily, is very flexible, and gives you that sock-like snug feel, this shoe could be one to consider.
- “Adidas Ultra Boost uncaged is the best running shoe I have ever had. The super comfortable prime knit upper, boost midsole and minimalist look make me want to wear them 24/7, and I have started to wear them as a lifestyle shoe as well. ” (sundried.com)
7. Vibram FiveFingers V-Run
The rubber sole is made from Vibram so it will last a long time. The individual toe slots make it easier for those with strong feet to grip and move the toes in a healthy biomechanical manner.
People love these shoes but they aren’t for everyone. Many people like how they fit but not everyone feels the same.
- Weight: Men 4.8oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 0mm
- Cushioning: Minimal
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper reinforced with plastic over midfoot.
Reasons to Buy Vibram FiveFingers V-Run
- These shoes usually feel comfortable to wear and runners love that they are so lightweight.
- You can slip on these on and pull the laces snug for a custom fit. It helps the runner’s feet keep cool well and it seems to be a sturdy shoe.
- “Vibram made their dedicated road runner even better! The Vibram V-Run gives road runners many improvements from the Bikila EVO. It is more breathable for summer runs, has better low-temperature traction for winter runs, but not much else.” (birthdayshoes.com)
8. Adidas Unisex-Adult Adizero
This shoe might be good for those who are interested in racing or doing a marathon. They are extremely light for cushioned shoes.
People like the mesh upper and how they feel comfortable.
- Weight: Men 5.6oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 8mm
- Cushioning: Firm and responsive
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper with laces
Reasons to Buy Adidas Adizero Sub 2
- These shoes usually feel comfortable and are extremely breathable. Most runners are happy with the lightweight feel and can walk or run for long periods fairly well.
- If you are in a race, you might really appreciate how these feel over time.
- “While the Adidas Sub2 manages to be an amazingly well made, well-cushioned, racing flat, it does little to innovate on the traditional racing flat construction or underfoot feel/ performance.” (runningshoesguru.com)
9. Adidas Pureboost RBL
This shoe has less cushion than some shoes but still seems to be comfortable for most people.
This shoe is fairly flexible and it does a pretty good job gripping the road. The special feature of this shoe is that it is water-resistant.
People like how you can run and feel stable and how it feels good for walking and all-day use.
- Weight: About 8.8oz to 10.5oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 8mm
- Cushioning: Between soft and firm and responsive
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper with laces
Reasons to Buy Adidas Pureboost RBL
- Most people feel comfortable wearing these shoes and seem to perform well for most runners.
- If you are a runner, you might use these as a daily runner or a racing shoe because they are light enough for many to use for either purpose.
- “Well, with the Pure Boost DPR, you still get the cushioning and energy rebound of an Ultra Boost but in a lighter, lower profile shoe, with a more racer-like feel.” (thesportsedit.com)
10. NIKE Women’s Track & Field Shoes
This shoe seems to fit well without any slipping. It feels really nice while running for most people but it may be difficult to slip on before the run.
This seems to be a good shoe for beginner runners and does well for shorter runs and maybe not for longer ones.
- Weight: About 7.2oz
- Pronation Type: Neutral Pronation
- Arch Support: Neutral
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Cushioning: Between soft and firm
- Terrain: Road
- Material: Mesh Upper with laces
Reasons to Buy Nike Free RN 5.0
- This shoe seems to be responsive and the cushioning is fine for shorter runs.
- This could be a good shoe for those looking for a shoe that flexes well with your foot and feels fairly stable.
- “The Nike Free RN 5.0 2020 is a lightweight, firm-riding, and stable trainer. It has a highly flexible forefoot and is suitable for distances up to 10km.” (runningshoesguru.com)
Final Thoughts
Most people will find that a slip-on shoe with mesh has a more comfortable feel overall than a traditional shoe that only uses laces to synch up the shoe. This can depend on many factors, so it’s best to go to a store and try them on in person.
Slip-on shoes, if they’re built well, can be a joy to run in. The snug grip of your shoe on your foot can help you feel freer at times, like the shoe has become more one with your foot.
I like light slip-on shoes that have enough cushion to walk in all day. If you choose one that meets your needs, it could be your next favorite shoe.
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