It’s best to wear shower shoes when visiting public bathrooms, gym lockers and campground showers. This isn’t just because someone left a clump of hair in the drain—these environments can be breeding grounds for bacteria and nasty fungi. If I’m going to the hot springs, gym or staying in a place with shared bathroom, I make sure I have a pair shower shoes on me.
I am looking for styles that are versatile and can be worn to the yoga studio, or packed in my beach bag. In order to write this article, I tried two pairs of shower footwear. Travel + Leisure Team tried eight pairs. We took notes on everything, including the overall comfort of the shoes and outsole grip.
After extensive testing, we recommend choosing materials that are lightweight, waterproof and don’t collect dirt. Bonus points were awarded to pairs that are comfortable enough to wear outside the locker room. These are the shoes that we thought were most impressive.
Crocs has a wide range of footwear with foam and rubber materials. These shoes are both stylish and practical, featuring minimalist straps with a toe loop that is similar to those on hiking sandals. Crocs has a “Croslite” material underfoot that is thin and supportive. The TPU upper does not require any breaking-in. They were very comfortable to wear in the shower and easy to slip on and off without fear of tripping.
Packability was a huge bonus here as well—the shoes pack down flat and are thin and lightweight, making them a great option for travel when we need to maximize luggage space. After the test period we noticed no wear on the bottom, and water drained easily and quickly after we stepped onto a towel. The shoes are also stylish and versatile, so they can be worn anywhere, including to the pool, beach or for errands. Although the sole is stiff, we don’t recommend wearing these shoes all day. They are great for lounging or staying clean in the bathroom.
The Details Sizes 4-11 – EVA and TPU| EVA and TPU
Reef’s flip flops, which have a molded-in footbed and a reinforced-in strap material, are more comfortable than simpler flip flop styles. The flip-flops have a rubberized outsole that provides grip on tiled floors. They also feature wider straps for added stability. The anchor for the straps is placed at the arch in the center of your foot. This reduces the possibility of hot spots. The top strap also has a wide width, which helps to distribute weight evenly and make them a good choice for longer walks.
The sandals fit perfectly to our size and the toe posts rubbed less than any other flip-flops that we have worn. The textured pattern at the top and bottom provided good grip and kept our feet secure. We did not notice any slippage on tile or on wet bathroom flooring. Even when walking uphill, we had no issues with slipping. These flip-flops are the best because of their arch support and traction. They are also expensive, but if you only buy one pair, they’re a good investment. These flip-flops, like our top pick for women, earned extra points because they can be worn outside the shower. That means you have one less pair to pack.
The Details Sizes 7-13 – Rubber and Synthetic| Rubber and synthetic
These slippers can be worn on a plane, folded up and carried as a personal item. They are easy to clean and maintain because the EVA foam is dirt-shedding and can be rinsed off in the bathroom. We found that they were quite comfortable for their thinness, and felt very cushy. The tread pattern performed better than expected, and they were comfortable to wear around a spa’s steam room.
The foam is easy to fold and pack, and the repeated folding and packing did not seem to exert any excessive pressure on it. The shoes are great for traveling and poolside. We wouldn’t recommend wearing them outdoors, but they did hold up during our tests. The shoe comes with its own cotton pouch. We also love the fact that the back of the shoes tucks in neatly to the strap.
The Details EVA| EVA
This season I have been in a serious rubber and foam slide phase, and these lightweights are my favorites. These have been my favorite pair of slides for the last few months. I’ve worn them in the gym, the sauna and the pool. They are also my go-to for yoga, errands and walking my dog. Air-injected PVC allows them to be remarkably light. They have a slightly moulded footbed which is very comfortable.
The colors were so unique and fun that it was difficult to pick a pair (I chose a metallic pink) for testing. The only thing I’d change is the underfoot cushion—they’re so low profile and lightweight that they don’t have a ton of squish underfoot like some of my plusher EVA shower shoes, but for portability and lightweight wear, I can’t complain.
The Details Air-injected PVC| Air-injected PVC
These are a simple pair of flip-flops with a design dedicated to their use—the slip-resistant outsoles are perfect for slick shower tiles, and they dry fast with a quick shake. Shower Shoez have a low profile and are packable like Havaianas. You can easily store them in a shower caddy or inside a pool bag. The thick, soft and squishy material was very comfortable. It molded to our feet. The straps did not rub or leave any marks. They were comfortable right away and didn’t require any break-in.
These shoes are primarily attractive because of the holes on the bottom, which allow water to drain and air to flow back in. It was still nice to use a shoe without a pool of water. We wiped it down with a soft towel, but we were happy that the shoe didn’t accumulate any moisture. These shoes had a great grip, which was able to withstand even the slickest locker room floors. Although we would like to see the design changed to a more subtle logo, it is unlikely that you’d wear these shoes to run errands.
The Details Rubber| Rubber
Crocs Clogs Classic were the first foam clogs to take the world by storm (maybe only the camping, garden, and pool-going worlds) a decade before. Crocs, a lightweight shower shoe with a raised toe, pivoting strap and an enclosed foot with many drain holes, are also great for gardening, traveling and boating. The EVA foam in the latest version is 25 percent recycled and lighter than any other edition.
The fit was accurate. However, if you are between sizes, it’s a good idea to size up. The texture on the bottom can be hit or miss—some people love the pebbly underfoot texture, while we found ourselves wishing for a smoother foam. While the outsole also has a pattern, it can be slippery. Like all shower shoes, water quickly drained out of the holes after being wet. We could shake them to speed the process up.
The Details EVA foam| EVA foam
Why We Love It
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These lightweight, cushioned sandals are quick-drying and slip resistant.
We were immediately impressed by the shoes’ woven construction, even though it was unconventional. The shoes are very comfortable, soft and cushioned. Although they don’t have a tread or other material at the bottom, the woven material prevented us from slipping, both on the deck of the pool and in the bathroom. Also, the water washed away almost instantly after wet. These were easy to throw in our gym bag minutes after using. You can’t beat the price. I would have expected to pay much more for these shoes. “They have become my favorite shoes for poolside, and everyone at my house wants to buy a pair,” said our tester.
The shower shoes we tested showed no signs of wear despite being used heavily. We were also surprised at how much softer they felt in comparison to the stiffer rubber and foam shower shoes. We recommend that you choose a pair with fewer features if you are looking to maximize luggage space. Look no further if you want long-term comfort in easy-to wear materials.
The Details Rubber & PVC| Rubber and PVC
These fast-drying lightweight slides would look right at home in a locker room or beside a football pitch. We paired them with white tube sock or with their own. swimwear. The footbed has been contoured to provide more comfort and arch support. They also have a pebbled rubber sole for slipping resistance. They were a little too tight for us and didn’t break in right away. If you are planning to use them as travel shower footwear, plan ahead.
The zig-zag pattern on the bottom helped us to stay upright on different surfaces. Also, the material dried quickly, allowing for faster packing. The top synthetic strap is easy to wash and clean. They dry quickly, both inside and outside. The shoes nestled into each other, and the pair was compact enough to fit in a gym bag or suitcase.
The Details Rubber and EVA| Rubber and EVA
Columbia’s Creeksider, with its closed-toe style similar to those Crocs that we adored (listed above), has an extended heel just like the other foam clogs I love from Merrell. Creeksiders have more durability than Crocs or Merrells due to their thinner and denser foam. This means that the foam will last a lot longer as it’s less likely to be compressed and punched out.
The outsole is made from a ground-contact-specific foam with more abrasion resistance than standard EVA but a lighter compound than rubber, and the traction is excellent on slippery surfaces. These aren’t quite as easy to put on as my favourite slides, but I find them more secure and comfortable to wear when in the pool. hot springs Pulling and casual walks in the dog park my kayak The reservoir is a great place to go.
The Details Women’s Rubber Sizes 5-12| Rubber
Havaianas was one of the first “nice” things we bought. pairs of flip-flopsWe were pleased to see that they are still available. These flip-flops have a sleek, flat silhouette with a thin, but durable footbed. They are a step up from the Dollar Tree version without being overbuilt. The flip-flops were easy to pack and we felt that they could be worn to the pool and to dinner. a small carry-on.
These shoes dried faster than the others we tested. The treads on top and bottom kept our feet from sliding and provided traction for the pool deck. We recommend going up half a size if you are in between sizes. The shoes are sturdy and thin, yet they still have enough weight to prevent any slapping noises as we walked. The color selection is great, and the material underfoot impressed us during our testing period with its durability. We expect these to last through a heavy season.
The Details Women’s Size 5-12 | Rubber
Test Process
Our team of experts tested a wide variety of shower shoes made from different materials and styles. We tried out standard flip flops, close-toed clogs, and comfy slidesWe evaluated everything from the fit, durability and tread when walking on slippery pool decks. We tried these shoes on travel, at the beach and in locker rooms and steam rooms.
During the testing period, we wore each shoe in different environments and recorded our findings on comfort, stability, and more. We recorded if the shoe was true to size as well as our recommendation for use. Some shoes have excellent grips for slippery surfaces, and others are ideal for packing or traveling. Our top picks all dried quickly, had specific uses that were listed on each shoe and kept our feet from slipping in public showers. We will continue testing these shoes over a period of months and report any changes or recommendations.
Shower Shoes – Tips to Buy the Right Style
Consider traction
Shower shoes are important for a variety of reasons. If you’re going to be wearing the shoes on slippery surfaces like those found in locker rooms and dorms bathrooms, then make sure that they have enough texture. Look for shoes with a rubber outsole. For those without, look for a gridded design on the bottom. This can help increase traction when walking across slippery tiles. If you plan to wear these shoes around a lake or river you should look for shoes that have a closed heel and toe back, like the Crocs.
Choose quick-dry materials
Rubber, foam or plastic shower shoes will dry faster and I recommend them as my first choice. You can wipe them off with a damp towel and dry them almost instantly. They won’t mildew, nor will they smell unless you keep them in an enclosed area. Look for perforations, such as those in the footbed and upper. This will help to drain the water from the shoes and dry them faster.
Common Questions
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Why should I wear shower shoes?
In any wet public place, I recommend shower shoes. Shower shoes are recommended for any damp public setting, including shared showers at a hostel, dorm bathrooms, gym locker rooms, pool decks, and even boats or rafts. Shower shoes protect your feet from infection and athlete’s foot in these environments. If you are near a natural hot spring or river, I recommend shower shoes that have a solid outsole for protection and stability against sharp stones.
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What is the best shoe for a shower?
Choose a shoe that is made of rubber or foam. They have excellent quick-drying and waterproofing qualities, and I avoid any shoe with excessive textile. I try to find shoes that drain well and can be easily wiped or shook off. The outsole and footbed should have a texture, as this will help prevent slippage. The majority of rubber flip-flops will work, or you can opt for a pair of foam clogs or slips if you prefer something more substantial.
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How should I pack my shower shoe?
Shower shoes should be completely dry prior to packing. You should always towel off your shower shoes before packing them. I keep my shower shoes in a side pocket on my bag. travel backpack I can store them in their own compartments within my luggage. This prevents any moisture left in my gear from becoming contaminated.
Why Travel + Leisure?
Writer Maggie Slepian Maggie is also a professional equipment tester, testing hundreds of items on the trail each year, from hiking shoes and headphones to protein bars. Maggie is also a gear tester who tests hundreds of products on the trails each year. These include hiking shoes, headphones and protein bars. She wears shower shoes at the local pool and gym, as well as on road trips and camping at hot springs. She spends a lot of time in the water during summer and needs shoes that are easy to wear, quick drying, and comfortable. Maggie tested and compiled feedback on two of the top shower shoe brands. Travel + Leisure The rest of these shoes are also recommended by the team.
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