Got a Kid Headed Off to College? These Shower Shoes Will Keep Their Feet Healthy

These slides are designed with college dorm life in mind. The single-band upper is made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), a plastic material known for its rubber-like softness and flexibility, which helps these slides resist moisture. The airflow of this shoe, along with its quick-drying material, may help reduce the risk of mold that can grow on wet surfaces.

We also like that this shower slide provides traction, which is needed to help reduce slipping on wet surfaces. The shoe is simple and uncomplicated; it’s very easy to get in and out of. It has a contoured footbed and Cloudfoam midsole, both of which translate into a comfortable, supportive fit for your foot.

Our research notes that these slides can tend to run small. And although you are only wearing these slides for a short time, if you have a high arch, you may want something that gives a bit more support.

Birkenstock Arizona Essentials slide on easily and have two adjustable straps that allow you to achieve an ideal fit. There’s a deep heel cup to hold your heel in the correct position, along with arch supports that run along the interior and exterior of the slide. Even the toe area indentations offer cradled support.

These slides are made of quick-drying EVA material. In fact, every part of the shoe is constructed of EVA. The contoured footbed offers comfort and support. These shoes are lightweight, and the Birkenstock website notes they are also washable.

You may be looking for a shoe that doesn’t have any buckles to fool with that you can just slip off and on. Note that once you get the straps adjusted to your liking, you won’t have to unbuckle them ever again, if you don’t want to.

According to Mary Ann Lazar, director of philanthropy at the Scholarship Institute, an organization that helps college students, it may take a couple of wears before this shoe is broken in. But once you’ve individualized your fit, the cushioned sole and safety traction make it an ideal shower slipper choice.

Out of all the shower shoes we reviewed, Crocs provide the best total coverage with a top layer. They are also “very lightweight and easy to clean, which helps in the prevention of bacterias,” says Lazar.

This classic shoe is made from the company’s proprietary material but includes EVA. The holes in the top layer and on the sides allow for airflow and contribute to the shoes drying fast.

“Some of the best shower shoes have holes in them to allow for the flow of water as you’re bathing in addition to offering some traction for gripping the slippery surfaces,” says Dr. Landau.

Crocs are water-friendly. We found they offer excellent traction that lessens the likelihood of slipping in the shower. The heel strap can be another securing measure, keeping your foot in place.

Of course, having your entire foot covered can make quickly washing it in the shower a little more difficult. Crocs are incredibly comfortable, but for someone with high arches, you may notice some discomfort over time. Typically, you’re not in shower slides that long to notice.

We get that there are some cons to using Crocs as a shower slipper. But the reliability, comfort, and stability of the shoe outweigh those. It’s a top protective shoe to use inside and outside of the shower.

At only 5 ounces, these flip-flops are among the lightest we encountered in our research. They’re thin and don’t take up a lot of space, and their lightweight design helps them dry easily.

Like any flip-flop, the Havaianas are easy to slip on and off. The textured footbed has a soft, flexible feel, making it very comfortable. The sole is also textured to guard against slipping.

Not everyone will love the shoes’ thong strap design; it can cause irritation between the toes. And because there’s not a lot of substance to the shoe, it can feel flimsy, especially with a larger fit that doesn’t feel like it’s secure on your feet. But that can be the nature of flip-flops in general.

Most students won’t spend a lot of time in their shower shoes, so having something to get in and out of quickly while keeping your feet protected is a plus. Havaianas provides a flip-flop with a “barely there” feeling that gets the job done.

A top name in athletic shoes, Hoka provides the same level of comfort in its Recovery Slide. The soles are thick and provide a lot of cushioning and support. They are designed with Hoka’s early Meta-Rocker technology, meaning this shoe is designed to enhance your natural walking gait. In fact, they received the seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, a nod to how they benefit foot health.

These slides are manufactured with dual-density EVA construction. They are easy to slip on and off, with one strap across the top. Well constructed and a soft, comfortable feel are what puts these shower shoes as the best luxury shower shoes on our list.

While the Meta-Rocker sole design may be a lavish touch for some, the rocking motion can create a less stable, off-balanced feel. It’s important to make sure you have a secure fit, especially when in the shower. One of the benefits of these shoes is that they are slip-resistant with a textured sole.

If you find the right fit and feel the need for comfort from the Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3, the cushioned support may be worth it.

Shower Shoez offers lightweight flip-flops uniquely fashioned with drain holes in the sole to keep them from holding on to too much water while you shower. The shoes have traction on the sole to help with slip resistance, and they dry quickly. Designed to be worn in the shower at a budget-friendly price point, these shoes get the vote for best value on our list.

The shoes are easy to slip on but can also feel flimsy. The sole’s thin design doesn’t provide a lot of cushioning, making these shoes not as comfortable as some other shoes. And for those whose toes get irritated by thong straps, this shoe is not ideal.

Still, for a product that’s made for shower wear, and does it for just over $15, these flip-flops are hard to beat.

Under Armour’s Locker IV slide is a quick-drying shoe with a design targeted to drive water away from the foot. It also has slip-resistant measures in place. It “has traction for feet to grip sandals better [and is] made of rubber, which is shower-friendly,” notes Landau. It also “has holes [and is] aesthetically pleasing,” she adds. With just one strap on the top, the shoe is easy to slip into. Its textured footbed gives it a comfortable, relaxed fit.

Getting the right size affects the safety of the shoe on wet surfaces, so it’s important to make sure yours don’t run big. We like that the texture of the design, the grooves in the soles, and the holes at the bottom of the shoe uniquely work to dissipate water.

With a focus on controlling moisture, a sleek design, and a reasonable price point, these shoes make a good shower shoe.

“Pillow slippers” is definitely the right description for these shower shoes. They are soft, cushioned, and comfortable. Part of that feel comes from the height of the shoe: They’re almost like a wedge sandal, with a heel height of more than 1.5 inches — double the size of an average slipper.

The shoes are waterproof, and with one strap along the top, easy to slip on. The holes in the sole help with drainage and drying, along with their EVA-material construct.

Although the shoe has a non-slip sole, it can feel slippery in the footbed area. Sizes can also run small, causing the shoes to feel tight if you don’t size up.

But once you find your right size, these shower shoes let you bathe in comfort. They feel like pillows for your feet.