Sliding Into Summer: 2021’s Hottest Slides

I’m calling it now: 2021 is going to be the summer of the slide! I have been seeing slides EVERYWHERE. Every brand and every store has been emailing me ad upon ad of cute slides for the past few months. Even the perennial Adidas favorite, Adilette (that every jock wore back in my high school days), seems to be enjoying a major revival moment. I decided it was simply a must to explore summer 2021’s hottest slides.

Slides have always been kind of a tricky fit for me. My feet are pretty average width-wise but I have a bit of a high instep so finding a slide with a proper fit can be somewhat challenging. They tend to be either a bit snug across the top of my foot or pinch the outer sides of my feet in a funny way. I do best when they have an adjustable strap and buckle that I can play with and tighten as I break them in.

In my quest for the perfect slide, I’ve tested out 7 of the most popular ones that have been all over social media and email inboxes lately. Below, I’ll give you my honest opinion on fit, quality, and whether or not I think they’re keep-worthy. For sizing reference, I’m right in between a US size 6 1/2 and a 7 and as mentioned above, have an average width and slightly high instep.

Birkenstock – Madrid (Big Buckle)

🖤🖤 TOP FAVORITE CHOICE 🖤🖤

I had already been eyeing these for over a year so this post was the perfect excuse to finally purchase them! The Madrid was already a beloved style offered from the German comfort shoe mainstay but the recent addition of the Big Buckle option pushes these into positively chic territory. Bonus points for the adjustable buckle; I have found with my other Birkenstocks that I’ll usually tighten any buckles as they stretch out over the years with wear.

• Fit: One of the best parts about buying Birkenstocks is once you know what size footbed you wear, you just order that same size each time and your shoes are always going to fit perfectly. This is my 10th pair (!) of Birkenstocks over the years so I know exactly what to expect with fit and comfort and both get an enthusiastic thumbs up from me. For me personally, Birkenstocks are usually pretty comfortable right out of the box and get better and better with each wearing. Sometimes the straps need a little wearing in (unless they’re an already-soft suede or something) but they always eventually become butter soft. And the footbed is always great from the get-go and also gets better and better as it molds to your personal footprint. I always purchase my Birks in a size 36. Early on, I did accidentally buy a pair of Bostons in a size 37 but they actually work great in the winter when I need to slip on something that will fit over the top of my super thick fuzzy socks!
• Quality: Birkenstock makes a very high quality product. They last for years and years and the cork footbed can be repaired and even replaced as needed. I have a couple of pairs that are close to 30 years old and they still look great and fit even better.
• Price Point: They’re not cheap but they are attainable for most. And considering the great quality of these shoes, they pay for themselves pretty quickly, in my opinion. The big buckle pair I bought were $130 and the regular buckle version starts at $90. If the leather version is just too expensive or you prefer a non-leather alternative, the EVA version is a cute, waterproof, and affordable option ($30) to check into.
• Overall Thoughts: I love them and since they’re made of such high quality, I look forward to enjoying them for the rest of my life. If you can only purchase one pair of slides, these are my top pick out of the bunch for comfort, quality, and versatility.

Find them here:

Madrid Big Buckle (at Nordstrom)

Madrid – standard buckle (at Nordstrom)

Roam – The Puffy

I kept seeing these adorable puffy slides by Roam (and tons of knock-offs!) EVERYWHERE and knew that I needed a pair! They are just too fun. They also looked so comfortable, I figured how could I go wrong? Plus, every time I see the brand’s label, I get this classic earworm stuck in my head 😂

• Fit: Kind of odd, actually! They pinch a little at the outer area of the middle of my foot and the bottom of my foot kind of slides backwards as I walk. Every few steps, I have to sort of push my foot forward to make sure my heel doesn’t slide out of the back of the footbed. But at the same time, I really wouldn’t want them any longer. I think I need to wear them a few more times and see if they wear in a bit. The footbed itself is quite comfortable, albeit a tad on the narrow side (hence the pinching). The puffy strap is also quite comfortable and feels like super-soft foam. These come in European sizing and since I usually wear a 36 in Birkenstocks, I went with the same for these and the length is perfect.
• Quality: They look to be of very good quality. Faux leather, however, which is a little surprising at that price point.
• Price Point: A little pricey for a sandal at $137. I’ve listed some knock-offs below if you’d like to get the look with a smaller price tag.
• Overall Thoughts: I think these will need a few wearings to make a final decision but for now, I’m leaning towards keeping them because honestly, I just love them. They’re so playful and puffy and silly and overall just a lot of fun. At the time of writing this post, ShopBop also carries these in a vibrant turquoise and a few other colorways.

Find them here:

The Puffy (at ShopBop)

Similar look (autumn 2023): Journee Collection – Lazro puff sandals (at Macy’s)

Similar look (autumn 2023): Dr, Scholl’s – Pisces Chill slide sandal (at Nordstrom)

Similar look (autumn 2023): French Connection – Puffer slide (at Macy’s)

Similar vibe (autumn 2023): Sorel – Ella II puff strappy slide sandal (at Macy’s)

Similar look (autumn 2023): Cougar – Prato slide sandal (at Nordstrom)

Similar vibe (autumn 2023): Seychelles – Driving Force sandal (at Nordstrom)

Steve Madden – Spa Studded Slide

This is my pick for those who love the comfort and feel of their Adidas Adilettes but want something a little less sporty and a little more stylish for wearing out (to places besides a soccer match or the grocery store!) The studded detail gives these slides a fun and playfully edgy feel and elevates them to be worthy of wearing out on a summer night. They would be equally cute for beach-wear and are available in some bright beachy colorways (yellow, pink, and white) in addition to the basic black I purchased.

• Fit: I purchased a 7M and these were the tightest of the bunch for me. I have to really press my foot hard into these slides and even then, my toes don’t quite hug the toe bar in the footbed. So, something to keep in mind if you have a higher instep (like I do) or wider feet. The footbed itself is plenty long enough for me and very comfortable; it feels like walking on foam.
• Quality: They are made of a synthetic rubbery material. I have had good luck with Steve Madden’s shoes over the years and these ones look to be of decent quality as well.
• Price Point: Very reasonable, around $40 at regular price
• Overall Thoughts: I’ve gone back and forth about keeping these since they’re a bit tight and I think I’ve finally settled on sending them back. The footbed is really comfortable, so I was hoping I could break them in but after a few wearings around the house, they just still seem too tight and I clearly have plenty of other black slides in my collection so back they go. But these are definitely cute, the footbed is great, and I think these would work well for those with narrow feet or a lower instep.

Find them here:

Very similar look (autumn 2023): Allsaints – Shay slip on slide sandals (at Bloomingdale’s)

Similar look (autumn 2023): Juicy Couture – Slone slide sandal (at Macy’s)

Dr. Scholl’s – Original Collection Sandal

I’ve been in love with these classic slides since I was just a little nugget. My older sister had an amazing shoe collection which contained some fabulous clogs, including a pair of these Dr. Scholl’s. She was incredibly patient as 4-year old me clomped around the house in her shoes, lol I’ve wanted my own pair forever and writing this post was the perfect excuse to finally take the plunge and scoop some up! Plus, I always love supporting a company who believes in sustainability 🥰

• Fit: I love clogs and found these to be pretty comfortable right out of the box. They have an adjustable strap, too, always a huge bonus. These are definitely the type of shoes that are going to give your calf muscles a bit of a work-out with the single narrow strap being the only thing holding these puppies on. It can be a tad challenging to keep them on your feet! I went with a 7M for the size and the length is pretty close to perfect.
• Quality: Excellent quality. I expect these to last for several years, if not for the rest of my life. The upper is made of leather and the contoured footbed is beechwood on top of a synthetic sole.
• Price Point: The original ones are definitely a little bit of an investment for around $90-$100. They also carry a similar-looking newer model, though, that is quite reasonable at $40 and comes in a super cute snakeskin pattern. I will link it below.
• Overall Thoughts: These are so cute and iconic, I’m excited to finally have my own pair! But now, where the heck am I going to wear these?? First off, I would not recommend attempting to drive in these, I think it could be a bit unsafe. I also wonder about walking up and down stairs and/or steep hills. They are also noisy; they are clogs, after all! They make the typical clunky clog noises in addition to a ‘sticky’ noise similar to flip-flops as you’re walking. I don’t think these are going to fly in any office setting unless it’s a super laid-back one. On top of being noisy, they’re pretty casual-looking so I think these are going to be best for beachwear, poolside, or some other kind of casual atmosphere where it doesn’t matter if I’m noisy 😂

Find them here:

Original Collection Slide Sandal (at Macy’s)

Original Collection Slide Sandal (at Nordstrom)

Matisse – Coconuts Sol Slide (aka Jelly Slide)

Ahhh… jelly sandals! They take me all the way back to my 80s childhood, lol They were the height of fashion back then and every few years, they seem to pop up again. After I bought a slew of slides in basic black, I thought I better grab at least one pair with a bright color or fun design. I love leopard so settled on these cuties.

• Fit: These size 7M fit perfectly lengthwise and are pretty comfortable right off the bat. Like the Dr. Scholl’s, though, they are a bit slippy-slidey and challenging to keep on your feet as you walk. As I’m concentrating on trying to keep them on, I’ve noticed that I also walk a bit heavier and louder. These are definitely another casual pair best kept for beach, poolside, and other very relaxed occasions/locations.
• Quality: They’re plastic jelly sandals so I don’t know what to expect for longevity with these bad boys. I am not hard on shoes so I hope to get at least a couple of summers out of them. I’ll update if they blow out early, lol
• Price Point: At $35 full price (and I snagged them on sale for $22), I figured what the heck if they don’t last forever? These are definitely a fun and trendy purchase and not an investment pair as with the Birkenstocks or Dr. Scholl’s.
• Overall Thoughts: I purchased mine from Nordstrom but they appear to have an identical pair under a slightly different name at Anthropologie. I shop regularly at both stores, I just happened to see them at Nordstrom first so purchased them there.

(ed. note: these slides have become pretty tricky to find as time goes by. Best bet to find these exact ones will probably be from a marketplace site such as Mercari or eBay. Be sure to look for reputable sellers)

Find them here:

Coconuts by Matisse – Sol jelly slide sandal (search on Mercari)

Coconuts by Matisse – Sol jelly slide sandal (search on eBay)

Caslon – Vivi Slide Sandal

These are just a nice, basic, comfortable slide with a classic look. These are never going to go out of style and they’re just ‘dressy’ enough to wear with a sundress, romper, jumpsuit, or culottes. At the same time, they’re absolutely still beach-appropriate as well.

• Fit: Out of all of these slides, this pair has the most generous sizing. I got a 7M and they feel both a touch wide and a touch long for me. It says right on Nordstrom’s site that they run big and to size a half-size down so I should have read the fine print the first time around! They are so incredibly comfortable that I am contemplating taking their advice and exchanging them for the next half-size down to see how those work. These are probably going to be the best choice of the bunch for those with wider feet (aside from the options with adjustable straps).
• Quality: They look to be of very good quality. Leather upper, rubber sole.
• Price Point: At the time of writing, these are a great deal on sale for $30. Regular price is $50, which still seems reasonable to me for a comfortable, good quality sandal.
• Overall Thoughts: The only thing keeping me from being 100% sure I’m going to do an exchange (and not just a straight return) here is the thought of do I really need 7 pairs of slides (6 of them being black)? lol But they are each a little different and I definitely like them all. And let’s be honest, can a woman really ever have too many pairs of shoes??

Find them here:

Similar look (autumn 2023) beek – Robin slide sandals (at Anthropologie)

Similar look (autumn 2023): Journee Collection – Addilynn puff sandals (at Macy’s)

Similar vibe (autumn 2023): Seychelles – Heartfelt Sandals (at Anthropologie)

Similar vibe (autumn 2023): Seychelles – Word For Word Slide Sandal (at Nordstrom)

Similar vibe (autumn 2023): FitFlop – F-Mode platform slide sandal (at Nordstrom)

ZiGi Soho (Ziginy) – Endrene Studded Slide

So as just mentioned, I certainly didn’t NEED yet another pair of black slides but I love, love, love the studded detail on these cuties! It gives them just enough pizzazz that they’d be appropriate to wear out for dinner with a cute little black dress. But they’d also be darling with some jean shorts and a black tee, possibly with a matching studded belt? Lots of possibilities here so I thought they were definitely worth a try. Plus, they were on blowout at Nordstrom Rack for half price!

• Quality: They look to be of decent overall quality for a pair of ‘cheapies.’ Imitation leather upper.
• Price Point: I snagged mine for $25 at Nordstrom Rack. At the time of this writing, they are on sale at Macy’s for $30 (regular price is $50). If you’re seriously interested in these, I would jump on it. I bought my pair at Nordstrom Rack only 2 weeks ago and they are already sold out there. Not sure how long they’ll last at Macy’s.
• Overall Thoughts: I’m not sure if I’m going to keep these ones. They are so cute with the studded detail but I don’t like how they pinch the middle of my foot when I’m walking. Not being real leather, I’m not sure if they’ll break in enough for my liking. But then again, they’re SO cute and they were inexpensive so it might be worth walking around the house in them for a while to see if I can break them in.

Find them here:

Similar vibe (autumn 2023): Saint G – Ludovica studded slide sandal (at Nordstrom)

Similar vibe & super affordable (autumn 2023): getmorebeauty – flat slide sandals (at Amazon)

Similar vibe but pricey (autumn 2023): Valentino Garavani – Roman Stud Matelassé Espadrille sandal (at Nordstrom)

Honorable Mention – Hermès – Oran Sandal

I can’t write a post about slides without mentioning the gorgeous and iconic Oran slide by Hermès. These beautiful slides are loved by (and often spotted on) celebrities and serious fashion bloggers alike. If I ever strike it rich, I would love a pair (the studded ones, OMG!) but for $630+ a pop, I’m not sure I’m quite ready to pull the trigger, even with a credit card! 😂 Maybe I’ll have a weak moment someday and finally give in. I’ll keep you guys posted, lol

In the meantime, there have been several affordable knock-offs made, here’s a sampling:

Steve Madden is always a great place to look for quality designer knock-offs and they’ve had a few different versions of imitation Orans over the years.

Sam Edelman – Bay Cutout Slide (at Sam Edelman’s Amazon store)

Sam Edelman – Bay Cutout Slide (at Nordstrom)

Also, check out Amy Jackson’s excellent guide to finding the real thing at a discount!

Are slides already a summer fave for you? Or perhaps you’re contemplating trying a pair for the first time? Let’s talk summer 2021’s hottest slides and sandals in the comments!

Oh and P.S. if you love shoe reviews, also check out my review of 6 of the hottest pairs of white street style sneakers here.

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