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Heed our warning: If you're moving into a dorm room this fall, a pair of the best shower shoes is non-negotiable. Even if you're past the college dorm life, shower shoes are necessary if you ever use the shower at the gym, campsites, hostels, pools, and other communal spots. Let's cut to the chase: There are a lot of fungi, viruses, and bacteria—athlete's foot ring a bell?—you definitely don't want anywhere near your feet, much less on them.
"Shower shoes act as a barrier between your feet and the potentially contaminated floor of public showers," Sanjna Sanghvi, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at PS Foot & Ankle in Bridgewater, New Jersey, shares with Allure. "People should routinely use shower shoes in communal spaces such as gym showers and dormitories. While they are cleaned often, depending on the traffic and flow of individuals using these amenities, there are a lot of opportunities for bacteria to linger. All it takes is one affected individual to spread to ten others." Beyond the yuck factor, it's also just a good idea to keep your feet protected from random sharp or sticky objects on floors—ouch.
Our Top Picks
- Best Shower Shoes Overall: Adidas Unisex Adilette Shower Slides,
$30$25 - Most Cushiony Slides: Lululemon Restfeel Women's Slide, $58
- Best Podiatrist-Recommended Shower Shoes: SheValues Shower Shoes, $16
- Easiest to Clean: Crocs Baya II Slide,
$30$24 - Best Low-Key Flip Flops: Havianas Women's Slim Flip Flops, $30
- Best Shower Shoes with Adjustable Straps: Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA, $50
- Best House Slippers: Bombas Women's Friday Slide, $48
- Most Affordable Shower Shoes: Old Navy Flip-Flop Sandals, $5
The lesson here? Don't do yourself dirty (literally) and invest in shower shoes with supportive insoles, plenty of traction (hi, tile or cement floors can be slippery!), and quick-drying material. Luckily, we've got the best recommendations ready for you to shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are shower shoes worth it?
- What should I look for in shower shoes?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Shower Shoes Overall: Adidas Unisex Adilette Shower Slides
Why it's worth it: These Adidas Unisex Adilette Shower Slides are popular among athletes for excellent eason: They're truly comfortable, whether you're recovering from a marathon or just lounging around. Reviewers love that they're snug, non-slip, and affordable. The material is also super durable, so you won't have to buy a new pair halfway through the school year, and it's easy to clean, to boot.
Material: ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) | Size Range: 5 to 17 | Colors: 23 (Note: Not all colors/patterns are available in all sizes.)
Most Cushiony: Lululemon Restfeel Women's Slide
Why it's worth it: Lululemon's Restfeel Women's Slides are made with layers of dense foam that makes them oh-so-comfortable to wear. The wide upper strap is supportive without cutting into your feet, and the outsole is made with textured rubber to prevent slipping. And they're not just for the shower—you can wear them to the pool, around the house, or as recovery shoes after a tough gym session. “I purchased these slides with the intention of using them as shower shoes at the gym, but they have turned out to be incredibly comfortable that I wear them every day as my regular slides,” one reviewer shares. Come holiday gifting season, these are a great practical pick for any loved ones or besties.
Material: rubber | Size Range: 5 to 12 | Colors: 6
Best Podiatrist-Recommended Shower Shoes: SheValues Shower Shoes
Why it's worth it: Julie Schottenstein, DPM, a double board-certified podiatrist at The Schottenstein Center- Advanced Foot, Ankle, and Leg Care, recommends this affordable pair of shower shoes for their good grip, arch support, and drainage holes. "We don't want things holding moisture because of mold on the actual shoe and for the fact that warm, wet, and dark environments are great for harboring things like fungus," she notes. These slides are made with EVA plastic and a textured anti-slip outsole. Plus, they're less than $20 and come in a curated range of bright and neutral colors.
Material: ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)| Size Range: 4.5-5.5 to 13-14 | Colors: 8
Easiest to Clean: Crocs Baya II Slide
Why it's worth it: I am a longtime Crocs sandals fan, and now I have the validation of Dr. Sanghvi, who notes the brand uses materials that make for great shower shoes. They're made with Croslite, Crocs' proprietary material that's comfortable, durable, and easy to wipe clean. What stands out, though? These slip-on shoes have ventilation ports that drain water quickly and small nubs on the footbed that provide a little bit of a massage with every step.
Material: Croslite (primarily polyethylene vinyl acetate) | Size Range: 7 to 12 | Colors: 3
Best Low-Key Flip Flops: Havaianas Slim Flip Flops
Why it's worth it: Dr. Schottenstein notes that flip flops are acceptable shower shoes, so long as they have good tread and aren't too flexible in the middle. "They shouldn't bend in half," she says. These breezy Havaianas Slim Flip Flops pass the test are more long-lasting than you'd think. "I've been using the same pair for about two years now and they are still in excellent condition," shares one reviewer. And of course, "I can enjoy my shower so much more with these comfy flip flops," they add. Plus, you can choose from a bundle of variations, such as the Slim Flatform and Slim Square.
Material: rubber | Size Range: 1-2 to 11-12 | Colors: 29
Best Shower Shoes with Adjustable Straps: Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA
Why it's worth it: If you're a Birkenstock loyalist, add these lightweight shoes to your online shopping cart ASAP. This pair is modeled on the cork shoe but made with waterproof EVA plastic ideal for splishing and splashing. The Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA is an especially supportive shoe, thanks to deep heel cups and built-in arch support. Plus, it's available in regular/wide and medium/narrow widths so all feet can find their perfect fit.
Material: EVA | Size Range: 4-4.5 to 12-12.5 | Colors: 12
Best House Slippers: Bombas Women's Friday Slide
Why it's worth it: You already know that Bombas produces some of the coziest socks and slippers, but did you know they also make these stylish, supportive slides? The Bombas Friday Slides are great shower shoes since they're waterproof and grippy, but we think you'll want to wear them outside the shower as well. How cute is Solar, the poppy red pictured here? Like most shower shoes, they're made with EVA, which is easy to wipe clean.
Things to know: They will shrink if exposed to high heat, so don't put them in the dishwasher or leave them in your car during a heat wave
Material: EVA | Size Range: 5 to 11 | Colors: 5
Most Affordable Shower Shoes: Old Navy Flip-Flop Sandals
Old Navy
Flip-Flop Sandals
Why it's worth it: Generations of college kids have gone off to the dorms with a pair of these shower shoes. (Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but you get the idea). The ever-classic Old Navy Flip-Flop Sandals are now partially plant-based, made with sugarcane and EVA foam. Plenty of reviewers share that they use them as shower shoes at the gym or in the dorms. And truly, at $5 a pair, the price cannot be beat. Want to switch up your look? These triple-pair sets are super cute and save you $2 compared to buying three separately.
Material: EVA, sugarcane | Size Range: 5 to 11 | Colors: 7
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shower shoes worth it?
Yes. If you're using communal showers like those in a dorm or gym, shower shoes help you avoid coming in contact with some pretty unpleasant microbes. “Wearing shower shoes in a dorm situation is important to help the foot from coming into contact with fungus and the human papilloma virus, which is the virus that causes plantar warts,” explains Dr. Schottenstein.
Dr. Sanghvi also notes that shower shoes protect your feet from sharp objects, potential splinters, or foreign objects.
What should I look for in shower shoes?
Dr. Sanghvi says you'll want to look for something made with a waterproof material that's resistant to mold and mildew, such as EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and rubber. It's also important to look for shoes that offer grip and traction to avoid slipping on tile floors.
Meet the experts
- Julie Schottenstein, DPM, is a double board-certified podiatrist at The Schottenstein Center- Advanced Foot, Ankle, and Leg Care in Miami, Florida.
- Sanjna Sanghvi, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at PS Foot & Ankle in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review materials, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies.
For our list of the best shower shoes, we considered each product’s materials, design, price point, and reviews. We consulted podiatrists and read hundreds of product reviews, specifically searching out reviews that mention the word “shower.” To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
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After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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