Buying guide for Best Adidas slides
For some people, the most comfortable shoe they will ever wear is a slide. Just as it sounds, this type of flip-flop slides easily on and off the foot. Slides are backless and toeless with a strap, or “bandage,” across the toe area to help keep them on. They’re popular in warm climates and as after-shower footwear, but they can be worn just about anywhere and any time (with socks or without) you want to wear them.
At BestReviews, we know that one of the top makers of comfortable slides is Adidas. Some of the most popular Adidas slides are black shoes with three horizontal white stripes across the toe strap; you may have seen them on the feet of friends or family members, or you may own a pair yourself. However, this classic design isn’t the only one Adidas offers. If you’re treating yourself to a pair or two, it helps to first review your options.
In this guide, we dive into the details of Adidas slide styles, materials, and prices. Check out the slides we spotlight on this page to learn about the best offerings.
Key considerations
Adilette style
The Adidas Adilette slide has been gracing feet since 1972, when Adidas designed them as locker room wear for German national football players. The shoes sport their characteristic three-stripe design like a badge of honor; knockoffs exist, but because Adidas slides are outrageously comfortable, you’ll be able to separate real from imitation when you slide them on.
Within the Adilette family, several slide variations exist. Let’s take a look.
Original Adilette slides: These shoes consist of a polyurethane upper and synthetic outsole. Most have the standard three-stripe design, but a few other designs exist, including an American flag simulation and the Adidas trefoil logo.
Original Adilette Lite slides: These slides come in eye-catching colors like Vivid Green, Bright Blue, and Scarlet as well as black, gray, and white. The bandage features the trefoil logo in white (except for the black shoes). If you’re looking for a cushioned footbed, these slides have it, and as a bonus, the environmentally friendly algae-based EVA foam. Lite Adilette slides tend to cost a few dollars less than the originals. Lite slides for children span sizes 3 to 7 and tend to cost even less than that.
Adilette Comfort Yoga slides: These slip-ons have an EVA upper and outsole, a contoured footbed made of plush Cloudfoam Plus, and a textile lining. In the women’s line, you can choose from a rainbow of designs including traditional Core Black with Cloud White stripes, Metallic Cherry, floral patterns, and more. In the men’s line, the yoga shoes come in both neutral and flashy colors, including gray with Solar Lime detail and Scarlet with Cloud White stripes.
Adilette Shower slides: These inexpensive slides have a contoured Cloudfoam footbed (note: this is not quite the same as Cloudfoam Plus) and come in several colors in the men’s line, including the characteristic black/white as well as olive green (Focus Olive) and dark blue (Collegiate Navy). The women’s line includes three fun looks, including a leopard print shoe, baby pink Sugar Pop, and black with three white stripes and the word “adidas” in white on the side. Shower slides tend to be one of the most affordable Adilette choices at around $20 a pair.
Adilette Aqua slides: Lightweight and quick to dry, Adilette Aqua slides are just as affordable as the company’s shower slides. We appreciate the bold, stylish looks of these shoes but would like to point out that the superior cushioning you would get from buying a pair with Boost or Cloudfoam Plus is not present in these less-costly shoes, which are more functional and focused on keeping the wearer’s feet dry in a wet locker room.
Adilette Boost slides: These slides cost a bit more than most of the other versions (around $60 per pair) because they feature Boost cushioning with advanced support that cradles the feet. Adidas declares their versatility by deeming them appropriate from “sandy beaches to busy streets.” Color choices are limited with these shoes: choose from a white shoe with a black or blue upper, black shoes with a fun “iridescent” upper, or traditional black with a white striped upper.
Cork Adilette slides: These pricey slides have a leather upper, cork midsole, and rubber outsole. They cost more than many other Adidas slides, and not every footwear retailer sells them. Choose from a black upper with white stripes or a white upper with black stripes.
Adissage style
Adissage slides have noticeable nubs on the footbeds that are there to “massage hard-working feet,” according to Adidas. These shoes with Cloudfoam midsoles/outsoles and hook-and-loop adjustable bandages only come in a few color combinations: black with white stripes and black with gold stripes. Notably, they are not meant for all-day, everyday wear. Rather, they are designed for temporary wear after a workout to rejuvenate the feet.
If you like the idea of wearing nubbed and textured slides all day, check out Adidas’ line of Adissage TND slides, but note that comfy shoes tend to sell out quickly.
Other styles
Adilette and Adissage slides make up the bulk of Adidas’ slide offerings, but the company occasionally features other models. Here are a few examples:
- Pharrell Williams Chancletas Hu slides: These colorful, cushioned slides are available in Bright Orange, Semi-Solar Pink, Bold Gold, and Core Black. The slide is modeled after the traditional Adilette with a luxurious upper that is padded and adjustable. Designed for men and women, these slides run around $100 a pair.
- Kanye Yeezy slides: In partnership with Kanye West, Adidas has developed the Yeezy slide, available in several solid colors. The bottoms of these slip-ons are made of resin, and you can find them in hues such as Earth Brown, Bone, and Enflame Orange. Fans rave about the shoes, which are made of EVA foam and touted for all-year wear (even though the heels are open). If you decide to order a pair, beware of scammers who will try to sell you fake Yeezys, and note that because demand is high, the price (regularly about $60) may be inflated by online retailers. We urge potential buyers to only purchase Yeezys from a retailer authorized to sell Adidas products.
Did You Know?
Adidas slides do not come in half sizes or wide/narrow widths. They tend to run wide, so if your feet are exceptionally narrow, consider ordering down a size.
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Features
Adjustable vs. nonadjustable
The upper part of an Adidas slide, often referred to as the “bandage,” is usually a single piece of material with fixed dimensions. However, some Adidas slides come with an adjustable upper bandage so you can tighten or loosen the shoe’s grip on the foot using a hook-and-loop fastener.
Interestingly, in the Adilette line, you can find adjustable bandages on men’s and children’s slides but not women’s slides. However, as we will next discuss, Adidas slides are considered “unisex” shoes that can be worn by anyone.
Gender and sizing
When ordering Adidas slides, you will need to select the men’s or women’s size that best suits your foot. (Or, if ordering for a child, you will need to select a child’s size.) However, sizing is really the only “gendered” thing about these shoes, any of which could be worn by anyone.As a general rule, women’s Adidas slides are one increment greater in size than the man’s equivalent. For example, a pair of Adilette Comfort Slides for a man that is size 8 would likely fit a woman who wears a size 9. Adidas provides a convenient sizing chart on its website so you can determine what size to order. The chart includes equivalent sizes for UK, EU, and JP sizes as well.
Note that if you were to order a pair of slides from a site like Amazon, the sizing chart might not go into as much detail as the one on the Adidas website. You can still figure out what you need, however, with the “plus one” rule. For example, if you look at this Amazon listing for Women’s Adilette Comfort Slides, you will know that a size 10 for women would probably fit a man who wears size 9.
The black Adidas slide with three horizontal stripes is one of the most popular color schemes for these shoes. If you will be taking them to the pool, put your name in them so they don’t accidentally get picked up by another person who owns the same style.
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Pricing
Low-end: If you find a pair of Adidas slides for under $35, you have done one of the following: 1) found a good sale, 2) found a pair of Aqua or Shower slides, which tend to cost $20 to $30, or 3) found a pair of Lite slides, which tend to cost $30 to $35. Any of these can be a great deal on an Adidas shoe, but if the softest footbed possible is what you crave, don’t order until you know you are getting what you really want. Low prices on Adidas are nice, but for a few dollars more, you may receive a huge upgrade in comfort.
Mid-range: For $35 to $60, you can find several good slides from Adidas, including the original Adilette slides (which tend to cost $45) and Adilette Comfort Yoga slides (which tend to cost around $35).
High-end: High-end Adidas slides cost $60 to $100. The priciest Adidas slides include Pharrell slides (which run around $100), cork slides with leather uppers (which cost around $80), Yeezy slides (which cost around $60 but may be marked up by retailers other than Adidas), and Boost slides with extra padding (which cost around $60 when not on sale).
For Your Safety
The traction on the bottom of your slides may wear down long before the shoes feel uncomfortable on your feet. However, when this occurs, it’s a good idea to replace your slides to avoid slips and falls.
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Tips
- Look for the best deal. Adidas slide prices don’t waver much. You should not have to pay more for a certain color or in-demand size. If a retailer attempts to charge you more for your preferred color or size, shop around to make sure you find the best deal.
- Buy off-season. Adidas slides don’t often go on sale. These shoes are in high demand, and they can last several years of wear with proper care. As such, it’s a bit tough to find them on sale for more than a few dollars off. If you want a bargain, buying off-season may be your best bet.
- Wear socks with your slides if you want to. Once upon a time, socks were a big no-no with sandals and flip-flops. That’s not the case these days. Nowadays, “you do you” is all the rage. If you want to wear socks with your Adidas slides, go ahead.
FAQ
Q. Does Adidas engage in any sustainability initiatives or practices?
A. Yes. According to the website, the people at Adidas consider it their responsibility to “look after the environment, both for people today and for future generations.” As such, the company pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2017 to 2030. Further, it proclaimed the goal of reaching “climate neutrality” by 2050.
Q. Are the slides true to size?
A. Most wearers agree that the slides are true to size. They might feel a bit snug for the first few days, but the shoes will stretch slightly, and the contoured footbeds have just enough padding that your feet sink in and feel right at home. The exception to this rule might be Yeezys; some buyers have complained that the shoes run small.
Q. Can the slides be laundered?
A. You can launder them as long as they don’t have leather uppers (most don’t, but a few do). Adidas recommends placing the shoes in a pillowcase and washing them on the cold and/or delicate cycle in your washing machine with detergent. Do not place them in your dryer; allow them to air-dry.
