Summer pool days call for the right footwear to keep you stylish, comfortable, and most importantly, upright! Not all slides are created equal when you’re navigating wet surfaces.
Some deliver that perfect balance of fashion and function while others might send you skating across the pool deck.
Here’s your ultimate guide to poolside slides that will either elevate your summer look or leave you nursing a bruised backside.
1. Braided Raffia Slides
Natural beauty meets pool-ready practicality with these textured treasures. The woven straw construction creates tiny grip points that work surprisingly well on damp surfaces, while the cushioned footbed pampers your feet during long lounging sessions.
What makes these summer standouts? Unlike smooth-soled alternatives, the natural fibers actually gain traction when slightly damp. The breathable weave also dries quickly after splashes.
Raffia slides transition effortlessly from poolside to beachfront restaurant, making them the ultimate vacation essential that won’t leave you slipping or sacrificing style.
2. Minimalist Leather Slide
Sleek simplicity reigns supreme with these understated champions of pool deck navigation. A single leather band hugs your foot securely while the anatomically designed footbed supports every step with surprising stability.
The magic happens in the marriage of quality materials and thoughtful engineering. Premium leather actually improves with exposure to occasional water splashes, developing a patina that tells your summer story.
Fashion minimalists rejoice! These slides pair effortlessly with everything from swimsuits to sundresses, making them the versatile hero your summer wardrobe desperately needs for confident poolside striding.
3. Metallic Band Slides
Sunshine’s best friend arrives in the form of these eye-catching beauties. The reflective gold or silver straps catch light dancing off pool water, creating a mesmerizing sparkle effect that elevates your simplest swimwear.
Beyond their obvious glamour appeal, these slides feature surprisingly practical design elements. The metallic bands are typically water-resistant and won’t discolor from chlorine exposure like fabric options might.
The lightweight construction makes them perfect for tossing in your beach bag without weighing you down. Their grippy soles provide unexpected stability, proving that sometimes the flashiest option can also be the most functional.
4. Neoprene Sport Slides
Athletic innovation meets poolside practicality in these water-loving wonders. The same material that keeps surfers warm embraces your feet with soft, quick-drying comfort that stands up to constant splashing.
Unlike traditional foam slides that become slippery nightmares when wet, neoprene maintains its grip and shape. The ergonomic footbed supports your arches during hours of pool lounging or walking between cabanas.
Many versions feature antimicrobial properties that prevent the dreaded mildew smell that plagues lesser pool shoes. Consider these the thinking person’s choice for serious swimmers who demand performance without sacrificing style.
5. Cork-Wedge Slides
Height without the hazard makes these elevated options a poolside favorite. The natural cork platform absorbs moisture rather than becoming slick, while providing a subtle lift that elongates legs and keeps your feet above puddles.
The genius lies in the material choice. Cork actually improves its grip when damp, unlike synthetic platforms that become skating rinks with the slightest splash. Padded straps prevent the dreaded between-toe chafing that ruins many pool days.
The wedge design distributes weight evenly across your foot, allowing for comfortable all-day wear without the precarious balancing act required by traditional heels.
6. Textured Footbed Sandals
Safety meets style with these grip-focused champions of wet surface navigation. The molded soles feature strategic ridges and patterns that channel water away from your foot’s contact points, dramatically reducing slip potential.
Wide, adjustable straps keep your feet securely in place during unexpected poolside sprints or when dodging enthusiastic cannonball splashes. The textured surface provides tactile feedback with each step, intuitively improving your balance.
Unlike smooth alternatives that become increasingly treacherous when wet, these slides actually perform better with a little moisture. The grippy design works like tiny tire treads, maintaining traction when lesser footwear would send you sliding.
1. Smooth PVC Jelly Slides
Nostalgic fashion statements that quickly become cautionary tales around water. The slick plastic surface creates the perfect storm of slipperiness when combined with wet pool decks, essentially transforming your feet into unsteerable skis.
The complete absence of traction patterns means water creates a seal between slide and surface. Physics takes over from there, usually ending with an unexpected split or embarrassing tumble in front of your most judgmental acquaintances.
While undeniably cute with their candy-colored transparency, these slides belong firmly in the ‘dry areas only’ category. Save them for beach boardwalks or cabana lounging where their lack of grip won’t lead to accidental aquatic acrobatics.
2. Ultra-Flat Foam Slides
Budget-friendly but biomechanically disastrous, these pancake-thin nightmares offer zero support or stability. The paper-thin soles compress immediately under weight, creating an unstable walking surface that wobbles with each cautious step.
When moisture enters the equation, the mushy material becomes even more unpredictable. The flat profile provides no arch support or heel cup to keep your foot in position as you navigate slick surfaces.
Frequently found in dollar stores and budget beach shops, these slides might seem like a bargain until your first wipeout. Consider them a false economy that trades a few dollars saved for potential emergency room copays after unexpected pool deck gymnastics.
3. Oversized Platform Slides
Fashion-forward but fall-backward, these towering foam creations add dramatic height while subtracting stability. The elevated design places your foot far from the ground, creating a precarious balancing act even on perfectly dry surfaces.
Add water to the equation and you’ve created a disaster waiting to happen. With no ankle support or secure strapping, your foot shifts unpredictably with each step. The substantial height difference between heel and ball of foot creates a lever effect that magnifies even small missteps.
When (not if) you slip, the distance to the ground means harder impacts and more spectacular falls that quickly transform you from fashion icon to viral pool fail video star.
4. Velcro-Only Pool Slides
Convenient in theory, catastrophic in practice. These seemingly practical slides rely entirely on small patches of hook-and-loop fasteners that lose adhesive power with alarming speed when exposed to water and chlorine.
The narrow straps provide minimal foot coverage, allowing your feet to slide sideways off the footbed with the slightest misstep. When the inevitable Velcro failure occurs, you’re suddenly wearing only half a shoe while the other half clings desperately to your toes.
The horror scenario? Walking confidently toward the pool bar only to have your slides disintegrate mid-stride, leaving you awkwardly hopping on one foot while trying to maintain dignity. Save yourself the embarrassment and choose more secure fastening methods.
5. Novelty Text-Print Slides
Witty phrases on your feet make for great social media posts but terrible pool deck experiences. These conversation starters typically feature painted canvas uppers attached to completely smooth, traction-free bases that transform into slip-and-slides with the first splash.
Manufacturers focus entirely on the humorous messaging while neglecting practical considerations like grip patterns or water-resistant materials. The painted surfaces often become slick when wet, compounding the already dangerous base design.
The ultimate irony? Your clever “Pool Hair Don’t Care” slides might be responsible for your unplanned pool entrance, fully-clothed phone in pocket. Keep these strictly for dry Instagram photos and choose function over funny for actual poolside navigation.