I am a parent of a toddler, so I spend a lot of time on my feet chasing said toddler. The season has us running everywhere from the park to the pool, which means I need a reliable pair of shoes that won’t leave my feet sore at the end of the day (especially since I’m flat-footed). After trying many pairs of sneakers, I rediscovered a brand I once loved for its shiny platform styles in the ’90s: Skechers.
While Skechers still offers plenty of fun and bright options for kids, the brand has gone through a design overhaul in the last decade, offering stylish orthotic options for adults. Like the Dynamight Slip-On Sneakers ($65), which I now swear will get me through long days filled with walking, running, and catching up with my lightning-quick toddler.
These shoes are truly one of the best purchases I have ever made and as a fitness enthusiast I have worn them many sneakers. They’re lightweight, easy to slip on, and comfortable enough to support my flat feet and sore heels after a day of little mommies.
What makes these a foot friendly option?
memory foam
The insoles of these slip-on shoes are made of viscoelastic, a material made of polyurethane. Memory foam can help comfort and support areas of the feet because it conforms to the shape of your foot. Since swapping out flip flops for these slip-ons, I’ve noticed significantly less pain in my heels after a long day, and I give credit to the comfortable memory foam.
heel height
Shoes that are completely flat ~surprise~ are not the best for your feet. “Everyone is born with a fat pad on the bottom of their foot — think the chubby bottom of a baby’s foot — but, over time, excessive use of ‘bad’ shoes wears it down,” Jackie Sutera, DPM, a New York City-based podiatrist, previously told us. He explained, “So while heels definitely do that to you, it may be more surprising to learn that unsupportive flats and sneakers will wear that fat pad out just as quickly.”
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Ultimately, that’s why I had to forego the flip-flops and go for a more athletic design: These sneakers have a small 1¼-inch heel to help maintain proper foot alignment and weight distribution. When I wear them, I can feel my arches lift and not sag in the middle, which means less tightness and tension when I get home.
Pros and cons
Pro: You can put them on in seconds.
These slippers take no time to slip on, making them just as convenient as my trustee flip flops.
Pro: They are super comfortable.
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about slip-ons; when I think of them, I have memories of the Ked-era flats that don’t really provide arch support. Not to mention, those fabrics were heavy and made me feel a bit like I was wearing bricks around my feet.
Fortunately, these slip-ons are anything but. The diamond-patterned mesh material is comfortably lightweight, and the memory foam insole is just enough to support my arches and heels, which has made a world of difference in my walking game.
Pro: They are stylish and there is one for everyone.
I have the all black Skechers Dynamights, and what can I say? I love that they go with everything. If I’m heading to a yoga class, looting the grocery store, or attending Mommy and Me at the library, they work. Whether I wear leggings, jeans or a sundress, these go well with everything and give my uniform a sporty touch.
Disadvantage: memory foam retains heat.
Memory foam tends to retain body heat, so you may notice a little more sweat than usual. A word of advice to the wise: wear socks if you sweat a lot.
Overall these slip ons have been a lifesaver for me. And at $65 each, I can buy several of them and always be ready for a day of toddler-friendly adventures (not wanting to soak my feet in ice at the end of the day).
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