Slip-On

Nothing fastens on a slip-on. The cut of the opening, the snugness of the topline and the grip of the heel counter do all of the holding. A heel counter is the stiff cup built into the back of the shoe that stops the heel sliding out. Loafers, pumps, mules, ballet flats and clogs work this way. The whole category rises or falls on how well those three elements match your foot.

Because the fit is fixed at purchase, sizing tolerance is close to zero. A slip-on a half size large slaps at the heel with every step; a half size small presses the instep with no way to relieve it. Try them in the afternoon, when feet are at their largest, and walk enough to feel whether the heel lifts. Hidden elastic at the topline adds a few millimeters of forgiveness, and a padded collar helps grip a narrow heel.

The rewards are speed and a clean line: no hardware interrupts the upper, entry takes a second, and airport security stops being a chore. Feet that swell through the day are the poor match, since a slip-on cut for a morning foot can pinch by evening, and there is nothing to loosen.