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7 Best Shower Shoes of 2024 for College, the Gym and Beyond
Wear these waterproof shoes and sandals in college campus bathrooms.
College dorms, campgrounds, gyms, beaches and swimming pools all have one thing in common: public showers. While you may remember to bring bath towels and a shower caddy, shower shoes should be at the top of your packing list to protect your feet from fungi and foot warts. The best shower shoes are any waterproof shoes that are easy to take on and off, feature traction on the outsole to prevent you from slipping on wet bathroom floors and will be comfortable for you to walk in once they get wet.
The good news is you don't have to buy any specially designed footwear — any sandals, slides, flip-flops or clogs that are entirely waterproof will do. "Waterproof materials are the most important thing to look for in shower shoes," says Emma Seymour, the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst at the GH Institute. It's also best to avoid any fabric lining or straps. "This fabric will absorb water and become stinky over time," Seymour explains.
Foam and waterproof are typically not used in the same sentence, but these slides feature Adidas' Cloudfoam technology and EVA outsole that are quick-drying, yet feel ultra-cushioned. Easily slide these shoes on and off (hence the name!) and enjoy the supported, comfortable feel beneath your feet as you take a shower.
A personal favorite among GH staff, these sandals come at a reasonable price with 26 color options and a large size range. One editor says no other sandals compare to the plush foam feel of Adidas slides. Testers raved about the "cloud-like" footbed and lightweight feel of the shoes.
The upper foot band is made of a quick-drying synthetic rubber and its iconic Adidas stripes give these slides a classic look that will pair well with the brand's track pants, gym shorts or a fluffy bathrobe after a shower.
Sizes: 4–18 | Material: Synthetic rubber
Shower shoes do not need a ton of bells and whistles. Old Navy's classic flip-flops are as simple as it gets with a flat footbed and rubber straps. Water will roll right off of these shoes and the minimalistic design allows your feet to breathe and dry quicker.
The soles are thin, so these aren't the best option to wear while walking long distances. They have little to no support, but these no-fuss flip-flops keep your feet off the ground — which is all you truly need in a shower shoe. Plus, these sandals are one of the most inexpensive options on the market at less than $5 a pair. Shop Old Navy's flip-flops in women's or men's sizes and browse the brand's full flip-flop collection in a variety of patterns and color options.
Sizes: 5–11 | Material: EVA, PVC and derived materials from sugarcane
If you are always overdue for a pedicure, you dislike showing your toes or you have to walk outside to get to the shower, a closed-toe shoe can keep your toes clean and covered. Feet will still dry quickly thanks to the holes in the upper, but your toes will be protected from dirt and mud.
Crocs and their aesthetic are always up for debate, but here at GH we are huge fans of the clog-like EVA shoes. They're sturdy, and the outer sole has a great grip to prevent you from slipping. Walk comfortably to the shower from your dorm, campsite or wherever you may be without your shoes flying off thanks to the secure back strap.
Sizes: Women's 4–19 and men's 2–17 | Material: EVA
Walk from class or work straight into the shower with Birkenstock's Arizona Essentials sandals that are waterproof and stylish. These sandals have everything we love about the brand's legendary leather Arizona Sandals with only a few key differences to make them shower-friendly. These waterproof sandals are made entirely of EVA, the bottom has a gridded material to prevent slipping and the thick platforms make walking outside (and stepping on a pebble) no issue.
Our editors and experts at GH love Birkenstock sandals for their molded insoles that are fashionable and designed for everyday comfort. Available in 13 colors including bright pink and blue, these shower shoes have molded insoles to stabilize feet in their natural position for healthy feet, ankles and calf muscles. Plus, we love that the shoes are offered in wide or narrow sizes with adjustable straps to find your perfect fit.
Sizes: Women's 4–12.5 and men's 6–13.5 | Material: EVA
Rather than frequently replacing flip-flops every time the strap breaks, investing in a higher-quality pair allows your dollar to go further in the long run, especially if you grab them while they're on sale.
These Havaianas flip-flops are still minimalistic in design, but they're built with a few more bells and whistles than their cheaper counterparts. The outer sole features a non-slip bottom to create traction for safer walking around the bathroom and online reviewers say the rubber straps last a long time without breaking.
It's difficult to fit everything you need for college or a beach vacation into a small suitcase, but you can easily fit these compact, slim flip-flops into any weekender bag, beach tote, shower caddy or drawer in a college dorm. And with 32 color options and over 19,000 five-star reviews, you cannot go wrong with these sandals.
Sizes: 1–12 | Material: Rubber
Luckily for everyone who loves Crocs but wants an open-toe shower shoe, the brand also makes slides that are just as comfortable as their clog counterparts. Kids (and adults!) will love customizing these slides that come in 23 different colors with jibbitz and charms while still enjoying the breathability of an open-toe sandal.
Made from EVA, our testers noted that these waterproof sandals take it a step further with ridges around the footbed that move water away from your feet. One tester loved the traction on the outsole that made walking around slippery showers and poolsides easy. The product's description recommends sizing down and one tester noted that the shoes felt loose on her narrow feet.
Sizes: Women's 4–17 and men's 2–15 | Material: EVA
Wear these waterproof recovery shoes in a gym shower after a long run on the treadmill for cradled support in your toes, feet and ankles.
Our experts in the GH Textile Lab and staff resident runners love the OOFOS brand for its supreme foam materials. Taking comfort to another level, the OOFOS OOriginal Sandals are made with "OOfoam" technology that absorbs 37% more impact than comparable shoes as you walk and reduces stress on your joints and feet, according to the brand. "These sandals are so comfortable, and I throw them right into the washer if they get dirty," said one GH editor.
Boasting over 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, these flip-flops are available in 11 colors and a large size range with 14 options. And if you're not a fan of the thong strap in between your toes, opt for the brand's OOahh Slides, which our testers loved for their arch support and comfort after long runs. Both shoes are only offered in whole sizes, but we recommend sizing down because the shoes tend to run on the bigger side.
Sizes: Women's 5–18 and men's 3–16 | Material: Closed-cell foam
What to look for in a shower shoe
The best shower shoe will ultimately come down to personal preference, but if you consider where and when you will be wearing them, there are a few key features you can look for to find the perfect pair for you:
✔️ Material: The shoes should be made of only waterproof materials. Choose shoes entirely made of rubber or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which is a flexible type of plastic that is used in footwear. "Materials like rubber and EVA are popular for shower shoes as the material won’t absorb water, which would cause damage or a stinky odor," Seymour notes. She also advises against any fabric lining in shower shoes.
✔️ Outer sole: Bathroom and shower floors can get slippery, so it's important to wear shoes with a grip on the bottom that will prevent you from sliding and falling. "Opt for shoes that have decent traction on the outsole to prevent slipping on wet tiles," Seymour says.
✔️ Footbed: Flip-flops tend to be made with a flat, thin footbed, but there are sandals with molded, supportive footbeds that will be better for your feet while standing and walking. "While shower shoes lack sufficient arch support for long-term wear, some styles have contoured footbeds," Seymour says. She recommends looking for styles advertised as recovery shoes, such as the OOFOS OOriginal Sandal.
✔️ Sizes: Slides without an adjustable strap have the tendency to be looser, so it's important to follow the brand's recommendation when picking a size. Ideally, sandals will come in wide or narrow sizing so you can experience the most comfort while wearing the shoes.
✔️ Toe box: Choosing between a closed toe box or an open sandal is entirely up to personal preference, but Seymour says there may be situations where one is better suited than the other: "Slides and flip flops are convenient for easy on/off. Closed-toe styles offer more coverage and protection if you accidentally drop something." Closed-toe shower shoes can also come in handy if you are walking outside, especially at a campground or beach.
Shop more college essentials
Looking for more than just shower shoes? Check out these guides to find the perfect items to complete your college packing list:
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Isabella Cavallo is the Assistant Commerce Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She covers all things shopping and has experience comparing all sorts of products to find the best picks on the market. Along with using her own experience with shower shoes and perusing our many roundups of the best sandals, slides and flip-flops,
Cavallo also consulted with Emma Seymour, the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst at the GH Institute, to gain insight on what materials to look for and avoid in shower shoes. Seymour has experience testing shoes, sandals and sneakers in the Textiles Lab and she graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology.
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