Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins GO WALK Flex Review

Step-in convenience with soft cushioning but little support

The Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins GO WALK Flex is the shoe that turned Skechers’ step-in idea into a walking shoe. Slip-ins is Skechers’ name for a molded heel, which it calls the Heel Pillow, that stays rigid so you can push your foot in standing up without crushing the back of the shoe or reaching for a shoehorn. The GO WALK Flex is the version built on Skechers’ walking platform, with a light foam midsole and a flexible sole, and it has become one of the brand’s biggest sellers since it arrived in January 2023.

It sits at the accessible end of the GO WALK range. The GO WALK 8 is the flagship walker, the Arch Fit models add a podiatrist-designed supportive insole and the Max Cushioning models pile on foam. The GO WALK Flex keeps things simple and cheap. It is sold in several styles for men and women, including the Hands Up and Grand Entry, which differ in colors and upper details but share the same sole and heel. The buyer is someone who wants a comfortable shoe for daily life that they never have to bend down for: people with limited mobility, parents juggling children, travelers who go through airport security and anyone who is simply tired of laces.

Specs

Here are the specifications for the Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins GO WALK Flex:

Pros

• Genuinely hands-free. Step in standing up and the molded heel does the rest, which is a real help for anyone who struggles to bend.
• Soft, light and comfortable from the first wear, with no break-in.
• Machine washable, so it survives kids, gardens and airport floors.
• Flexible sole bends with the foot and feels natural for casual walking.
• Inexpensive for a shoe from a major brand, and frequently discounted.

Cons

• Very little arch support. Feet that need structure will tire on long days.
• The rigid heel cup that makes it hands-free rubs the back of the ankle on some feet.
• The soft foam packs down faster than a firmer walking shoe, so it is not a long-life purchase.
• The stretch laces on some styles do not adjust the fit, so a foot between sizes has no way to snug it up.
• Standard width only on most styles, and the fit runs snug across the top of the foot.

What is new versus earlier Skechers slip-ons

Skechers has sold slip-on walking shoes for years, but earlier ones relied on a soft, collapsible heel and a stretchy upper that you still had to hook a finger into. The Slip-ins system changed that. The Heel Pillow is a molded, padded heel counter that holds its shape under the pressure of a foot pushing down, so the shoe stays open while you step in and then wraps the heel once you are standing. That single change is what makes the GO WALK Flex a hands-free shoe rather than just a slip-on.

Underfoot, the GO WALK Flex inherits the ULTRA GO foam from the rest of the GO WALK range and pairs it with the Flex Pillars sole, a pattern of separate rubber-and-foam columns that lets the sole bend in several directions. Compared with the older GO WALK slip-ons that used a smoother one-piece sole, it flexes more freely and grips a wider mix of surfaces. The Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole is the same as in most GO WALK shoes. The upper is a lighter mesh than the knit uppers on older slip-ons, which helps in warm weather, and the whole shoe is now machine washable. Since launch Skechers has spun off Slip-ins versions of the GO WALK Arch Fit and Max Cushioning lines for people who want more support or more foam, leaving the Flex as the light, simple, cheapest option.

Who should buy the Skechers GO WALK Flex Slip-ins

Buy it if getting shoes on is a chore. That covers a lot of people: anyone with a bad back, stiff hips, a pregnancy, a knee replacement or arthritic hands, plus anyone who is in and out of the house all day and does not want to sit down to lace up. The hands-free heel works exactly as advertised, and that alone makes this shoe worth having for the people who need it.

It also suits casual walkers who want something light and soft for errands, dog walks, travel days and pottering around. The foam is kind to feet that do not need much support, the sole bends naturally and the mesh keeps things cool. Travelers like it because it goes through airport security without a fuss and washes clean when the trip is over. It is a good second shoe for someone whose main walking shoe is more structured, and at around $80 it is cheap enough to be exactly that. If you have flat or achy feet, though, look at the Arch Fit version of the same idea instead of this one.

Who should probably skip it

Skip it if you need arch support or you stand all day. The insole is flat and the foam is soft, so there is nothing to hold up a tired arch through a long shift, and by mid-afternoon feet that need structure will complain. Skip it if your ankles are sensitive to rubbing, because the rigid heel cup is the most common complaint about the whole Slip-ins family. Skip it if you have wide feet and the style you like does not come in wide, since the mesh upper is snug and does not stretch much. And skip it if you want a shoe to last for years, because soft foam at this price does not.

For those people, these are the better tools:

• Skechers Slip-ins Arch Fit: the same hands-free heel with a podiatrist-designed supportive insole, the obvious upgrade for flat or aching arches (check price).
• Brooks Addiction Walker 2: a leather walking shoe with real support and a slip-resistant sole for people who stand all day at work (check price | read review).
• Kizik Athens 2: another hands-free shoe, with a hinged heel instead of a rigid cup, for people the Skechers heel rubs (check price).

See also our walking shoes guide for more options.

How does the Skechers GO WALK Flex Slip-ins fit?

This is a snug, sock-like fit by design. The upper has to hold your foot without laces doing any work, so it hugs the top of the foot and the heel cup grips firmly. Most people take their usual size, and the shoe loosens a little with wear.

Fit and sizing

True to size for most feet. Length is accurate and the toe box has enough room for toes to spread on an easy walk. The fit across the instep is close, which is what keeps the shoe on, and people with a high instep or a wide forefoot sometimes go up half a size to get comfortable, accepting a little extra length in return. The styles with stretch laces look adjustable but are not; they are sewn in place and only stretch, so you cannot tighten a loose pair. Because there is no adjustment, it is worth trying both your usual size and a half up if you can. Wide widths exist on a handful of styles but not all, so if you need one, filter for it rather than assuming. The shoe fits the same across the Hands Up, Grand Entry and other variants because they share the same sole and heel.

Upper and step-in comfort

The step-in is the party trick and it works. Stand over the shoe, push your toes in and press down with your heel, and the molded heel cup guides your foot into place without folding. There is a small padded tab at the top of the heel that gives your foot something to push against. Once in, the mesh upper is soft and breathes well, and the memory foam insole molds gently to the shape of your foot over the first few wears. The one thing to watch is the heel cup itself. It has to be rigid to work, and on some ankles the top edge sits exactly where the Achilles tendon meets the heel bone and rubs. Thicker socks help, and many people never notice it, but if you have had trouble with firm heel counters before, try these on and walk around the store first.

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How does the Skechers GO WALK Flex Slip-ins perform?

This is a comfort shoe for easy days, and on easy days it is very good. Ask more of it, whether that is a long walk, a long shift or a run, and it becomes clear how little is going on beneath the soft foam.

Cushioning and ride

The ULTRA GO midsole, the foam layer between your foot and the ground, is soft and light. Skechers talks about rebound, but the honest description is that it feels gentle rather than lively: it takes the hardness out of pavement and tile without pushing back. The Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole sits on top and adds a layer of squish that molds to your foot, which is lovely for the first hour and mostly irrelevant after that as it compresses. Together they make for a very easy step-in feel, the sort of shoe you forget you are wearing on a trip to the shops. What they do not provide is any sense of structure, so on a long walk the softness stops feeling like a treat and starts feeling like a lack of support.

Ride and running performance

Walking at a relaxed pace, the Flex Pillars sole bends easily behind the toes and rolls smoothly, and the shoe feels light on the foot. Pick up the pace to a brisk fitness walk and it still copes, though the lack of a secure lacing system means your foot shifts slightly on turns and hills. Running is not what it is for. There is no heel-to-toe geometry to speak of, the foam is too soft to be stable under a running stride and the hands-free heel is not built to hold a foot at speed. A short jog across a parking lot is fine. Anything more and a running shoe is the right tool.

Stability and support

We would classify this as a neutral shoe with minimal support. Nothing inside it is designed to guide or control the foot, the insole is essentially flat and the soft foam lets the foot sink a little rather than holding it up. The rigid heel cup is the only structured element, and it exists to make the step-in work rather than to control the heel, though it does hold the back of the foot reasonably well. The sole is wide enough to feel steady on flat ground. For people with neutral feet and no aches, that is all fine. For anyone who has been told they overpronate, or who feels their arches flatten and ache by afternoon, this shoe will not help, and the Arch Fit version or a more structured walker is the better choice.

Outsole, grip and durability

The outsole is a mix of rubber pads and exposed foam arranged into the Flex Pillars pattern. Grip on dry pavement, store floors and grass is fine, and it copes with light rain, though the exposed foam sections are slick on wet smooth surfaces and the sole is not slip rated for work. Durability is where the price shows. The foam midsole softens and packs down within a few months of daily wear, the exposed foam under the forefoot scuffs and the mesh can wear through at the flex point on heavy users. Expect a season or two of everyday wear, longer if it is a second shoe. The machine-washable build at least keeps it looking fresh for as long as it lasts, and at this price a replacement pair is not a hardship.

Is the Skechers GO WALK Flex Slip-ins good for walking?

For easy walking, yes, and that is what it is designed for. Errands, a mile or two around the neighborhood, travel days spent shuffling through airports and museums and casual strolls on flat ground all suit it. The shoe is light, the foam is soft and the sole bends naturally, so casual walkers with healthy feet will find it very comfortable.

Long walks and long days are a different story. The lack of arch support and the softness of the foam mean feet that need structure start to ache after a few miles or a few hours of standing, and hard floors expose how little firmness there is underneath. It is not a shoe for a full day on concrete at work or for serious fitness walking. Orthotics are a partial fix: the insole is removable and a slim insert fits, but the snug upper leaves little room for a bulky one and the soft midsole limits how much an insert can achieve.

GO WALK Flex Slip-ins versus Skechers GO WALK 8

The GO WALK Flex has no numbered predecessor, so the useful comparison is with the flagship of the same range. Here is how they line up:

Buy the GO WALK Flex when convenience is the priority, you are on and off your feet through the day and you want the cheapest, lightest way into the Slip-ins system. Buy the GO WALK 8 when you walk further at a stretch and want more foam under you, and consider its Slip-ins version if you want both.

Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins GO WALK Flex Alternatives

The GO WALK Flex is a light, soft, hands-free casual walker with little support and a low price. These four each change one part of that recipe.

• Skechers GO WALK 8: more cushioning for longer walks, in both lace-up and hands-free versions (check price | read review).
• Skechers Arch Fit 2.0: a lace-up with a contoured supportive insole for feet that need structure, at a similar price (check price | read review).
• Hoka Transport 2: a far more cushioned and durable everyday walker with a quick-lace system, for people willing to spend more (check price | read review).
• Skechers Slip-ins Max Cushioning: the same hands-free heel on a much thicker foam platform for people who want the convenience with more underfoot (check price).

Price and value

Skechers lists the GO WALK Flex Slip-ins at $80 to $85 depending on the style as of September 2026, and it is routinely discounted at department stores and online. That makes it one of the cheapest ways to get a hands-free shoe from a major brand. What the money buys is the step-in system, a light and comfortable ride for easy days and a shoe you can throw in the washing machine. What it does not buy is support or longevity, and buyers should go in expecting to replace it after a season or two of daily wear. For its intended use, it is good value. As a primary shoe for someone with foot problems, it is a false economy.

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Final verdict

Best for: people who struggle to bend down for shoes, travelers and casual walkers who want a light, soft, washable slip-on for errands and easy days.

Avoid if: you need arch support, you stand all day at work or firm heel counters have rubbed your ankles before.

Fit: true to size and snug across the instep. High insteps may prefer a half size up. Standard width on most styles, wide on a few.

Verdict: the Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins GO WALK Flex delivers exactly what its name promises. The step-in works, the shoe is light and comfortable and the price is right. It is not a supportive shoe and it is not a durable one, so buy it as the easy pair by the door rather than the shoe your feet depend on. For that job it is hard to beat. Check the latest price.

Frequently Asked Questions for Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins GO WALK Flex