Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex Review

Effortless hands-free comfort with almost no arch support

Skechers built the hands-free shoe into a category of its own, and the Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex is where that idea meets the brand’s best-selling walking line. It takes the flexible, low-profile GO WALK Flex and adds the Slip-ins system: a stiff molded panel at the back of the heel that will not collapse when you step in, plus a soft Heel Pillow that grips your heel once you are in. Stretch laces finish the look, so nothing needs tying.

In the GO WALK family the Flex sits below the thicker GO WALK 8 and the Max Cushioning models. It is the lighter, lower, more flexible option: less foam underfoot, more bend at the toes and a closer-to-the-ground feel. Skechers sells it in several styles, including the women’s Grand Entry and the men’s Hands Up, which share the same sole and differ in the upper.

It suits people who want a shoe they can get into with a full grocery bag in each hand, travelers who go through airport security, anyone with a bad back or stiff hips who struggles to bend down and walkers who like a light, flexible shoe for short outings. If your feet need arch support, you walk long distances or you want something that lasts for years, we point to better fits below.

Grand Entry, Hands Up and other GO WALK Flex styles

Names such as Grand Entry and Hands Up identify individual styles within the Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex range. Both feature hands-free entry, a Heel Pillow, ULTRA GO cushioning and an Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole. The differences include upper design, sizing and listed outsole features.

Grand Entry and Hands Up share key comfort technologies, but that does not guarantee identical fit or sole construction. This review covers their shared features; check the exact style and width before buying. Names such as Arch Fit and Max Cushioning indicate different support or cushioning features and deserve a separate comparison.

Specs

Here are the specifications for the Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex, in plain English:

Pros

• Step-in entry that works: the heel panel does not fold under your foot
• Light and very flexible, so it feels easy and natural for casual walking
• Soft memory foam insole and ULTRA GO cushioning feel good from day one
• Machine washable and made from vegan materials
• Inexpensive, and often discounted below list price

Cons

• Almost no arch support, which people with flat feet or heel pain notice quickly
• Owner ratings are mixed, with some finding the fit and heel feel uncomfortable
• The thin, flexible sole gives little protection on long walks
• Limited wide sizing, and the stretch laces cannot be tightened
• Lightweight foam and mesh wear out faster than a sturdier walking shoe

What is new in the Slip-ins GO WALK Flex vs the standard GO WALK Flex

The sole is the same. Both versions ride on Skechers’ lightweight ULTRA GO foam with a super-flexible traction outsole and a memory foam insole, so the cushioning, the bend and the low stack are identical. What the Slip-ins version changes is everything about getting the shoe on.

The back of the heel gets a molded panel, a firm exoskeleton that holds its shape when you push your foot down into the shoe. On a normal slip-on the heel collar folds under your foot and you end up hooking a finger in to fix it; the panel stops that. Inside the heel sits the Heel Pillow, a padded bump that cups the back of your heel so the shoe stays on without laces doing any work. The laces themselves are elastic and decorative, there to keep the look of a sneaker rather than to adjust the fit.

The cost of the convenience is a slightly stiffer, more built-up heel than the standard Flex, which a few people find presses on the back of the foot, and a fit you cannot fine-tune. If you never had trouble bending down to put on shoes, the standard GO WALK Flex gives you the same ride for a little less money.

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Who should buy the Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex

Buy it if getting shoes on is a chore. That covers more people than you might think: anyone with a stiff back or hips, arthritis in the hands, a pregnancy bump, a toddler on one arm or simply a hallway full of shopping bags. The Slip-ins system works as advertised. You point your toes in, push down and the shoe is on, and the Heel Pillow keeps it there while you walk.

It also suits travelers and casual walkers who like a light, flexible shoe. It slips off in a second at airport security, packs flat in a suitcase, weighs little in a carry-on and feels easy on a stroll around a new city or a day of errands. The soft memory foam insole gives it a plush first impression that many people love, and the whole shoe goes in the washing machine when it gets grubby.

And it suits anyone shopping on a budget. At its list price it undercuts most brand-name walking shoes, and it is frequently discounted, so it is a low-risk way to try hands-free shoes before committing to a pricier pair.

Who should probably skip it

Skip it if your feet need support. The insole is a flat piece of memory foam with no arch contour, and the soft sole does nothing to steady a foot that rolls inward, so people with flat feet, plantar fasciitis or a history of heel pain tend to find it comfortable for an hour and tiring after that. Skip it if you walk for exercise or spend all day on hard floors, because the thin, bendy sole leaves your feet doing the work over distance. And skip it if you have wide feet, since most styles come in a single medium width and the elastic laces cannot be let out. For those people, these three are better bets:

• Skechers Arch Fit 2.0: the same easy Skechers feel with a podiatrist-designed contoured insole that supports the arch, still at a budget price (check price | read review).
• Hoka Transport 2: a deeply cushioned, durable walking shoe with a grippy rubber sole for long days on your feet and real distance (check price | read review).
• Brooks Addiction Walker 2: a leather motion-control walker in multiple widths for feet that roll inward and people who stand all day (check price | read review).

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

Fit matters more than usual with a shoe you cannot lace, because there is no way to snug it up or let it out once it is on your foot. The GO WALK Flex runs true to size for most people with a relaxed, sock-like feel through the middle and a medium-width toe box. Here is what to check.

Fit and sizing

Order your usual Skechers size. Length is true to size and the stretchy mesh upper forgives a little variation, so most people get a comfortable fit first time. If you are between sizes, go down rather than up: a slip-in that is too long lets the heel lift, which defeats the Heel Pillow, while a slightly snug pair relaxes within a few wears.

Width is the limitation. Most styles come in medium only, and although the mesh stretches, the molded heel panel does not, so a wide heel can feel pinched. Skechers does offer some GO WALK Flex styles in wide, so if you need one, check the specific listing rather than assuming. High-volume feet, with a tall instep, may find the elastic laces sit tight across the top of the foot.

Upper and step-in comfort

Step-in comfort is where this shoe earns its keep. The Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole molds to your foot the moment you stand on it, the mesh upper is soft and breathable and the Heel Pillow gives a gentle, secure grip at the back. For most people the first impression is a plush, slipper-like shoe.

Not everyone agrees, and the owner ratings on Skechers’ own site are noticeably mixed. The complaints cluster around two things: the firm heel panel pressing on the back of the foot and the heel feel being unusual for people used to a normal collar. Both are worth trying in a store if you can, because they come down to the shape of your heel rather than the size of your foot.

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

This is a casual walking shoe, and it performs like one: light, flexible and comfortable for short outings, with clear limits once you ask it to do more. Here is how each part of the shoe holds up.

Cushioning and ride

Cushioning is the soft layer between your foot and the ground, and here it comes in two parts: a memory foam insole that gives the instant softness and an ULTRA GO foam sole underneath that does the real work. ULTRA GO is a light, springy foam that Skechers uses across its walking range, and in the Flex it is used in a fairly thin layer, so the ride is soft but low, with a bit of bounce and a lot of ground feel.

The shoe bends easily at the toes and even through the middle, which makes walking feel natural and unforced at an easy pace. There is no curved sole to roll you forward; your foot does the flexing. That is pleasant for short walks and a little tiring for long ones.

Ride and walking performance

For errands, travel days, the school run and a walk around the block, the GO WALK Flex is easy and pleasant. It is light enough to forget about, quiet on hard floors and cool enough in warm weather thanks to the mesh upper. The hands-free entry means you actually wear it more, because there is no reason to reach for something easier by the door.

Over longer distances the thin, flexible sole starts to show. After a few miles on pavement the memory foam has compressed under your weight and the ULTRA GO layer is all that is left, which is not much protection. It is not built for fitness walking or all-day sightseeing, and it is not a running shoe.

Stability and support

This is a neutral shoe with very little support of any kind. The insole is flat, so there is no arch contour, and the soft, flexible sole does nothing to slow a foot that rolls inward. What stability there is comes from the low stack, which keeps you close to the ground, and the Heel Pillow and molded panel, which stop the heel sliding around. That is enough for casual use on flat ground.

If you use orthotics, the memory foam insole lifts out, but the shoe is shallow and the elastic laces cannot be loosened, so a thick insert makes it tight. People who need real support should choose a shoe designed for it.

Grip and durability

The molded outsole has a shallow tread cut with deep flex grooves, and it grips dry pavement, floors and grass adequately. It is not a rubber sole, so it is less sure on wet tile and smooth wet concrete, and it is not meant for trails.

Durability is average for the price. The light foam compresses over months of daily wear, the mesh upper can wear through where a toe rubs and the molded sole scuffs on rough pavement. Machine washing helps it look fresh, but expect a season or two of regular use rather than years. At this price that is a fair trade, as long as you know it going in.

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

For casual walking, yes. Errands, travel, a stroll with the dog and getting around town are exactly what it is for, and the light weight, soft insole and flexible sole make those outings feel easy. It is also a good choice for people who stand for short stretches, potter around the house and want a shoe they can get in and out of without bending.

For walking as exercise, standing all day on hard floors or long days of sightseeing, it is the wrong shoe. The sole is too thin to protect your feet over distance, there is no arch support to keep them from tiring and the fixed elastic laces cannot be tightened as the shoe relaxes. A cushioned, supportive walker will serve you far better for those jobs, and we list several above and below.

See also: Our best shoes for walking guide

Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex vs. Skechers GO WALK 8

Skechers sells both as hands-free walking shoes, and the choice between them is the one most shoppers face:

Buy the GO WALK Flex if you want the lightest, most flexible hands-free shoe for short outings and travel, or you prefer to feel the ground. Buy the GO WALK 8 if you will walk further in it and want more foam between you and the pavement; you can read our GO WALK 8 review for the full picture.

Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex alternatives

If you like the hands-free idea but want much more cushioning, the Skechers Slip-ins Max Cushioning Elite puts the same step-in heel on a tall, soft foam platform. It is heavier and less flexible, but it protects your feet far better on long days and hard floors (check price).

The Kizik Athens 2 is the main rival in hands-free shoes. Its collapsible heel springs back into shape and it comes in a wider range of widths, with a more sneaker-like build that lasts longer. It costs considerably more, which is the trade for the better fit options (check price).

People who do not need the step-in heel can save money with the standard Skechers GO WALK Flex, which has the same sole and cushioning with a conventional slip-on or lace-up upper and, on some styles, a wide option (check price).

For a walking shoe with proper structure, the Vionic Walk Max pairs a curved sole and a supportive contoured footbed with a springy foam, which makes it the better choice for anyone whose feet ached in the Flex, though it is a lace-up and costs about twice as much (check price).

Price and value

At $85 list, and often less on sale, the Slip-ins GO WALK Flex is one of the cheapest ways to get a hands-free shoe from a major brand. For the money you get the step-in heel system that works, a soft memory foam insole, a washable vegan upper and a light, flexible sole. What you do not get is support, durability or much protection over distance, and that is where the value case rests: as an easy shoe for errands and travel it is good value, while as a main walking shoe it is a false economy because you will replace it sooner and your feet will tire faster than in a sturdier pair.

Final verdict

Best for: people who want a light, soft, inexpensive shoe they can step into without bending, for errands, travel and short walks.

Avoid if: you need arch support, you walk long distances or stand all day, or you have wide feet.

Fit: true to size and medium width; go down if between sizes, and check the listing for wide, since most styles do not offer it.

Verdict: the Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex does the hands-free trick better than almost anything at its price, and for casual wear it is light, soft and easy to love. It is not a serious walking shoe, and people who need support should look elsewhere, but as a grab-and-go shoe by the front door it earns its place.

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Frequently Asked Questions for the Skechers Slip-ins GO WALK Flex