Slip On Shoes for Pregnancy: How to Choose a Pair You Can Put On Without Bending

By the third trimester, bending down to tie a shoe can feel like a workout, and feet that fit your favorite sneakers in the morning can be puffy by the afternoon. That is why so many people look for slip on shoes for pregnancy. This guide explains what makes a slip on shoe actually good to wear while pregnant, which styles to be careful with, and how to get a pair on without bending.

This guide is general shopping advice, not medical advice. Some swelling is common in pregnancy, but sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. The NHS advises contacting your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away if that happens.

Why slip on shoes help during pregnancy

No bending to tie laces. As your bump grows, reaching your feet gets harder. A shoe you can step into, or close without bending, saves effort many times a day.
Easier with swelling. Feet and ankles often swell later in the day, especially in hot weather or after standing. A shoe with a wide opening and some give is easier to get on over a swollen foot.
Faster in and out. Appointments, work, the school run: a shoe that goes on in seconds is one less thing.

The catch is that many slip on shoes trade support for convenience. A loose, flat, backless shoe is easy to put on but does little for tired arches or a shifting sense of balance. The best pregnancy slip ons give you both.

What to look for in slip on shoes for pregnancy

1) A secure heel. Your center of gravity moves forward as the bump grows. A shoe that holds your heel stays put when you walk, which matters more than usual now.

2) Arch support and cushioning. Pregnancy weight gain and looser ligaments can flatten the arch. A supportive, cushioned footbed (ideally removable, so you can use an insole you already like) eases foot fatigue.

3) A wide toe box and stretch. Room across the toes and a soft or stretchy upper adapt to swelling during the day.

4) A non slip outsole. A textured rubber sole helps on wet floors, store aisles and stairs.

5) A low, stable heel. A small heel is fine. Very high heels and very soft, wobbly soles both make balance harder.

6) An easy way in that still adjusts. Pure slip ons with no closure cannot be loosened or tightened. Shoes with a zip, elastic laces or hook and loop straps let you set the fit for swollen and non-swollen days and still get in without bending.

Backless slip ons, slides and clogs: are they OK?

Backless shoes are popular in pregnancy because they are the easiest of all to step into. They are fine for short periods, at home or for a quick errand. For longer walks or a full day on your feet, a shoe with a back and some support is the safer choice: without a heel counter your toes grip to keep the shoe on, and there is less to keep you steady if you trip. Flip flops, which offer almost no support, are best kept for the beach.

If you love a backless style, look for one with a contoured footbed, a strap across the instep and a grippy sole.

Slip on sneakers vs zip sneakers

Classic slip on sneakers (elastic gores, no laces) are easy, but the fit is fixed. If your feet swell by a size in the afternoon, there is nowhere to go.
Elastic or lock laces turn a lace up sneaker into a slip on. Set them once with a little extra room.
Zip sneakers open the shoe wide so the foot goes straight in, then close for a supported fit. You keep the laces set loosely and only use the zip.

How to put shoes on without bending

Sit down on a chair or the edge of the bed, not on the floor.
Use a long handled shoe horn to guide your heel in.
Choose shoes that open wide (a rear or front zip, or loose elastic laces) so you can step in.
Put shoes on in the morning, before swelling builds, when you can.
Keep a pair by the door, already set loose, so you are never wrestling with laces.

Sizing: should you size up?

Many people find their feet get wider and sometimes longer in pregnancy, and some find the change stays after the baby arrives. Measure your feet in the afternoon, when they are at their largest, and try shoes then. If a shoe is snug only at the end of the day, a wider fit or an adjustable closure usually helps more than going a full size longer. Our foot sizing tips show how to measure at home.

Easy on shoes from Friendly Shoes

Friendly Shoes are built around Easy Shoe Access: a zip in the back or front of the shoe that opens a much bigger entry, so the foot goes in without forcing. You set the laces once and use the zip, which gives you the ease of a slip on with the support of a sneaker. All styles have removable dual density memory foam footbeds and slip resistant soles.

Excursion Wide (rear zip, mid top, extra width): Excursion Peach Wide, Excursion Navy Wide
Voyage (front zip): Voyage Mint and Peach, Voyage Wider Fit Tornado
Coast (front zip): Coast Blissful Blue

See all women’s shoes. Not sure about the fit? Friendly Shoes can be returned within 30 days if lightly worn indoors (returns policy).

For the full picture, including what changes in each trimester and shoes for work, read our complete guide to the best shoes for pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions

Are slip on shoes good for pregnancy?

Yes, if they also support your feet. Look for a secure heel, arch support, a wide toe box and a non slip sole. Very flat, loose or backless slip ons are fine for short wear but not for long days on your feet.

Are backless shoes safe when pregnant?

They are fine for short periods, at home or for quick errands. For walking or standing for long, a shoe with a back holds your foot better and gives more stability.

What shoes are easiest to put on in the third trimester?

Shoes that open wide and close without bending: zip sneakers, shoes with elastic laces set loose, or supportive slip ons. Sitting down and using a long handled shoe horn helps too.