The Best Machine-Washable Shoes for Every Occasion
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Nothing says summer more than spending time outside, taking walks on the shore, hanging at the park, or hiking with your dog. But the great outdoors can come with a side of dirt. So, it’s smart to consider the best machine-washable shoes when you’re shopping for that perfect pair of warm-weather kicks — especially if you have a love affair with white sneakers for women or men.
In recent years, brands like Rothy’s, Allbirds, Cariuma, and others have increased machine-washable offerings. And the style of shoes available comes in a wide range. Sneakers aren’t the only shoes that can be thrown into the wash for a refresh: You can find flats, comfortable dress shoes, supportive shoes for standing all day, slip-on sneakers for running errands, and more.
Podiatrist Dr. Alissa Kuizinas believes it’s smart to buy machine-washable shoes for a number of reasons. “Buying machine-washable shoes is great because it is easy to keep them clean and free from bacteria and fungus,” Dr. Kuizinas explains. “Just be careful to wash them in cold water and do not use a dryer, otherwise they can shrink.”
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It’s important to keep in mind that even though shoes might be washable, you should still replace them on a regular basis. “Worn-down soles force you to hit the ground at an angle that’s abnormal, which affects your skeleton,” explains podiatrist Dr. Jacqueline Sutera. “This can cause injury or pain.”
Dr. Sutera said the best way to tell if your shoes are worn down is to place them on a flat surface (like a table) and view the shoes at eye-level. If the heels and soles are not even, then it’s time to replace your pair. The bottoms of shoes also often show visible damage. There are ways to extend the life of your shoes, though. Cariuma, a brand that creates sustainable, machine-washable shoes, advises taking preventative measures like adding an anti-slip sole to prevent wear and using a shoehorn to put your shoes on.
It’s smart to incorporate different kinds of shoes, too — and it can’t hurt for maintenance reasons to purchase washable shoes for different purposes. “Having a shoe wardrobe is important,” Sutera said. “You need a pair of slippers, a boot, a few sneakers, a loafer – essentially a range of shoes you can wear depending on the day and activity, and also throughout the day if you need to. Our bodies love moderation and variety, so you should not wear the same shoes all day every day.”
Ahead, the best machine-washable shoes to shop right now, and tips on how to clean white sneakers and more.
Colorways available: Cream, black, gray, blue, red, yellow, and more.
Materials: Bamboo knit, memory foam, cork, Mamona oil, EVA derived from sugarcane, recycled plastics.
Special features: Featherweight, environmentally friendly, vegan, slip on.
What reviewers say: Customers who have purchased the Cariuma IBI Low have voiced high levels of satisfaction with the show. One reviewer said on the Cariuma website that they “won’t wear any other sneaker,” adding that the shoes are well-made and are light and durable. Another added that the shoes are “incredibly comfortable and long lasting.”
Colorways available: Gray, navy, black, olive green, rose, and more
Materials: Canvas and rubber
Special features: Vegan and slip on
What reviewers say: “I’ve owned many pairs of these over the years. I wear them both as daily shoes and office shoes and they are super durable and comfortable. I don’t have to wear them in, they are good to go after buying them. I wear them to the river and while in the dirt and they have good traction.”
Colorways available: White, navy, light blue, lilac, and red
Materials: Canvas, leather, rubber
Special features: Slip-on style
What Reviewers Say: “Wore them on a trip to Europe walking around cobble stone roads and miles and miles a day, and not once were my feet sore! They’re so cute and light but offer great comfort.”
Materials: Cotton, canvas, leather, elastic
Special features: Slip-on style, flex and fold technology
What reviewers say: “Have worn these out several times and get compliments everywhere. They are stylish and of course, very comfortable!”
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Colorways available: Black
Materials: Mesh, synthetics, rubber, memory foam
Special features: Oil- and slip-resistant sole
What Reviewers Say: “I had these for 3 years and I work two jobs, these shoes have lasted me and they are non slip, the cushion is amazing, they help a lot so your feet don’t ache like other shoes.”
Related: The Most Comfortable Safety Shoes for Women
Colorways available: Black, white, teal, beige, tan, and pink
Materials: Eucalyptus fiber, SwiftFoam, natural rubber
Special features: Stabilizing insole
What reviewers say: “These shoes are great! From the moment I put them on they’ve been a dream to wear. Comfortable, stylish, and the level of support I needed. I’ve got so many compliments on them and they are so comfy I don’t want to wear any other shoes!”
Related: The Best Long-Distance Running Shoes
Colorways available: White, black, gray, and more
Materials: Canvas, orthotic insert, rubber
Special features: Orthotic insole
What reviewers say: “I bought these for my trip to Italy. I knew I would be walking a lot so I wanted a light weight sneaker with support. These sneakers did not disappoint. 50K steps in 3 days. I highly recommend.”
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Colorways available: Black, gray, navy, olive, blue, and more
Materials: Recycled plastic water bottles, antimicrobial footbed made with algae foam and extra cushion, waxed cotton laces, natural rubber
Special features: Constructed with sustainable materials
What reviewers say: “This is my fourth pair of Greats. All very comfortable and seem to be long lasting as well.”
Colorways available: Black, white
Materials: Rothy’s signature thread (spun from plastic bottles)
Special features: Durable outsoles, flexible straps
What reviewers say: “I love these little Mary Janes. They are ultra comfortable and class up a casual outfit while keeping it casual. I do wish there was a bit more sole and foot support but overall they are great for walking around as a tourist without looking sloppy!”
Related: The Best Comfortable Flats for Women
Colorways available: White, gray, blue, yellow, brown, cream, and more
Materials: Porpelium, lightweight propelium, elastic stretch rebound TechLoom
Special features: Strategically placed ventilation; laces can tuck in
What reviewers say: “I love these shoes so much! They are incredibly light, great for running and I’ve always been an Asics fan, but I’ve evolved to APLs! My body doesn’t hurt after my runs and I love working out in them as well.”
Colorways available: White, black, red, navy, and many more
Materials: Primeknit, textile, Continental Better Rubber, Parley Ocean Plastic, recycled polyester
Special features: Lightweight build compared to other Ultraboost sneakers
What reviewers say: “Incredibly comfortable. I have had five pairs of Ultraboosts over the last few years and love them. These are the absolute most comfortable gym shoes I’ve worn.”
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Colorways available: Black, white, pink, blue, yellow, gray, mint green, and more
Materials: Flexweave woven textile upper, Floatride Energy Foam, rubber
Special features: Responsive cushioning, breathable upper
What reviewers say: “This shoe is very comfortable and incredibly durable, it is the only shoe I have been wearing for over 8 months.”
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What to Look for In the Best Washable Shoes
When you’re searching for the best machine-washable shoes, there are a few key factors to look out for including material and purpose.
- Materials: “Most often mesh, nylon, or canvas shoes are machine washable,” says Dr. Kuizinas. “Many materials like leather or suede cannot be machine washed.” The added benefit of these washable materials is that they’re ideal for summertime wear, as they tend to be more breathable.
- Weight: “I would look for shoes that are relatively flexible and can bend easily, are lightweight, and are made of materials that are lightweight and amenable to washing,” Dr. Kuizinas explains. “Heavier, stiffer shoes will be less likely to tolerate the washing machine as well.”
- Cost: As for cost, Dr. Kuizinas said the price point on washable shoes can vary. “Any price point can be appropriate for machine-washable shoes, but generally the range from $30-150 makes sense.”
How We Selected the Best Machine-Washable Shoes
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
Footwear News editors selected the best machine-washable shoes via product testing, footwear market research and parsing through and comparing customer reviews on seller websites including brand websites or third-party sellers such as Amazon. The selection process also called for a comparison of shoe washing and care instructions shared by brands for the shoe style selections. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Alissa Kuizinas is a Massachusetts-based board-certified podiatrist. She received her degree from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and completed residency at Hoboken University Medical Center.
Dr. Jacqueline Sutera is an NYC-based surgically trained doctor of podiatric medicine specializing in the prevention and treatment of foot pathology. She graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Philosophy. She later attended the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, where she earned the degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). She is a proud member and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association and the New York State Podiatric Medical Society.
Meet the Author
Morgan Hines is a writer who covers topics related to lifestyle, entertainment, travel, health, and food. Her work has been published in outlets like USA Today, Shape, and Forbes. To write this story on the best machine-washable shoes, Hines interviewed a board-certified podiatrist for their tips on selecting the best options and what to look for in washable shoes. Hines also researched the market and canvassed customer reviews to complete this guide.
