Our verdict
- Our top pick in best slip-on walking shoes
- Our top pick in best lightweight walking shoes
Pros
- Like walking on soft clouds
- Super lightweight
- Easy to put on and off
- Very affordable
- Highly flexible
- Surprisingly durable upper
- Suitable for casual attire
Cons
- Lacks breathability
- Exposed foam wears out fast
- Memory Foam doesn't last long
Audience verdict
- Top 21% in walking shoes
- Top 29% in Skechers walking shoes
Comparison
The most similar walking shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 91 Great! | 90 Great! | 90 Great! | 89 Good! | |
Price | $65 | $85 | $60 | $75 | |
Arch-support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Condition | - | Heavy person | - | - | |
Orthotic-friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 6.9 oz / 197g 8.1 oz / 230g | 8.8 oz / 249g ‐ | 6.2 oz / 175g ‐ | 7.7 oz / 219g ‐ | |
Lightweight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Breathability | Warm | Warm | Warm | Warm | |
Use | For standing all dayTravelCityDisneyEuropeFor nurses | For standing all dayTravelCityDisneyEuropeFor nursesRecovery | For standing all dayTravelCityDisneyEuropeFor nurses | For standing all dayTravelCityDisneyEuropeFor nurses | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Soft | Soft | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Normal | Small | Big | Big | |
Insole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Removable-insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Big | Normal | Big | Big | |
Torsional rigidity | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Heel counter stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Heel tab | Finger loop | Finger loop | Finger loop | Finger loop | |
Drop lab | 15.8 mm | 13.3 mm | 9.5 mm | 9.0 mm | |
Heel stack lab | 36.4 mm | 35.3 mm | 32.7 mm | 33.0 mm | |
Forefoot | 20.6 mm | 22.0 mm | 23.2 mm | 24.0 mm | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Narrow | Medium | Medium | |
Closure | Slip-on | Slip-on | Slip-on | Slip-on | |
Toebox durability | Decent | Good | Decent | Good | |
Heel padding durability | Good | Bad | Decent | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Bad | Bad | Bad | Bad | |
Midsole width in the forefoot | Average | Average | Narrow | Average | |
Midsole width in the heel | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Outsole hardness | Very soft | Very soft | Very soft | Soft | |
Outsole thickness | |||||
Tongue padding | Average | Thin | Thin | Thin | |
Tongue: gusset type | Bootie | Sock like | Sock like | Sock like | |
Memory-foam | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | |
Material | Mesh | - | Mesh | Mesh | |
Ranking | #7 Top 21% | #11 Top 33% | #13 Top 39% | #18 Bottom 47% | |
Popularity | #19 Bottom 44% | #20 Bottom 41% | #13 Top 39% | #18 Bottom 47% |
Who should buy
We think that this basic walking shoe from Skechers is going to suit guys and gals who:
- want a slip-on shoe that's super quick to put on and take off
- need an exceptionally lightweight daily beater
- look for a no-frills budget-friendly option
- prefer plush cushioning with Memory Foam
Who should NOT buy
There is absolutely no arch support in the Skechers Summits. If you struggle with overpronating feet or weak ankles, we definitely recommend reaching for the Skechers Arch Fit instead. This shoe comes in dozens of various styles and colorways.
And if you are willing to stretch your budget in return for higher quality, better breathability, and more lasting construction, consider the On Cloud 5 or the Cloud 5 Push.
Breathability
This may come as a surprise, but this seemingly light and mesh-covered Skechers shoe really lacks in the breathability department.
Comparing the Summits to other walking shoes in our lab, we found that the air barely passes through its upper textile. In the video below, we pumped smoke through the uppers of both shoes at the same speed but you can see how the Skechers Summits is only letting out a tiny streak.
For that reason, we rated the shoe's breathability as only 2 out of 5.
To support our findings, we also put the upper through a transparency test. Holding the half-cut shoe against the light, we didn't see any perforations or pores that would be large enough to let the light shine through.
Looking at the upper through our microscope, it seems like the shoe's tightly woven fabric is the one to blame.
Summits | 2 |
Average | 2.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
The shoe's slightly warm upper really paid off when it came to the durability test.
Applying our Dremel to the shoe's toebox material at a 5K RPM speed, we were surprised to find that it didn't leave a see-through hole! Because the tool only damaged the topmost layer of the upper, we rated this shoe's toebox durability as 3 out 5.
Not bad for a $65 shoe!
Summits | 3 |
Average | 3.2 |
Heel padding durability
It was also nice to see that such a sensitive area as the heel padding stood up to the test just fine!
After applying the Dremel for 4 seconds at a 5K RPM speed, all we saw was a mere scratch. Thus, the heel padding received a solid 5 out of 5 score for durability.
Way to go, Skechers!
Summits | 5 |
Average | 2.3 |
Outsole hardness
When it comes to the outsole, we wouldn't expect the same level of wear resistance from the Summits. The nature of the foam is too soft to withstand regular contact with asphalt and concrete.
Measuring its hardness with a durometer, we only got 53 HC, whereas walking shoes on average have an outsole hardness of 73.1 HC.
![Skechers Summits Outsole hardness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-outsole-hardness-20410405-main.jpg)
Summits | 53.0 HC |
Average | 77.5 HC |
Outsole durability
Quite expected, the shoe's "outsole" failed when we tested its abrasion resistance with our Dremel.
Having drilled the material for 22 seconds at a speed of 10K RPM, the damage was much larger compared to other shoes.
We measured the depth of the dent with the help of a tread gauge and got 2.5 mm. That's a millimeter deeper than average!
If you plan to wear the Skechers Summits outside daily, you will likely need a replacement after one season.
Summits | 2.5 mm |
Average | 1.4 mm |
Outsole thickness
Because there is no outsole protecting the shoe's exposed foam, we expect a shorter-than-average life span from this walking shoe.
Summits | 0.0 mm |
Average | 3.0 mm |
Weight
The Summits shoe is definitely on the lighter side of the spectrum of Skechers shoes.
Weighing it on our scale, we got 8.1 oz (230g), which is an ounce lighter than walking shoes on average!
This is the kind of shoe that can make you feel like you forgot to put your shoes on in the morning.
Summits | 6.95 oz (197g) |
Average | 9.95 oz (282g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
Amazingly, for its super light weight, this Skechers shoe managed to pack more cushioning than average!
Measuring its heel stack with a caliper, we got 36.4 mm of height. This is about 5 mm thicker than average. Walking in the Summits, we indeed felt very comfy and well-cushioned.
![Skechers Summits Heel stack](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-heel-stack-20410407-main.jpg)
Summits | 36.4 mm |
Average | 32.0 mm |
Forefoot stack
Upfront in the forefoot, we found the midsole to be 20.6 mm thick. This is the same stack height as the average of walking shoes.
There is enough foam to keep the balls of the feet comfortable, while still letting the foot bend naturally as it transitions from heel to toe.
![Skechers Summits Forefoot stack](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-forefoot-stack-20410406-main.jpg)
Summits | 20.6 mm |
Average | 21.6 mm |
Drop
Comparing the difference in stack heights, we get a heel-to-toe drop of 15.8 mm. This is significantly taller than average, offering generous cushioning under the heel.
However, some of that drop gets lost as the Memory Foam insole squishes to take the shape of your foot.
![Skechers Summits Drop](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-drop-20410409-main.jpg)
Summits | 15.8 mm |
Average | 10.4 mm |
Midsole softness
Using our durometer, we measured the shoe's foam at 21.1 HA. That's a whole 21% softer than our lab-tested walking shoes.
Like most Skechers shoes, the Summits feels marshmallow soft!
Summits | 21.1 HA |
Average | 26.0 HA |
Insole thickness
The Skechers Summits uses a Memory Foam insole to make its wearers even happier. This material molds to the shape of your foot to provide that customized padding. No wonder our insole measurement came out so big - the insole is nearly a centimeter thick (9.6 mm)!
But as much as we enjoyed the memory foam effect, it deteriorated way too quickly. We couldn't feel it as vividly after about a week of regular wear.
Summits | 9.6 mm |
Average | 5.9 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
If you are looking for support and stability in this Skechers shoe, we recommend looking elsewhere (hint: Skechers Arch Fit).
The Summits was made as a 100% neutral walking shoe. There is no added arch support or any other features that would help to stabilize the gait. This shoe is meant to move along with the foot naturally.
Torsional rigidity
There is not even a bit of torsional stiffness in the Skechers Summits.
As our manual assessment shows, the shoe has zero resistance to bending and twisting. Thus, we rated its torsional rigidity with the lowest score of 1 out of 5.
Summits | 1 |
Average | 2.8 |
Heel counter stiffness
The heel counter is just as pliable as the rest of the shoe. On a scale from 1 to 5 where 5 is the stiffest, we rated it as 1.
A firm foothold is not to be expected here.
Summits | 1 |
Average | 2.3 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
The shoe has an average-width platform that is neither too narrow nor wide. We found its landing surface to be just right for a neutral walking shoe.
Measuring the widest part of the sole in the forefoot, we got 107.2 mm.
![Skechers Summits Midsole width in the forefoot](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-midsole-width-in-the-forefoot-20410415-main.jpg)
Summits | 107.2 mm |
Average | 111.6 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
As for the widest part of the heel, our caliper shows 88.6 mm. This is less than a millimeter away from the average measurement.
![Skechers Summits Midsole width in the heel](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-midsole-width-in-the-heel-20410416-main.jpg)
Summits | 88.6 mm |
Average | 90.1 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
The Skechers Summits is a highly flexible shoe, even compared to its companions from the same brand.
Based on our force gauge, it took us as little as 6.6N to bend the shoe to a 90-degree angle. That's a whopping 180% less than it takes a walking shoe on average!
Summits | 6.6N |
Average | 20.2N |
Grip / Traction
The shoe grips dry outdoor surfaces pretty well. However, we recommend staying away from wet floors or wood as the lack of rubber makes this Summits shoe a slippery disaster.
Size and fit
Toebox width at the widest part
The Skechers Summits fits just as expected in our regular walking shoe size. Our toes had enough room in the toebox and the material had just enough give for a snug but non-restrictive fit.
Measuring the widest part of the shoe's forefoot with a caliper, we got 98.8 mm. That's nearly the same as the average.
![Skechers Summits Toebox width at the widest part](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-toebox-width-at-the-widest-part-20410417-main.jpg)
Summits | 98.8 mm |
Average | 99.2 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
The shoe's toebox remains spacious enough around the toes too. Measuring its width at the big toe, we got 77.3 mm. Less than a millimeter narrower than the average.
![Skechers Summits Toebox width at the big toe](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-toebox-width-at-the-big-toe-20410418-main.jpg)
Summits | 77.3 mm |
Average | 78.6 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
As a slip-on shoe, the Skechers Summits has a fully integrated tongue.
![Skechers Summits Tongue: gusset type](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-tongue-gusset-type-20410419-main.jpg)
Summits | Bootie |
Bungee laces
The shoe features a bungee-laced instep in place of a conventional lacing system. The bungee laces cannot be used to adjust the fit; however, they stay taut, providing a lockdown when the foot is inside, and stretch easily when the trainer is being taken off or put on.
Comfort
Tongue padding
As there is no tongue per se, we measured the thickness of the upper right above the instep. Our caliper returned 4.7 mm which is about the same amount of padding as the average.
![Skechers Summits Tongue padding](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-tongue-padding-20410421-main.jpg)
Summits | 4.7 mm |
Average | 5.3 mm |
Heel tab
This Skechers slip-on is pretty easy to put on in the first place. However, the brand still added a handy pull tab at the back to assist the wearer.
![Skechers Summits Heel tab](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-heel-tab-20410422-main.jpg)
Summits | Finger loop |
Removable insole
The shoe's Memory Foam insole is removable. This is a good thing given how fast its effect is wearing out. You can revive the shoe's underfoot comfort by replacing the insole.
![Skechers Summits Removable insole](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-removable-insole-20410424-main.jpg)
Summits | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
There are no reflective elements on the Skechers Summits.
![Skechers Summits Reflective elements](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/28938/skechers-summits-reflective-elements-20410420-main.jpg)
Summits | No |