Expert consulted: 
As someone who's perpetually five minutes late, taking the extra minute to get my shoes on properly is the last thing I want to do when I'm already crunched for time. I've damaged so many of my favorite sneakers by jamming my heels into them before rushing out the door. So when a coworker recommended Kizik, an innovative slip-on walking shoe brand to me, I knew I needed to put them to the test.
Kizik is a sneaker brand that makes comfortable shoes you can easily slide your feet into, completely hands-free. Whether you're always running late, have mobility concerns or want a travel shoe to make airport TSA a breeze, they're designed to slide on effortlessly without the need to bend over, tie any laces or damage the shoe itself.
To put these claims to the test, I walked over 18,000 steps in a pair of Kizik Milan sneakers, wearing them from grocery store runs to errands throughout New York City. Emma Seymour, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, also conducted Lab testing on the Kizik Athens sneaker with a group of consumer participants.
Pros
- Easy slip on and off
- Comparable to other popular sneaker styles
- Comfortable
- Features traditional flat laces
Cons
- Runs narrow
- Little support
| Sizes | 6 - 13 |
|---|---|
| Colors | 17 |
| Widths | Regular |
| Material | Knit, leather |
What sets Kizik apart from other walking shoes?
Like many popular walking shoes, Kizik sneakers are designed for comfort and come in a variety of stylish silhouettes, from sporty styles like Athens to the trendy Milan silhouette. Their key standout feature is actually on the inside of the design: each shoe features a built-in plastic cage within the heel. The cage's flexible lattice design compresses as you slip into the shoe and springs back to keep your foot in place, allowing you to put the shoe on completely hands-free.
"I have tested over 50 different sneakers at Good Housekeeping and have never seen a feature like that from any other brand — and it really works," Seymour says. "It’s great for anyone with mobility concerns who needs a shoe that’s easy to take on and off without bending over, but it’s really just convenient for everyone."
While slip-on shoes are nothing new in the footwear world, Kizik shoes offer a hands-free experience while looking and functioning just like a regular sneaker. Most styles, including the Athens and Milan sneakers we tested, have functional laces that can be tied and adjusted for a secure fit.
Pros
- Easy on and easy off
- Roomy toe box
- Comfortable
- Gender neutral
Cons
- Minimal support
- Not for heavy impact exercises or running long distances
| Sizes | 6 - 13 |
|---|---|
| Colors | 15 |
| Widths | Regular, wide |
| Material | Nylon, leather |
What Kizik shoes should I buy?
Kiziks come in 15 different silhouettes for women and men, plus six kids' styles. Every shoe is named after a different city across the world and is separated into athletic, fashion and "rugged" styles to suit different activities. All silhouettes feature Kizik's signature slip-on heel cage.
Our testers tried out the Athens sneaker — a best-seller for its chunky, cushioned midsole and sporty knit upper. It features an exposed heel cage that's integrated into the shoe's design, giving it a modern, eye-catching appearance. It comes in 15 different colors, including a classic black and white option or a flashy fuchsia and jungle green.
I tested the Milan shoe, which is easy to pair with both activewear and more elevated outfits like jeans and trousers. Unlike the Athens, this style has an invisible heel cage that's hidden inside the shoe. The sleek, low-profile silhouette reminds me of popular sneakers like Adidas Sambas, Tretorn Rawlins or even the pricier Maison Margiela Low Tops. Plus, in my opinion, the suede accents give them a luxe look.
.png?crop=1xw:1.00xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Athens")
Kizik Athens
Kizik Milan
Kizik Madrid
Kizik Venice
Are Kizik shoes comfortable?
Our testers found the Athens sneakers to be quite comfy. All of our testers ranked the Kizik Athens sneaker an impressive 5/5 score on cushion, plus an average of 4.75/5 on comfort. "They're very comfortable, like walking on clouds," one tester said. But keep in mind, a few testers (including Seymour) noted that the ankle and arch support could be better. For that reason, we recommend these shoes for casual wear or everyday walking rather than running long distances.
While I immediately noticed how soft and cushioned heels of the Milan sneakers were, I did feel some strain on my ankles after walking several miles in them. My feet are somewhat flat and I have a a tendency to pronate (meaning my ankles and arches roll inwards as I walk), so I require more support than the average person.
Thankfully, all Kizik insoles are removable (and washable!), so I plan on swapping them with some orthotic inserts to give my feet some additional support. Since I enjoy the look of the Milans so much, I don't mind spending a few extra dollars to make them feel as comfortable as possible.
Are Kizik shoes good for travel?
The brand's plush cushioning, lightweight feel and easy-on, easy-off design makes them an excellent shoe for traveling. "Because of their unique design for easy on and easy off, it’s much quicker to put these shoes on which can be helpful when traveling," Seymour says. Experts recommend prioritizing comfort, construction and weight when it comes to travel shoes, and Kizik checks all of those boxes.
Do Kizik shoes run big or small?
Kizik sneakers come in women's standard sizes 6 to 13 and men's sizes 4.5 to 15, and select styles are available in wide sizes. We found that sizing for Kizik varies from shoe to shoe. While our testers all reported that the Athens style ran true to size, the Milan sneakers run slightly small, which is noted on Kizik's website based on customer reviews. I'm usually between a 7.5 and 8, so I went with an 8 in the Milan style and they fit perfectly.
We recommend reading Kizik's size guide and browsing customer reviews before selecting your size. Worse comes to worst, Kizik has a 30-day return and exchange policy with free shipping, so you can always swap for a different size, hassle-free, if needed.
How do I clean Kizik shoes?
For knit shoes like the Athens sneaker, Kizik recommends using a soft cloth or toothbrush dampened with dishwashing liquid and water to spot-clean, then letting them air-dry. Leather parts or shoes like the Vegas and Sydney should be spot-cleaned with a dry cloth only to avoid damaging the fabric. All insoles are machine-washable and should be air-dried, so you can easily keep any odors at bay.
The final verdict: Are Kizik shoes worth it?
Whether you're a frequent traveler trying to get your TSA routine down to a science or just need a stylish everyday sneaker but are always in a rush (guilty!), I think Kizik shoes are a worthy and practical addition to anyone's wardrobe.
These shoes offer both comfort and convenience in a stylish package, thanks to their ingenious hands-free design. I also love how come in a variety of fashionable and sporty silhouettes to suit a variety of preferences and occasions. Although they're on the pricier side with a range of $89 to $169 per pair, the time and energy you'll save putting them on make them well worth it.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Lauren Gruber is an associate editor with years of experience writing and reviewing products, including sneakers and travel gear. For this review, she walked over 18,000 steps in the Kizik Milan sneakers and referred to expert insights from the Good Housekeeping Institute for additional insight.
Emma Seymour is the Associate Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab. She has led testing on products such as footwear, clothing, luggage and more since 2018. She personally wear-tested the Kizik Athens sneaker and conducted a study on the shoe with consumer participants.
Lauren Gruber is an associate commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for publications like Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Country Living, House Beautiful, and more. She has over four years of professional experience covering a variety of lifestyle topics from home to fashion, with an advanced background in beauty and fragrance. When she’s not researching the most worthy Prime Day deals or hands-on testing all the latest perfume launches, Lauren is probably hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater.
You can find her previous work at Entertainment Tonight, Shop TODAY, USA Today, Self Magazine, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
