The more you wear shoes, the more you’re likely to become attached to them. You’ve probably got a favourite pair of football boots, a favourite pair of smart shoes, and a favourite pair of hiking boots, but there is one genre of footwear that you will almost always overlook – and worst of all, you wear them on the daily.
Of course, we’re talking about your errand shoes. The dependable slip-on/sandals/mules you use for grabbing parcels from your concierge, quick walks to the corner shop, and taking out the bins.
Despite their unmatched versatility, comfort, and reliability, taking-the-bin-out footwear rarely gets the credit it deserves. Most pairs are kicked off by the door and forgotten about until duty calls again. So, we’re here to set the record straight – and give some overdue appreciation to the humble shoes that function as the backbone of our daily lives.
In this article, we’re spotlighting six of the best slip-on shoes for taking the bins out, letting the dog go for a piss, and everything in between. Enjoy.
Merrell 1TRL Moab 2 Slide Leather Woven
Kicking things off with one of the most-hyped slip-ons on the market – the Merrell 1TRL Moab 2 Slide. We’re not sure what Merrell were smoking when they dreamt these up, but the result is a beautiful mash-up of woven leather, rubber, and Vibram. The only downside is you’d be absolutely gutted if they caught a splash of bin juice.
You know those covert missions when you can’t be bothered to separate your recycling, but don’t want your grass neighbours to notice you? Yeah, these are for that. Fully camouflaged, and plenty of tread so you’re not going to slip and trigger anyone’s ring doorbell.
I’ve actually got a pair of these, and cannot get over just how comfy they are. If you see me within 500 metres of my gaff, I will almost certainly be wearing these alongside a pair of tea-stained joggers. No shame.
These look a bit like what NASA would give you to take the bins out on the International Space Station.
Suicoke are hands-down the masters of slip-on footwear, and for what it’s worth, we reckon these are the brand’s best effort to date. Waterproof eVent upper, chunky sole, and a heel counter drawcord all make for an incredibly versatile pair of errand shoes capable of withstanding all conditions.
The North Face Base Camp Thermoball Mule
When it gets really cold out, everyone starts reaching for their down jackets, but you never see anybody wearing down shoes. Why is that? It’s probably because not enough people know about The North Face Base Camp Thermoball Mule – quite possibly the coolest taking-the-bins-out shoes we’ve ever seen.
