Footwear Focus—A Podiatrist Reviews The Bombas Friday Slide Sandals
If you’re familiar with Bombas, you likely associate them with socks. This is where they’ve made their name, and the brand gained recognition for both its quality socks and its humanitarian policy of donating a pair to someone in need with every pair purchased.
But Bombas has expanded its offerings significantly since making its mark in the sock game. Their current inventory includes t-shirts, undergarments, and slippers and slides.
But here’s the thing—sometimes, when a brand goes wide, they also risk losing focus. This can mean reduced quality, less oversight, and alienation from the fanbase they built with their flagship offerings.
Is this the case with Bombas, or are they still the bomb?
That’s the question I sought to answer in my latest Footwear Focus journey.
If you’ve been following along with my blog series (and, if you haven’t, here’s your chance to catch up!), you know I’m always curious to try out new and exciting footwear offerings, so I can offer you my unvarnished, expert opinion on them.
I love making footwear recommendations to my patients! In fact, one of my jobs before podiatry school was helping folks find their perfect shoe size at Fleet Feet. (Shout out to my friends at Fleet Feet Madison!)
As a podiatrist, runner, busy professional, and all-around active person—I also believe in putting my money where my mouth is and gaining firsthand (or feet, in this case!) knowledge of the footwear I rep to my valued patients.
That’s why I always make sure to try out the styles I recommend, so I can get a real, firsthand sense of how each pair stacks up, what they offer, and how they can support your foot health and wellness.
In that spirit, I recently snagged a pair of the Bombas Friday Slide sandals to report back my thoughts to you. Ready to get moving? Let’s go!
Bombas brand overview
I always like to kick things off by offering an overview of the brand, its history, and its ethos.
I know many of you (myself included) prefer to support brands that do more than make great footwear. That’s why I try to spotlight footwear companies that give back—environmentally, humanitarianly, or in other unique ways.
How does Bombas show up in this regard?
Well, I already touched on their buy one, donate one philosophy. According to their website, Bombas has used this policy to donate over 150 million items of essential clothing to individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty since 2013.
They accomplish this mission by partnering with over 3500 boots-on-the-ground organizations in all 50 states, to ensure their goods get distributed to those in need.
They especially focus their efforts on providing essential clothing items to at-risk populations, including veterans, seniors, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
If you’re interested in learning more about their efforts, you can dig into their Impact Report.
Bombas was founded in 2013 by two friends with a goal to make great socks and combat homelessness. So their platform of giving back is baked into their conception as a brand.
Fun fact: The Bombas founders appeared on an episode of Shark Tank in 2013, and ultimately secured extra funding from Daymond John to help boost the brand.
Bombas bills itself as creating “comfort for everyone.” Multiple five-star reviews of their products and a rapidly growing fan base attest to this claim.
Still, some folks wonder why their products are so pricey, compared to other options.
Their higher-than-average price points are due to a few key factors:
Use of high-quality, durable materials
Leverage of unique design features
Pledge to give back via their donations
Now that you know about the brand and its ethos, let’s learn if it receives the podiatrist seal of approval.
Do podiatrists recommend Bombas brand socks and footwear?
Many podiatrists are fans of Bombas products for different reasons.
Some podiatrists recommend Bombas socks for their added arch support. This can provide extra support for those with high arches or who suffer from plantar fasciitis.
(Speaking of plantar fasciitis—learn everything you need to know about this common foot issue in our latest informative blog post!)
One Bombas sock style podiatrists call out for their top-notch arch support is their compression ankle socks (shown here in a variety of options). It was noted that folks may want to size up on these, due to their snugger fit.
Podiatrists also recommend Bombas socks for their comfort, quality materials, and moisture-wicking technology.
This can be especially helpful for folks who contend with fungal toenails, who benefit from keeping their feet dry. They can also help ward off blisters and calluses from forming.
A quick internet search will tell you there are already many fans of the Bombas sandals out there. Customers especially comment on their support and comfort. Many say they’re great for travelling.
Podiatrists, however, are more split on their recorded feelings about Bombas footwear offerings.
Some love the Friday Slides, while others caution against them for patients who need more arch support and stability. Some note that folks with plantar fasciitis might be better off choosing the support and stability of a brand like Chacos.
Everyone seems to agree that these sandals are very comfortable, but folks with some foot conditions may wish to opt for more supportive sandals. It all depends on your foot health needs and anatomy.
That’s why it’s always a great idea to connect with your trusted podiatrist to get your personalized sandal recommendations to shop with clarity and confidence for your perfect pair. I’m always happy to offer my patients my expert opinion and recommendations to help you select the right footwear styles for you.
Dr. Young’s review of Bombas Friday Slide sandals
As a podiatrist and all-around active person, I’m always on the lookout for great summer sandals that offer comfort and support for a wide array of warm-weather activities.
So, when Bombas released the new Friday Slides, I knew I had to try them.
Bombas bills these sandals as lightweight, comfortable, and waterproof. They want them to be your “go anywhere, do anything” summer footwear of choice.
I had to see for myself if they lived up to the marketing.
I opted for the Deep End color—a navy/dark grey that’s nice looking and goes well with many different outfits.
They recommend sizing down for these, which I did. Normally, I’m an 8.5 in regular shoes and a 9 in running shoes. I got these in an 8 and they fit perfectly.
Now that I’ve put them to the test in my life, I’m ready to offer you my unvarnished review.
Let’s break it down…
Materials
The fact that these are waterproof is great for summer. It means they can go from the park to the beach to the city and back again.
The potential drawback to any plastic slides or sandals is that they often introduce rubbing that can lead to blisters when they’re wet. I tested this out and didn’t experience much of a friction issue, but I imagine if I wore them for long distances while wet, then I’d get blisters.
If you’re pondering wearing these to the beach, this is something to consider. Sand plus water can equal friction—and that’s a recipe for blisters. And blisters can put a real damper on a day at the beach.
Discover tips for treating and preventing foot blisters in our recent blog.
Support
These sandals are relatively supportive, but I didn’t find them to be as comfortable on my arches as my Hoka or Oofos slides. The Bombas felt good for a short walk or outing, but the Hokas remain my favorite for all-day wear.
Hoka’s slides are a lot thicker, though, so you may prefer the Bombas for aesthetic purposes.
Lifestyle
These sandals were great for throwing on to run errands or take the dog for a walk. They’re nice-looking and easy. They might also make for a great pair of house shoes.
Overall, these sandals have a place in my rotation, though they may not be my top go-to pair. I like to have a stable of summer footwear options, so these will definitely work in my roster.
If you have high arches or are seeking a workhorse sandal to go the distance and wear daily—I might give these a pass. Otherwise, I think they could be a great addition to your footwear cache!
Got a shoe or sandal brand or style you’d like me to review? Interested in getting personalized footwear recommendations from an experienced podiatrist? Get in touch with me or book your appointment easily online. I look forward to helping you step strong in Chicago!
City Step Podiatry is here for you! Reach out today to schedule your visit and treat your feet to the care they deserve.
