Hostel bathrooms, gym locker rooms, dorm showers, campground washhouses and pool decks all have one thing in common: a lot of bare feet on the same wet floor. If you've ever wondered whether shower shoes are really necessary, the short answer is yes, and they're one of the cheapest, lightest things you can pack.
Why wear shower shoes in shared showers?
Warm, wet floors are ideal for foot fungus and warts
Athlete's foot and plantar warts spread easily in warm, damp places where lots of people walk barefoot. That's why dermatologists commonly recommend wearing sandals or flip-flops in public showers, locker rooms and around pools. A simple barrier between your feet and the floor goes a long way.
Slippery tile is a real hazard
Soap, shampoo and standing water turn tile into an ice rink. A sandal with a textured, non-slip sole gives you better grip than bare feet.
You don't know what's on the floor
Hair, bandages, grime and whatever the last person left behind. Enough said.
Where you'll want them
- Hostels and budget hotels: shared bathrooms are standard and cleaning schedules vary.
- Gyms and community centres: locker room showers and sauna areas see heavy traffic all day.
- University dorms: communal bathrooms are a fact of first-year life.
- Campgrounds and RV parks: washhouse floors are often wet, sandy and busy.
- Pools, water parks and beaches: hot pavement and wet decks.
- Airbnbs and ferries: sometimes you'd just rather not.
What makes a good pair of shower shoes?
- Waterproof, closed-cell material like EVA foam, so they don't hold water or get smelly.
- Quick drying so you can pack them without soaking the rest of your bag.
- A non-slip sole with texture for wet tile.
- Drainage and an open design so water runs off instead of pooling.
- Easy slip-on, secure fit so you're not shuffling across a wet floor.
- Light and packable if they're going in a gym bag or suitcase every day.
The problem with regular slides
Standard slides work fine at home, but they're bulky and heavy to carry around. Many people skip bringing them to the gym or on a trip because they take up too much space, and then end up barefoot in exactly the places they wanted to avoid.
A shower shoe that actually fits in your bag
Jimmies foldable sandals were designed for exactly this. They're made from waterproof, non-slip EVA, fold flat, and come with a breathable mesh bag and carabiner, so you can clip wet sandals to the outside of your gym bag or backpack instead of stuffing them next to clean clothes. A pair with the bag weighs between 155 g and 230 g depending on size.
Pair them with a quick-dry microfiber towel and a wet/dry organizer (currently available in the US) and your whole shower routine packs down small.
How to keep your shower shoes fresh
- Rinse them with clean water after each use.
- Shake off excess water and let them air-dry, ideally in a mesh bag rather than a sealed plastic bag.
- Wash them with mild soap and warm water once a week if you use them daily.
- Don't share them. Fungal infections spread through shared footwear too.
FAQ
Do I really need shower shoes at the gym?
It's a good habit. Shared locker room floors are warm, wet and heavily used, which is exactly where foot fungus and warts spread.
Are flip-flops good enough?
They're better than bare feet. A sandal with a strap across the foot and a heel strap is more secure on wet floors, and a foldable pair is easier to carry every day.
What shower shoes are best for travel?
Look for something light, waterproof, quick-drying and packable, ideally with a breathable bag so wet sandals don't soak your luggage.
Never step barefoot into a shared shower again. Shop Jimmies foldable shower sandals, with free shipping and 90-day returns.