Skechers Delson Axton Review: comfy everyday slip-ons that are tighter than they look at first

I’ve been wearing the Skechers Men’s Delson Axton slip-on trainers in dark brown leather for a while now, mostly for day-to-day stuff: commuting, supermarket runs, walking to the pub, and driving. I’m not a sneaker collector, I just want shoes that are comfy, easy to live with, and don’t look sloppy with jeans or chinos. These were my first Skechers slip-on style with the fake laces and memory foam insole, so I was curious if they were just hype or actually practical.

The first thing I noticed when I took them out of the box was how narrow the opening looked. For a shoe sold as a slip-on, they honestly looked like I’d need a crowbar to get my foot in. I wear a UK 10 normally and ordered a UK 10, so I was ready to send them back if they felt off. Once I pulled the packing paper out and actually forced my foot in, they did go on, but it took a proper tug on the heel loop and a bit of wiggling.

After a few days, the leather loosened up and they started behaving more like proper slip-ons. Still, if you imagine being able to just kick them on hands-free by the door, that’s not how it is at the beginning. They’re more like: sit down, pull the heel tab, shove your foot in, and then you’re good. The upside is they feel secure, not like some floppy house slippers that are going to slide off when you walk fast.

Overall, my first impression was: good comfort underfoot, tight opening, and a look that works fine for casual wear and office Fridays. Not perfect, but after the break-in phase they turned into the pair I grab most often when I don’t want to think about shoes. If you expect instant comfort plus real slip-on convenience from day one, you might be a bit annoyed the first week.

In terms of value for money, I think these sit in a pretty fair spot. At around £40–£50 on Amazon (depending on deals), you’re paying for a leather-upper casual trainer with a comfy memory foam insole and a big brand name. They’re not bargain-bin cheap, but they’re also nowhere near premium designer prices. For everyday shoes that you’re going to beat up a bit, that price range feels reasonable.

What you really get for the money is comfort and versatility. One pair that you can wear to the office (if it’s casual), to the shops, to the pub, on a walk, and for driving. You don’t have to baby them, and they go with most casual outfits. Compared to a cheaper supermarket trainer, the cushioning and overall feel are better. Compared to more expensive leather sneakers from big fashion brands, you’re probably sacrificing a bit of durability and higher-end leather, but you’re paying a lot less.

The downsides in terms of value are mainly the entry tightness and potential longevity. If you’re someone who hates wrestling with shoes, that first couple of weeks might really annoy you, and you might feel like you paid for a "slip-on" that doesn’t behave like one. And if you plan to wear them every single day, you might feel they wear down a bit faster than a more rugged shoe. So the value really depends on how you use them: as a comfortable rotation pair, they’re good; as your only daily shoe, they might feel a bit short-lived.

Overall, I’d rate the value as good but not mind-blowing. If you catch them on offer around £45, they’re a solid buy for someone who prioritises comfort and easy styling over maximum durability. If you’re rough on shoes or need serious support or weather protection, you might be better off spending a bit more on something more specialised.

The design is pretty straightforward: a low-top leather trainer with some mesh panels and fake laces. The dark brown leather gives it a more grown-up look than your usual all-mesh running shoe. With jeans or chinos, it looks like a casual shoe that you can wear to the office (if your place is not too strict) or out for a meal without looking scruffy. It’s not dressy, but it doesn’t scream gym either. That’s basically what I wanted: one pair that works in a lot of situations.

The toe is round and fairly standard, not big and bulbous but not pointy either. The stitching is visible but neat, and there are a few overlays that break up the leather so it doesn’t look like a plain block. The mesh sections around the collar and tongue area help with a bit of breathability and also make it look more like a trainer than a loafer. The sole is quite simple: light-coloured EVA with some basic pattern underneath. Grip is fine for pavements and light rain, but it’s clearly not made for mud or trails.

One design choice that stands out is the tight collar and the stretch-lace system. It’s meant to keep the shoe snug without you ever tying anything. In practice, it does the job: once your foot is in, the shoe hugs the midfoot nicely and doesn’t flap. But the trade-off is getting in and out is a bit of a fight at first. If you have back problems or hate bending down, this is worth keeping in mind. The heel pull loop is not there for decoration; you’ll use it every single time.

Overall, I’d call the design practical and neutral. It doesn’t draw attention, which I like. It looks more expensive than plastic trainers but less formal than leather brogues or boots. If you want bold colours or something flashy, this isn’t it. If you want something you can throw on with most casual outfits and not think about, it works pretty well.

Comfort is where these shoes are mostly strong, with one big caveat: getting them on. Once my foot is inside, the Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole and the flexible sole make them very easy to wear all day. I’ve done full days of walking around town, supermarket runs, and a couple of longer walks of about 7–8 km in them. My arches felt supported enough, and I didn’t get any rubbing on the heel or sides. I don’t have major foot issues, but I do feel it quickly when shoes are too flat or too hard, and these were clearly better than basic cheap trainers.

The memory foam feels soft when you first put them on, then it adapts a bit to your foot. It’s not magic, but it does take the edge off hard pavements. Compared to a standard flat insole, my feet were less tired in the evening. People in the reviews mention arthritis and diabetes and say they get on well with these, and I can see why: the cushioning is moderate but consistent, and there are no nasty pressure points. The arch support is there but not aggressive; if you need very strong arch support or custom orthotics, you might still want to swap the insole.

Now, the downside: the entry is tight. For the first week or two, I needed to sit down, pull the heel loop properly, and sometimes even use a shoehorn. The collar doesn’t open wide like a normal lace-up trainer, and the stretch laces don’t really loosen much. Once you’re in, fit is good and true to size, but getting there is a bit of a wrestle, especially if you have a high instep or limited mobility. Over time, the leather and elastic give a bit, and it becomes easier. I’d say after about two weeks of daily or near-daily wear, I could slip them on with just a firm pull on the heel tab.

In terms of temperature, they’re fine in cooler weather with thicker socks and still okay in spring and mild summer with thin socks. They’re not the most breathable shoes on earth because of the leather, but the mesh areas and fabric lining stop them from feeling like ovens. In short: once they’re on, comfort is a strong point for everyday use, but don’t expect slipper-like convenience right out of the box.

According to the specs and what you feel in hand, the upper is mainly leather with some synthetic and mesh panels. The leather doesn’t feel super premium, but it doesn’t feel like cardboard either. It softens after a few days and creases in a normal way. The dark brown colour hides scuffs pretty well. I’ve bumped them into kerbs and doors a few times and a quick wipe or brush made them look fine again. It’s not dress-shoe quality leather, but for a casual trainer at this price, it’s pretty solid.

The lining is fabric, and the insole is a manmade “Air-Cooled Memory Foam” layer. Underfoot, that foam is actually the main reason these are comfortable. It has that slightly squishy feel at first step, then it settles. It’s not like walking on clouds, but after a full day of standing and walking, my feet felt less beat up than in cheaper flat trainers. The foam does compress a bit over time though. After a couple of months, I could feel it had packed down slightly in the heel area, but it was still more comfortable than a hard flat insole.

The sole is EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), which is why the shoe feels so light. That’s good for comfort and for people with joint or back issues, but EVA isn’t the toughest material long-term. On mine, the tread started to show wear on the heel after a few months of regular use. Nothing catastrophic, but you can see it’s not a tank of a sole. If you wear them every single day, don’t expect them to last years and years without signs of wear.

One thing to note: these are not water resistant. The leather can handle light rain and splashes fine, but step into deeper puddles and the water will eventually find its way in around the mesh and stitching. They’re okay in typical UK drizzle and short showers; they’re not hiking boots. For the price point though, the mix of leather upper, soft insole, and lightweight EVA sole feels fair. You’re paying for comfort and lightness more than bombproof materials.

On durability, these are a bit of a mixed bag. The upper leather has held up fairly well for me. After a few months of regular wear (several times a week), the leather shows normal creasing but no cracking or tearing. Scuffs on the dark brown colour are easy to hide with a quick clean or a bit of leather conditioner. They don’t look brand new, but they age in a normal way for casual leather trainers. The stitching around the toe and sides is still intact and hasn’t started to fray.

Where I’ve seen more wear is on the EVA sole and the insole. The outsole started to show flattening at the heel after a few months. It’s not worn through, but you can see clear signs of use. If you’re heavy on your heels or do lots of daily walking, I can see why some people say they wear out quicker than they’d like. The memory foam insole also compresses over time. After a while, it doesn’t feel as squishy as day one, especially under the heel and ball of the foot. It’s still more comfortable than a hard insole, but that initial plush feeling fades.

Another small point: because the collar is tight, you tend to pull quite hard on the heel tab and the back of the shoe every time you put them on. So far, my heel loop is still fine, but I can imagine that on some pairs this could be a weak point if people really yank on it. Using a shoehorn can help reduce that strain, especially in the first few weeks when the opening is at its tightest.

Overall, I’d say durability is decent but not outstanding. You’re getting a comfortable, lightweight shoe, and that usually means softer materials that don’t last as long as stiffer, heavier ones. For the typical Amazon price around the mid-£40s, I think the lifespan is acceptable. If you rotate them with another pair, they’ll last longer. If you hammer them every single day, expect to see noticeable wear within 6–12 months.

In real life, I’ve used these Delson Axtons as my default everyday shoes: walking to work, errands, casual evenings out, and a bit of driving. For that kind of use, they do the job well. The sole has enough grip for pavements, supermarket floors, and wet tarmac. I’ve worn them in proper rain a few times and they handled it fine as long as I wasn’t stomping through big puddles. Once you start dealing with deeper water, they’re out of their depth, which lines up with the “not water resistant” label.

For actual sports or running, I wouldn’t recommend them. The listing says “Sport Type: Running”, but that’s a stretch. The cushioning is comfy, but the structure of the shoe isn’t really built for running impact or side-to-side movement. I tried a short jog to catch a bus and it was okay, but I wouldn’t go for a 5k in them on purpose. They’re much more suited to walking than anything athletic. Think of them as lifestyle trainers, not performance shoes.

Driving in them is comfortable. The sole is flexible and thin enough that you can feel the pedals, and the heel shape doesn’t get caught. They’re also light, so your legs don’t feel heavy on longer drives. For long walks of several kilometres, they hold up well. The memory foam takes some of the shock, and the shoe flexes naturally with your foot. No hotspots, no blisters for me, even when they were fairly new.

So performance-wise, I’d say: very solid for daily city use and walking, okay in light to moderate rain, and not really a sports shoe despite what the tags say. If your main goal is commuting, casual wear, and general walking around, they fit the brief. If you want something for proper running or hiking, look elsewhere.

Out of the box, the Delson Axton feels like a pretty standard Skechers product: nothing fancy in the packaging, just the pair of shoes stuffed with paper, some tags, and that’s it. No spare insoles or extra bits. The shoe itself looks more like a casual leather trainer than a sports running shoe, which is honestly what I wanted. The dark brown colour is quite neutral and goes with jeans, chinos, and even darker shorts without looking odd.

The style is that fake-lace slip-on setup: there are stretch laces on top, but you never actually tie them. They’re just there to keep the upper snug and make the shoe look like a regular trainer. The heel has a pull tab which you will absolutely use at the start. The profile is low-top, with a fairly flat heel and a rounded toe. From a distance, it looks like a casual leather sneaker, not a chunky trainer or a dress shoe.

In terms of sizing, I stuck to my usual UK 10 and the length felt right. My toes weren’t jammed at the front, and there wasn’t loads of empty space either. Where it feels tight is around the instep and the entry. That’s where a lot of people probably think they’re too small, but once the foot is inside, the length and width are fine for a standard foot. If you’ve got a very high instep or wide feet, I’d say there’s a fair chance you’ll feel squeezed, especially during the first week.

So presentation-wise: basic box, no thrills, but the shoe itself looks decent and not cheap. It’s clearly built for casual everyday use rather than serious sports, no matter what the listing says about “running” and “sports”. If you’re expecting a performance running shoe, wrong product; if you want something that passes as a smart-ish trainer you can wear all day, you’re closer to the target.