While both hands-free and slip-on shoes are designed for easy wear, hands-free shoes specifically allow you to put them on and take them off without bending down or using your hands. Traditional slip-on shoes, on the other hand, typically lack laces or buckles but may still require slight adjustments to get them on securely. Hands-free shoes are built to stay open and structured, enabling true step-in convenience, while slip-ons may still require a minor push or pull to ensure a snug fit.