The 7 Best Walking Sandals of 2024

When the weather is mild, people tend to ditch their socks and sneakers for sandals. “But one of the biggest problems of this transition is that many sandals don’t offer the same level of support that tennis shoes do, and people are left with foot pain,” says Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist based in Texas and expert for Pedestrian Project.

“It’s typical to see patients after the summer with foot pain and problems caused by overuse of flip-flops and unstructured, unsupportive walking sandals,” says Douglas Tumen, D.P.M., FACFAS, a podiatrist based in New York and author of Ask the Foot Doctor.

To prevent foot injuries, both Sharkey and Tumen recommend sneakers or running shoes—even in the summer—especially when you’re exercising or walking long distances. However, for general walking and outdoor activities, a walking sandal is a great bet. We spoke to podiatrists and even strapped some of these on ourselves to find out which ones kept us supported and comfortable. (Spoiler: None are flip-flops.)

Chacos Mega Z/1 Wide-Strap Classic Sandal

PHOTO: Chacos

What we like: These are super comfortable, well made, and durable enough to last for years—no break-in period required.

What to know: The heel may fit a bit loose for some, and the strap leaves extra material hanging once tightened.

We were impressed by the Chaco Mega Z/Classic Wide-Strap Sandals’ ample arch support and comfort that held up on long walks and outdoor explorations. These Chacos have a solid, sturdy platform, so we didn’t notice an energy return—but that also means you won’t feel debris under your feet when trekking over hard or rocky surfaces. The rubber outsole has great traction and good grip, making these sandals ideal for taking off-road. You could walk into a rocky stream or wear them paddleboarding and not worry too much about it.

The overall construction of this shoe has us confident that these will last for years to come. We also love that they have extra-wide straps you can adjust for a good fit. However, it’s worth noting that the straps take a bit of getting used to. Pulling on one strap allows you to adjust the fit from the base of the toes to around the ankle, so we found that our heel shifted outward a bit—but not enough that these shoes feel unstable.

PHOTO: Amazon

What we like: They’re easy to slip on and have great shock absorption for long walks.

What to know: We noticed some minor toe friction after extended wear.

These walking sandals from Oncai are as comfortable as some higher-end sandals, and they come in under $50. When testing these, we loved how their sole has a nice bounce to them, and their cushioning feels shock-absorbent but not overly pillowy. The width allows for natural, barefoot-type toe movement, making these sandals feel very stable. We found them ideal for nature walks, light hikes and long dog walks.

A nice touch: The adjustable straps are padded for a comfortable fit. The only minor issue we noticed was a bit of friction on the edge of one strap after wearing these for hours, but readjusting the top strap helped. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and natural these sandals felt.

Skechers Men's GO WALK Arch Fit Mission II

PHOTO: Skechers

What we like: They boast plenty of arch support and cushioning for achy feet.

What to know: The straps could use more padding as they felt a bit rigid out of the box.

These Skechers Go Walk sandals carry the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) seal of approval. It makes sense since these sandals provide support while striking a balance between being very cushioned yet stable. When we first stepped into these, we noticed how there’s a lot of give in the footbed. Still, our feet didn’t slide around, and we liked how our arch felt supported—especially at the heel and the ball of the foot.

Miguel Cunha, D.P.M., board-certified foot surgeon and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City, shares that his father-in-law, who has plantar fasciitis, swears by these Skechers sandals. “The adjustable straps give him the perfect fit even though he has a bulky foot, and he says the cushioning and arch support have been a lifesaver, especially since he suffers from plantar fasciitis,” Cunha says. “He likes the way they look, they’re comfortable and perfect for long walks—he’s never had a pair of sandals that checks all the boxes like these do.”

PHOTO: Zappos

What we like: These protected our feet from different types of terrain thanks to their traction and durability.

What to know: If you’re in between sizes, consider sizing down, as these run slightly big.

Teva is a brand built for the great outdoors, and the Hurricane Drifts are an all-around excellent waterproof sandal. You can get them muddy or wear them in various conditions without worry: They’re made entirely of molded EVA rubber, and the soles have excellent traction. When testing these, we found they’re sturdy enough to walk on gravel, in a rocky creek or trail, and on wet grass without slipping. There’s not much rebound with these, and you don’t feel an energy return, but we loved how they didn’t feel clunky or weigh our feet down.

These Tevas feature two straps that cross your midfoot, so they don’t rub up against your toes. And while the straps aren’t padded, the rubbery material didn’t irritate our skin, even when the sandals got wet. It’s worth noting that these run big, so if you’re in between sizes, try sizing down for a more secure fit.

Sorel Joanie IV Slingback Wedge Women's Sandal

PHOTO: Sorel

What we like: They’re more comfortable than other platform sandals and strike a balance between style and functionality.

What to know: The top strap isn’t adjustable and might feel snug on people with high arches.

Style usually comes at the expense of comfort, but the Sorel Joanie IV Slingback Wedge walking sandals are both cute and functional. When testing these, we loved how they were immediately comfortable on the first wear and didn’t need to be broken in. The heel on these is 3 inches high, and the platform is 1.5 inches, yet we felt nice and stable, also thanks to the three straps across the arch of these sandals that keep your foot in place. That said, the top strap (right above the braided strap) might be snug for people with high arches, so make sure you get your foot into the place you want it in the sandal before you fully strap yourself in.

These Sorel wedge sandals could easily be dressed up for dinner or a night out or dressed down to wear to the office or with a pair of shorts on the weekend. They’re not overly casual, though, so they might not work as well with athleisure wear.

PHOTO: Birkenstock

What we like: They’re more comfortable than other Birkenstocks, featuring great arch support and padded straps.

What to know: The kids’ versions lack color options; we’d love to see more variety.

Kids donning the Birkenstock Mogamis will feel comfy and secure to explore, thanks to these sandals’ grippy design. The footbed has a textured surface that helps prevent slipping, even when wet or sweaty. The sandal’s sole is rugged enough to handle gravel or wet ground.

We also love that the sandal is slightly flexible without being rigid, and the slight arch support is comfortable without feeling too noticeable or distracting. Another bonus: The straps don’t rub the toes, but they’re also adjustable, which helps to customize the feel and fit. Overall, we found these to fit as expected and true to size both length- and width-wise.

Available sizes: Women’s 4 to 12.5, men’s 6 to 13.5, kids 6 (toddler) to 3 | Width options: Regular/wide | Fit: True to size | Cushion level: Regular | Materials: Birko-Flor (a synthetic material exclusive to Birkenstock) upper, polyurethane footbed and insole | Adjustable: Yes

PHOTO: Zappos

What we like: They’re durable enough to handle a trail or water, yet still soft and comfortable.

What to know: They don’t come in half sizes, and we found it best to size up in this style if you’re in between.

Teva’s Hydratreks have a nice, soft footbed and a solid rubber outsole with good traction on different terrain. When testing these, we appreciated how responsive and flexible they felt thanks to the cushioning and foam-like insole. These were comfortable right off the bat, which means you can feel good about packing them for a weekend away at the lake, trail or beach without breaking them in.

These Teva walking sandals have adjustable straps at the toes, heel and ankle. The front and back straps have padding, and we found that they lock our feet down pretty well. However, they don’t come in half sizes, but we were glad we sized up for a bit of extra room. Also worth noting: The arch is a bit flatter on these.

The Bottom Line: The Best Walking Sandals

If you’re looking for an all-around great walking sandal, we’re big fans of the Chaco Mega Z/Classic Wide-Strap Sandal (view at Amazon) because they’re durable enough to last for years and were comfortable from the moment we strapped them on. We also love the Teva Hurricane Drift (view at Amazon) for their all-day comfort and grip that never let us down no matter the terrain.

Choosing a Walking Sandal

Arch Support and Sole Flexibility

The arches of your feet act as shock absorbers, supporting your body’s weight and distributing pressure evenly. So sandals (or any shoe) with poor arch support can create problems such as plantar fasciitis and pain in other parts of your body like your knees, hips and back.

When shopping for a walking sandal, look for molded footbeds with visible arch support for your foot. Don’t be quick to shy away from a stiff sole: “A sandal with a stiff sole is more durable and provides shock absorption,” says Tumen. “Stiffer soles offer stability and support; however, the soles must still be flexible enough to allow the toes to move around for a more natural stride, which feels more comfortable when walking,” Cunha says. When shopping, try the “twist test” to help you determine how much arch support your sandal has. Hold the sandal in both hands and twist your hands in opposite directions—the harder the sandal is to twist, the more supportive it is.

Cushioning for Shock Absorption

“Cushioning is important because it absorbs the shock of impact, which reduces stress on the feet, joints and lower back with every step,” Cunha says. If you’re shopping for shoes in person, Cunha recommends pressing the sandal’s insole to see if it feels soft and durable and then walking around to check comfort before leaving the store—your arches should feel “comfortably cradled with cushioned support,” he says.

If you’re shopping online, look for sandals with materials like EVA or memory foam, which provide better cushioning. Ultimately, “You’ll know if the sandal is cushioned enough if your feet remain comfortable after extended wear,” Cunha says.

Adjustable Straps Will Increase Comfort

If you often deal with foot pain, skip the slides and look for a sandal with adjustable straps. “Sandals that have straps are going to provide more support,” says Sharkey. “The small intrinsic muscles in the foot will have to work harder to hold shoes [without straps] onto your feet while walking.” Adjustable straps help tailor the shoe to the foot, which also helps keep foot pain away.

Other design elements to look for include a good outsole with plenty of cushioning and traction, and cork or other insole materials that provide support and molding are great too.

Traction for Added Safety

“Traction is important in a walking sandal because it provides grip and stability on various surfaces, especially wet or slippery areas,” Cunha says. This gives you better control and balance, reducing the risk of falls and injury—especially on uneven terrain. Look for a shoe with a rugged sole or one with a tread pattern. Rubber soles are also great because they have anti-slip properties.

Our Walking Sandal Tests

In searching for the best walking sandals, we interviewed multiple podiatrists for their recommendations on specific sandal brands and styles, as well as their expertise on how to shop for a walking sandal. We then put the walking sandals to the test, where we incorporated the walking sandals into our daily routine as much as possible. We wore the sandals on multiple different types of surfaces, including sidewalks, pavement, grass, gravel and trails (and, when needed, we even enlisted our kids). Then, we evaluated each sandal’s fit, comfort, cushioning, stability, quality of materials and overall value before determining which sandals deserved a spot on our list.

We Also Considered

Vivaia Women’s Kiara Sport Sandals ($119 at Amazon): We found these to be cute and comfortable, and noticeably springy. This sandal is especially great for someone who really wants that shock-absorbing feel, but if you value more stability, you might want to skip this sandal for a less springy pick.
Sorel Kinetic Impact Slingback Heel Women’s Sandal ($144 at Amazon): These are more responsive than we anticipated, and the scalloped sole and cushioned insole are comfortable. Style-wise, though, these make a statement, so we wouldn’t necessarily say they’re the most utilitarian option.
MBT Women’s Kisumu ($238 at Amazon): We liked how adjustable and supportive these sandals were, but we couldn’t reconcile ourselves to the high price.

Common Questions

Are walking sandals good for long distances?

Cunha generally doesn’t recommend it because most sandals don’t provide enough cushioning and arch support. “This can cause foot fatigue and disrupt the natural mechanics of walking and proper weight distribution, leading to pressure points leading to inefficient movement patterns, and an increased risk of overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and Achilles tendinitis as well as bunions and hammertoes,” Cunha says. “Open-toed or backless sandals can also compromise stability, increasing the risk of slips and falls,” he says.

What are the best walking sandals for plantar fasciitis?

People with plantar fasciitis need walking sandals with especially ample arch support and cushioning. We like the Skechers GO WALK Arch Fit Mission II (view at Amazon) because they feature lots of cushioning to help absorb impact from the ground and protect your feet in addition to having a good amount of arch support.

Can I wear walking sandals for hiking?

Hiking usually involves uneven terrain and rocky paths—and not wearing protective shoes with good traction can increase your risk of injury, especially in wet or slippery conditions. Walking sandals may work if you’re planning a shorter hike on a well-maintained trail or a long stroll on city streets. But longer or more rugged excursions require sturdy hiking footwear designed to withstand the terrain and provide optimal support and protection for your feet.

Our Trusted Expertise

April Benshosan has been reporting on health and expert-recommended products from the start of her journalism career. She’s authored many articles on shoes for specific health conditions and has tested many different pairs of sneakers, sandals and other healthy footwear to inform her expertise. An earlier version of this article was written by Samantha Leal, a frequent contributor to EatingWell. Some of her insights and research are used in this update.

As part of our research, we also consulted the following experts for their advice on safe, comfortable footwear:

This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a commerce editor and frequent shoe tester. She swears by her Teva Hurricane Drifts (and is currently on her second pair).

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