How We Test
We aggregate millions of product reviews, scour other websites for their professional opinions - then we test the products ourselves. We do not accept free products from manufacturers, and our only goal is to give you the best recommendations possible. However, if you buy from the links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
- Best Probiotics - September 1, 2024
- Best Keto Snacks - September 1, 2024
- Instant Pot® Keto Birthday Cake - September 1, 2024
Next to sunscreen, sandals are your most important summer accessory. They are easy to take on and off and are the perfect addition to any summer occasion and outfit.
Sandals come in a large variety depending on what kinds of activities you plan on doing and depending on your personal style. We’ve narrowed down our favorite sandals for summer.
Our Top Pick
STEVEN by Steve Madden Women’s Greece Sandal
Anyone who knows Steve Madden knows that they can rely on high-quality shoes at a mid-range price point. These slip-on sandals are both high quality and durable; they’re easy to throw in your beach bag and won’t get ruined after a full-day of walking. These sandals can easily be dressed up with a flowy maxi dress for brunch. They’re leather sandals made with a rubber sole and available in multiple colors including snakeskin and metallic gold and silver. The cutout on the side of these sandals make them particularly interesting. This purchase is sure to be worthwhile as these sandals can go just about anywhere!
Other Great Picks
AnnaKastle Womens Slide Mule Kitten Heel Thong Sandal Shoes
If you’ve looked at any blogger’s Instagram recently, you’ve probably seen it- the kitten heel thong sandal. Yes, thongs are absolutely back in-style and putting a kitten heel on them is the perfect way to dress them up and wear them to a nice outing. The thongs feature a 2’’ kitten heel, giving them just the right amount of height. You’re sure to be quite the trendsetter and get all the compliments if you’re caught out in these.
LUSTHAVE Women’s Front Strap Ankle Wrap Adjustable Buckle Stacked Chunky Heel Gladiator Summer Dress Sandal
This is an extremely flattering sandal with a toe strap that’s sure to show-off your summer pedicure! The sandal features a block heel with an adjustable ankle strap and cross-buckle fit. There’s a wood look to the stacked block heel giving it a sophisticated summer look. The heel is extremely small which makes it a great shoe for running errands or going on walks. This is the perfect sandal for when you’re looking for something that’s in-between the beach & a formal affair. These shoes are best paired with denim shorts, a midi-skirt, or jeans!
SODA Clip Womens Casual Espadrilles Trim Flatform Studded Wedge
The espadrille style sandal has become increasingly popular this year. The grey color of these ankle-strap shoes goes with just about everything. This is a great warm-weather sandal that looks great on the beach with a swimsuit. There is a 2’’ heel that gives the shoe a little height without any discomfort. It’s great for traveling to tropical places but could also be worn to the office! The tweed design around heel is an interesting embellishment and gives the shoe its iconic look. These shoes compliment anyone’s personal style and would be great for music festivals like Coachella.
Birkenstock Arizona Unisex Leather Sandal
These are traditional 2-strap leather Birkenstock sandals. Birkenstock is a well-known brand that originated in Germany in 1774. This sandal provides support for walking while being casual enough for a day out shopping or a coffee-run. This is a go-to easy sandal for running errands or meeting up with friends. These are high-quality sandals that are sure to last! Although this style shoe would likely not be appropriate for most offices, it’s sure to be your go-to sandal for just about everything else.
Sam Edelman Women’s Gio Slide Sandal
Sam Edelman is another very reputable designer known for high-quality products. This 1-strap sandal is available in multiple materials like suede, leather, and more. The sole of the sandal has a cute design giving it a unique characteristic to contrast the simple solid color strap. The sandal is where chic meets comfortable; this sandal gives off down-to-earth vibes while also being stylish for any occasion. Blush and denim-blue are sure to be great color picks for this style of sandal. Meet the shoe you’ll want to live in!
Dolce Vita Women’s Cato Slide Sandal
This is a best-selling sandal that has been extremely popular. The sandal is made with calf hair that looks luxurious and expensive. It’s a simple design but the sandal is so well-made that the quality is apparent to everyone. This cute yet unique shoe could even be worn to work with slacks. This slide comes in just about every color to match your every need! If you’re looking for simple and classic summertime sandals, this is a purchase you won’t regret.
Showaflops Womens’ Antimicrobial Shower & Water Sandals for Pool, Beach, Dorm and Gym- Hearts Collection
Never be grossed out by a public shower again! These casual flip-flops are intended to be worn to the beach, the public pool, the gym, or in dorms. These are great shoes for running errands or doing yard work. They’re made from a rubber & EVA blend and come in a variety of colors and patterns. The hearts on the bottom of the shoe make for easy drainage and they can get wet without becoming slippery as they have slip-resistant soles. What differentiates these from other generic shower flip-flops is they have antimicrobial layers that protect against mold and bacteria.
Teva Women’s Original Universal Sandal
Teva is an iconic brand in the outdoor industry with values around friendship, nature, and water. Their famous sandals provide support for an outdoor and athletic lifestyle. Teva is dedicated to being innovative with their outdoor performance footwear. The shoes are made with a synthetic sole and rubber outside. The strappy sandals are intended to be worn on hikes or in the water and won’t fall-off when they’re worn on rocky, slippery surfaces.
Dr. Martens Women’s Yelena Fisherman Sandal
Dr. Martens are known for being fashionable and fun shoes often with an urban street-style look. These Fisherman sandals are sure to be a hit while running errands or at a music festival. These sandals give just about any outfit a trendy edge. They’re sturdy sandals with an air-cushioned sole. The sandals have a 1.5inch platform and are lightweight and comfortable.
What Are Sandals?
We’ve been wearing sandals since 4,000 BC, so there’s clear evidence as to their practical, comfortable place in our wardrobe and wardrobes across the world. Sandals are the staple of warm weather, days spent outdoors, and many times, the missing ingredient to the perfect casual, chic, or active outfit. With the many styles to choose from, there are a few ways to decipher which are best for you…or which are best for your day!
Are All Sandals Made For The Same Activity?
Like most types of shoes, “sandal” is an overarching word for a variety of styles, wears, and uses. Similar to how you wouldn’t wear casual, flat fashion sneakers to go for a run, you wouldn’t wear rubber flip flops for a night on the town with your friends and a table of cocktails. This, of course, is just our utmost fashion advice.
There are a few simple tips we’ll give you for pairing your sandals with the best activity.
If your sandals have a low heel, they are best suited for casual wear or paired with a cute day out. If your sandals have a high wedge, feel free to pair as the same, or give them a high-end look such as shoes for a Summer wedding or cocktail hour.
If your sandals are well, flip flops, they are best worn for outdoor activities such as going to the beach, lounging by the pool, or attending the annual hot dog eating contest in the park.
Flip flops, slip-on sandals, and Birkenstocks are also a wonderful shoe to transition into after work or a day on your feet (which were most likely, enclosed in a shoe). You rely on your feet every day, so it’s good to give them the freedom they deserve!
Which Sandals Are Best For The Beach Or Pool?
Good news: You can get away with wearing many types of sandals to the beach or pool. Fashionably speaking, most pairs will look fitting with your beach outfit. There are a few exceptions (like high heels or wedges) and a few pairs that are preferred for this environment.
Rubber flip flops, waterproof universal sandals (check out Teva!), or plastic-based slides are best for an activity involving water (or sand for that matter). Although there is a good chance you’d take them off shortly after seeing the shoreline in the distance, you want a pair that will bear the salt, moisture, and sand, and won’t bring half the beach back with you and into your car.
Most sandals that are made by outdoor sports companies will be suitable and weatherproof. Read the description and material before throwing your sandals out to sea. Buying an inexpensive rubber flip flop to wear to the beach is better than risking your finest leather pair.
Are Sandals Comfortable?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Many sandals are made with comfort in mind. Sandals are primarily worn for outdoor use, so brands and manufacturers keep the comfort for activity in mind.
Are your feet sitting on a cushioned sole? If the sole is comfortable to the touch and during try on, there’s a great chance those sandals will maintain sole comfort for a lengthy amount of time. A sandal that is very hard (some sandals are made out of wood!) will not harness that cushiony bottom.
Sandals like Birkenstocks or quality leather crafted sandals are made to conform to your foot. This takes some wearing in, but sandals like these usually reach the point of feeling like they were actually made for YOUR foot!
Look for lightweight sandals with supportive, durable straps or thongs. Make sure the sole is shapely and provides arch support, and/or allows for forming to your foot over time. When trying on your new sandal, make sure it stays on your foot.
It seems like an obvious tip, but some sandals can seem super comfortable because of ample room but you’ll soon find them sliding off to the beach without you.
How Are Sandals Supposed To Fit?
Getting the right size sandal and style for optimal comfort is really important.
Your sandal should hold the entire sole of your foot, with support. If your toes or heels are reaching the edge or handing over, your sandals aren’t the right fit. If your sandals fly off after a step, they aren’t the right fit.
Sandals should not be causing pain or pinching any part of your foot (especially your toes). This usually means that the pair is too small which could actually cause damage to your feet and reduce the shock absorbency that sandals often provide.
Sandals that leave your feet with too much room will give you blisters, create a tripping hazard, and fly off your feet. You’ll notice if sandals are too big by these clues but also by interfering with your posture or natural stride.
It’s usually pretty easy to know if flip flops fit properly. But a good rule of thumb to follow is that there should be a half of an inch of room around your foot while in the flip flop. Your heel or the sides of your feet shouldn’t be hanging off the edge.
For a heeled sandal, you should feel the gravity of your foot falling within the sandal. The sole should hold your foot gracefully on a comfortable, downward angle.
Can Sandals Replace Everyday Shoes?
High-quality sandals made from sturdy material like leather or high-quality rubber may be comfortable enough for everyday CASUAL use. There’s nothing wrong with wearing sandals every day if weather permits, but you want to make sure that your sandal is ultra-supportive (with arch support), shock absorbency, and some cushion in the sole cushion.
Do not run in sandals or perform vigorous physical activity in sandals.
Which Styles Do Sandals Come In?
Sandals come in a range of styles. Flip flops, wedges, sports sandals, slides, casual flats, dressy flats, casual mid-heeled, gladiator, kitten heel thong…
The versatility of sandals lends a hand to their place in everyone’s closet and their undeniable popularity.
The Best Sandals
There you have it – our picks for the best sandals. There are a ton of great fashion accessories besides sandals though, so be sure to take a look at our other reviews, in the style category.