"Top-Rated Walking Sandals of 2023: A Comprehensive Review"
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Walking sandals are the perfect blend of style, functionality, and breathability for outdoor excursions. Unlike traditional sandals, walking sandals are built for performance and can be worn across various outdoor terrains. With some walking sandals being waterproof, you can even walk through streams without worrying about damaging your shoes. Moreover, several walking sandals are incredibly comfortable and stylish, making them suitable for everyday use.
Podiatric surgeon Diana Valencia points out that like most shoes, walking sandals' comfort and support will vary from person to person. Thus, finding the right pair might take some time. To help you narrow things down, we tested 32 pairs of walking sandals, considering their stability, responsiveness, cushioning, comfort, quality, and value. Here are the top 15 pairs that made our cut.
The Teva walking sandals take the top spot for the best overall pair. With a platform style and cushiony arch, they provide adequate support, ensuring comfort even after eight hours of wear. Additionally, they are sturdy, dependable, and demonstrate no wear signs during testing. These sandals are incredibly comfortable, giving you the feeling of walking on air. The hook-and-loop closure is durable and comfortable, working well during various activities.
Sizes: 5-11
Colorways: Black, Maple Sugar, Indigo, Mood Indigo, Feather Grey, Aloe, Light Multi, Latte/Prism Multi
Style: Strappy/athletic
Material: Made from 100% recycled plastic using traceable REPREVE® polyester yarn by Unifi®
Closure: Hook-and-loop closure
We love the overall look and feel of these sandals. The two-tone straps add visual interest to each pair, and we appreciate the natural fiber mid-strap that adjusts to your foot size. These sandals scored high marks in all categories, providing stability and responsiveness without feeling too heavy. Moreover, the quality feel of these sandals makes them worth the price, and they can easily transition from hike to happy hour.
Sizes: 5-12.5
Colorways: Black, Lion, Misty, Grey Rose Metallic
Style: Classic
Material: Leather
Closure: Toe and ankle strap
This budget-friendly pair of walking sandals is highly responsive, offering a ton of spring in your step thanks to the Massage Fit™ wave midsole, designed to gently massage feet during each step. However, the responsive padding might take some getting used to feeling stable. Additionally, only the velcro hook and loop closure is adjustable for wider feet.
Sizes: 5-11
Colorways: Black, Lavender
Style: Athletic/Platform
Material: Vegan, woven fabric strap upper
Closure: Hook and loop closure
Birkenstock has been in the shoe game since the 1700s, so it's no surprise that their walking sandals also earn top marks. This suede pair of sandals feels sturdy and supportive, but the cork and latex hybrid footbed does take some breaking in. However, after several wears, they molded well to feet and proved comfortable to wear during long walks and activities, though they're not as cushioned as some others on the list. These sandals feel very high quality, so we think they're worth the investment.
Sizes: 4-12.5, Regular/Wide-Medium/Narrow
Colorways: Olive Green, Cognac, Black
Style: Slingback
Material: Suede
Closure: Backstrap, plus two adjustable straps with oversized metal pin buckles
This sporty sandal provides all-day comfort with its molded EVA footbed that offers arch support for long walks. The molded rubber outsole provides extra ground support while the lightweight foam midsole propels feet. Although the heel strap could fasten tighter, the three straps are supportive and comfortable. These sandals are stylish and come in vibrant color options. They have more cushioning than the Sorel Impact Slingback Heel but make feet sweat a bit more.
Sizes: 5-12 Colorways: Koi/Radiation, Black/Sea Salt, Sea Salt/Radiation, Safari/Koi, Honest Beige/Sea Salt Style: Athletic/Water Material: Leather forefoot strap Closure: Adjustable hook and loop mesh midfoot strap with leather overlay and D-ring webbing detail.
These lightweight sandals from Keen seem to defy gravity. The elevated sole is responsive and makes it easy to move between strides. We loved the shock absorption and found them exceptionally cushiony during long periods of wear. Although this pair has slightly more arch support than the Elle Mixed Strap sandal from Keen, the footbed is less cushioned.
Sizes: 5-11 Colorways: Black/Drizzle, Toasted Coconut/Fawn, Natural Leather/Clearly Aqua Style: Platform/Wedge Material: Nubuck Leather Upper Closure: Buckle
These podiatrist-approved walking sandals come in 22 colors, so there's something for everyone's taste. The three-strap sandal has a strap at the instep and a backstrap for added stability and support. The anatomic cork and latex footbed is one of the firmest on this list, but we found it comfortable and supportive during long periods of wear.
Sizes: 4-13 Colorways: Available in 22 different colors including Black Luster, Navy Velvet, Soft Black and White Leather and Brick Red Nubuck Style: Strappy/Athletic Material: Suede Closure: Hook and loop strap at the instep and a backstrap
We fell in love with the platforms on this pair of walking sandals and were shocked at how comfortable they were. The soles are firm to keep feet supported over the split platform, and they're still comfortable to walk in thanks to the lightweight molded insole. They offer less cushioning than the Sorel IMPACT II SLING LOW SANDAL but have the added benefit of extra height. The straps on this pair are also more comfortable, and they offer great support and stability despite the high platform.
“I put these shoes to the ultimate test — my local dog park,” says Kristen Geil, Shape commerce editor. “I was pleasantly surprised at how stable I felt on these platforms since the ankle straps kept me comfortably locked in. I never once wobbled, even when an overexcited Labrador bumped into my shins.”
Sizes: 5-12 Colorways: Black/Sea Salt, Honest Beige/Gum 16, Safari/Jet, Sea Salt/Black Style: Platform Material: Leather forefoot strap Closure: Adjustable hook and loop mesh midfoot strap with leather overlay and D-ring webbing detail.
These all-terrain sandals from HOKA have additional coverage to protect toes from debris and a sticky rubber outsole for support in wet or muddy walking conditions. Despite being made to endure tough terrain, they're cushiony and lightweight during hikes. They're super responsive and ideal for longer hikes but could be more stylish.
Sizes: 5-11 Colorways: Trellis / Mercury, Foxglove / Pale Mauve, Black, Coastal Shade / Blue Coral, Black / Fusion Coral Style: Athletic/Water Material: Neoprene Closure: Quick-lace system
These genuine leather sandals are a luxurious choice. The high-quality material looks and feels fantastic, and the supportive leather straps don't restrict movement. The cushioning on these sandals is comfortable and supportive, although the leather requires a break-in period. Despite the larger platform, the sandals are stable and reasonably priced compared to the Vionic Reyna Flatform. The footbed is more cushioned, and the look is more casual, making them more versatile.
Sizes: 5-9 Colorways: Tan Leather, Black Leather Style: Platform Material: Leather Closure: Buckle
Vionic's innovative flatform sandal is designed to support natural alignment from the ground up. These medium-width walking sandals come in three neutral colors and pair well with everything. It may take a few tries to adjust the buckle straps correctly, but they leave no marks. The arch support makes these sandals comfortable to walk in, although the Jamie Sandal feels lighter. This pair has a more dressed-up look than the Jamie sandal, making them ideal for transitioning from day to night.
Sizes: 5-11 Colorways: Blue Shadow, Cream, Black Style: Platform Material: Leather and Suede Closure: Buckle
Keen's mixed strap sandal is stylish and comfortable. The soles are made from squishy cork, providing added bounce. The arches feel supported, but the shoe is very soft, which may cause sinking. With more cushioning on the footbed than the Ellecity Backstrap from Keen, this pair offers more responsiveness. Available in three different neutral color varieties for any outfit.
Sizes: 5-11 Colorways: Black/Drizzle, Toasted Coconut/Fawn, Natural Leather/Clearly Aqua Style: Fisherman Material: Leather and Textile Upper Closure: Lace-Lock Bungee System
The Merrell Barava Backstrop is the most comfortable sandal on the list. The integrated foam insole supports your stride and feels like you're walking on air. Although the material straps are delicate, the shoes are sturdy and durable and suitable for rigorous activities. Although the soles are thinner than other models, they are comfortable and responsive. If you wear a half-size, we recommend ordering a half-size down.
Sizes: 5-11 Colorways: Paloma, Brindle/Navy, Burlwood Style: Athletic Material: 100% Recycled Webbing Mesh Upper Closure: Hook-and-loop closure
Sanuk's water-friendly sandals are perfect for outdoor activities. Although they are lighter and less responsive than other winners, the neoprene rubber material is comfortable and supportive. The strap material is quick-drying, so you don't have to worry about soggy sandals.
Sizes: 5-11 Colorways: Jadeite, Black Style: Athletic/Water Material: Vegan, synthetic upper Closure: Adjustable strap with hook-and-loop closure
Munro sandals are dressy enough for an adventure or a night out. Available in narrow and wide widths, they support narrow feet without being too restrictive. The contoured suede footbed provides adequate support and responsiveness, with no break-in period necessary. These quality sandals are available in three neutral colors.
We noticed that these shoes run on the smaller side, so we recommend ordering half a size up from what you typically wear.
Sizes: 5-12, SS-WW Colorways: Sesamo Suede, Blue Suede, Black Suede Style: Classic/Fisherman Material: Suede Closure: Hook and loop backstrap
Before testing, we reviewed the wide variety of walking sandals available on the market. We interviewed a podiatric surgeon to get her expert take on important criteria to look for when shopping for walking sandals. We then put those aspects to the test to determine how these walking sandals stack up across certain categories. This information narrowed our list to 32 pairs of top-rated walking sandals. We then asked 32 testers with different shoe sizes and needs to put them to the test. Two people of different sizes tested each pair for comparison. Our testers wore each pair of walking sandals for different increments (30 increments, three hours, and an entire eight-hour day), including intermittent walking, sightseeing, and running errands. We asked testers to perform the 'bend' test, bending the toe of the sandal back to the heel to see how well the toes bend. Testers also noted how the walking sandals fit, how well they propelled them to the next step (responsiveness), and whether or not the walking sandals left marks on their feet or caused discomfort.
These findings were compiled into a score out of five for each category: fit, stability, responsiveness, cushioning, comfort, quality, and value. Only the walking sandals with the highest scores made the final cut. In our reviews, we considered different style preferences, foot sizes and shapes, and common use cases for walking sandals. Ultimately, 15 winners made the final cut for our rigorous testing criteria.
Ideally, walking sandals should fit comfortably and provide adequate support for your feet through long periods of wear. If you're in the market for a new pair of walking sandals, here are a few important factors to keep in mind.
When it comes to finding the right fit for walking sandals, Valencia says sizing should be comparable to your regular shoe size, for the most part. When trying on a pair of walking sandals, it's important that the shoe isn't too wide or too narrow. 'Too wide will cause the foot to slide and increase the chance of twisting your ankle,' says Valencia. If you find your feet slipping around in the shoe, it's a sign the shoe is too wide for your foot. If the shoe is too narrow, it'll be uncomfortable and unsuitable for longer wear.
A tight, secure strap on a pair of walking sandals may be helpful for longer walks or hikes. However, Valencia says that straps made from hard materials that don't allow for give can end up causing discomfort during warmer weather. 'The harder the material, the less likely it will give when the foot swells,' explains Valencia. 'Often in the summer, we have swelling due to the heat, and if the straps aren’t very pliable or stretchable, it can become a painful problem if the foot swells.'
Finding a pair with adequate sole support is key when shopping for walking sandals. While you don't want to choose a sole that's too clunky and cumbersome, the soles must have a proper grip. 'Some sole support is needed, especially if walking around paved streets,' explains Valencia. 'You don’t want it to be too smooth, or you can slip, so some gripping is needed.'
It's important that walking sandals feature some heel for optimal comfort and wear. 'Flats are not a good option unless you are on the beach,' says Valencia. 'From a podiatrist's standpoint, flats or flip flops that have no support can cause tendinitis and plantar fasciitis as well as stress fractures.' Look for a walking sandal that has a balance between the heel with proper arch support.
