The 9 Best Sandals of 2025

Best All-Around Sandals for Women

Chaco Z/Cloud 2 - Women's

Sole Material	Non-marking ChacoGrip
Measured Weight (per pair) i	18.2 oz
Upper Material	Polyester jacquard webbing
Footbed Material	LUVSEAT PU
Midsole Material	Women's specific LUVSEAT dual-density PU

When seeking a reliable adventure sandal, the Chaco Z/Cloud 2 excels with outstanding traction on diverse surfaces. A lead tester, guiding backpacking and whitewater trips for 15+ years, praises their durability, noting, “I recommend these to all adventure nerds. They're nearly as trusty as my PFD.” Adjusting the toe loop requires effort, but once set, it greatly enhances stability and security for swimming rapids or hiking 25+ mile days.

This ruggedness has trade-offs. The superior traction and stability make the Chaco Z/Cloud 2 among the bulkiest, heaviest sandals tested. “I never felt light and free. But I always felt solid and grounded.” Adjusting the toe loop for your fit is more complex and demanding than others, requiring patience. Still, it's ideal for adventuring. If toe straps bother you, consider the Chaco Z/1 Classic, though a toe strap boosts security.

Read more: Women's Chaco Z/Cloud 2 review

Read more: Men's Chaco Z Cloud review

Best Overall Men's Sandal

Bedrock Cairn Adventure

Sole Material	Vibram XS Trek Regolith
Weight (per pair)	1.10 lbs (size 10)
Upper Material	Premium webbing
Footbed Material	Granite Grip Rubber
Midsole Material	Rubber

The Bedrock Cairn Adventure sandals blend full-on adventure and minimalist footwear, excelling in both. They topped our men's review, while the updated Bedrock Cairn Evo earned high marks in the women's review. With nearly flat footbeds and subtle texture for grip, their minimalist straps are easy to adjust and deceptively secure. A tester remarked, “They looked flimsy at first, but felt surprisingly solid—stripping away fluff, leaving just the foundation.” They provide above-average traction and unrestricted width.

While in the past, we've had issues getting the sizing right for these sandals, the 2024 updates have fixed this problem (although there are still no half sizes, which is pretty common among sandals and flip flops). The new versions of the straps have a softer texture and less scratchy seams, making them far more comfortable to cinch down tight. Though the Bedrock Cairn can't quite match the security and stability of the cross-toe and cross-foot strap sandals, they do a great job in dry conditions. If you're after the benefits of minimalist footwear but still want rugged protection for your soles, the Cairn and Cairn Evo are the sandals for you. Consider the velcro attached Ecco Yucatan for maximum comfort and stability. Compare the Cairn and Yucatan here. As our tester noted, “I found the Yucatan more luxurious, and the Cairn felt more sporty and had a high performance on my feet.”

Read more: Men's Bedrock Cairn review

Read more: Women's Bedrock Cairn Evo review

Best Adventure Sandal on a Tight Budget

Teva Original Universal - Women's

Sole Material	Rubber
Measured Weight (per pair) i	11.1 oz
Upper Material	REPREVE recycled polyester webbing
Footbed Material	EVA
Midsole Material	Molded EVA

Another classic pair that's proven its worth over the years is the Teva Original Universal. These unisex-sized sandals cost less than half what many others retail for yet offer reasonable security and dependable traction for many adventures. “Their simple, sturdy velcro straps couldn't be simpler to adjust for me,” our tester says, allowing you to achieve your perfect fit. They're thin, lightweight, and packable, making them a great just in case addition to your vacation suitcase. And they come in a ton of colors and patterns to suit your style.

For most everyday adventures, the Teva Original Universal will carry you through, but when it comes to extreme and rugged conditions, they can't keep up with some of the more robust models. Our tester noted, “Particularly in water, I found myself slipping in the footbeds, and when I tightened them, the edges of the straps can be a bit scratchy, and it's noticeable how narrow this sandal is on my feet.” The flat footbeds don't provide arch support if that's important to you. Still, this is a great and simple sandal for the modest adventurer or festival-goer seeking a solid option at a reasonable price. Ladies looking for a slightly classier-looking Teva sandal might check out the Teva Tirra. They did not perform as well, as you can see here. But, they have a more substantial footbed and strap system.

Read more: Women's Teva Original Universal review

Read more: Men's Teva Original Universal review

A Great Value Adventure Sandal for Men

Teva Katavi 2

Sole Material	Durabrasion Rubber
Weight (per pair)	1.36 lbs (size 9)
Upper Material	Suede
Footbed Material	Contoured EVA
Midsole Material	EVA

The Teva Katavi 2 offers a competitive all-around performance with a thick, comfortable sole and a surprisingly low price. Though they're only available in men's sizes, these adventure sandals could feasibly be worn by just about anyone. They feature a soft contoured footbed with plush suede straps and a durable rubber sole. These kicks are lightweight with a simple design that's easy to adjust. Of our men's sandal lineup, our tester says, “I can unequivocally say none of the other top sandals deliver the same overall value for money.”

They don't have the best traction when wet, as we experienced some foot slipping in the footbed and on wet surfaces. The strap system is easy to use but not as customizable or accommodating to different shapes and widths of feet and ankles. And yet, the Katavi 2 offers great value, with a versatile and comfortable performance that outstrips its price. Another fantastic value is the Teva Hurricane XLT2, which is similarly priced, lighter, and has a little better traction and stability. We didn't find it quite as comfy, but some people may prefer its style over that of the Katavi's.

Our favorite Teva is the Teva Terra Fi 5. It barely missed out on an award. Our tester noted, “It is the most thoughtful designed Teva footbed. I loved the traction and comfort combo. I just found other sandals edged ahead to snag an award.” The Terra Fi5 is also $40 more expensive.

Read more: Men's Teva Katavi 2 review

Great Support and Protection

Keen Newport H2 - Women's

Sole Material	Rubber
Measured Weight (per pair) i	21.2 oz
Upper Material	Polyester webbing
Footbed Material	Quick-dry lining with Eco Anti-Odor treatment
Midsole Material	Foam

We think there's a sandal for everyone, and for the diehard shoe fans, the Keen Newport H2 is our top recommendation. As our tester noted. “The rubber bumper protected my toes, and extra straps add more side-foot protection. I felt like my feet were safely cocooned.” The footbeds have no lining that might hold onto sweat and odors but feel soft and well-contoured, with minute channels in the texture to help pull sweat away from your feet — keep you drier and more comfortable. These are some of the most secure and stable sandals we have ever tested, with our lead women's sandals tester observing they, “Gave me a lot of confidence on all surfaces.” Perhaps most impressively, the midsole and outsole construction provide a supportive footbed for long days on your feet.

The cacoon mentioned above is a distinct look. Our tester noted, “I like the style. But it is not for everyone. I also found my toes got a little clammy in hot weather.” The extra security and snug fit of the Newport H2 can cause issues for certain wearers. These sandals run on the narrow end of the spectrum and no wide sizes are available. They're also only adjustable via the toggled bungee on top, and can be rather challenging to pull on over your heels. While these don't offer the truly rugged traction performance of the most adventure-focused sandals we tested, they did well enough during our testing in wet kayaks and on slick docks. If you plan to wear your sandals very infrequently, the similar-looking Dream Pairs will save you a large chunk of change. They don't come close to having the same foot security or support level, but if your sandals plans are minimal, they might be worth the savings.

Read more: Women's Keen Newport H2 review

Read more: Men's Keen Newport H2 review

Most Comfortable Sandal

ECCO Yucatan

Sole Material	Rubber
Weight (per pair)	1.51 lbs (size 43 EU)
Upper Material	Nubuck leather
Footbed Material	Dual-Density EVA
Midsole Material	Polyurethane

The Ecco Yucatan stands out as the comfiest sandal for both men and women, thanks to its sturdy build and high-quality materials. Our women's testers also loved the impressive comfort of the women's Yucatan. The midsole provides support and cushioning for each stride, while the leather straps and molded footbed cradle our feet in coziness. The outsole has a small rocking, supporting a natural stride. “ I found them truly comfortable and supportive under any conditions”, says one male tester. Our lead female tester admits, “I found them squishy and pleasant, even for long days on my feet.” The high-end characteristics of these shoes are identifiable and provide exceptional comfort and support throughout various terrain and circumstances, even though they come at a premium price.

The Yucatan scores highly both in the men's sandals and women's sandals lineups. It's one of the best options for customers willing to make minor traction concessions because it offers excellent support, stability, and comfort. It runs narrow and isn't sold in wider sizes, which can be a problem for some folks. If comfort is your king but you're down with a less technical shoe, check out the Birkenstock Arizona slides. They obviously don't have the same trail performance but are an absolute joy to hang out in, no matter how wide your feet are.

Read more: Men's Ecco Yucatan review

Read more: Women's Ecco Yucatan review

Best Barefoot Sandals for Women

Xero Z-Trail EV - Women's

Sole Material	FeelTrue rubber
Measured Weight (per pair) i	8.0 oz
Upper Material	Nylon
Footbed Material	BareFoam
Midsole Material	TrailFoam

For the true barefoot enthusiast, the Xero Z-Trail EV sandals are a dream. These ultrathin shoes provide a barefoot-like experience while letting you enter establishments with “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” policies. The soles are impressively flexible yet still have a robust pattern across the bottoms, providing excellent traction even on steep gravel trails and slippery granite slopes. Their Z-style straps look classic but offer more freedom than you'd think. Their outward-angled anchors maintain tension without transferring it to your foot, keeping you blister-free over miles of wear.

If you're not already an avid barefoot adventurer, jumping straight into a pair of the Z-Trail will likely leave your feet tired and sore. But once you've strengthened your foot muscles to wear these ultra-comfy sandals all day, they have few downsides. They're offered in very limited colors if having your favorite shade is important to you. But if you're on the barefoot bandwagon and looking for suitable sandals for maintaining that feel while exploring thorny environments or venturing indoors, the Xero Z-Trail EV sandals are your answer. If you like the sound of this but want a different strap design, check out the Xero H-Trail, which feature similar overall construction methods and materials.

Read more: Women's Xero Z-Trail EV review

Best Men's Barefoot Sandals

Earth Runners Alpha

Sole Material	Vibram Morflex
Weight (per pair)	0.57 lbs (size 10)
Upper Material	Two-ply webbing
Footbed Material	Moisture Wicking Canvas
Midsole Material	Moisture-wicking canvas

The Earth Runners Alpha is our men's testing team's favorite for maximizing traction and security while staying close to the Earth. While not everyone enjoys the barefoot concept, the Alpha excels in this niche. Its thin sole coupled with super-slim laces provides a snug and agile feel across varied dry surfaces, even if it might not match the durability of some heftier hiking sandals out there. The single strap tuning can be slightly tricky to perfect, but once set, it remains steadfast. Our women's team also liked the Alpha sandals for a more secure and stable fit without losing too much of that “barefoot” feel.

While the Alpha might not offer the conventional comfort of its bulkier counterparts, it impressively navigates various landscapes, thanks to its absorbent canvas footbed and uncluttered yet effective lightweight design. A notable mention is its minimalistic support, which isn't so much a shortcoming but rather the essence of choosing such a sandal. If you're after a streamlined, airy sandal that feels almost non-existent, the Alpha is worth a glance. Scoring just behind the Alpha was the Xero Z-Trail EV, which is a little heavier and more stable but does not have the same comfort or traction.

Read more: Men's Earth Runners Alpha review

Best Slides

Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed

Sole Material	EVA outsole, cork midsole
Footbed Material	Leather
Strap Material	Suede
Measured Weight (per pair) i	20.1 oz
Available Sizes	6 - 17.5 US

The Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed is a variant of the iconic Arizona that has become an international staple in sandals. This iteration of the Arizona includes a latex foam in the footbed that offers an even softer feel within the moldable cork and leather while still maintaining the incredible comfort that Birkenstock is known for. Both our men's and women's flip flop testing teams find these to be exceptionally comfortable. We easily spent long days on our feet in these, with our foot arches well supported and an EVA outsole that provides decent enough traction in most casual settings. The Arizona is a longtime fan favorite in casual footwear, and with this classic design, you can have both comfort and style.

The Birkenstock Arizona is not designed to get soaked with water as it will degrade the sealant and finishes, so don't bring these on your next beach or river trip. Overall, the Arizona is a phenomenal option for comfort and style that has stood the test of time for a reason. That said, it's an expensive pair for many folks just lounging around. The value is there for enthusiastic slide fans, but if money is tight, the similar-appearing Cushionaire Lane is less than half this cost. They don't boast the same level of comfort or support, but they're functional slides with a similar aesthetic to the Arizona.

How We Tested

For over a decade now, our footwear experts have tested hundreds of pairs of adventure sandals and slides to bring you reviews of the best footwear for every summertime adventure. We research and purchase the latest, greatest, and most promising pairs each season to put through our rigorous side-by-side comparisons. We live in these sandals — biking across town, backpacking through mountains, kayaking rapids, walking the dog, hanging out at the beach, exploring international cities, and so much more. We pull in as many of our friends and family as can fit these sandals to help us determine which are the most comfortable, the squishiest, have the best arch support, allow for just the right amount of foot movement, retain traction on uneven and wet surfaces, and so much more.

Why Trust GearLab

The many sandals we have tested over the years have been worn and scrutinized by a robust team of Senior GearLab Review Editors. Maggie Nichols heads our women's testing team and is a lifetime sandal enthusiast. She has been wearing sandals professionally since 2007, as her main shoe for guiding backcountry trips (backpacking, rafting, kayaking, and more). At one point, she wore the same pair of sandals for 12 years before they finally needed to be replaced. Contributing to our men's sandal review is Jacob Clark. Jacob is a former climbing guide and route setter who spends much of his days exploring the California Central Coast beaches and hiking and running through Los Padres National Forest — always with a trusty pair of sturdy sandals in tow (toe?). Also joining the men's testing team is Mountain Guide, Zach Lovell. Zach has likely spent a third of his life in sandals or flip flops, desperately needing open-toed footwear as a break from his life in climbing shoes or ski boots. He's been involved with product testing for over a decade and thoroughly investigates every category he works with, sometimes to a fault. Together, these three have years of professional and personal experience in choosing the right footwear. Along with input from a handful of other outdoor experts, our testing team brings you a diverse range of sandals to cover whatever water/summer/beach activities you have on your bucket list.

Women's Sandals

We have now tested hundreds of women's sandals over the last decade. Below is a chart that highlights our latest test group and how they performed. See our women's sandals review for more detail on each model below and how they performed in exhaustive side-by-side tests.

Men's Sandals

Below are the overall scores from our sandals for men review. Check out that separate review to see how the best models compared across individual metrics and which models offered the best bang for the buck.

How to Pick the Best Sandals for You

You probably already know what type of sandal you're looking for. Some adventure sandals for camping trips, or a set of slides for running errands. We're not here to convince you what type of sandal you should own; we're here to help you figure out what makes an adventure sandal fit for canoe trips. We prioritize comfort, support, and traction, no matter what type of sandals we test. With your experience wearing these shoes at the forefront of our minds — not just looking at whether they match your outfit — we give you our favorites of each type of sandal and how to determine which ones will be the best option for you.

Choosing the Right Full-Strap, Adventure Sandals

If you know immediately that you want a pair of full-strap sandals, meant to stay securely on your feet all day, you're looking at many excellent options. First, consider what type of adventures you'll be going on. Your adventuring may involve exploring cobblestone streets and paved paths through a new city, and you're looking for a pair of comfortable walking sandals that still go with your khakis or sundress. Or you'd like to let your feet breathe as you head up a long trail through the woods to get to your favorite climbing spot, and you need a pair of sturdy sandals with good traction for loose trails and hills. Or you could be seeking a pair to wear on a leisurely kayak paddle and solitary lunch spot, and you need shoes that can get wet without letting you slip or rub your feet raw.

For every type of adventure, comfort is key. To figure out what you'll find comfortable in a pair of sandals without having to suffer through blisters all day, start with a pair of shoes you already own. It could be an old pair of sneakers with just the right-shaped footbed, boots with support in all the right places, or even some tennis shoes with perfect flexibility. Whatever your most comfortable pair of shoes is, start with those and figure out what you like about them to understand what you'll enjoy in a pair of sandals.

If you find your favorite pair of shoes is flexible, with a wide toe box and plenty of room for your toes to breathe, consider sandals with thinner soles that are wider than average or lack straps on the sides. If your favorite shoes take it one step further and are already thin-soled, a pair of minimalist sandals may be what you're after. These ultralight sandals are extremely pliable, with a spacious toe area that helps them to mimic the experience of walking barefoot without forcing you to feel all those pokey rocks.

Your favorite shoes probably have contoured footbeds that offer arch support and sturdy soles with plenty of traction. You don't have to give all that up with sandals. Many sandals offer arch support, heel security, or even toe box topography. Thicker soles and those with specialized midsoles can still provide ample support over long days on your feet or carrying heavy loads around town and on the trails. Rugged traction and robust lugs can add traction over dry terrain — and some have specialized rubber compounds that maintain impressive traction even on wet surfaces.

Sandal strap systems also play into their comfort, but typically in a lesser way than their soles. Everyone prefers different tightness levels and numbers of straps for security, so there's no single answer here. Pay attention to how adjustable a potential new pair of sandals is. Many are fully adjustable, letting you change them repeatedly to find the right fit. No matter if they have simple velcro or an integrated lacing system that requires a diagram and patience to figure out, become intimately familiar with your sandals' system.

Deciding where you'll wear your sandals will help determine how secure and stable they should be and what kind of traction you'll need. In general, sandals that include an over-the-toe strap — whether over all of your toes or just the big one — are more secure but more challenging to adjust (and readjust as conditions change). If you'd like to wear your sandals walking over loose materials, up steep slopes, or when wet, carefully consider their traction. But don't just flip them over to look at the tread. Though this is very important, the traction of your foot on the footbed is equally as important. Sandals that are smooth on the top tend to easily let your feet slide, as do loose sandals and those with less secure straps.

Simplicity in Slides

By definition, slides lack features in other sandals that keep them safely on your feet through all your adventures. They have no toe post or loop and no ankle strap. Without that level of security, we rarely find a pair of slides that we want to hike up a mountain in or wear while traipsing around a new city on vacation. But for hanging out around the house, running errands around town, and even helping your feet recover, a pair of slides may be a good pairing for you.

While we don't have an entire category of testing dedicated only to slides, we've had a fair few on our feet through these reviews. For the most part, these simple slip-on shoes stand out best for their comfort and ease of use, while their fit security depends on your specific foot shape.

Is There One Sandal to Rule Them All?

We wish! So much goes into making a perfect sandal that just isn't conducive to a one-size-fits-all approach. And we haven't even touched on style, which is even more subjective than the type of support, tightness of straps, and flexibility of soles all put together. Even we can't unanimously agree on a single pair of sandals that all our testers would choose in every situation. Whenever you can, try on your sandals before buying them. Or at the very least, find an online retailer with a generous return policy — and be critical with your assessments to find the best sandals for your feet.

Conclusion

There's a wide world of sandals for every activity, outfit, outing, and vibe. Though much of your ultimate choice will include your personal aesthetic and comfort preferences, we hope our ongoing comparisons and intense side-by-side testing have helped you determine the qualities you want in your perfect pair.

We've also tested a wide variety of other footwear categories for every foot and budget, from top-rated hiking boots to casual flip flops to our tester's favorite running shoes.