17 Comfortable Summer Sandals Recommended By The Older Folks Who Actually Wear Them

Of all the sandals on this list, Birkenstocks were among the most suggested — it also happens to be the one shoe brand that my father attributes to eliminating his chronic plantar fasciitis pain. The Arizona slides are one of the brand's most recognized styles and are made with soft leather uppers and Birkenstock's signature firm support contoured footbed, an anatomically designed insole that offers longitudinal arch support running along the sides of the footbed for greater stability. These come in what seems to be an endless selection of colors and materials including this oiled leather option, suede and metallic. There's also a style with a heel strap called the Milano, a softer cushioned footbed version and a fully waterproof style. Grab these in gender-neutral sizes 5-13.5 and two widths.

"Birks because they have the support but the leather footbed doesn’t do well when wet" — Mahmoudi Guthrie

"Birkenstocks!!! Excellent support. They last forever. I have knee and foot pain but as soon as I wear my B's, I feel 'aligned' and the pain is significantly diminished." — Julia Overton-Healy

"For wide feet, Birkenstock Arizona (because it's difficult to find anything else)." — Mary Ann O'Brien

"My 72 year old mom LOVES Birkenstocks... has for years!" — Katie De Leon

The recovery shoe brand, Oofos, which was suggested to us several times, offers a large selection of sandals, clogs and sneakers made from a proprietary foam material that's designed to absorb shock, reduce strain on joints and assist with active recovery. These machine-washable flip flops come in up to seven colors and sizes for both men (3-16) and women (5-11).

"Definitely Oofos Ooriginal or Oo La La Sandals! They're comfortable, absorb impact well, and reduce stress on your joints! They're cute too." — Natalie Huizinga

"Oofos flip flops for planters fasciitis. I can’t get by without them." — Penny Yale Wood

These wedge flip-flops with fabric uppers are, like all shoes from the Clarks Cloudsteppers line, made with a soft-cushioned footbed layered over a high-density foam that makes the shoe feather-light. You can shop the Arla Gilson medium-width sandals in four colors and women's sizes 5-12.

"Cloud steppers by Clark! So comfortable and great support. In every color you can think of. Once you get one pair you’ll keep buying them. And they never wear out and are super cute to boot!" — Holly Bea-Weaver

"I’m loving my Clark flip flops. I have a slight neuropathy in my toes due to Chemo." — Susan Boeggeman

"Clarks Cloudsteppers Arla sandals, heaven!" — Barbara Alley

These sandals are a Go Walk classic from Skechers, a revered footwear brand mentioned several times in our quest to find comfortable sandals. Made with a woven fabric upper that's great for all outdoor activities, these machine-washable sandals feature a unique "wave" insole that massage the soles of the feet with each step and a cushioning midsole made from a resilient foam. Find these in up to four colors and sizes for both men (7.5-13) and women (6.5-12). Skechers is currently offering 25% off sitewide, which you can access by signing up as a member for free and entering the code MEMBER at checkout.

"Skechers. Arch support and my pinky toes, very sensitive and red from years on my feet, are free and unrestrained. I wear them all year, except very cold days in Florida.' — Sherry Greene

"Skechers. Quick easy inexpensive shoes. They dry quickly. They’re comfortable and light." — Mahmoudi Guthrie

"Skechers for life! Just spent 27 days walking thru Rome, Pompeii and S, Italy. The Skechers were so good at keeping me from tripping, falling on all that cobblestone." — Tracy Taylor May

Available in a nearly endless selection of colors, materials and men's (7-18) and women's (5-12) sizes, these water-resistant and medium-width flip-flops feature an anatomically contoured footbed with a negative-drop heel.

"Olukai flip flops. I buy a pair each year and live in them May-Sept. I cycle mine. A new pair and an old pair becomes my garden/outdoor shoes. They have great arch support and unlike Chacos, are flat rubber, no irritating mesh patterns." — Barbara Haller

"I'm 51, a personal trainer. I'm very fit, but my feet suck. No arches, plantar fasciitis. But I love sandals and flip flops in the summertime.The downside of crap feet--apart from the pain and discomfort--is that my shoes are more expensive as a result. At work I live in various types of sneakers/trainers that have athletic insoles with a sturdy heel cup and arch support, without which I could not do my job without foot pain. When I'm lounging around the house or tooling around outside in the warmer months I rely on Oofos, Vionic and Olukai flip flops, all of which have built-in arch supports, heel cups and cushioning. Good shoes have saved my feet." — Nicole Coelho Antoun

Vionic, a brand that's earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of approval, uses built-in orthotics specifically designed to hug arches, absorb shock and reduce strain on areas like the ankles and knees and may even help treat plantar fasciitis. The Amber sandal features four points of Velcro adjustability and natural cork uppers with a microfiber-covered footbed. They are available in two colors, two widths and sizes 5-13.

"The Vionic Amber sandal. Good for high arches and heel support. I have high arches and bone spurs on my heels. The Velcro straps work well for various width sizes. I have a narrow heel so I appreciate the ability to adjust the straps. Have worn the Vionics for 2 years (I live in a climate where sandals can be worn 9 months of the year) and they still provide good support. They are also great for diabetics. I can walk all day without any pain. I’ve worn them on hikes but only if the path was not rugged. If the path is rocky I don’t feel the rocks digging into my feet. The sandals are attractive enough to where with casual dresses." — Ruth Brooks Baehr

"I just tried Vionics - they don't 'flip flop,' which is dangerous for those of us who occasionally trip over nothing, but excellent support and comfort. And CUTE!" — Janine Jaeger Taylor

These adjustable flip-flop-style wedges disguise a super-cushioning and pressure-diffusing midsole in a deceptively comfortable platform heel design. Grab these ergonomic FitFlops in up to four colors and women's sizes 5-11.

"FitFlops. The only sole that is firm enough for me. I have waling shoes, slippers, boots and flip flops." — Julie Rometti-Llewellyn

This isn't the first time that we've sung the praises of these adjustable strap Chaco Chillos slides, which boast a podiatrist-approved and high-rebound EVA footbed and a lug-sole outer that offers no-slip traction. They come in a variety of colors and even offer full-color customization on the stitching, straps and sole when purchased directly on the Chacos website. Grab them in women's sizes 5-12 and men's sizes 7-15.

"I’m 69, discovered Chacos Chillos slides 3 years ago right after my double knee replacement surgery. I was looking for something that would be easy to slip on and off because I couldn’t bend my knees and also be super comfortable with arch support. They come in cute colors and color combinations. All the physical therapy gals asked about them, thought they were so cute!" — Deanna Marie Danielson

"Chacos, all day every day for about half the year. I'm either hiking or on a raft most days in the warmer months and they work well for both. And at least in Montana, you can throw on a summer dress and hit a wedding in them too. Sturdy, support a high arch, you can custom design if you want and last for years." — Marisa Franz Crerar

These sandals from Keens have a multi-directional lug pattern on the sole for all-terrain traction and a closed-toe design. The shoes feature a "Metatomical" molded footbed, a brand-exclusive insole that is anatomically designed to provide better support. Although these are only available in women's sizes 5-11 (and up to eight colors), you can find a similar style for men at Amazon.

"Keens cause there amphibious They protect your toes They’re cool on the foot (temp cool not fashion cool) You can hose them off." — Mahmoudi Guthrie

"The Keen Rose Sandal" — Jennifer Rygiel

"My Big, wide feet with high arch… Keen for hiking." — Pernille Henriksen

Available in over 20 colors and strap materials like denim and leather, the Naot Kayla sandal features a podiatrist-approved anatomical footbed made from a cork and latex footbed that molds to the shape of your foot with each wear. Atop the weight-distributing footbed, a shock-absorbing footpad helps to add support, comfort and encourage good posture. Find them in women's sizes 4-13.

"Naots - really comfortable, good-looking and may well so they last years!" — Anne Parker Michie

"Naot the Kayla sandal." — Maura Reilly Ronan

Hoka is a podiatrist-approved shoe brand with a reputation for crafting some of the most comfortable and pain-relieving footwear. The Ora recovery slides made from a lightweight and injection-molded EVA, promise "foot-cradling comfort," optimal breathability and a wide stable base. They are available in gender-neutral sizing 5-16 and over 20 colors.

"Hoka Recovery Slides are so comfortable. I got them to wear for my Planter Fasciitis. I had terrible heel pain in my right foot & pain in the arch (connective tissue) of my left foot. They help you to walk by using your big toes and without putting undo pressure on the 2nd toes. They have been a godsend. They are not the most stylish slide but they certainly work!" — Leann DuPont

Available in tons of color combinations and sizes for both men (7-14) and women (6-11), these versatile Teva sandals have a dual-density and ultra-cushy foam footbed that lay atop a wider platform that makes these stable enough for anything from hiking to camping trips to long walks. The puffy water-resistant straps offer multiple points of adjustability for a fully customized fit.

"Birkenstock and Dansko! I also have a pair of Teva walking sandals that are wonderful (Teva Zymic)." — Heather Michalak

"My 80 year old mom wears Teva flip flops year round." — Tizzie Cregan

These sandals by Kuru combine the support of an athletic sneaker with the coziness of a knit sock and the functionality of a sandal. The ergonomic and contoured insole is supplemented with a rocker-like heel for relieving wear. The soft knit uppers come in two colors (they are also available with leather straps) and the sandals come in women's sizes 5-12.

"I am 70 and wear Kuru sandals. I also wear tennis shoes and slip on shoes by Kuru. Online store. I have type one diabetes and sciatica and they help so much with foot and leg pain." — Mamie Heimbach Fabel

Available in a few materials and over 20 colors like vibrant coral, mustard yellow and metallic copper, these slip-ons by Mephisto come in women's sizes 5-13. The leather-lined cork footbed softens to match your natural foot over time and claims to offer proper arch and heel support.

"I have worn the Mephisto Helen sandal for many many years. Started wearing them when a friend recommended them to help with plantar fasciitis and tendonitis my Achilles tendon. They are amazing, and worth every penny. (they are a little pricey) They have a cork footbed like Birkenstocks, but Birkenstock did not work for the issues I was having." — Vicky Holman Saylor

CAT may be best known for their work boots and construction gear, but they are also behind these rugged sandals that seem to have been discontinued, however a few sizes can still be found online. They promise an outer sole with reliable traction, adjustable straps and a molded EVA sock liner. See the available sizes in the links below.

"I have a pair of Cat sandals. They are heavy, and very heavy duty. I wore them every day when I was visiting family in the Philippines. They served me well on the hot streets of Manila, and provided needed support when hiking thru the jungle of Pansinian, and walking in the stream bed of the Eco Park." — Stephen Oppenheim

Dansko's stylish Marcy wedge sandals are made with stain-resistant leather uppers, a cork footbed and claim to offer a lightweight wear. And like the clogs that the brand is most known for, these wedges claim to offer a contoured and cradling support that's been APMA approved. Find these in up to six colors like shiny pewter and rose milled nubuck and women's sizes 5.5-12.

"Dansko, the Marcy sandal." — Maura Reilly Ronan

Although these aren’t entirely a sandal, they are a low-maintenance slide that can be a good warm-weather option for anyone that doesn't feel like exposing their toes. Available in nearly 25 vibrant prints and women’s sizes 5-10.5, these Uin mules have a cushioned and massaging insole, a generous toe box and claim to weigh no more than an avocado.

"Not a sandal but a slide. They're from Uin, and the whole line is available on Amazon--canvas tops and fabulous prints. A little pricey, but nice wide toes and so comfy. I'm 73, and I have three now because I lost my big toenail, and I won't be wearing any sandals this year!" — Angela Castro