Sandals are an essential shoe for many, but not always the most comfortable option in your footwear lineup. Whether it be a lack of insole support, awkward straps that rub or a slippery outer-sole that’s not to be trusted, there can be plenty of reasons you don’t reach for sandals every day.
Outdoor tour guides, however, often have to rely on sandals to get them through their work day as they traverse a variety of terrains in any number of weather conditions and for long periods of time. Because of this, I was curious to learn the sandals and footwear brands they trust to provide them with this level of comfort.
Adventure chaperones from Hawaii and beyond helped create the upcoming selection of comfy walkable sandals, ideal for all types of outings. Find general sandal tips, waterproof clogs, all-terrain Tevas that you can even wear hiking and more.
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An adjustable strap sandal with arch support
According to her, there are three distinct sandal brands that outdoor professionals ascribe to, depending on people's specific needs and preferences. One of which is Chaco, a footwear brand created by an outdoor rafting guide in Colorado. Colletto said that if you're looking for a sturdy hard-soled sandal with a lot of arch support, Chaco's offerings might be the comfortable sandal for you.
She suggests the brand's Z line because they're durable and supportive, even though they're not the most lightweight option in our lineup. These adjustable strap sandals boast a podiatrist-approved footbed and a lug-sole outer that offers no-slip traction. Grab them several colors and patterns, two widths and sizes for men (7-15) and women (5-12).
A pair of women's closed-toe all-terrain sandals
One of her favorite pairs of outdoor sandals are these ones from Keen, which have a multi-directional lug pattern on the sole for all-terrain traction and a closed-toe design, something that Berbigier said is important to consider. 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.
A water-ready traction sandal
Based on her recommendations we chose Teva's Hydratek sandal, which is made using a quick-drying webbing material, padded straps and a heavily textured top sole to avoid feet from slipping in sliding in the shoe. The outer-sole is equally resistant to water thanks to a unique rubber construction designed to provide grip on wet surfaces. The Hydrateks are available in eight colors in total, and sizes for both men (8-14) and women (5-11).
A minimilast footbed T-strap sandal
"If weight is your main concern, true hikers going ultralight swear by Bedrock brand sandals," Colletto said of these feather-light T-strap sandals, which feature a minimalist foam footbed and Vibram outer-soles that claim to offer reliable traction across a variety of terrain and outdoor conditions.
A pair of women's leather everyday sandals
Outfitted with grippy outsoles and full-grain leather uppers, these dependable sandals feature a supportive EVA foam insole that's been naturally treated to control odor. They are available in up to four colors (the brown color is only available on Amazon) and women's sizes 5-11.
