The Best Walking Sandals: A Complete Guide

Why buy the Ecco Yucatan for men?

Whatever your size, the Ecco Yucatan is not only super comfortable with a light weight footbed, stretchy lining and nubuck leather upper, but it is also stable and gives great support, guaranteeing comfort from beach or trail to bar. 

Plus, it comes in 30 colors, so you are sure to find a color to suit you, and this men’s walking sandal is rugged enough to ensure longevity as well as great grip.

Check prices for the Ecco Yucatan walking sandals for men

Why buy the Teva Tirra for women?

This sandal’s list of benefits is nothing short of astounding – and the price tag is very reasonable when you work out the cost per wear. There is antibacterial protection for fresh feet, and a stable, cushioned insole for comfort. The upper dries quickly, while the non-slip sole is sturdy enough to take you anywhere.

To top it all, you are sure to find the sandal to suit your style among the 30-plus color options available.

Check prices for the Teva Tirra walking sandals for women

The Ecco Yucatan is a great all rounder.

This open toed men’s walking sandal is one of the best sandals to hike in. The lightweight footbed offers comfort, as does the stretchy neoprene lining that also aids breathability. This stable, reliable sandal comes in a huge range of color options.

The nubuck leather upper is comfortable and robust, while the rubber sole is designed for superior traction.

The Keen Rialto is a closed toe option, and this premium brand sandal offers wearers all sorts of benefits.

The upper is water-resistant and dries really quickly to keep feet dry. A locking bungee system fastens the sandal securely and comfortably into place, while great grip prevents slipping. An expertly molded foot bed offers arch support and cushioning, and the anti-bacterial properties ensure feet stay odor-free all day long.

All Keen walking sandals are also machine washable.

Dockers are up there when it comes to the best walking sandals.

The Men’s Newpage sandals are ultra comfortable, yet sporty too. There is a relaxed fit and you can choose from a range of show and width sizes. The memory foam insole guarantees comfort, and if that isn’t enough then the fusion footbed underneath acts as a second shock-absorbing layer when you walk.

These Dockers men’s sandals are sturdy, strong, sporty and comfortable.

You want the best ladies walking sandals? 

The Teva Tirra is a great all-rounder in terms of comfort as well as strength.  To begin with, you can choose between 32 color options. 

Teva’s Tirra sandal for women features odor-proof Microban technology, and can keep feet as dry and comfortable as possible even in wet conditions, as the sandal channels away water rapidly and efficiently.

The men’s Ecco Yucatan was our top pick, and the female version is every bit as good.

This open toe sandal features a rubber sole and nubuck leather upper, as well as a supportive, comfortable dual density footbed.

You can really make this pair of sandals your own as there is a choice of great colors, and this footwear allows you to tackle any terrain while enjoying a superb level of comfort.

Teva make some of the best sandals for hiking and walking, and the Original Universal for women is another prime example. 

For a start, this sandal is waterproof, so it’s ideal for wet weather or even entering the sea, lake or river.  A rugged outsole is designed for a great level of grip, so you should stay steady too. 

Once you’re out in the dry, the fabric straps dry off very quickly so you can be comfortable again without delay.

There are plenty of Crocs fans out there, a brand known for their delightfully comfortable footwear.

Style is perhaps not the first thing the Crocs name brings to mind, however. Well take a look at this pair of great value men’s travel flip flops and you might just change your mind. A relaxed coastal look is complemented by a padded footbed, non-slip grip and generous fit.

They are very slimline too, so they’re easy to squeeze into even the most tightly-packed travel bag.

Another top-notch travel sandal from Teva.

The Langdon is a durable, comfortable and smart-looking product that is without doubt one of the best adventure sandals out there. The leather upper looks the part, while a molded, cushioned footbed provides day after day of comfortable travel. This footwear is waterproof, robust and as well suited to casual evenings out as it is to exploring all kinds of terrain.

This men’s travel sandal is the only product to make it into three of this guide’s categories.

It is such an impressive all-rounder, making it ideal for travel as well as walking trips and ensuring all-day comfort. The sporty, outdoor sandal’s leather upper means it looks stylish, while the fusion footbed and memory foam insole ensure a superb level of comfort.

A rugged, rubber sole is durable and you can even get these in wider fittings too.

If you’re looking for a stylish women’s all-purpose sandal then the Rockport Ridge could be just right.

These must be among the best backpacking sandals, as they can effortlessly take you from beach or city by day to the bar or restaurant at night. The cut-out leather detail is elegant, while a tough rubber sole with traction tread and anatomical footbed ensure comfort.

They don’t take up too much space in your rucksack, case or bag, either.

Once again Teva make the grade in the best travel sandals for women category.

The Teva Sirra is another great product that ticks so many boxes. Its streamlined, lightweight design means it is easy to squeeze into even a small backpack or case. This sandal is also smart enough to be worn as day or evening wear, unless you’re going somewhere very formal. It is quick drying, and offers a good level of traction.

There are 9 colors to choose from, too.

These are among the best walking sandals for Europe and her cities, which is apt as Clark’s is a highly respected British footwear manufacturer.

While it’s not really ideal for serious hiking, this sandal makes a great everyday topic for when you’re exploring cities or beaches. All day comfort is a key feature of this product, and it has a cushion soft, ‘cloud stepper’ footbed to ensure happy feet.

The best closed toe walking sandals for men are the Keen Men’s Rialto sandals.

This rubber-soled sandal has all kinds of great features to keep your feet comfortable all day or week long. The water-resistant upper helps to repel water and is quick-drying. Superior traction is assured by multi-directional, non-slip grips, while a looking bungee system ensures a secure fit. The compression molded foot bed offers enhanced cushioning and arch support, and anti-door properties keep feet fresh.

As with all Keen sandals, these are also machine washable.

Our top closed toe women’s walking sandals are also from Keen – the Women’s Whisper.

This polyester, rubber-soled sandal features a bungee lace capture fastening for a snug, secure for and also has the Cleansport NXT system to keep foot odor under control.

The footbed is ergonomically designed to provide a high level of arch support, and as with other Keen sandals you can even pop these into the washing machine.

Ecco’s Yucatan for men is also one of the best rated walking sandals for men with an open toe.

For starters, there’s a choice of 30 different colors. The sandals have a lightweight footbed that is built to offer great stability and extreme comfort. A stretch neoprene lining helps feet to stay fresh, while the nubuck upper is soft yet sturdy, while the rubber sole is made for superb grip as well as durability.

The Ecco Yucatan women’s sandal is our top pick in the open toe category.

This high quality sandal has soft, breathable 100% nubuck leather uppers and a rubber sole. The midsole features Ecco Receptor technology and a double density footbed for support and comfort.

Ecco’s Yucatan comes in a choice of colors, and attracts great reviews for satisfied owners.

Skechers don’t only make some of the best fashionable walking sandals around. The Skechers Gander for men is a stylish, relaxed fit sandal with adjustable fastenings for a perfect fit.

A full length memory foam insole also gives walking feet added comfort and support as well as helping to absorb shock. This wider fitting men’s sandal also has a flexible rubber outsole with traction tread for extra grip.

FitFlop sandals really fit the bill when it comes to accommodating wider feet.

They are certainly among the best hiking flip flops money can buy, giving your feet plenty of room to spread out while the ergonomic design provides support. They are great for all but the most demanding walking conditions.

FitFlop fans love the level of comfort provided, especially for anyone prone to joint, muscle or spinal pain. With a simple, elegant style, FitFlops are also among the best stylish walking sandals around.

If you’re a man who wants a pair of the most comfortable walking sandals possible, then take a look at the Dockers Newpage.

This sporty sandal offers a spacious, relaxed fit, and there are two layers of added comfort. The memory foam insole has a fusion footbed beneath for extra cushioning as you walk.

This Dockers mens walking sandal is built to last, as well to ensure that you can last the distance. There is also a choice of width fittings, making this another option for those with wider feet.

The best women’s walking sandals in terms of overall comfort has to be the Teva Women’s Tirra.

This great all-rounder comes in an impressive 32 color options too. Teva’s Tirra is one of the top hiking sandals around, offering the user the ultimate in comfort, durability and practicality. The Tirra is treated with Microban technology to prevent odor. It is also designed to keep your feet comfortable even when walking in wet conditions, and is even designed to channel away water as quickly as possible.

Among the best sport sandals we’ve found for men are the great value Saguaro outdoor sports sandals.

This pair of men’s sandals is well suited to sports as the closed toe protects against impact while playing or walking. These sandals are ideal for walking in the wet and outdoor sports as well as walking and hiking.

For women, the best athletic sandals for walking we’ve found is the Viakix women’s walking sandal.

This footwear comes in a choice of colors and features a simple, neat design. There is a cushioned midsole with added ergonomic arch support plus adjustable front and back straps for the perfect fit.

This great pair of women’s outdoor sandals is quick-drying and lightweight, making them a great all-round option that also offers good value for money.

If walking in water is your things then you cannot go wrong with Reef – one of the original waterproof sandal brands. An extra padded liner means the Reef Anchor flipflops are as comfortable as they are practical, and there is also anatomical arch support.

This Latin American brand specializes in beach footwear that takes you from sand to surf, and their stylish products are among the best looking walking sandals around.

Our top waterproof pair of women’s sandals is one of the best Teva walking sandals options – their Original Universal sandal.

This women’s walking sandal is specially designed for use in water, so if you’re planning to walk by the shore it’s ideal. You should even be safe when clambering over rocks in these Teva sandals, as the rugged rubber outsole provides a high level of traction. The strong, water-ready polyester upper straps also dry out very quickly.

The Teva Men’s Hurricane is among the very best lightweight walking sandals out there.

The fabric strap design means these sandals are less weighty than others, which can be relief when packing as well as when walking. The tough rubber sole is designed to provide traction, support and stability.

This sandal is equally at home on the trail or in water, making it another great all-rounder from Teva.

When it comes to lightweight footwear the Skechers brand is hard to beat.  Their comfortable on-the-go 600 sport sandal is a great option when you want to carry less weight – both in your pack or case and on your feet when walking.

As always, this Skechers sandal features a stylish, modern design that is smart enough for a casual evening as well as walking the trail.  You can choose between fun leopard and tiger print designs too.  Skechers sure know how to produce the best cute walking sandals.

James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.

He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and all of the main national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks. 

Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.

As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.

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