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Sandals may not be the first type of footwear that comes to mind when folks think about hiking, but rugged hiking sandals have a growing niche among the adventure-minded. Sandals are great for staying cool during hot weather, shrug off water and dry faster during watersports or river crossings, and are lightweight enough to pack as an extra pair for around the campsite after a long day on the trail. With another year of hot temperatures projected around the world, more and more experienced hikers are switching to sandals as their go-to foot protectors.
Obviously, not just your everyday flip-flops will do for a proper hike, and cheap sandals will fall apart or give you nasty blisters in less than a mile. To prevent such suboptimal outcomes, here’s a list of the best hiking sandals for everyone from beginners to hardcore hikers.
- Best Overall: Keen Newport H2
- Best for Water: Teva Hurricane XLT2
- Best for Men: Keen Rialto
- Best for Women: Chaco Z/Cloud
- Best for Walking: Birkenstock Milano
- Best Barefoot-Style: Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV
Best Overall
Keen Newport H2
Best for Water
Teva Hurricane XLT2
Best for Men
Keen Rialto
Best for Women
Chaco Z/Cloud
Best for Walking
Birkenstock Milano
Best Barefoot-Style
Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV
Things to consider before buying hiking sandals
Terrain
The most obvious thing to think about when buying a pair of hiking sandals is what kind of terrain you’ll be encountering the most. Dusty trails with lots of small pebbles and rocks might demand more foot protection. Water sports and river crossings might call for a more open design with a priority on waterproofing. If you expect a lot of different terrain types, then more versatile do-it-all designs exist, too.
Distance and elevation
Quality hiking sandals are well-suited to the task, but some are better at long distances than others. Sandals that feel fine on short hikes might have shortcomings that don’t appear until you really crank up the mileage, so keep that in mind when trying them on. Also, if you expect a lot of elevation changes on your hikes, a heel strap is a must.
Blisters
Feet are sensitive bits of anatomy so if you’re used to hiking in full shoes or boots, be aware that hiking sandals are going to fit differently and make contact with different parts of your foot. Hiking with sandals is a real joy, but ease into it and pay attention to where the hot spots are for quick treatment. Both your feet and your sandals will adjust over time, so make sure you take those first baby steps to ensure long-term comfort.
Sunscreen
It might come as a surprise that you might need to put sunscreen on your feet, but they’re covered in the same skin as the rest of you. Hiking in sandals exposes them to the sun and the elements, so protect them with sunscreen as necessary. Remember that the UV index at altitude tends to be higher too, so even if you wear flip-flops all the time, that may not translate well to tromping through the mountains.
FAQ about hiking sandals
Q: How long can you walk in hiking sandals?
A: Hiking in sandals is a very fun and liberating experience, but it can take some easing into. Start out with some short hikes to get your feet used to the different experience. Once the sandals are broken in and your feet are adjusted, I’ve seen people hike just as far in sandals as I have in proper boots.
Q: How long do hiking sandals last?
A: Just like any hiking gear, your mileage may vary depending on the type of hiking you do. A good quality pair of hiking sandals will last just as long as good hiking boots with proper care and treatment. A lot of manufacturers also offer very affordable strap replacements or resoling services, so check out what different brands offer.
Q: Do you wear socks with hiking sandals?
A: Don’t let the fashion police stop you from wearing socks with sandals if you need to. Socks increase the thermal range of hiking sandals and can also extend the range of your sandals by cutting down on hot spots on a long hike. The only rule is to use what makes you feel the most comfortable on your hike.
Final thoughts
Hiking sandals are a very competitive market with a lot of great brands, innovative designs, and just as many campfire stories to tell. With versatile all-rounders like the Keen Newport H2 or Rialto, it’s easy to use the same sandals you use around town during your outdoor adventures, too. For more waterborne treks, Teva’s Hurricane XLT2 sandals provide superb waterproof performance. Women have a unique comfort experience awaiting them in the Chaco Z/Cloud, while barefooters can march like the Spartans with the Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV.
Methodology
I’m an experienced hiker, backpacker, scuba diver, and camper, so I’ve had a lot of experience and interactions over the years with a wide variety of outdoor footwear. Hiking sandals especially became relevant to me when I picked up scuba diving, as they make a lot of sense for walking around boats or beaches while carrying heavy gear, plus drying off and disembarking after a day of diving. So I started off on this article with a lot of research already done through personal experience.
From that initial knowledge, I selected the most representative or innovative models to test from top hiking brands. I happened to have a trip scheduled to Catalina Island off the coast of California, particularly the less populated Two Harbors area which was the perfect test bed for each model. I swapped sandals regularly to try out nature hikes, dusty trails, snorkeling, and scuba dives, plus just staying cool during the hot and humid island summer.
Naturally, comfort was a key feature, as well as durability on the rugged island terrain. I also made sure each sandal maintained traction and protection while wet, and dried quickly. Fortunately, only one model gave me blisters — which did not make the list of course — while all the rest kept my feet quite happy.