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Sandals from classic brands like Teva, Reef, and Birkenstock made waves during our testing.
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In total, we tested 62 pairs of shoes to find the best waterproof sandals for every scenario.
All pairs were worn at least twice, as well as bent, twisted, and thoroughly analyzed.
Hokas chunky footwear is everywhere these days, and we can see why.
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Theyre also extremely cushioned, going across terrain types smoothly and easily while keeping knees and ankles supported.
The footbed is very springy, and we encountered no rubbing or chafing just lots of padding.
We felt like we were walking on air straight out of the box.
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They also maintain their structure, with a high-quality build.
Hoka offers the style in an all-gender model, as well as updated versions of the Hopara 2 inwomen’sandmen’sfits.
All versions have a variety of colorways with the same floaty feeling.
There isnt a lot of ankle support, and there are no half sizes available.
We conquered 10 hikes in these sandals, some in pretty harsh conditions.
The three adjustment points make it easy to recalibrate for any hot spots that form.
Theyre super comfortable and breathable.
There are 12 colors available to choose from, including neutrals, brights, and even a few patterns.
They run slightly loose and wide.
The arch support was a good height, and we experienced zero discomfort while wearing them from day one.
Their soles are thick and sturdy with a supportive feel and no rubbing or pinching on the straps.
We also didnt feel any slipping on carpet, wood floors, or outside.
They are on the wider side, but we found this just made them more comfortable.
Choose from eight colors, including bright blue and coral in addition to black and white.
The strap style takes some finessing to dial in, and the arches are on the higher side.
Chaco shows why its one of the most popular outdoor sandal brands with its popular Z Cloud.
Theyre sturdy and solid with wide, smooth straps made from quality material.
However, they dont require a break-in period and have excellent traction even when heading downhill.
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The sole is supportive but not springy, and they could be a little more stylish.
The straps are lined with mesh to avoid chafing and easy to adjust.
The extra heft also affords more support and protection from rough ground.
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The buckles are just for design, you cant actually adjust them.
Theres a slight curve for arch support, plus small bumps on the soles that felt nice and cushioned.
Theyre also very lightweight.
As a bonus, theyre also responsibly designed and created with fair labor and vegan materials.
They run large, so consider sizing down.
These feel light as air after a while, we forgot we were even wearing shoes.
Velcro can wear out more quickly than other kinds of straps.
Teva won their second appearance on our winners list with these sandals that were comfortable from the start.
Traction was great as well.
The sole doesn’t have a lot of cushioning.
They’re comfy right out of the box and take no break-in period.
They also have a decent amount of arch support built in, which makes them ideal for longer walks.
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TheSouthshore sandalis the women’s version of the Tuahine, and comes in five different colors.
During hiking, things also snuck through the gaps and got stuck in them.
Teva Original Universal Womens Sandal:This classic Teva fit perfectly thanks to the adjustable straps.
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They also required a break-in period for the initially stiff straps.
Forflip-flops, we evaluated the materials of the sandals and tried to bend each one in the middle.
During ourbest walking sandals test, we started by bending the sandals out of the box.
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We then walked around our homes for 30 minutes, noting the fit, materials, and any discomfort.
We kept wearing them as often as possible after those two initial wears.
Adjustable closures like buckles, adjustable straps, and velcro will help you stay snug in the footbed.
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Dont forget about traction
Things are, after all, slippery when wet.
Look for traction features in soles like larger lugs (those chunky bumps) and grippy footbeds.
Think about packability
Shoes are one of the most likely items to weigh down your suitcase.
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Adjustable straps or buckles can help fine-tune your fit as well.
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