Summer hikes can be dreamy—but they can also be a recipe for sweaty feet and blisters. On days when the trails are truly steamy, you may want to ditch your hiking boots or trail running shoes for something that lets your feet breathe. Enter: the best hiking sandals.
Although they aren’t built for the most technical routes, hiking sandals can take you surprisingly far. “I’ve worn them in moderately technical slot canyons in warmer places, like Bears Ears National Monument in Utah,” Isaac Laredo, a mountain guide at Alpenglow Expeditions, tells SELF. “You don’t get as much sweat or moisture building up, which can be great for foot hygiene across multiple days or just comfort along the trail.” Plus, there’s the benefit of being able to wander in and out of water whenever you want to without waiting hours for wet socks or shoes to dry, which Laredo calls “a superpower.”
But not just any sandal will do. You’ll need the right pair—with traction, arch support, durability, and stability—to keep your feet safe and comfy. Browse our go-tos below.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Teva Hurricane XLT2, $80
- Best Traction: Bedrock Cairn Evo, $115
- Most Durable: Chaco Z/1 Classic, $105
- Most Protective: Keen Newport H2, $125
- Best for Arch Support: Tread Labs Redway, $130
- Best for Running: Teva Aventrail, $127
- Best Minimalist: Xero Genesis, $58
- Best Cushioned: Hoka Hopara 2, $203
In this article
Shop the best hiking sandals
Kick wet socks to the curb. These pairs will get you through summer adventures, sans swampy feet.
Best Overall: Teva Hurricane XLT2
There’s a reason why the name Teva is synonymous with solid hiking sandals. The brand’s shoes—especially the classic Hurricane—have been beloved by outdoorsy people for decades. And for good reason: Podiatrist Roy Mathews, DPM, of Vancouver Podiatry, appreciates their solid lockdown and superb arch support.
They’re a SELF favorite too. Our reviewer raved about their all-day comfort; handy, blister-free adjustable straps; and grippy rubber outsole, all of which held up through five months of miles on both trails and city streets. “They’re durable, lightweight (clocking in at under one pound), and have solid traction for a sandal,” she wrote. “I can walk all day in my Tevas without my feet feeling achy.”
The Hurricanes do have a short break-in period, and it’s essential to find the right fit with the straps so your feet aren’t moving around in them, which can cause blisters. They also tend to attract dirt and debris (but their foam and rubber design is super easy to clean).
Sizes: US 5 to 14 | Material: Recycled plastic, EVA foam, rubber | Weight: 7.87 oz
Best Traction: Bedrock Cairn Evo
Laredo’s go-to hiking sandal is the Bedrock Cairn Evo, a lightweight, minimalist option that can stand up to a surprising amount of hiking. “It’s got an incredible fit that features a nice and snug toe thong, a really robust, moldable footbed that maps your foot really well, and a Vibram outsole that gives really good traction across all different types of rock,” he says. “They’re great for the majority of trails you’ll see across the Southwest and Western United States.”
Also key: Their light weight, and the fact that they dry so quickly after jaunts in the water. Nick Johnson, an outdoor clothing designer and travel guide based in Salt Lake City (and another fan of the Cairn Evo), previously told SELF that he’s “probably worn them 200 days out of the last year.” Why? The thong style and Velcro fastening system provide more “foot grip than most others.”
Sizes: US 6 to 15 | Material: Polyester and nylon webbing, EVA foam, Vibram rubber | Weight: 7.8 oz
Most Durable: Chaco Z/1 Classic
The Chaco Z/1 is another classic shoe that’s served countless outdoor enthusiasts—like Amanda Neiman, a former guide and the operations director at Intrepid Travel—for years. “They’re incredibly durable—I’ve hiked hundreds of miles in mine,” she says. “They’re great going in and out of water, and I like the arch support. The sole is like the sole of a hiking boot, which is important.”
Here at SELF, we’ve written about the Chaco Z/1s countless times. We love them for everything from standing to traveling (they even converted a staunchly anti-sandal editor). Podiatrists like them too: They’ve earned the seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), meaning the pros agree that they promote good foot health. Plus, both Ron Houser, a pedorthist and the co-owner of The Mountain Goat outdoor store in Manchester, Vermont, and Dr. Mathews can vouch for them.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Material: Polyester jacquard webbing, polyurethane foam, rubber | Weight: 15 oz
Most Protective: Keen Newport H2
Looking for a hiking sandal that gives your toes a touch more protection? Dr. Mathews says your best option is the Keen Newport H2. Their upper offers more coverage, while their toe cap will save you from stubs or scratches on rocks or debris.
While this means the Newports aren’t quite as breathable or adjustable as some other options on our list, they can still handle wet hikes, with their quick-drying straps and super grippy outsole. “They’re easy to slip on and off [and] have the ability to go in and out of water,” travel photographer Kathryn Cooper previously told SELF. “I wear them both to the supermarket and on six-mile day hikes.”
