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I’m over clunky shoes the minute there’s a glimmer of sunshine in the sky. And because flip-flops will only get you so far (literally and figuratively), a range of sandals is constantly in rotation for me during the summer months.
Sandals have also become an unlikely favourite for men’s event dressing, with Alexander Skarsgård stepping out in a pair of Valentino Rockstud flip-flops on the Sundance red carpet earlier this year. And while thong sandals aren’t for everyone, plenty of more reserved options offer additional coverage.
But where to find the perfect middle ground between function and fashion? From comfort first and office friendly to dressy, these are the best sandals to keep you walking on sunshine all summer.
The best summer sandals for women and men
Best women’s sandals for comfort
Archies
Arch support flip-flops
from £35
Archies arch support flip-flops
If, like me, you find flat shoes are the enemy, those classic flat-soled flip-flops are off the cards for anything beyond a quick seaside stroll. However, Archies – as the name suggests – makes flip-flops with proper arch support, something you’d normally only get from a chunkier shoe. They’re easy to style since they’re so minimal, and the range of colours means there’s something for everyone. The hot pink pair is a personal favourite. Inspired by the early 00s trend, these can be styled with jeans for a laidback – the Row-approved – summer outfit.
Archies
Arch support flip-flops
from £35
Teva
Midform infinity sandal
from £65
Teva midform infinity sandals
Teva is known for making practical, sport-inspired sandals. The midform soles add a slight platform with built-in support, making them ideal for long days on your feet. The elastic lacing keeps them secure without them digging in or causing friction.
Teva
Midform infinity sandal
from £65
John Lewis x Rejina Pyo
Flatform sandals
£69.30
John Lewis x Rejina Pyo flatform sandals
Comfortable but fashion forward, these shoes from the John Lewis x Rejina Pyo collaboration have a soft, clean look that channels the designer’s minimalist aesthetic. The flatform soles add subtle height without compromising stability, while the cushioned base makes them easy to wear. I like how the mesh upper keeps things light and breathable too.
John Lewis x Rejina Pyo
Flatform sandals
£69.30
Best women’s sandals for the beach
Crocs
Getaway platform flip-flops
from £39.99
Crocs platform flip-flops
After high-profile collaborations with designers such as Simone Rocha and Balenciaga, Crocs have become an unlikely fashion-world favourite. That said, their practicality is still a big selling point. These platform flip-flops are lightweight, waterproof and easy to clean, while the thicker straps offer a more secure fit than your average pair.
Crocs
Getaway platform flip-flops
from £39.99
Havaianas
Square-toe flip-flops
from £30
Havianas square-toe flip-flops
If you find most flip-flops rub, snap or just feel flimsy, Havaianas are a good option. I’ve had my pair for years and go back to them every summer. I love this chocolate brown pair with square toes, for added interest on an otherwise classic shape.
Havaianas
Square-toe flip-flops
from £30
Lululemon
Restfeel woven slides
£68
Lululemon Restfeel woven slides
These woven slides are a great alternative if you don’t like a toe-post style. The waterproof design makes them ideal for poolside or beach days, and they’re an easy-to-wear, subtle pop of colour.
Lululemon
Restfeel woven slides
£68
Best women’s sandals for work
M&S
Leather woven flat slingback sandals
£40
M&S leather woven flat slingback sandals
In classic black leather, these sandals are more polished than flip-flops but far lighter than traditional shoes – perfect for warmer office days. The layered woven straps add both coverage and stability, and are finished with smart gold buckles.
M&S
Leather woven flat slingback sandals
£40
Cos
Crossover leather sandals
£109
Cos crossover leather sandals
This crossover style is a smart choice. With open backs and peep toes, they’re neutral enough to work with most officewear. Also, if worn with trousers, these sandals almost pass as a closed shoe while still allowing extra airflow.
Cos
Crossover leather sandals
£109
Charles & Keith
Easley t-bar caged sandals
£65
Charles & Keith Easley t-bar caged sandals
If traditional sandals feel off limits in your office, this caged-toe design might still pass. With its more structured, shoe-like feel, the breathable weave is softer and more forgiving for hot days.
Charles & Keith
Easley t-bar caged sandals
£65
Best women’s dressy sandals
Birkenstock
Arizona rivet mules
from £135
Birkenstock Arizona rivet mules
If you live in Birkenstocks during the day, this gold-studded version of the Arizona should fit the bill – a little more dressed up without the signature cork sole.
Birkenstock
Arizona rivet mules
from £135
Alohas Dawn sandals
A little more directional, this pair is crafted from red leather with an elegant toe-ring design. I also like the sculptural wavy sole. These feel minimal enough to style easily but have the right amount of design interest to elevate a summer dress.
Alohas
Dawn sandals
£170
Aldo
Riva heeled sandals
£63.20
Aldo Riva heeled sandals
With extreme versions seen on the runway at Matthieu Blazy’s recent Chanel Cruise show, barely there sandals are a big trend this summer. You’ll be glad to hear that, unlike Blazy’s, this metallic-gold leather pair does come with full soles.
Aldo
Riva heeled sandals
£63.20
Best women’s chunky sandals
Dr Martens
Gryphon Atlas leather gladiator sandals
from £99.99
Dr Martens Gryphon sandals
Dr Martens sandals have been increasingly popular over the past few summers. Whether I’m strolling down the high street or I’m in my local pub’s beer garden, I almost always see someone wearing a pair. The hard-wearing soles are brilliantly durable but do need a breaking-in period, so it’s worth having plasters on hand for the first few wears.
Dr Martens
Gryphon Atlas leather gladiator sandals
from £99.99
Camper Thelma sandals
Heavy shoes aren’t ideal for travel, but this platform pair weighs practically nothing thanks to its ultralight soles. The design taps into that revived 90s aesthetic while still feeling easy and wearable.
Camper
Thelma sandals
£135
Hollister
Raffia platform sandals
£39.95
Hollister raffia platform sandals
This pair takes a bold shape and softens it with natural raffia. It’s chunky but not clunky; more Mediterranean getaway than heavy-duty platforms.
Hollister
Raffia platform sandals
£39.95
Best men’s sandals for comfort
Birkenstock
Milano sandals
from £90
Birkenstock Milano sandals
Birkenstocks are great starter sandals because they’re as functional as they are stylish. This style offers a slight update on the popular Arizona, adding heel straps to keep feet extra secure. The anatomically shaped cork-latex footbed is designed to mould to your foot over time, so these sandals should get more comfortable with every wear.
Birkenstock
Milano sandals
from £90
Keen
Uneek sneaker
from £110
Keen Uneek sneakers
If you’re familiar with gorpcore, you’ve probably seen a pair like this before. Sitting somewhere between sneakers and sandals, this hybrid style from Keen leans into the outdoors-meets-everyday aesthetic. Made using recycled PET plastic, the bungee drawstring fastenings make them easy to slip on and off, while the contoured soles keep things comfortable whether you’re actually on the trail or just dressing as if you could be.
Keen
Uneek sneaker
from £110
Vivobarefoot
San-dal leather sandal
£150
Vivobarefoot San-dal leather sandal
These sandals are designed to have thin, flexible leather soles that mould to your feet and the ground so you can feel as close to barefoot as possible. This might not be for everyone, particularly if you prefer more cushioned soles, but it’s great for those who love really lightweight shoes.
Vivobarefoot
San-dal leather sandal
£150
For more, read our guide to the best barefoot shoes
Best men’s sandals for the beach
FitFlop
iQushion ergonomic flip-flops
from £20.61
FitFlop iQushion ergonomic flip-flops
FitFlop’s speciality is ergonomic footwear in designs that don’t look overengineered. This pair has cushioned soles, built-in arch support, and what the brand calls rebound technology – essentially impact pillows that reduce pressure on your feet as you walk.
FitFlop
iQushion ergonomic flip-flops
from £20.61
Adidas
Adilette Aqua slides
from £14.99
Adidas Adilette Aqua slides
Fabrics such as leather, suede or anything too light in shade that could be easily marked are best avoided on the beach. You can’t go wrong with classic sporty slides instead. This navy and white pair is made from Eva, a soft foam-like material that’s fast drying – ideal if you’re in and out of the pool or sea.
Adidas
Adilette Aqua slides
from £14.99
AllSaints
Dune slip-on logo sliders
from £39
AllSaints Dune slip-on logo sliders
These sliders are sleek and made from lightweight TPU, a recyclable alternative to rubber, that’s practical for water, salt and sand. The shark-tooth tread also gives the extra grip needed for a pool day. Less overtly sporty than your typical slides, they’re great if you favour a clean, fashion-led approach to summer dressing – and, if necessary, they’re smart enough to take you beyond the beach and out to dinner.
AllSaints
Dune slip-on logo sliders
from £39
Best men’s sandals for work
M&S
Suede fisher sandals
£45
M&S fisher sandals
M&S’s take on the fisher style offers a smart middle ground for summer dressing. This semi-open-toe suede pair is easily worn with or without socks, so it could work for chillier early autumn days too. These would look great at the weekend with light-wash denim jeans.
M&S
Suede fisher sandals
£45
Grensen
Quinton sandals
£195
Grensen Quinton sandals
This pair, from 160-year-old shoemaker Grenson, blends the shape of a leather shoe with the structure of sandals. For stricter dress codes, they wouldn’t look out of place with smart trousers – wear with black socks for extra coverage.
Grensen
Quinton sandals
£195
Toms
Santiago leather mule sandals
from £65
Toms Santiago leather mule sandals
Inspired by classic smoking slippers, Santiago mules keep things clean and refined, with closed leather uppers and easy slip-on backs.
Toms
Santiago leather mule sandals
from £65
Best men’s dressy sandals
Onitsuka Tiger
Mexico 66 sabots
£157
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 sabots
Reworking its bestselling Mexico 66 trainers, Onitsuka Tiger has tipped into holiday mode with a backless clog design. With beige woven uppers and green accents, this style feels relaxed but put together enough for an evening look.
Onitsuka Tiger
Mexico 66 sabots
£157
Cos
Leather mule loafers
£119
Cos leather mule loafers
Business in the front, party at the back: you could probably get away with wearing these loafer slip-ons to a summer wedding. They’re a strong option when you want something breezy without sacrificing formality.
Cos
Leather mule loafers
£119
Dune
Issac leather sandals
from £79
Dune Issac leather sandals
This is a pretty timeless design that should see you through several summers. The warm brown shade feels softer than black, making this pair an easy match for everything from tailored trousers to casual shorts.
Dune
Issac leather sandals
from £79
Best men’s chunky sandals
The North Face
Explore Camp sandals
£72
The North Face Explore Camp sandals
This olive green pair is a sportier take on a chunky style. Set on sturdy but not overly chunky soles, they still align with the North Face’s signature outdoorsy style. With adjustable straps for comfort, they have hints of neon orange that add a welcome pop of colour.
The North Face
Explore Camp sandals
£72
Veja
Etna suede sandals
£105
Veja Etna suede sandals
These sandals manage to feel both minimal and chunky at once. With adjustable straps and cushioned footbeds, they’re designed for comfort as much as style and, like all other pieces from the brand, are made with a focus on sustainable practices.
Veja
Etna suede sandals
£105
Ugg Otzo slides
If I told you to wear a pair of Uggs in blistering heat, you’d probably think I’d gone mad, but this warm-weather option by the California brand known for its cosy sheepskin boots is lightweight and supportive.
Ugg
Otzo slides
£140
