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6 hours ago
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It’s official. Boot season is finally over; it’s time to let your tootsies breathe for a bit. But if just the thought of getting your feet out brings you out in hives, fear not – summer footwear extends far beyond just a pair of full-feet exposing flip-flops.
From funky trainers, mules, plimsoles and chunky flatforms, to ballet pumps in bold colours, and this season’s trending fisher’s sandals, your options for summer feet coverage for the whole family are varied and wide. So whether you’re running errands, off to work, picnicking in the park or summer lounging with your nearest and dearest, we have the shoes that fit.
For this guide, we’ve searched out the best summer footwear for men, women and kids, so you can approach the warm months with a spring – or summer, if you like – in your step.
Montbell sock-on sandals
Rope sandals are very much a thing, in large part down to Prada. These ones from outdoor clothing specialist Montbell – founded by Japanese alpinist Isamu Tatsuno in 1975 – are a brilliant example of the genre; pared back, chic and going for a lot less than Miuccia prices.
Birkenstock Tulum soft footbed
£125 at Birkenstock
£125 at Begg Shoes
It wouldn’t be a guide to summer footwear, and particularly not here at the Guardian, without at least one pair of Birkenstocks. But if you’re a bit bored by the ubiquitous Arizona two-strap style, then the Tulum is a great alternative. Comfortable and a little more unexpected than their double-strap siblings, they cradle the foot in style.
For more comfortable women’s footwear, read our guide to the best sandals this summer
Grenson Queenie
Prepare to see a lot of “fisher sandals” this summer, a style that’s swimming its way into hearts and wardrobes. This pair from heritage British shoemaker Grenson is as close to a perfect example as I can find; the Quincy model is near-identical, but with a thicker sole. Budget-wise, they’re more smoked salmon than kipper, but they should last an age and, when they look a little worn, Grenson offers a limited repair service.
Marks & Spencer bow flat ballet pumps
The popularity of the ballet flat shows no signs of abating. Despite so little cushioning between foot and ground, there’s something so poised about them that, on some occasions, the lack of support seems worth it. The puckering on this M&S pair is smart; the price tag is low (note: they’re not leather), and the black is either classic or – with a pink sock – statement.
Superga 2750 Cotu classic
What Superga trainers offer in timeless design, they match in superlative arch support. Few lightweight summer trainers can claim this level of comfort. Available in a wide range of beautiful colours, I’m a fan of the off-white pair for their preppiness – they would have looked perfect on the feet of Bonnie in The Wonder Years. Great with jeans and a simple white T-shirt or a summer dress.
For more, check out our guide to the best trainers that tick every box
Ecco Sculpted Alba 25 heeled sandal
Don’t let the fact that my old geography teacher – and yours, probably – used to wear Ecco shoes put you off this pair. This heritage Danish brand is plenty stylish, and these sandals prove it. Available in silver, black and this gorgeous yellow, the open-back style might be more suitable for picnicking rather than pacing.
Keen Uneek
From £82.99 at Schuh
£110 at Keen
For many, these shoes from Portland-based hiking brand Keen may stray too far down the “ugly shoe” route. Not for me, though, or the many others currently making them something of “a thing”. On a quest to create a comfortable shoe with a customisable fit, Keen has delivered some that work for both wide and narrow feet, and ones you can walk in for miles. The black is stylish, the green and orange is a statement.
Bobo Choses floral sandals
Stocked in a few places in the UK, Bobo Choses is a Spanish brand that’s known for its fun kidswear. This floral pair for women brings some of that childlike flavour to pool slides that will give that unicorn lilo a run for its money.
Camper Twins recycled PET sandals
If coquettecore and gorpcore had a love child, I imagine it would look a bit like these sandals. Made from recycled polyester, they’re the creation of Camper – the sometimes madcap, sometimes sensible shoe brand from Mallorca. Style with flouncy skirts and more bows to lean into the cutesyness, or with walking shorts and a T-shirt for a look that offsets prettiness with practicality.
Feiyue Fe Lo 1920
£29.90 at Urban Surfer
£37.80 at Spartoo
These minimalist canvas shoes have been quietly making their way on to more and more feet over the past few years. They take a simple white plimsoll up a gear. Originally worn in Shanghai in the 1920s, they’ve proved their staying power and still manage to look remarkably modern.
Cos Eva flip-flops
There’s been a real hullabaloo caused by a pair of £670 rubber flip-flops from luxury brand the Row that have become a cult item with people who have more money than sense. If you’re after a similar low-key look but at high-street prices, you won’t go far wrong with this pair from Cos.
Me+Em suede clog
You can thank Chemena Kamali, the creative director of Chloé, for the clogs comeback. This pair has a strap, making them far easier to wear than more traditional styles, plus a soft suede upper that’s more comfortable than the average nut-hard pair. A bit pricey, but this is a solid – and soft – pair of shoes.
Gramicci slide sandal
Slip on and strap in could be the tagline for these sliders from the Californian rock-climbing brand Gramicci, which has been having a bit of a moment thousands of miles from any giant sequoias. They’re the perfect pair of lightweight slides for pool lounging or campsite pootling – this summer, and for many more to come.
Alohas Sway vanilla ballet flats
Alohas’ “on demand” system is an effort to make only what will be bought. Given that overproduction is a huge problem in the fashion industry, it can only be a good thing. These shoes are made in Spain, and a similar pair I bought a few years ago is still going strong, even as the leather has become more supple. These would look great worn to lunch, the office or a wedding.
Boden hardware mule sandal
The single, big, curved buckle is the thing here. With contrast stitching, they look pricier than they are. Easy to slip on and off, the hardware means they still look put together, even as they communicate insouciance. The tan, black and deep olive are all equally appealing.
Flabelus Mary Janes Oe
£118 at Flabelus
£120 at Selfridges
Understandably, a Mary Jane slipper this expensive is going to raise some hackles. But some people will fall so hard for these well-made ballet flats that they won’t mind the price tag at all. The inside is made from organic cotton, the outside from cotton velvet – so make the weather app your friend if you choose to buy them. Having bought a pair for a birthday nearly four years ago, I can vouch that these apparently flimsy shoes are still going strong since they first graced the pavement.
Everlane the studio slingback flat
A pointed toe instantly gives a look direction, and these silver slingbacks from sustainability-centric brand Everlane make me think it’s a good one. If you have an event to go to, need something for work or just want to shoehorn some smartness into an otherwise laid-back season, these shoes are a step in the right direction.
Dune Idda utilitarian strap sandals
I know some men find the idea of sandals a bit tricky, intimidating even. If this is you, but you’re still curious to try, then this pair of entirely inoffensive soft leather Dune sandals may be just the pair. You couldn’t fall out with them if you tried.
Fracap leather sandals
Made in Puglia by the family-run Fracap – the grandad apparently crafted his first pair of shoes in 1908 – these sandals are an investment. A truly timeless shoe, even if 2025 is shaping up to be a big one for fishers everywhere, they’ll lend style to feet for years to come. The company’s designs have been worn by the Italian Army and air force, so they should be able to withstand at least the next five summers’ worth of barbecues.
Chaco Z1 classic sandals
£42 at Ellis Brigham
From £65.28 at Amazon
Originally designed in the late 1980s in Colorado by rafting guide Mark Paigen, these simple yet sophisticated sandals are far more understated than their birth-decade might imply. Less “boom boom” excess and hedonism, and more supportive footbed and streamlined silhouette, they would work with tailoring as well as on a trail.
Birkenstock Utti lace
£140 at John Lewis
£140 at Asos
These might not look like much, but that’s sort of the point. Between Birkenstock’s unmistakable footbed and the soft suede material in which they’re finished, the Utti lace are a treat for feet. Totally acceptable for wear with suits and jeans; just maybe avoid wearing with anything too tonally similar unless you want to look like a walking granola bar.
John Lewis Gurka strappy sandals
Fisher meets corpcore in these sleek leather sandals that can be dressed up or down. Apparently made using the Blake stitch, whereby stitching runs directly through the insole, upper and outsole, they’ll be a lighter weight and more flexible foot-companion than most. In a win for longevity, this construction method even allows for resoling. These shoes have a debonair air to match their slickness.
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Sebago Dockside Portland boat shoe
£149 at Stuarts
£150 at John Lewis
If you’re going to hop on board the deck shoe trend – or, indeed, if you don’t care about it one jot but need a practical shoe for warmer(ish) climes – then you may as well opt for a pair from Sebago. Founded in Maine in 1946, it makes quality footwear. Just don’t feel obliged to wear this pair with red trousers. In fact, quite the opposite.
Novesta Star Master contrast shoes
£59 at Working Class Heroes
£69 at Toast
Who among us can say that our shoes have been baked in the oven? You – if you invest in a pair of Novestas. These military-inspired trainers are still made in the same Slovakian factory they have been made in since the 1930s, using a baking technique to gel them together rather than glue. The ecru is classic and preppy, but other colours can dial that minimalism up or down, depending on your taste.
Mahabis Dreamer sandals
Summer doesn’t have to mean flimsy-soled shoes that make feet vibrate on concrete pavements. These sandals from Mahabis, the brand that brought us very smart slippers, will be a great foil to seasonal foot-ache. A note of caution: some colours are much, much better than others – black, seaweed and navy look much less like something Frasier Crane’s dad would have worn than the lunar grey, for instance.
Toms Santiago mule espadrille
I once heard an espadrille caught in the rain described as like a crumbling Weetabix. I know some people aren’t a fan, but I, for one, like the rustic, seaside spirit of an espadrille. This pair from Toms is the perfect shoe to slip on for any jollies. In the navy suede, they could just as easily work for a smarter day.
Dr Martens Josef slide sandals
£120 at Dr Martens
From £126.40 at Amazon
Dr Martens is best known for making the perfect boots for trudging through wintry weather. It might come as a surprise, then, to learn that the brand also makes shoes for less meteorologically challenging days. These leather slide sandals are super-comfy and lighter than they look.
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66
If you’re wondering where a lot of the post-Rishi Sambas footfall went, it went to this trainer by a Japanese sportswear brand founded in 1949, now owned by Asics. While my sentiment is that wearing trainers in summer is a waste of an opportunity not to wear trainers, I know that many don’t see it that way. But if you’re going to wear a trainer, at least make it a bright yellow one.
Merrell Speed Fusion sport RMX
£64.99 at Sports Direct
£80 at Merrell
Do you remember when, a few years ago, everyone started wearing Tevas? This pair from Merrell feels like the 2025 replacement for anyone whose Tevas are now good for retirement after many years of walks and commutes. The treads on this pair from the decades-old outdoor specialist will feel like an upgrade, as will the design – plus the straps are a bit more stylish, particularly if you stick to the black.
Russell & Bromley Dalvey cross-strap sandal
There’s something very The Talented Mr Ripley, Amalfi coastline about these cross-strap sandals, especially in the tan colour. Perhaps it figures, given they’re made in Italy. They’d work well with seersucker clothing to a summer wedding, but are just as respectable for mooching around on a summer’s day.
FitFlop F-Mode Go strappy slides
£42 at FitFlop
From £60 at Amazon
Another pair of slides, but this time more outdoors-coded than suited to the south of Naples. If you’ve been wearing bog-standard pool sliders for a few years now, these would be a great shoe to graduate to. Slick but still super-practical, they also feature a “Microwobbleboard” midsole, which gains them the American Podiatric Medical Association’s seal of approval for footwear found to promote good foot health.
M&S suede corkbed mule
A man in mules used to be a fairly controversial sight, but not any longer. There’s even an Instagram account, Muleboyz, where you can check what good company you’d be keeping if you decide to become a mule-wearer yourself – as well as the more out-there models you could be wearing. This M&S pair is a great, unfussy version for mule newbies.
Salt-Water shark fisher sandals
Available in beautiful colours, well-made and, particularly in this model with a thicker sole, comfier than could reasonably be expected of a sandal, Salt-Water’s fisher sandals are a classic. I like the caged toe for added protection, and they can stand up to water. They’re not cheap, but certain styles and sizes are often reduced. Truth be told, I’m yet to buy a pair new – you’ll find plenty of barely worn pairs on Vinted for less. I just picked up a pair for my daughter for £12.
Clarks Playsun leather sandals
For the footwear equivalent of a Shirley Hughes poem, look no further. This sweet pair of Clarks sandals has childhood and innocence written all over them. Available in three colours, they’re another classic from the children’s footwear maker.
Bensimon Elly Liberty slip-on tennis shoe
Bensimon makes brilliant plimsolls in general, but this pair in the Libby Flowers print is particularly special. Made from rubber and cotton, they’re super lightweight, and their slip-on style will save you the hassle of having to deal with laces when popping them on to your kid’s feet. And – joy of joys – they’re machine-washable.
Liewood Morris sandals
Marshmallows in shoe form, this pair would be great for boinging from playground to paddling pool. The shell pattern is cute, ditto the crabs. They’re designed by a Scandi company that brings more tastefulness to kids’ clobber than most.
Teva Hurricane XLT 2 boys junior
From £21.99 at Schuh
From £31.49 at SportsShoes
I know I said earlier that Teva had their moment a few years ago, but that isn’t to say they don’t still do the job very well – I still wear mine. Plus, they’re great sandals for kids. The colourful versions are fun, and I can vouch that they can withstand a lot of walking, being kind to feet along the way. Vinted is abundant with good-as-new options.
Hermosilla Bouton d’Or ballerinas
At £34, you might not want to put these very sweet Spanish-made ballet pumps through their paces in the sandpit. But if you’re after something special, these pretty pumps are well made and might just be the perfect shoe for the occasion.
Trotters Hampton plum canvas plimsolls
Often spotted on the feet of the royal children, these slip-on-and-off plimmies from British brand Trotters are the incarnation of kites and sandcastles in shoe form. The cotton canvas should be pretty durable and, crucially, they’re machine-washable. The T-bar version is also very sweet.
Start-Rite trekker sandals
£30 at Start-Rite
£30 at John Lewis
This Norfolk company has apparently been making shoes since 1792 – although not this exact model, which looks very much like a more childish take on the kind of gorpcore sandal that’s being worn in towns and cities around the country. The rugged treads will be as good for playgrounds as craggy footpaths.
Mountain Warehouse Bermuda aqua shoes
Maybe you’re already in on it, but until recently, aqua shoes felt to me like a well-kept secret. They’re super-comfy and make stone or shingle beaches more fun to paddle and play on. This pair from Mountain Warehouse has good grips and won’t break the bank.
Mori Kidly jelly shoe
To my mind, it wouldn’t be a childhood summer without a pair of jellies. But some jellies can be rigid and uncomfortable. Thankfully, these ones are squidgier than your average. Looks-wise, the buckle is a nice touch, but the fact that it hides Velcro beneath is the real coup – so much less fiddly when you’re in a rush to get out of the door. If the thought of buying plastic shoes new doesn’t spark joy, the secondhand market for them is booming.
Crocs classic clog
From £26.24 at Crocs
£27.99 at Schuh
A modern-day classic, the Croc is the shoe we reach for most during the warmer months. With or without socks, with Spider-Man Croc-gems or splodges of yesterday’s ice-cream, they keep young feet comfy and well protected with aplomb. Plus, they work for older kids and toddlers alike. Again, check out Vinted, eBay and so on for options for about a third of the price of new.
Birkenstock New Yorkjunior
£45 at John Lewis
From £45.98 at Amazon
Ever-comfy, ever-versatile, it feels right to round things off with one more Birkenstock. The wide-strapped New Yorks are a great shout for kids; the ones with an ankle strap make most sense on the end of legs prone to running at any moment. They don’t come cheap, but they’re sturdier than most sandals, and can be worn with socks early in the spring and into autumn, too. Plus, they’ll make great hand-me-downs.
Ellie Violet Bramley is a writer who has been delving into style and what it means for nearly a decade – mostly for the Guardian’s fashion desk
