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Whether you’re planning countryside rambles, hilly walks, or just want practical, cool footwear for your next holiday, walking sandals will be your new hot-weather-adventure best friends.
The best walking sandals should offer the grip and support of a hiking shoe but without the bulk or heat, and cope just as well with rural trails as they do with pavements. With so many options available, from sporty trail designs to more polished, wear-anywhere styles, it’s worth knowing what to look for before you buy.
My top 10 picks offer great comfort and grip, and some are also stylish enough to wear on city streets.
At a glance
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Best walking sandals overall:
Vivobarefoot Tracker Ora
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Best budget walking sandals:
Jack Wolfskin Ridge
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Best for supportive straps:
Teva Hurricane XLT3
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Best shandal:
Keen Whisper
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Best walking sandals for comfort:
FitFlop Neo-D-Hyker
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Best smart walking sandals:
Vionic Walk Max Wanderer
Why you should trust me
I’m a seasoned adventure travel writer and gear-tester, and I’ve been putting outdoor kit through its paces for more than a decade. I’ve hiked hundreds of miles in more than 50 pairs of walking sandals (18 this year alone), and worn them pretty much everywhere from my favourite local trails in the Cotswolds to camping trips in Cornwall and hiking and wild swimming adventures in the Lake District. I’ve also just finished working on two UK guidebooks – a great excuse to put on my sandals and go exploring.
How I tested
As soon as the sun comes out, I swap my stuffy hiking boots for light walking sandals, and I tested all my recommendations below over miles of trekking, summer swimming adventures and trips to the shops.
The 2026 heatwave(s) enabled me to check each model was breathable. I wore every pair on the South West Coast Path to test for good grip. I’ve tested these walking sandals over three months, and some pairs I’ve been able to put through their paces for even longer: I’ve hiked for years in my Teva Hurricanes, and I’ve now taken my top-rated Vivobarefoot Tracker Oras to four countries.
My main criteria when picking great walking sandals are comfort and grip. I made sure each model was easy to adjust and remained comfortable and cool all day, and I checked that their soles offered enough grip to keep me walking as confidently on rocky trails as on maintained paths.
The sandals tested for this article will be donated to the Julian Trust Night Shelter in Bristol, which gives outdoor kit to people experiencing homelessness.
The best women’s walking sandals in 2026
Vivobarefoot
Tracker Ora
from £83.99
What we love
Outstanding grip; comfy straps; easy to travel with
What we don’t love
No arch support; expensive
Vivobarefoot’s aim is to recreate the feeling of walking barefoot while providing a layer of protection, using thin and flexible yet still springy soles with lugs for grip. Whether or not you’re sold on the barefoot philosophy, the Tracker Ora is an outstanding walking sandal in its own right, combining excellent comfort, secure straps and solid grip.
Why we love them
According to Vivobarefoot, wearing barefoot sandals for six months increases foot strength by 60%. I couldn’t measure this, but what I can say is that, of all the sandals in the top 10, these were the ones I reached for most. Note that Vivobarefoot offers a 100-day trial when you buy from its website, so you can give going barefoot a good try.
I loved the wide Velcro straps, which were easy to adjust and remained secure and comfortable even on a sweaty, all-day hike. I wore the Tracker Oras on various trails and found their grip excellent, even on wet rock and more challenging terrain. These sandals are also packable, rolling up so they can be popped into a backpack pocket for travelling.
For me, the design of the Tracker Oras strays a little into orthopaedic shoe territory. I rather like it, but if you’re looking for a pair of sandals that aren’t so overtly outdoorsy, I’d pick something in leather instead. There’s no built-in arch support here, but if you find them comfy, you’ll likely be in them from spring until autumn.
It’s a shame that … getting in on the barefoot game is expensive.
Suitable for: all kinds of hiking and coastal adventures
Material: neoprene upper with recycled polyester webbing
Sole: rubber (natural and synthetic)
Sizes available: 2.5-9
Vivobarefoot
Tracker Ora
from £83.99
What we love
Outstanding grip; comfy straps; easy to travel with
What we don’t love
No arch support; expensive
For more, read our guide to the best barefoot shoes for comfort and support
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Best budget walking sandals:
Jack Wolfskin Ridge
Jack Wolfskin
Ridge
from £39
What we love
Good padded straps; decent grip; good value for money
What we don’t love
Not technical enough for challenging trails
The Jack Wolfskin Ridge sandals have a simple-but-solid design that will be perfect for summer walking trips and holidays.
Why we love them
The webbing straps are comfy and easy to adjust, and the extra padding on the ankle strap stopped the Ridges from sliding around, even when my feet became hot and sweaty during my tests. The soles offer good – if not exceptional – grip, and will happily handle light hikes and city sightseeing.
Where these sandals stand out is value for money. On test, they performed as well as models costing almost twice the price – so long as you stick to the kind of terrain they’re meant for. If you’re hoping to swap your hiking boots for a pair of sandals this summer, these are a great pocket-friendly first buy.
It’s a shame that … they feel flimsy compared with pricier models.
Suitable for: relaxed walking, daily use
Material: fabric
Sole: rubber
Sizes available: 3-9
Jack Wolfskin
Ridge
from £39
What we love
Good padded straps; decent grip; good value for money
What we don’t love
Not technical enough for challenging trails
Best for supportive straps:
Teva Hurricane XLT3
Teva
Hurricane XLT3
from £59
What we love
Good grip and comfort; good cushioning; affordable
What we don’t love
The straps are thin and don’t offer much padding
The Hurricane XLT3 are Teva’s all-rounder walking sandals, and proved to be one of my favourite models on test. Light webbing straps hug your feet and are easily adjustable over toes, ankle and heel. The tough but flexible rubber sole provides solid grip but doesn’t weigh you down, and as there’s no fabric on the well-cushioned inner footbed, sweat doesn’t seem to stick around.
Why we love them
Teva’s sandals are a bit of a classic, with the three-strap design first hitting the market in the 1980s. The Hurricanes take the brand’s original creation and add a hefty rubber sole for decent cushioning and a solid grip across all manner of trails. My trusty Hurricanes have been worn at a whole host of places, from the hills in the Himalayas to home in the Cotswolds, so I know they’re built to last. Once adjusted, these sandals stay put on your feet, and the soles offer good cushioning on top and reliable grip below.
The Hurricanes are also quick to dry, making them an excellent choice for camping and activities in water. I would give them a miss for tackling mountain terrain – for that you’d need a more solid “shandal” with extra support and toe protection, for example – but for relaxed summer walking and exploring, they’re a solid choice.
It’s a shame that … there’s limited support from the straps.
Suitable for: day hikes on varied terrain
Material: recycled plastic
Sole: rubber
Sizes available: 3-12
Teva
Hurricane XLT3
from £59
What we love
Good grip and comfort; good cushioning; affordable
What we don’t love
The straps are thin and don’t offer much padding
Best shandal:
Keen Whisper
What we love
Good toe protection; lightweight; can be machine washed
What we don’t love
Narrow fit
I’ve always rated Keen’s footwear highly, and my pick of its closed-toe “shandals” for women is the Whisper. A grippy outsole, bungee laces, quick-drying fabric straps and rubber toe protection make these brilliant sandals for wild swimming, waterside adventures and summer walking.
Why we love them
Keen has taken its popular hybrid sandals and made them lighter – the Whispers come in at just 280g per shoe (in size 6), so they won’t weigh you down on even an all-day hike. As well as offering excellent toe protection, the bungee lacing system is great for getting a secure fit, and the chunky, cushioned soles provide welcome arch support. Despite having more straps than your average walking sandals, the Whispers dry quickly, making them a great choice for wild swimming and walking near water.
Many brands claim their shoes can control odour – but after wearing the Whispers on a hot spring hike, I found them genuinely effective at keeping smells at bay. You can pop them into the washing machine for easy cleaning, too. The fit is on the narrow side, however, so if you have wide feet, consider sizing up by half a size to prevent the straps from feeling too tight.
It’s a shame that … they fit on the narrow side.
Suitable for: walking and wild swimming
Material: fabric
Sole: rubber
Sizes available: 2.5-9
Keen
Whisper
from £90
What we love
Good toe protection; lightweight; can be machine washed
What we don’t love
Narrow fit
Best walking sandals for comfort:
FitFlop Neo-D-Hyker
What we love
Comfortable; cushioned soles
What we don’t love
The beige looks dirty fast; limited grip
FitFlop claims to make the “world’s most comfortable footwear”, thanks to the ergonomic design of its shoes and sandals. If the Neo-D-Hykers are anything to go by, with their cushioned sole and wide straps, then the company has hit that brief.
Why we love them
So cloud-like that you’ll forget you’re wearing them, the Neo-D-Hykers top my list of walking sandals for comfort. The design includes a clever carbon plate in the sole which, combined with high-rebound cushioning, is meant to work like a diving board to propel you forward. While I’m not sure I could feel an extra push compared with the other walking sandals in this test, the Neo-D-Hykers felt pleasant to walk in.
These sandals aren’t perfect, however. The grip is limited, and while they’re fine on dry, groomed trails and pavements, they’re not for use on wet rocks or more challenging terrain. My other niggle is that the latte beige version I tested was quick to show signs of dirt – so although the straps are water-resistant, I wouldn’t take these on swims or rock pooling adventures. Go for the black option instead.
It’s a shame that … the beige version gets grubby, and they’re not suitable for proper hiking despite the name.
Suitable for: town and easy trails
Material: polyester
Sole: rubber
Sizes available: 3-9
FitFlop
Neo-D-Hyker
£59
What we love
Comfortable; cushioned soles
What we don’t love
The beige looks dirty fast; limited grip
Best smart walking sandals:
Vionic Walk Max Wanderer
Vionic
Walk Max Wanderer
from £79.99
What we love
Smart looks; lovely all-day cushioning
What we don’t love
Inch-thick soles; uncomfortable for those with flat feet
One customer called these leather sandals from Vionic their “summer travel solution” – and having tested them, I’d have to agree. Comfy, yet smart, solid yet lightweight, the Max Wanderer is a great do-it-all holiday sandal that’s even smart enough to wear to the office once you return.
Why we love them
There’s plenty to like about these smart sandals: in particular, the leather straps and chunky rubber sole that exude quality. Pop them on, and they’re impressive. The straps are flexible and well placed to achieve a secure fit, and the soles feel bouncy underfoot – although they’re pretty chunky. If you tend to roll your ankles, I’d pick something with a lower profile.
The word “cushiony” is bandied around a lot to describe soles, but these do feel light and pillowy underfoot and are super-comfy from the get-go. I welcomed the Max Wanderer’s high arches, but those with flat feet may find them uncomfortable. The rubber soles provide enough grip for groomed trails and city streets, making these a great option for all-day sightseeing before going straight out to dinner.
It’s a shame that … the chunky soles and high arches won’t suit everyone.
Suitable for: summer holidays, city breaks and pairing with smarter outfits
Material: leather and fabric or canvas and fabric
Sole: rubber
Sizes available: 3-9
Vionic
Walk Max Wanderer
from £79.99
What we love
Smart looks; lovely all-day cushioning
What we don’t love
Inch-thick soles; uncomfortable for those with flat feet
The best of the rest
Flower Mountain Nazca 2
Flower Mountain
Nazca 2
from £180
What we love
Fun looks, quality components, and supportive straps
What we don’t love
Limited grip, expensive
Best for: fun looks
OK, so the main reason I’m including these Nazca 2 sandals from Japanese brand Flower Mountain is for their fun looks. If you need a dopamine hit for daily life, rainbow-hued walking sandals are a good solution. Even beyond the pretty pastel straps, the Nazca 2s are a great walking sandal, with supportive, cushioned soles for all-day comfort, and adjustable cross and back straps for a snug and secure fit – minus any rubbing.
The soles aren’t super sticky, but they do have lugs for some added grip. I also rated these sandals for instep support, although the fit is small, so consider sizing up. The Nazca 2s aren’t cheap, but they’re crafted beautifully with sustainably sourced leather details. If you want a stylish daily wear sandal that can also handle easier trails at the weekend, this is a cheery choice.
They didn’t make the final cut because … they have limited grip, and sizing is small.
Suitable for: relaxed walking and daily use; material: fabric and leather; sole: rubber; sizes available: 35-41 (2.5-7)
Flower Mountain
Nazca 2
from £180
What we love
Fun looks, quality components, and supportive straps
What we don’t love
Limited grip, expensive
Bedrock Mountain Clog
Bedrock
Mountain Clog
£131.49
What we love
Great comfort, looks, and versatility in quality leather
What we don’t love
Not suitable for more challenging hikes
Best for: toe protection
Is it a shandal? Or is it a clog? I’ve spotted these Bedrock Mountain shoes on the feet of outdoorsy types at campsites and climbing walls recently, so I was interested to see if these rather chunky shoes are really good for adventuring. A month in, I’m a convert – for specific scenarios.
Bedrock’s clogs feature a smart suede or nubuck leather upper combined with a brilliantly grippy Vibram sole – as good as one you’d find on the base of a hiking boot – and a wide toe box and toe bumper for protecting your feet on rocky terrain. The back strap stops them from being suitable for more challenging technical hikes, but if you want a one-stop shoe for camping, van life, low-impact sports and gentle hikes, you’ll likely be a convert, too.
They didn’t make the final cut because … they’re not specifically designed to be walking sandals.
Suitable for: outdoor adventures; material: leather; sole: Vibram; sizes available: 6-15
Bedrock
Mountain Clog
£131.49
What we love
Great comfort, looks, and versatility in quality leather
What we don’t love
Not suitable for more challenging hikes
Vagabond Effie
What we love
Smart looks; standout suede insoles
What we don’t love
Needs care and cleaning; not for muddy and wet conditions
Best for: commuting
If you’re looking for a sandal that’s comfortable to walk to work in, but one that you don’t have to switch out of once you’re there, then Vagabond’s Effie will do the job. These chic sandals might have a low profile, but their suede insoles were some of the comfiest I tested. So much so that I reached for them over hiking sandals whether I was popping to the shops or heading out for a short stroll on holiday. The buckled straps make it easy to get a snug fit, and the suede footbed moulds to your feet over time. These sandals feel built to last.
They didn’t make the final cut because … they’re not suitable for rain or muddy conditions.
Suitable for: city use and casual country strolls; material: leather and suede; sole: rubber; sizes available: 3-9
Vagabond
Effie
£75
What we love
Smart looks; standout suede insoles
What we don’t love
Needs care and cleaning; not for muddy and wet conditions
Timberland Clairemont Way
Timberland
Clairemont Way
£73.50
What we love
Great looks on top; great comfort below
What we don’t love
Limited grip; not as lightweight as some we tested
Best for: casual wear
Timberland’s Clairemont Way sandals may look more style-focused than performance-led, but they’re still a great option for everyday wear. The fisher-style upper provides more coverage than a typical walking sandal, offering extra protection while still allowing plenty of airflow in warm weather. The soft leather felt super-comfy straight out of the box, while the adjustable buckle helps get a secure fit. Underfoot, the cushioned sole meant solid all-day comfort, but it lacked the technical support and grip of more trail-focused designs. Versatile and easy to wear, they’ll take you from casual walk to pub garden to summer event without looking out of place.
They didn’t make the final cut because … there’s limited grip.
Suitable for: travel and casual wear; material: leather; sole: rubber; sizes available: 3.5-9
Timberland
Clairemont Way
£73.50
What we love
Great looks on top; great comfort below
What we don’t love
Limited grip; not as lightweight as some we tested
What you need to know
What material should I go for?
Walking sandals are available in leather, fabric, rubber and even neoprene designs. Before you buy, think about where you’ll wear them. Leather straps tend to be long-lasting, good-looking and able to mould nicely to your feet – but are slower to dry, and will need care to avoid cracking or splitting over time. Fabric straps are light, breathable and reasonably rugged, which makes them great for hiking and camping.
If you’d like to go rockpooling or even swim in your sandals, look for a quick-drying aquatic pair made from webbing or neoprene materials. While chunky granny sandals may be having a bit of a fashion moment, it’s still worth picking a pair smart enough to wear off the trail as well as on it, so you get a good amount of wear out of them.
Sandal or shandal?
A shandal, as the name suggests, is a hybrid of a sandal and a walking shoe. They have enclosed toes and heels for extra protection, but plenty of vents in the sides to keep your feet cool. If you’re hiking on more challenging paths or over loose rock, pick a shandal to keep your toes protected. For more casual walking, you can usually get away with cooler (in the temperature and the style sense of the word) open-toed walking sandals – these tend to be quicker to slip on and off, lighter, and easier to pack for your travels.
What kind of sole do I need?
Good grippy soles are what sets a pair of walking sandals apart from more casual flip-flop-style designs that are only suitable for the beach. Look for the same features you would in a hiking boot – bouncy but rugged rubber soles with deep “lugs” (the raised tread pattern on the sole) to give your sandals good grip.
What about fit?
Your sandals may not feel as restrictive as your hiking boots, but they still need to fit securely, so it’s always a good idea to try on walking sandals in person before you buy. Look for wide, supportive straps around the ankle and front of the foot. Check there’s no tightness or pinching anywhere when the straps are done up, and that they stay put as you walk. Your heels shouldn’t hang over the back of the sole, nor should your feet spill over the sides, and the soles should feel bouncy, not stiff, under your feet as you move.
How much should I spend?
I often buy outdoor kit secondhand, but I’d always buy walking sandals new, so that they can mould to your feet over time. You’ll also know that their soles are in good condition from the get-go. Expect to pay £75 or more for a decent pair, but it’s worth spending as much as you can afford on high-quality sandals and looking after them for years to come.
How to clean walking sandals
Cleaning walking sandals regularly helps extend their life and keeps them comfortable. Start by removing loose dirt with a soft brush or cloth. Mix warm water with mild soap, then gently scrub straps and soles using a sponge or old toothbrush. Rinse with clean water, and avoid soaking any leather. Pat dry with a towel and let them air-dry away from direct heat or sunlight.
For more, read our guides to the best walking boots for women and the best barefoot shoes
Sian Lewis is an award-winning outdoors and travel journalist and author who loves putting adventure kit through its paces while hiking, swimming and wild camping. She also shares her adventures at @sianannalewis and thegirloutdoors.com
