The weather's warming up past the point of balmy, you sense the humidity in the air and feel like you want to go barefoot. Of course, whether you're walking down the block or have a long day trip planned, that's not always possible (or safe). Here's where the best sandals for men come into play.
This post may have affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission on purchases through the links (at no extra cost to you). This does not change our opinion but does help support the site. Thank you!
For men, sandals don't necessarily make a style statement. They can, but their primary function runs practical. They give you traction and a layer against the pavement, gravel, and all other rough surfaces out there. A top strap or two helps it remain in place, ensuring you can move, if not run. Then, more importantly, you feel the air on your skin helping you stay cool and cutting down on perspiration.
All men's sandals, to some degree, start from this spot but then take off in a multitude of directions based on where you'll be and what you may be doing. For the following should be on your radar:
This Summer's Best Sandals for Men
Slides
You're getting gym class or sports team vibes. We know the association. After all, that's how sliddes started: An easy-to-slip-on solution for athletes that cushioned their strides and held up through the shower.
Now, though, the cushioning and open-toed design have made them a must-have, particularly as streetwear brands play around with the silhouette. If you're on the search for an easygoing pair of summer house shoes (or simply want something defined by nothing but effortlessness), you can't go wrong with one of the following styles.
Recommendations:
The North Face Base Camp III Slides
The North Face manages to bridge comfort for the campsite or home with durable materials build for journey after journey and throws in a bit of recycled materials, sourced from the brand's own Base Camp duffels.
These sandals are described as “cushy comfort” for a fair price. The bandage strap, rubber sole and the fact that they feel light on your feet make it a very good buy.
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: Make runs smaller than size displayed
Adidas Men's Adilette Slides
You can't get any more classic than this shower slide, built with a shaped footbed and cushioned strap featuring the brand's distinctive 3-Stripes combination.
Made with a Cloudfoam footbed which is fast drying and beautifully soft for your soles.
The foot bed is also contoured for extra comfort and, of course, the pair is completely waterproof.
Pros: Value for money
Cons: Synthetic material may cause feet to sweat
Under Armour Men's Ignite VI Slide Sandals
Under Armour has been giving Adidas some fair competition in terms of slides, and the Ignite series shows it through adjustability, foam cushioning, and an anatomical shape.
These pair of slides have a soft foam strap which is adjustable plus a contoured footbed which is created with 4D foam for extra comfort.
Pros: Good indoor sandals
Cons: Feet can slide around
Sport and Hiking Sandals
You've got to move - but you also want to stay cool and have the best sandals for men that hold up when you take a detour through that creek.
Enter the hiking sandal. Brands known for their trail-faring styles, like Merrell and Keen, take all the best features of their boots and modify them for warmer weather. The result gives you a grippy outsole, water- and UV-resistant materials, and shock absorption that helps you go the distance.
Recommendations:
Keen Men's Arroyo II Hiking Sandals
Get the breathability and freedom of the sandal with the performance of a hiking shoe. Keen brings the two elements together through water-resistant nubuck leather, a lugged outsole for traction, stability shank, and metatomical EVA footbed for natural-feeling comfort.
These are definitely next level sandals. The heels are made to minimize shock impact and reduce the possibility of twisting your ankle when hiking or walking. There’s also less chance of them staining, smelling, or degenerating thanks to the treated lining.
Pros: Pricey
Cons: Made larger than apparent size
Teva Men's Hurricane XLT2 Sandals
These saw their profile rise in the 90s for a reason: Teva are some of the best sandals for men - they are comfortable, freeing, and last through a range of activities with quick-dry straps, an adjustable design, stability shank, and cushioned yet durable outsole. Upgraded for the present, Teva has been utilizing traceable recycled plastic to construct this line.
These Teva sandals saw an upgrade or two from the original version. Today, you will find the outsoles have better traction and durability, plus padding has also been added to the heel strap for even more comfortable hiking or canyoning expeditions.
Pros: Good for day hikes and light hikes
Cons: Some find the upper straps irritate the skin
Merrell Men's Veron Convert Sandals
Merrell's hiking boots are sought after, and these sandals travel in that direction with an adjustable, cushioned design with enough traction for low-key to moderate outdoor activities.
For comfort the insole of these sandals are lined with microfibre and have a midsole made from EVA foam for cushioning. Plus, they are quite a lightweight pair.
Pros: Very comfortable and durable
Cons: May not be comfortable for feet that overpronate
Birkenstocks
This 90s hippy/stoner sandal has been back over the past few years. Now acknowledging its broader appeal, the brand has gone beyond its cork-soled, leather-upper design to offer a greater degree of support and more configurations for everyday wear.
Recommendations:
Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Sandals
This is the pair you remember, even if you didn't wear Birkenstocks way back when. Here, their contoured cork footbed sets the stage for a two-buckle suede upper, giving you front-to-back freedom.
These unisex sandals were released in 1774 in Germany which is testament to their quality and popularity. The footbed of this stylish pair is made of cork and contours to your foot so they actually get better with age.
Pros: Mold to your feet
Cons: Some found the straps too stiff
Birkenstock Unisex Milano Sandals
Need to get going? The Milano takes the classic Birkenstock sandal and adds a strap on the back to help it stay in place.
These Birkenstocks are made to be lightweight with a footbed that equally spreads your weight for the best foot support. All three buckles are also adjustable for the perfect fit.
Pros: Excellent quality
Cons: Some flat-footed buyers find the arch too high
Birkenstock Men's Clogs
A break from tradition, these clogs add a more flexible, cushioned footbed, complete with traction pods on the outside, to the expected two-strap open-toe design.
Another sandal made with quality craftsmanship by Birkenstock. This pair’s upper material, although synthetic, is made with summer. The Birko-flor footbed means your feet will be met with a smooth and water-resistant material, and the Alpro-foam sole is not only flexible but also durable.
Pros: Very good for arch support
Cons: Sole of footbed may feel harder for some
Leather Sandals
The leather sandal has recently appeared on runways, exaggerated with crisscrossing straps and a platform-like outsole. Beyond the intentional magnanimity, this style has launched the world of men's dress sandals. No, that's not a paradox, but instead a stylized, more supportive version of the traditional summertime canvas silhouette.
Recommendations:
Dr. Scholl's Men's Gaston Fisherman Sandals
With their almost basket-like shape, a fisherman's sandal seems like the perfect solution for breathability and support. This Dr. Scholl's pair couples that design with an adjustable back and supportive memory foam insole.
The brand is well known for podiatric footwear and has been around for decades. These Fisherman’s sandals are made from leather and faux leather with soft lining crafted out of recycled bottles. Plus, they have an insole made from Memory Fit Foam.
Pros: Good value for money
Cons: Sizes run smaller than size stated
Dr. Martens Unisex Gryphon Leather Sandals
It's unexpectedly expected. No, Dr. Martens would usually be one of the last brands on our list for the best sandals for men, but the construction here reflects everything for which their brand is known, including sleek high-quality Brando leather, Goodyear welt construction, and a cushioned AirWair sole unit.
Another German made winner this time in 1945. At the same time their trademark air-cushioned sole was branded AirWair. The upper of these sandals are smooth and made with 100% leather with a lining that is both breathable and soft.
Pros: Leather straps mold to your feet
Cons: Straps may rub dye on skin
Stacy Adams Men's Calzada Fisherman Sandals
We associate Stacy Adams with dress shoes, and these men's sandals add a breathable interpretation that doesn't compromise on texture and ultra-refined style.
Is it a sandal or is it a shoe? Whichever it is, it is perfect for summer. Stylish contrasting textures, with iguana and hornback printed leather, make this pair truly unique. You can also keep your feet comfortable here with the memory foam insole.
Pros: Good value for money
Cons: Smaller toes may escape through the side
Closed-Toed Sandals
Are they sandals, clogs, or slippers? What you get is a bit of everything - lightweight like a sandal, with the coverage of a slip-on clog, with the unassuming ease of a slipper, finished with an outsole you can take outdoors. If you simply want one sandal for the entire summer, this option does it all.
Recommendations:
Birkenstock Men's Boston Super Grip Sandals
Birkenstock strives for a more transitional silhouette. Here, their cork footbed is joined by a clog-style, solid closed-toe upper.
This comfy versatile pair is crafted with a cork footbed sole, featuring an upper made of 100% leather. You can slip in and out of these with ease, but you certainly won’t be slipping around a floor - they are not going anywhere with their slip resistant soles.
Pros: Very good if you are on your feet all day
Cons: Tread of the soles could be more dense
Crocs Men's Bistro Clogs
Although they're ripe for streetwear collaborations (including multiple by Post Malone at this point), Crocs' Bistro clog makes a reliable, cushioned, and easy-to-clean closed-toed sandal at any point during the year.
This pair is designed to be supportive but lightweight, and made specifically for workers who are constantly on their feet - hence the name. Plus, the thicker upper area of these clogs are made to protect feet from spills, making them the obvious choice for work shoes.
Pros: Almost impossible to slip in
Cons: Feet can become quite sweaty after a few hours of wear
Josef Seibel Men's Casual Clogs
If you're looking to keep it simple, these clogs stick to the basics with a paneled, rounded leather upper made with textured materials.
These are a flexible pair of clogs which are also lightweight and made from soft leather. The big plus about these shoes is the fact that they have a molded insock for some serious comfort.
Pros: Machine washable
Cons: Size runs smaller
Flipflops
Pass the ones at the drugstore that'll break after a few wears. If you're truly serious about flipflops, seek out something with a more supportive base - they've got to withstand the sidewalk and provide some coverage against rougher surfaces.
At the same time, make sure the straps and thong are durable and thick enough to remain in place, no matter if you're someone going to the beach every weekend or looking for a lighter sandal to wear around the home.
Recommendations:
Reef Men's Phantom Sandals
Although Reef sandals have a bit of a frat bro reputation, they up the ante on traditional flipflops with water-friendly materials, including sturdy synthetic nubuck, an anatomical fit from the get-go, and a durable traction outsole.
These Phantom sandals are made by the internationally known surf brand, Reef. They feature an arch support and a footbed made from molded EVA for levelled up comfort. Plus, you’ll hit the ground running with these flip-flops since they don’t need to be broken in at all.
Pros: Very durable
Cons: Strap can feel tight for some feet
Teva Men's Mush II Flipflops
The materials that make Teva's adjustable sport sandals ready for everything get dialed down to a casual interpretation here, ready for more relaxed adventures where quality remains a priority.
These flip-flops are everything you need and nothing more. The upper thong is made from 100% cotton canvas with a midsole made with dual-density EVA. Very lightweight with a comfortable footbed.
Pros: Very lightweight and inexpensive
Cons: Sizes run smaller
Sanuk Men's Fraid Not Sandals
Although these have a worn appearance, they're cushioned from the moment you slip them on and stay that way with an EVA footbed, grippy outsole, and breathable liner.
These “Californian surfer” designed sandals are very comfortable thanks to the breathable terry cloth lining and the soft suede sole. Plus, the footbed is made with high-rebound EVA. The canvas thong is designed to be frayed for a rugged look.
Pros: Fabric is great for sweat prone feet
Cons: Not good for water
Pin On Pinterest
Ivan Yaskey is a Philly-born menswear fashion blogger and copywriter. When not writing about men's style he's also an EDM and synthpop enthusiast.