The 8 Best Sandals for Men, Tested by Style and Gear Experts

Birkenstock’s OG sandal takes the crown on our best list, and for good reason. It’s ridiculously comfy, easy to style a dozen ways, and built to last way longer than your average pair. After years of testing, we can say this holds up everywhere: breezing through the airport, strolling through the park, or racking up steps on vacation.

It’s made with oiled nubuck leather uppers, plus leather lining and insoles, which basically means it develops a natural patina over time, giving it that rich, lived-in look. What we love the most about is the cork-latex footbed. It molds to your feet over time, with cushy arch support and contouring that feels like you’re walking on sponges. And between the adjustable straps and deep heel cup, your foot gets that locked-in fit—no sliding or wobbling.

Since the EVA sole feels light as a feather (and flexible), we were able to sport it for hours on concrete and cobblestone like a champ. Just one heads-up:the suede uppers don’t dry quickly, so maybe skip wearing it on rainy days. This is our style editor’s vacation MVP: versatile enough to throw on for the beach, dinner and wandering around the resort. You can pair it with anything from pleated trousers and a camp collar shirt to your favorite swim trunks.

Read more: Best Flip-Flops With Arch Support

The Restfeel Slide works wonders for post-workout recovery. With dual-density cushioning that blends a softer foam for comfort with a firmer foam for support, this design feels like a burst of relief after a run and on rest days. When I’m heading out the door, the rubber keeps my feet planted on the ground. I’ve found it really gives a solid grip on slick locker room floors after stepping out of the shower at the gym. Plus, the upper strap cushions the top of your foot with foam lining, while holding your toes in place.

If you want a sandal that offers soothing comfort as you recoup from finishing a marathon or a vigorous treadmill session, this is your best bet. It’s comfy as can be with plenty of rebounding support with a clean, minimal style. Aside from walking my dog, I’ve slipped into this sandal on morning coffee runs and long pool days with my shorts or trunks.

Read More: Best Recovery Shoes

Allow this stylish sandal to whisk you away to Italy. After all, that’s the vision behind their craftsmanship. Not only does the relaxed, casual suede feel suitable for a boat ride along the coast, but the supportive foam footbed has your back for style and support. The molded foam on Todd Snyder’s Nomad Sandal hugs your foot like it’s custom-made. There’s contouring at the arch and heel, so you’re not just walking flat, you’re actually supported. Add in the EVA outsole, and you get that lightweight, slightly springy feel that takes the edge off every step, whether you’re walking a few city blocks or standing around at a rooftop hang. It’s cushy without feeling bulky, and comfy enough to wear all day without thinking twice.

Gollayan has worn this sandal during a five-mile walk in the South of France, and found that it kept his feet supported and ach-free. “Usually, I would never wear flip flops since they’re kind of ugly and not very comfortable,” Gollayan says. “Not so with this one. It’s incredibly comfortable, and the suede finish looks super luxe.”And let’s not forget the super tough and durable stitching that makes these sandals practically indestructible. It only comes in two different colors, but take our word for it: the sandy hue will go with your resort-ready; think a Hawaiian shirt and an off-white trouser.

The next time you head out for a ride in the wild, your feet will thank you for putting them in Danner’s leather sandals. We have strapped these bad boys onto our feet and were impressed by how fit they are once the strap is tweaked and tightened, like a custom-made hug. We were also impressed by how tanky they are with a sturdy, extra grippy sole that has survived us kicking rocks, trudging through muddy rails, and dipping in shallow river water in them. Really, the outsole can survive an apocalypse.

But the real star of Danner’s sandals is the comfort. We tested out the PU (polyurethane) footbed it has and were amazed by how it molds to our feet to provide support that’s borderline out of this world. We’re talking about cloud-like cushioning that will keep your underfoot and arch happy all day long in the wild. All in all, with these sandals, you shall conquer the mountain. Lastly, because style points should always be considered, we especially approve of the rugged dad style that is everyday-friendly and easy to work into your wardrobe.

Whether you’re walking for miles on the beach or cobblestone streets, you need a comfortable sandal that also looks great with your vacation fits. Enter Cole Haan’s cross-strap leather style: a more elevated option that looks great with your best shorts and knit polo shirts. The braided sole has a weaved texture and elastic gore, which keeps you steady and takes pressure off high-friction areas like your Achilles and heel. This way, you can wear them on longer strolls on the beach or boardwalk.

I broke mine in during a trip to Hawaii, where I wandered rocky shores and tackled uneven terrain without giving my feet a second thought. The padded footbed offered support for hours, and over time, the sandal began to mold to my foot like it figured out my stride. As for the cross straps, they’re soft enough to never rub or dig, even after hours of wear.

Teva’s Hurricane Xlt2 is the perfect sandal for city walkers and day hikers. The three hook-and-loop straps aren’t just for show. Each one locks your foot in place: around the ankle, across the midfoot, and near the toes. Our testers say these straps help it fit like a glove. Underfoot, the EVA foam midsole brings comfort. It’s soft enough to cushion every step but also supportive enough to keep your arches from aching. The chunky outsole is surprisingly tough, meaning you stomp over rocky terrain, gravel paths or busted city sidewalks without feeling every bump. It kind of smooths out the ride.

And because summer adventures usually involve water somewhere, the quick-drying straps will make a difference. One tester noted they won’t soak up like a sponge, so no soggy feet for the rest of your trek. The webbings, however, will chafe on the skin if they’re too tight, so be sure to test the fit before you actually walk in these.

A closed-toe sandal is a great alternative that will safeguard your feet against rocks, roots and debris on the trail. Enter Merrell’s waterproof design, featuring an athletic fit, breathable mesh and stretchy lining that conforms to the foot’s shape, reducing friction and the risk of blisters. The single-pull lace system allows you to make easy adjustments for snug-not-tight fit.

While this close-toe design may not be everyone’s style, it really excels in the great outdoors, and protects your feet against slips and debris. We found that the rubber outsole provides lots of traction, preventing falls as we navigated slippery creek beds. The grippy rubber outsole keeps our feet firmly grounded, giving you confidence on everything from loose gravel to mossy stones. Though this sandal is not the most stylish of our picks, it’s a true workhorse when it comes to performance.

How to Choose the Best Types of Sandals for Men?

To help you figure out the different types of sandals for your intended activities, we’ve broken them down below.

Slides

In general, slides, not unlike the ones you wear to shower, are great for lounging or hanging at the poolside. Recovery slides are a breed of sandals to be worn after workouts or sports to help relax muscles since they generally support the arch with good cushioning. These are generally recommended to be utilized for minimal walking activity.

Outdoors/Hiking Sandals

These often have a closed-toe design or at least have several durable strappings or webbings if they’re open-toe, as seen in the Teva and Danner sandals featured above to protect the ankle, in addition to a durable outsole and a molded arch footbed.

Dress Sandals

While the dress sandals are often made of higher quality materials, and the ones we’ve tested here such as Todd Snyder and Cole Haan all fit and feel comfortable, we recommend them only for warm weather offer activities that don’t require a lot of heavy walking.

How We Tested the Best Sandals for Men

The best sandals for men are versatile to excel in different settings, from casual wear in the city or around the neighborhood to navigating challenging terrains. At Men’s Health, we tested sandals comprehensively as well as have spoken to a panel of experts in style, travel, and footwear (such as stylists, fashion designers, seasoned travelers, and podiatrists) to find the best sandals for men. Our testing team ventured through various environments in them—like sporting them to hike, raft, stroll by the beach, lounge by the pool, run errands, and attend casual events in summer—to see how each pair of sandals compared to each other.

Comfort Test

We meticulously evaluated the cushioning, arch support, and overall fit of each pair. We examined whether the straps or webbings cause friction against our skin, tried the fit right out of the box to see if they required breaking in or sizing up/down, and paid special attention to the footbed materials as well as the flexibility of the outsole to guarantee optimum comfort without compromising durability.

Traction Test

We rigorously examined the grip of the outsoles by wearing these sandals on a variety of terrains, anything from treacherous rocks and sandy beaches to wet, slippery pavements. We closely investigated how the sole’s lug patterns, materials, and depth worked together to offer grip on the ground before determining their traction level.

Durability Test

To see if the sandals provide solid grounding while being able to withstand extensive wear and tear, we evaluated the materials, stitching, and overall construction to feel how sturdy and balanced they are. The best sandals for men we’ve tested and selected have in fact survived exposure to abrasive surfaces as well as water immersion.

Versatility Test

More than just about style or whether this particular pair of sandals looks great with X, Y, or Z (though we certainly embraced options that are classic-looking), our versatility test is based upon performance and the activities each pair is suitable for. So we meticulously assessed whether the sandals can be worn for hiking, water sports, walking, casual everyday wear, etc. In addition, we scrutinized features—such as patented tech or specialized materials—to ensure they meet the demands of various outdoor pursuits.