The Greatest Sandals of 2024

Sandals are the chameleons of the footwear world. Some seem like flip-flops, others like sneakers. Both approach, on heat days, they let your toes breathe. And when your actions flip moist and/or wild, these adaptable kicks are ever able to oblige.

To the untrained eye, some sandals may look like little greater than flip-flops with heel straps. Whereas others sport beefy straps and 1-inch soles that seem like they imply enterprise. However our consultants don’t decide sandals primarily based on mere chunkiness. We stroll the stroll to evaluate numerous use case(s).

Essential tester Scott Tharler has written about tech and kit—together with progressive footwear and attire—for almost 30 years. In that point, he’s logged lots of of miles testing dozens of flip-flops, sandals, sneakers, and sneakers. Particularly having made the annual pilgrimage to stroll the grueling week-long Client Electronics Present in Las Vegas over 25 occasions, Tharler has realized the true worth of a supportive insole

Particularly for this purchaser’s information, we examined 9 pairs of males’s sandals, ranging in value from $50 to $140. We omitted one pair from this remaining information as a result of a snafu with the strap and buckle that couldn’t be mounted in time. The remaining eight stalwarts have been evaluated primarily based on their efficiency in a mixture of climbing, highway, seaside, path circumstances, and basic on a regular basis use.

Beneath, you’ll see how the entrants fared primarily based on our rigorous testing. We’ve included a purchaser’s information, an FAQ, and a comparability chart that can assist you extra simply decide one of the best males’s sandals in your distinctive wants,

The Greatest Sandals of 2024

Sandals Comparability Chart

How We Examined Sandals

From hardcore climbing boots to whimsical water sneakers and every part in between, GearJunkie is aware of footwear. Essential tester Scott Tharler has been writing about tech and kit—together with progressive footwear and attire—for almost 30 years.

In that point, he’s logged lots of of miles testing dozens of flip-flops, sandals, sneakers, and sneakers in quite a lot of circumstances. Whether or not traversing a cavernous conference middle, a 5.8 route on a rock wall, or a calming river on an innertube, Tharler is aware of the worth of high quality footwear.

Though these residing in cold-weather climates may even see sandals as seasonal footwear that goes out and in of trend, they’re year-round day by day drivers right here in Hawaii (the place we carried out our analysis). In truth, from huge lava fields to sprawling jungles to twin 13000-foot mountain peaks—and let’s not neglect its many seashores—the Massive Island is an optimum testing floor for sandals.

Throughout our time with these sandals, we logged dozens of miles. We hiked dusty trails, sandy shorelines, lava beds, and free gravel, plus extra pedestrian adventures over pavement and indoors. Although these sandals aren’t essentially meant to go toe-to-toe with extra hardcore variations or with climbing sneakers, we definitely discovered that they’ll maintain their very own.

In the end, one of the best sandals mix consolation, flexibility, and technical prowess. These are those we favor even after we aren’t critically testing. As we proceed to put on these sandals and think about extra ones, we’ll replace this information to carry you the most recent and biggest choices in males’s sandals. Should you’re searching for one thing suited to extra hardcore water adventures, take a look at our information to The Greatest Water Sneakers.

Purchaser’s Information: How one can Select the Greatest Sandals

With the identical enjoyable fervor as a sporty little convertible, sandals supply your toes a way of freedom and pleasure. They’re an opportunity to benefit from the outside and sip in recent air on sunny days. And although they are often workhorses, sandals are positive to place a smile in your face.

Having stated that, we perceive how tough it may be to decide on one of the best sandals. In any case, the preferred manufacturers are common for a motive, however their specific fashion and efficiency may not equate to what’s finest for you. So whether or not the considered sandals conjures up footage of canvas strappy casuals or a extra OG brown leather-based look, think about this a chance to discover past the primary sandal fashions that bounce to thoughts.

On this useful how-to-choose information, you’ll discover all the information you should choose stable sandals. You’ll uncover which options matter most and why you need to—or shouldn’t—think about buying specific sandals. And, in case you’re searching for women-specific fashions, jump over to our information to The Greatest Sandals for Ladies.

Use Sorts

After all, a very powerful issue to contemplate is how you plan to make use of them. Sandals are extremely adaptable by nature to totally different conditions, however they have a tendency to fall into considered one of these three subcategories.

Life-style

Consider these as on a regular basis, walking-around sandals. They normally have a softer footbed and a extra versatile outsole. They usually’re usually marked by a way of favor, with an interesting look and a number of colorways. The Malibu Sandals Canyon is a first-rate instance. It’s eye-catching, tremendous snug, and positive to decorate up any outfit. However the extra minimalist Chaco Lowdown Slide additionally suits the invoice, as extremely succesful however easygoing and informal.

Journey

Should you plan to cowl different terrain and clock some vertical, that is the sandal kind for you. They embrace fashions just like the Ecco Yucatan, Teva Terra Fi 5 Common, and Chaco Z/1 Adjustable Strap Traditional. They’ll deal with just about something you throw at them, on or off the dusty path. These do-anything sandals normally have chunkier, stiffer outsoles. And their footbeds may not be as cushiony as way of life sandals, however they’re dependable, safe, and can get you wherever you should go.

Watersports

Because the identify implies, these specialised journey sandals are those you’ll carry to such aquatic actions as boating, paddling, and kitesurfing. The Eager Uneek excels on this regard. The corded higher conforms to your foot, but stays open sufficient to let water and silt go by. They’re excellent for amphibious actions, with water-piping outsoles that provide grip however aren’t as deeply lugged as extra land-based journey sandals. And whereas they often supply much less consolation and help than way of life sandals, they’re infinitely higher structured than formless water socks.

Adjustability

This issue works on a sliding scale, relative to the sandals’ use case. As an illustration, bopping round city in way of life sandals, you may simply want them to have some adjustability throughout the bridge of your foot—as with the Birkenstock Arizona Necessities EVA and Chaco Lowdown Slide—such that they keep on throughout a brisk stroll. However your expectations will climb increased with journey sandals, which ought to snugly hug your toes whether or not you’re sashaying down the road or rappelling down a ravine. As a rule, these forms of sandals could have three or extra adjustment zones, to verify your toes are utterly safe always.

How a lot of your toes that sandals cowl is subjective. It has much less to do with technical proficiency and extra to do with private choice. In different phrases, you is perhaps completely assured and adept at climbing with most of your toes uncovered. Otherwise you might need a worry of stubbing your toes and need to maintain them largely lined. Simply keep in mind that extra protection normally equates to heavier sandals, which will be extra bodily draining over the lengthy haul.

Closure Configuration

By way of the variety of adjustment zones, you’ll normally set and neglect all however considered one of them. Almost definitely the one you’ll fiddle with most would be the strap round your heel or over the bridge of your foot. With that in thoughts, the closure kind will have an effect on you each time you don your sandals.

Hook-and-Loop Straps

Exemplified by the Ecco Yucatan and Teva Terra Fi 5 Common, these kinds of straps—used interchangeably with the eponymous “Velcro” model—are sometimes discovered on journey sandals. They’re simple to make use of, pull tight, and keep safe.

Floating/Buckle Straps

Virtually synonymous with Chacos, you pull the canvas strap to tighten and push up on the buckle to loosen it. They’re simple, quieter than Velcro (if that’s vital to you), and pretty dependable.

Bungee Cinches

That is what’s on the Eager Uneek. It’s a single level of adjustment. When you wriggle your foot into the sandal, you pull up on the elastic bungee and pull down the plastic cinch till it meets the highest of your foot. The closure itself is lots safe, nevertheless it tends for use on sandals with much less inflexible buildings.

T-Type Straps

Although we didn’t overview any on this information, minimalist climbing sandals akin to Xero and Bedrock generally use this configuration, complemented by a buckled heel strap. They primarily seem like a streamlined sandal/flip-flop hybrid. However they’re safe as heck, which is why they’re so well-loved.

No Closure

Flip-flops and slides—such because the OOfos OOahh—technically don’t supply any closures. You simply slip them on and hope for one of the best. The Birkenstock Arizona Necessities EVA are the outlier right here, in that they do characteristic a few adjustable buckles. However after you initially discover your blissful settings on them, you just about ignore these buckles and simply slide them on.

Sizing

Sandals will be forgiving in terms of sizing, nevertheless it’s nonetheless vital to search out the best-fitting ones. They normally observe the identical sizing as common sneakers and sneakers, with a couple of caveats. First, half sizes aren’t all the time out there. As an illustration, Eager and Teva supply them, however Chaco solely affords full sizes. So, particularly with extremely adjustable sandals, you could need to measurement up. (Should you’re a 9 1/2, a ten will most likely work wonderful.)

You probably have broad toes, you may need to give attention to manufacturers like Chaco and Birkenstock that provide variations primarily based on totally different foot widths. Birkenstock even affords a match calculation software that tells you one of the best measurement/width for you primarily based on the precise measurements (in millimeters) of every of your toes.

Some corporations—akin to Ecco—base their sizing on the European system. That’s why you may see a sandal listed as a 9/9.5. That’s rather than a European 43. So in case you see a information that lists sizes in numerous nations, be sure you verify you’re shopping for a sandal measurement that interprets into one thing equal. Once more, when unsure, measurement up a bit.

Lastly, generally producers put up suggestions, saying {that a} specific sandal tends to run large or small. These suggestions could also be value following. Within the case of Malibu Sandals, we initially heeded the corporate’s suggestion to measurement as much as a ten, nevertheless it turned out {that a} 9 match finest. So it’s value your time to delve into posted consumer evaluations to see how persistently the producer’s suggestions have labored for folk in the true world.

Match

When you’ve chosen the proper measurement, getting the proper match will be simpler executed on some sandals than others. As a rule, the extra adjustment factors, the longer however extra satisfying will probably be to search out that blissful level. Step one is to guarantee that the arch of your foot aligns with the sandal’s arch help. That’s an excellent time to tighten the heel strap accordingly. If there’s a separate strap over the toes—as with the Ecco Yucatan and the Teva Terra Fi 5 Common—tighten that one appropriately. (It ought to really feel comfortable, however not so tight that it hurts your toes or adjustments your pores and skin’s colour.) And lastly, use the strap over your footbridge to lock in. (Shifting ahead, it’ll most likely be the one one you should loosen to get out and tighten to get in.)

A few of Chaco’s sandals—such because the Z/1 Adjustable Strap Traditional—supply further adjustability that you simply may not understand simply from them. That’s as a result of they’ve sneakily routed the straps proper by the center of the only.

To keep away from enjoying a irritating sport of Tug-of-Warfare forwards and backwards with the straps, simply give attention to the straps on the inside aspect of your foot. (The identical aspect as your arch.) Together with your foot within the sandal, begin with the strap close to your large toe. Proper the place it meets the sandal, pull up and it’ll tighten throughout the way in which close to your pinky toe. Subsequent do the identical factor with the strap that hits the sandal by your arch, pulling as much as tighten throughout the bridge of your foot. When you’ve executed that nicely, you’ll simply want to regulate the usual buckle strap on prime to get out and in of them.

In the end, you need the straps to hit and safe the widest a part of your foot. You don’t need them tightened in a approach that pinches both of your outer toes. Your little piggies ought to nonetheless be capable of wiggle round to keep away from quick or long-term ache.

Consolation and Assist

Similar to with mattresses, everybody has their very own thought of how a lot cushiness or firmness is the right quantity. Possibly that’s why the place you set your foot on a sandal known as a footbed. The hot button is that as you’re selecting a sandal that dials within the comfortable issue excellent, guarantee that it suits your typical use case.

In different phrases, a softer footbed may fit nicely for a way of life sandal or one thing you’re utilizing for restoration after a exercise, such because the OOfos OOahh Slide. However you could not need all that bounciness in every step in case you’re by climbing. Take into consideration the form of suspension you’d need on a 4-wheel drive automobile versus a minivan.

That’s to not say that climbing sandals are presupposed to really feel uncomfortable. Simply that consolation in them may feel and appear totally different than extra water-borne or way of life sandals. Supporting your foot all through is what issues most.

Additionally, take note of the supplies used within the midsole. A microfiber cowl could really feel good, however EVA—with its various levels of softness/firmness—could also be sufficient by itself. On the finish of the day, you possibly can’t probably inform how comfortably sandals will cradle your toes over hundreds of future steps. However when initially making an attempt them on, do an in depth psychological scan of the totally different elements of your foot to evaluate how they really feel.

Weight and Packability

Weights naturally fluctuate by sandal measurement. Not all producers record the weights of sandals. Some record the weights of single sandals, whereas others specify the weights for the entire pair. With all this in thoughts, we scientifically measured every set of sandals with our personal scale. The outcomes listed within the above comparability chart are primarily based on a pair of (largely) measurement 9 sandals.

Similar to with backpacking tents, each ounce issues with sandals. The distinction between the lightest (half-pound Birkenstock Arizona Necessities EVA) and heaviest (almost 2-pound Chaco Z/1 Adjustable Strap Traditional) of this group is kind of stark. Comparatively talking, the previous feels feather gentle and the latter like bricks.

The burden issues since you’ll seemingly be both carrying or carrying them. In every case, something below or round a pound is preferable. Over a pound and a half is a formidable weight over the lengthy haul. Along with making you expend extra vitality on their behalf, the heavier sandals are more likely to take up extra treasured house in your pack. So that you’ll be much less more likely to take them alongside for candy aid after prolonged jaunts. Or to place it one other approach, it’s higher to have the first rate sandals you truly take with you than the “higher” ones you allow house.

Sustainability and Sturdiness

These two naturally go hand in hand. It’s good to see producers akin to Teva and Eager use recycled polyesters and plastics of their sandals. And both vegan or responsibly sourced leather-based is turning into frequent. However finally, sturdy sandals which can be higher made and should be changed much less usually are essentially the most sustainable. So a chunky outsole is gorgeous, however ineffective in case your buckle breaks and you need to chuck the entire pair. Talking to this drawback, Chaco’s ReChaco program is a step in the proper path.

Although we’ve solely been testing these sandals for a month or two, we’ll proceed to put on them and report again any new findings relating to sturdiness within the months to come back. However sandals of this high quality ought to simply final for years with none points, so it’ll extra seemingly simply entail notes about how they put on fairly than in the event that they break.

Worth

Having thought-about each different sandal shopping for issue, let’s share a fast phrase about value. The common for this group was $98. That implies that you may drop upward of $150 for nice sandals, however you’re more likely to discover one thing completely serviceable for below $100. As with different footwear, you count on to put on the heck out of for years, shopping for one thing just a little dearer now could prevent from shopping for a number of inexpensive variations sooner or later. In different phrases, in case you spot some sandals for below $50 from a model you don’t acknowledge, keep away from them like a set of Class VI rapids.

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