A sporty, lightweight sandal: Chaco Lowdown Sandal

The Chaco Lowdown Sandals (in women’s and men’s sizes) are rugged, sporty, and versatile. With lightweight, low-profile rubber soles and webbed polyester straps, they can transition straight from the trail to a lunch date.

They’re utility players. Wirecutter’s Anna Perling shared that her Lowdown Sandals “shield tender feet from jagged seashells as well as the gritty bathroom floor of a campground.” They pack flat, so they are great for travel. And their neutral, trend-proof design doesn’t try to steal the spotlight and works with most casual outfits.

They’re comfortable and easy to adjust. Chaco sandals have plush, springy footbeds made of lightweight EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) and plenty of arch support for long excursions on your feet. And customizing the fit is simple: A single polyester strap threads across the entire shoe and can be adjusted to wrap snugly around your foot; the sandals felt secure whenever we wore them.

They’re built to last. Chaco sandals are covered by a lifetime warranty against defects (damage caused by normal wear and tear does not qualify for warranty repairs).

Sizes: women’s 5 to 12; men’s 7 to 15 (available in medium and wide widths)
Colors: over a dozen

A summery twist on iconic sandals: Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA

What can be said about the Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA sandals that we haven’t said already? They’re well priced. They’re waterproof. And they come in a whimsical selection of seasonal colors.

They’re a lighter twist on the classic two-strap Birkenstock Arizona design. The first Arizona style came out in 1973, and this shoe has since been spotted on fashion icons from Kate Moss to Tracee Ellis Ross. Originals have cork, latex footbeds and faux nubuck (aka Bircibuc), leather, or suede straps. But EVA sandals are constructed of ethylene-vinyl acetate (aka EVA, hence their name), making them lightweight (at just 6 ounces) and machine-washable. In other words: ideal for wet-and-wild activities and warmer temps.

They provide excellent arch support. The sandal’s famous footbed, with its deep heel cup, multidirectional arch support, and indented toe grip, is beloved by podiatrists for a reason: It was specifically designed to support healthy posture and gait.

They can take some getting used to. Though the material makes EVA sandals quicker to break in than traditional cork Birkenstocks, you should still expect a break-in period. One flat-footed tester spent her first three days with Birkenstocks in utter, aching agony as her feet (and, heck, her entire musculoskeletal system) got acquainted with the marvels of German engineering. But once the footbeds have time to mold to your feet—and your feet have acclimated to their unique shape—you’ll be happy you stuck it out.

Sizes: women’s 4 to 12½; men’s 6 to 13½
Colors: over a dozen colors, including black, silver, sky blue and lime

Sandals for the whole family: Hoy Salt Water Original

With a nostalgic, sweetly innocent design that’s been virtually unchanged since they first debuted, nearly a century ago, Hoy Salt Water Original sandals—with ankle straps and sturdy woven leather atop a round-toe, rubber-sole base—are a summer classic.

They’re a summer staple for all ages. The Missouri-based Hoy Shoe Company used scrap World War II boot leather for its earliest version of the shoe. Since then, the company has built up an extremely loyal, multigenerational fan base—Salt Water sandals come in unisex baby, toddler, kids, and women’s sizes.

They’re waterproof. Salt Water Original sandals earn points for being practical: The leather is actually waterproof. “They’re comfortable and durable and stay decent-looking seemingly forever,” says Wirecutter senior editor Courtney Schley, who has been wearing these sandals since she was 4 years old and now buys them for her own kids.

They’re flexible and don’t require any breaking in. The sandals felt soft and pleasant to wear from the moment we slipped them on, due to their flexible leather upper, molded rubber sole, and adjustable ankle strap—although they did make a comical squeaking sound when we first wore them. The one catch is that Salt Water Original sandals don’t offer much arch support; people with high arches, in particular, may find them uncomfortable after a few hours of wear.

Sizes: women’s 6 to 11 (plus unisex baby, toddler, and kids sizes)
Colors: over a dozen

An elegant handwoven huarache: Nisolo Women’s Huarache Sandal

The handwoven leather on these Nisolo Women’s Huarache Sandals feels indulgently soft and supple, elevating even the most casual ensembles. We paired them with track pants and a ballet studio shirt and somehow felt impossibly chic.

They’re supportive. The sandals’ padded midsoles kept our (low) arches well cushioned, and the leather uppers molded to our feet after just a few wears.

They’re breathable. We appreciated the closed-toe—but still well-ventilated—design. This is the rare summer sandal that can conceal calluses and unpainted toenails without feeling stifling.

They’re a class act. Nisolo is a certified B Corp company; its website states that the brand offsets 100% of its carbon emissions and pays workers a living wage. And although its shoes may be a little pricier than some of the others we recommend, they’re worth it for their high quality and sophisticated design.

Sizes: women’s 5 to 11
Colors: eight

A simple and versatile open-toe sandal: Steve Madden Donddi

The Steve Madden Donddi sandals are simple and versatile. The sleek design, with just a minimalist leather toe and ankle strap, will remain stylish season after season.

They can be dressed up or down. The Donddi’s unfussy silhouette works with anything and everything: Throw on these sandals with a breezy short set to run errands, or pair them with a summery tea dress for a soirée in the sunshine.

They’re made from soft, supple leather. We were initially worried that these sandals would cause blisters because of the placement of the front straps, but the leather is pliable enough that it turned out to not be an issue.

They’re comfortable for shorter jaunts and seated get-togethers. Overall, these sandals were pleasant to wear, mostly due to the suppleness of the leather and the fact that the ankle strap can be adjusted to your liking. But their thin, flat footbeds don’t offer any arch support, so these aren’t the sandals to choose for long treks.

Sizes: women’s 5 to 11
Colors: over a dozen, including black, brown, nude, and snakeskin

A faux-leather budget option: Amazon Essentials Women’s Two Strap Buckle Sandal

In terms of design, the Amazon Essentials Women’s Two Strap Buckle Sandal is nearly identical to the Steve Madden Donddi sandals, which cost twice as much. (The Amazon pair even duplicates the stitching around the perimeter of the sole.)

They’re versatile. Like the Donddi, these simple, stylish sandals can play nicely with virtually any outfit.

They’re a great bargain. The Amazon sandals look more expensive than they are. When you get up close, you can tell that they’re made from a synthetic material rather than real leather, but for around 20 bucks, we’re not complaining.

They feel nice and secure, but are best for shorter outings. As with the Donddi, these have an adjustable ankle strap that keeps the shoes comfortably and securely attached to your feet. The flat footbed means that they’re not particularly supportive for long walks, but they feel sturdy enough to last a couple summers, which, at this price, is more than reasonable.

Sizes: women’s 5 to 15
Colors: six

While conducting research about which sandals to test, we read reviews and articles about sandals from multiple fashion publications and other product review sites. And when looking at offerings from major shoe retailers (including DSW, Nordstrom, and Zappos), we read countless buyer reviews.

We also solicited suggestions from fellow Wirecutter staffers and tested their favorite sandal recommendations ourselves.

From an initial unwieldy list of 41 sandals, we ultimately chose 18 to test based on:

Quality: We paid close attention to the overall look and feel of the shoes’ materials, as well as details like buckles and stitching, making sure they were functional and well made.

Looks and comfort: If shoes are unpleasant to wear, you’re less inclined to reach for them in your closet, so we searched for sandals that would feel just as good as they looked. In terms of aesthetics, we searched for sandals that could be easily styled in a number of ways.

Inclusive size and fit: Many women’s shoes run from sizes 6 to 11 only. We prioritized testing shoes that come in sizes 5 to 12 (or an even wider range of sizes) whenever possible. We also included options that slide on or use Velcro, so they can be fastened without the hassle of finicky straps and buckles.

Widespread availability: To avoid the frustration of stock issues, we preferred shoes that are easy to find at online retailers.

Reasonable return and shipping policies: We dismissed models that had short return windows (less than two weeks) or charged expensive shipping fees either way.

A variety of color options: We sought out sandals that come in several color options—gotta have choices here, people!

During testing, we walked in each pair for at least 30 minutes, noting how the shoes felt, if they pinched or rubbed uncomfortably, and if they squeaked or slapped (shoes should be seen, not heard).

Many of the picks have been owned (and put to the test) by Wirecutter staffers for months, if not years.

With leather uppers and platform heels, the open-toed Dansko Season sandals are lightweight, easy to take on and off, and well cushioned. But up close, the faux wood of the platforms looks a little corny.

The Montbell Sock-On Sandals, made out of EVA foam and rubber, are simple and stylish, with a single, rope-like strap that snakes across the top of the foot. They are waterproof, lightweight, and packable. But they cost about $6 to ship (unless you find a way to hit the site’s $50 free shipping minimum), and returns must be received within 30 days and are paid for by the customer.

The Tkees Leah and Phoebe sandals are both beautiful, with a “barely there” construction. Unfortunately, their minimal strap designs—only your big toe is secured by a thin piece of leather, while the other toes dangle free—also mean that they’re not particularly comfortable or practical to walk in.

The Sandalup Faux Leather Sandals look similar to our picks from Steve Madden and Amazon Essentials, but fell short of both. The faux leather looks cheap, they have absolutely no padding on the soles, and the stitching seemed like it could break free at any moment.

This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.