Chaco’s Z/1 Classic sandals are classic for a reason – comfortable and supportive, they’re our top-pick for hiking sandals. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

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Flip flops, slippahs, sandals. Call them what you will. There’s something absolutely liberating about footwear that lets your toes see the light of day. Not to mention having something comfortable to slide those tootsies into after a surf or beach hang without having to fumble with socks and laces.

Here in the northern hemisphere the weather is quickly beginning to warm up and there’s sunshine in abundance, which means less time for your feet in closed-toe sweat boxes and more foot freedom. So, for those looking to upgrade their sandal game or build out their quiver, we took it upon ourselves to test some of the best out there. To see how they compare to each other, check out our Comparison Table, below. For more information on getting the perfect pair of sandals, look no further than our Buyer’s Guide. This list of best sandals takes into account both flip flops and classic sandal styles, as well as recovery slides and some alternative “sandals.” For our flip flop-specific review, click here. For women, check out our Best Beach Sandals for Women.

The Best Men’s Sandals of 2024

Best Overall Sandals: Olukai Tuahine
Best Value Sandals: Teva Universal
Best Budget Sandals: Havaianas Top
Best Active/Hiking Sandals: Chaco Z/1 Classic
Best Recovery Sandals: Hoka Ora Luxe
Most Comfortable Sandals: Rainbow Double Layer Classic

Best Overall Sandals

Olukai Tuahine ($100)

Pros: Waterproof, premium materials, comfort that improves with time
Cons: Price

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, we recommend sizing at least to the next size up

Olukai’s Tuahine takes the timeless design and comfort of the ubiquitous leather flip flop and gives it the major upgrade it deserves. For years, I’ve been a hopeless devotee of the tan leather flip flop because they get more comfortable over time and are incredibly durable. Some major drawbacks of leather flip flops, though, is generally you want to avoid getting them wet. This isn’t always possible when spending days at the beach or near the pool. The fact that Olukai’s Tuahines are made with waterproof leather is a huge durability upgrade for those accustomed to leather sandals that only get better with time.

The second enhancement is in the Tuahine’s sole that features a wet-grip rubber that is also non-marking for boaters and fishermen among us. In testing we found that the Tuahines also offered the best arch support of any flip flop we tested, and featured a cupped heel for optimum fit with no break-in period needed. The only knock on the Olukais is they seemed to run a bit small, so we’d recommend sizing up. That, and they’re some of the priciest on the list.

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Best Value Sandals

Teva Universal ($55)

Pros: Go anywhere, adventure/offroad ready
Cons: Not a ton of structure or arch support

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, size up to the next full size

During a surf trip to Panama a few years ago, a few friends got caught hiking through the jungle to a surf spot we had been told about in the kind of mud that eats regular flip flops alive. The worst of the trail was literally a graveyard of abandoned poorly-made flip flops, and hidden razor-wire along the edges of the trail made things especially dicey. While Teva’s Universal sandals aren’t the most popular in California coastal towns that prioritize fashion over function, a hiking trail coated with six inches of Panamanian jungle mud with a 1-in-10 possibility of a foot laceration may be the perfect use case for a shoe originally designed to meet the demands of rafters on the Colorado River.

We’d argue that for the traveling surfer who enjoys exploring remote corners of coastline in equatorial climates, a fully off-road capable, waterproof sandal like Teva’s Universal is a necessary part of the quiver and totally worth the weird tan lines. Unlike flip flops, Tevas can also be worn with socks which adds to their versatility. At the end of their lifecycle they can also be recycled through Teva’s TevaForever recycling program so they never see a landfill.

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Best Budget Sandals

Havaianas Top ($20)

Pros: Dirt cheap, good style, lots of color options
Cons: Super-minimal, you get what you pay for

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, size up to the next full size

It’s hard to beat Havaianas for dirt-cheap but good-looking footwear. Priced (almost alarmingly) at only $20 (and often on sale for much less), if all you need is a thin strip of rubber to separate your bare feet from the ground, look no further. While you could probably find basically the exact same same flip flops for half the price from a no-name overseas manufacturer, in our minds the bonus style points of such a classic design, and the support of a well-known company should anything go wrong (Havaianas offers a 60-day satisfaction guarantee) are worth the extra few dollars.

Design-wise, there’s not much to write home about – the sandals consist of a single piece of flat rubber (no arch support) for the sole, with a classic flip flop strap that runs between the toes. Comfort-wise, they have some mixed reviews, so it could be worth making the time to try a pair on before purchasing. However, it’s worth noting that the comfort certainly improves with time, especially after the initial break-in period. And while they’re not the most durable sandal on this list, the longevity of these simple flops might surprise you. That said, for price-conscious buyer’s interested in a longer-lasting, or simply more comfortable “budget” sandal, take a look at the Sanuk Ziggy and Teva ReFlip just a little further down the list.

Best Active/Hiking Sandals

Chaco Z/1 Classic ($100)

Pros: Supportive, comfortable, and stable
Cons: High profile, heavy, strange tan lines

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, Chaco recommends sizing down, we found this to be right for the Z/1 Classics

A decent walk — say, over a mile — is when even the most comfortable sandals begin to show their quirks. A sore heel here, an uncomfortable strap there, or a sloppy loose feel that’s just not designed to be worn over an extended period. Not the case for Chacos Z/1 Classics. In testing, we found the Chaco Z/1s to stand high above the rest in terms of comfort for more demanding physical pursuits where we wanted the breathability of a sandal and the comfort of a capable shoe. With a polyester webbing strap that threads through the footbed, a couple tugs to loosen or tighten creates for maximum dialed-in fit. Chaco’s proprietary Luvseat midsole felt springy but not overly so and provides adequate support for all day wear. And finally, the Z/1 Classics feature a 3.5 mm lug that’s ideal for splashing through wet trails.

Chacos Z/1 line are among the few sandals on our list that are accepted by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting proper foot health. However, a major trade off is they did ride a bit high and were heavier than some of the other sandals on our list, which contributed to a clunky feel that took some getting used to. Some may find the features of the Z/1 Classics to be a bit much for just kicking around town. But, for those looking for a highly versatile adventure-ready sandal for all day use, look no further.

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Best Recovery Sandals

Hoka Ora Luxe ($80)

Pros: Super light, most comfortable on the list
Cons: Not ideal for sandy beach days

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, size down to the nearest size at least

Hoka’s Ora Luxe sandal was the most comfortable sandal that we put through testing. Full stop. And while definitely not conventionally cool in terms of appearance, the Ora Luxes quickly became the sandals we’d throw on at home to give our dogs a break after a full day of wearing other sandals. Billed as a “recovery” slide by a shoe company known best for its premium and cushy running shoes, the Ora Luxes wouldn’t be our first choice for a day at the beach. But, they’re ideal for throwing on at home after a marathon surf session, after hiking, running, or to and from the gym. They’re fully waterproof and feature two velcro straps to dial in fit. Speaking of fit, compared to other sandals on the list, these seemed to run a little big. Being that they don’t come in half sizes, we’d recommend sizing down rather than up if you are typically between sizes. All the cushy padding does give them a bit of a bulky feel, too.

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Most Comfortable Flip Flops

Rainbow Double Layer Classic Leather with Arch Support

Pros: Cushy comfort in a premium leather package, Rainbow’s iconic styling
Cons: Bit of a break-in period, limited structure out of the box

Sizing Recommendation: Size up to nearest size for half sizes

Rainbow has been crafting timeless, quality sandals since 1974 and were the first company to build a rugged sandal meant to meet the demands of surfers. Rainbow’s flagship Single Arch sandal continues to be the benchmark for other premium leather sandals, but for those looking for a more plush and supportive upgrade with the look and durability Rainbows are known for, Rainbow’s Double Layer Classic sandal delivers. Featuring an additional layer of foam from the arch to the heel, the Double Layer Classic has a much spongier, bouncier feel than the Single Arch, but without sacrificing the iconic style that Rainbow is known for.

Like all Rainbows, the Double Layers are designed to mold to your feet over time. But, the break-in period does take a bit of commitment to overcome. Because the heel cup takes a while to develop as the foam breaks down as it’s designed to do, there isn’t much structure to the sandal to start. So we did feel some fish-tailing of our heels happening until the heel cup began to form. The straps also felt a bit tight over the instep initially until they began to stretch to our feet. While the Double Layers definitely ride a bit higher than the Single Arch, the extra support and cushioning is definitely welcome on longer walks or for all-day wear.

Best of the Rest

Runner-Up Best Overall (Flip Flop)

Hari Mari Fields ($65)

Pros: Soft premium leather comfort, low-profile minimalist style, solid price
Cons: Limited structure and support, leather is not waterproof

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, size up to nearest full size

Olukai’s Tuahine sandals may have beaten out Hari Mari’s Fields sandals for our best overall flip flop slot, but only by the slimmest of margins. That’s because Hari Mari makes a damn good classic leather flip flop with a handful of premium upgrades that up the comfort factor in a big way. Hari Mari uses the term “buttery” to describe the feel of the leather they use for the Fields. Before testing, we honestly weren’t totally sure what they meant. But slipping them on for the first time, we understood. These things are soft. Memory foam footbeds with slight cupping are plush, but not to the point of feeling high-profile. And what may seem like a small detail – a memory foam toe post – actually made a pretty big difference preventing rubbing and blisters between the toes on longer strolls.

While the Fields have some arch support, it’s pretty minimal compared to others on our list. As is the structure of the sandal overall. But minimalism and simplicity are also what make the Fields such a versatile and stylish sandal. The branding is muted, there’s no ornate stitching. Everything feels to the point, the way a classic leather sandal should. We should note that the colorway we tested did feature a bright blue sole, but other colorways feature more subdued colors.

Runner-Up Best Budget

Teva ReFlip ($39)

Pros: High on sustainability, low on price
Cons: Tight fitting webbing strap, hard to slide on

Sizing Recommendation: Size up to nearest size for half sizes

Teva calls their Reflip Flip Flop its most sustainably minded sandal to date, which is an impressive claim from a company with such a strong environmental ethos. Both the EVA top sole and EVA outsole are made of 30 percent recycled content and the quick-dry webbing is made from recycled plastic. We loved these particular flip flops as a no frills, friendlier-to-the-planet alternative to the leather flip flops on this list as these felt sturdy, could hold up to abuse, and were water friendly. A downside was these required some time to break in properly and during that time the webbing strap would rub on the instep of the foot which wasn’t ideal. Like most Tevas, at the end of the ReFlips lifecycle, they can also be recycled through Teva’s TevaForever recycling program.

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Runner-Up Best Active/Hiking Sandal

Bedrock Cairn Evo Sandal ($115)

Pros: Light all-terrain style, rugged outsole
Cons: Minimalist structure, no arch support, style is not for everyone

Sizing Recommendation: Size up for half sizes

With their Cairn Evo sandals, Bedrock has taken the humble flip flop and designed it with four-wheel-drive and all-terrain tires. The result may be unsightly to some – the wife wasn’t a huge fan – but, in terms of functionality, Bedrock’s Cairn sandals are designed to go far beyond the limits of any other sandal on this list. Think trail running, river rafting expeditions, and other similar pursuits in the outdoors.

By design, the Cairn Evos have very little material separating the bottom of your foot from the Earth. The footbed is also flat with no arch support. This is intentional. While Bedrock may not use the term “barefoot sandals” to describe its Cairn Evo sandals (instead, they use the term “freedom footwear”), they remain popular among barefoot runners precisely because of how minimalist they are. And while we aren’t barefoot devotees ourselves – far from it – in testing we found the Cairns to be extremely light with minimal slipping and sliding once the fit was fully dialed in. The feeling was pretty close to being truly barefoot, if we’re being honest. We also appreciated how fit could be adjusted on both the left and right strap over the instep and at the heel to insure minimal rubbing. The Cairns also feature a grippy Vibram outsole to tackle slick rock or anything else the trail may throw at you.

Best Non-Sandal Sandals

Crocs Classic Clog ($49)

Pros: Soft spongey comfort, easy on and off, price
Cons: Heel slides around

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, we recommend sizing up if you have wider feet as the toe strap can be a bit tight, but for regular or narrower feet, sizing down will give you a more secure fit

The silhouette of Crocs iconic clog is as divisive as it is ubiquitous these days. Likely because the comfort of Crocs’ foam footwear is pretty undeniable. For those looking to experience Crocs comfort, the Crocs Classic Clog is a great entry point. They feature the same foam Crocs are known for in a design that’s fully waterproof.

Unlike other sandals on the list, the spongey feel of the Classic Sandal did cause our heels to slip around a bit and the foam outsole lacks any sort of real traction — so definitely not the sandals you’d want for anything remotely strenuous or with any sort of variable terrain. Still, for the price point the Crocs Classic Clog offers great comfort and versatility.

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Timeless Style

Rainbow Single Layer Sandal ($71)

Pros: Timeless style, durable
Cons: Not great around water, avoid leaving in the sun

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, size up to the next full size

In terms of comfort, durability, and no-frills style, Rainbow’s Single Layer Flip Flop is the sandal by which all other sandals are measured. It’s especially telling that after testing so many different styles — made of a variety of materials — the classic Rainbows are still relevant. Molding to your feet with rich nubuck leather and varying densities of super-soft sponge rubber, the advantage is that the more you wear them, the better they feel — they also last a really, really long time. If you treat them right, that is. We’ve had friends learn the hard way what happens to a pair of Rainbows that get left directly in the sun at the beach for a day. Or, what happens to them if they get overly soaked. The bottom line being, if you treat them right, they’ll treat you right.

Most Supportive Sandals

Birkenstock Atacama ($135)

Pros: Birk comfort in an adventure-ready package
Cons: Adjustment/break-in period, clunky

Sizing Recommendation: Birkenstock recommends adding 33 to your US men’s size to get to your European size, for half sizes, we recommend sizing down

The legendary comfort of Birkenstock’s cork footbeds is well-known at this point. But one of the main shortcomings of cork, like some of the leather sandals on our list, is moisture. Something that’s difficult to avoid if you spend any amount of time near the ocean. So, when Birkenstock unveiled its new adventure-ready Atacamas that boast the same footbed mold as its cork offerings in trail styled and water-friendly materials, our interest was piqued. Under foot, the Atacamas may have been the most unique pair of sandals in all of the styles we tested. This was because there’s a lot going on under the hood, (er, foot?) with the sandal’s anatomic footbed. From an exaggerated super deep heel cup and a big toe bar to longitudinal and transverse arch support, these sorts of bends and curves are designed to hold your foot in its most natural position.

The problem is that if your feet, like ours, have grown accustomed to less-supportive footwear this sort of “training” your feet doesn’t result in the most comfort straight out of the box. Once our feet got used to them, though, they were very happy. But it did take some time. In addition, unlike Birk’s cork offerings, the PU footbed of the Atacamas doesn’t mold to your feet over time. Again, it’s more a matter of training your feet and getting used to the sandal. We loved the adjustability and rugged look of the Atacamas velcro straps and lug sole that made them ideal for variable terrain. And without a heel strap, they were easy to slide in an out of.

For everything from a light hike to longer walks and even a full day out and about in town, the Atacamas absolutely excelled. But the Atacamas are definitely two-wheel drive sandals. For those looking for Birk comfort in a four-wheel-drive option that’s ideal for more strenuous hiking on all sorts of terrain, we’d recommend the Tatacoa that is similar to the Atacama but features a heel strap.

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Best Eco-Friendly Sandals

KLLY Sandals ($124)

Pros: Perfect balance of comfort and support
Cons: High profile and limited color and style options

Sizing Recommendation: KLLY recommends sizing down a full size, however, for those in-between sizes, sizing down a half-size worked well

One of the occupational hazards of surfing on the championship tour for over thirty years is you spend a lot of time in flip flops. So, when the greatest surfer of all time slaps his name on a pair designed to fix some of the common complaints associated with the classic flip flop silhouette — namely lack of support and discomfort for all day wear — you pay attention. Slater developed the KLLYs for all day comfort and to promote healthy alignment. And out of the box, the KLLY Sandals absolutely achieve this. No break-in period needed.

We found them springy and snappy in all the right ways, yet with sufficient arch support for all-day wear. The strap was also extremely comfortable when properly sized. We did find that it fit a little tight if you sized the sandals down too far. And while we don’t know how much we buy into the connection between the moon and sea turtles that inspired some of the design elements, the texture of the footbed (inspired by the surface of the moon) offered good traction and was a nice touch. The KLLYs are also made using rPET and BLOOM foam made from algae, making them some of the most sustainable sandals on our list. One of the only knocks we had on the KLLYs was they did have a higher profile feel than other flip flops on the list. Though, that’s the tradeoff for better support.

Another Runner-Up Best Budget

Sanuk Ziggy ($40)

Pros: Squishy, plush feel for max comfort
Cons: Not a ton of structure

Sizing Recommendation: For half sizes, size up to the next full size

Sanuk’s Ziggy Soft Top Flip Flops fit the bill for anyone looking for a spongier, plush feel with every step. Compared to other flip flops on the list, Sanuk’s Ziggys were definitely the most padded, due to the bouncy high-rebound midsoles and EVA footbed, which felt like walking on clouds. The Ziggys are also fully water-ready, which gives them an edge on leather flip flops that may not handle water well. Worth noting is that because the Ziggys don’t mold to your foot like leather flip flops, they don’t develop a heel cup that holds your foot in place while you walk. Not a huge issue, but in testing we found that this made the Ziggys feel a little less structured as the foot could slide around a bit during normal wear.

Crocs Mellow Recovery Slides ($49)

Pros: Light spongey Crocs comfort, price, waterproof
Cons: Not the most sturdy or supportive

Sizing Recommendation: Size up for looser fit and down for tighter fit, depending on preference

For the uninitiated, sandals that fall into the “recovery footwear” category may best be described as the sandals you never knew you needed. Sure, any pair of sandals could be your post-gym or workout go-tos. But, why rob yourself of plush airy comfort? Like most sandals in this category, Crocs Mellow Recovery Slides are built on a thick foam sole that offers the kind of cushioning our tender feet need (nay, deserve) after a surf, trip to the gym, or run. This offering from Crocs lacks the adjustability of the Hokas, for example, but at this price point, they absolutely deliver.

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Freewaters Treeline ($40)

Pros: Eco-minded, Thermarest footbeds
Cons: Not the most stylish

Sizing Recommendation: Size up to nearest size for half sizes

“As global citizens who love to travel, surf and chase waterfalls, co-founders Martin and I have a longstanding and deep respect for the healing power of water. At Freewaters, we believe access to clean drinking water should be a fundamental right, not a privilege.” – Freewaters Co-founder Eli Marmar. You can feel good about this flip flop in more ways than one. With super-soft Thermarest footbeds (yes, the same Thermarest that makes amazing sleeping pads), the Freewaters Treeline Sandal is like a mattress for your foot. The Inertia staff can attest. They. Are. Comfortable. That soft, perforated texture feels nice on the bottom of your feet. Adding durable webbing straps and a grippy rubber outsole, it’s entirely free of animal products, plus a percentage of Freewaters’ total sales goes towards grassroots organizations providing clean drinking water to Haiti, Kenya, and the Philippines.

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Best Men’s Sandals Comparison Table

We tested a wide array of sandal styles to bring you the best of the best. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

How We Tested The Best Men’s Sandals

As surfers and adventurers who live a beach-oriented lifestyle, we’ve spent a lot of time in sandals and flip-flops. But we didn’t just rely on our institutional knowledge for this review, we went out there and got our hands on long-standing favorites, new and exciting products, and the top rated sandals and flip-flops on the market to provide head-to-head comparisons on comfort, style, durability, price, top features, and more. We personally tested all of the sandals featured here in this review, and a lot more that didn’t make the cut. The above list is the result of our findings.

We first published this article in the spring of 2023, and in our most recent update added three additional sandals (and removed a couple that got bumped out of the rankings), updated some product information based on longer-term testing over the summer, and expanded our buyer’s guide, which you can find below.

The Bedrock Cairn Evo sandals provide great performance for longer treks, but designed to give a barefoot-feel, they lack arch support. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

Best Men’s Sandals Buyer’s Guide

What Makes a Good Pair of Sandals?

Like all footwear, the ideal pair of sandals for you depends on where and how you’ll be using them. If you spend any amount of time on a boat, for example, you may want to prioritize a pair that can handle getting wet from time to time. On the other hand, if you’re looking to prioritize comfort and support, leather might be right for you. It may also be worthwhile to consider having a few pairs for specific uses — e.g. every day use, travel, or gym. Another consideration is weighing how much support you need. If you spend days on end in sandals, a more supportive option may be right for you. Unfortunately, the trade off is more supportive sandals tend to have a clunkier look. On the other hand, if you don’t spend hours on your feet you may be able to get away with a more low-profile option that prioritizes form over function.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into some key considerations.

Anatomy of a Sandal

It isn’t rocket science, tbh. But a bit of fluency in the terms sandal makers use to refer to specific parts of a sandal will go a long way when determining what pair is right for you. In general, a typical sandal from the ground up is comprised of a sole (our outsole; the part that touches pavement), a midsole (the material between the part that touches the ground and the part that touches your foot, a footbed (the part that touches the bottom of your foot), and an upper (the strappy part that keeps the sandal on your foot).

Additionally, there are two general types of construction of sandals out there on the market. The first, which is most common, is a mix of materials that are layered on top of each other either by being sewn or glued (see Olukai’s Tuahine’s, or Chaco’s Classic Leather Flip Flops for example). The second is what’s called injection molding, which means a piping hot liquid form of the material of the sandal is shot into a mold, then it cools and hardens into a standalone sandal with no glue or seams (see Crocs different sandals here or Vans’ TRK). In some cases, these processes can be combined where the entirety of the sandal is injection molded except for the strap, which is added later in the process. This is the case with KLLY Sandals that are made of rPET and Bloom foam with a neoprene/webbing strap.

Which construction process is right for you depends largely on what you’re trying to get out of your sandals. A fully-injection molded foam sandal is going to lack the comforts of a leather upper or the traction of a rubber lug sole. But, a sandal with more premium materials glued to each other commands a higher price and may offer a marginal difference (or maybe less) comfort.

Layers of squishy comfort define the Rainbow Double Layer (middle) and Hari Mari Fields (bottom) while the Olukai Tuahine (top) has a stiffer construction for better support. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

Comfort Versus Support

Speaking of comfort, across the market these days comfort and support seem to be used interchangeably. In our opinion, that’s a major issue because comfort and support are different (occasionally competing) demands. Comfort, on one hand, often refers to a plush bouncy feel that’s great in the short term, but can be murder on your feet over prolonged periods because of limited support. On the other hand, a footbed meant to cradle natural curves in your foot may take some getting used to and feel uncomfortable if you’ve grown accustomed to flat footwear.

One option to consider when shopping for a pair of sandals that prioritizes support and promotes foot health is looking for a Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (AMPA). According to the AMPA, a seal of acceptance is provided to a product after review by a group of APMA podiatrists to ensure it promotes foot health. An AMPA seal of acceptance is definitely not the final word on whether a sandal is supportive or not, but it’s a good start.

KLLY Sandals are comfortable to wear all day, and made from sustainable materials. We wouldn’t expect any less with the GOAT of surfing, Kelly Slater, putting his name on them. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

Flip Flop Versus Sandal

Flip flops are by and large the most ubiquitous sandal style in coastal downs during summer months, or year-round for that matter here in Southern California. And while the majority of the styles we tested and that made it to the top of our list fit into that category, flip flops come with major limitations. For one, if you’ve ever tried to sport flip flops with socks, you understand the unique sensation of your footwear forcing cotton between your tootsies while they try to resist. This is a major benefit of a pair of slides or another sandal variety that is sock friendly — convenience, and when it’s cold out your toes don’t freeze. On the other hand, slides can feel less supportive than a good pair of flip flops, and other strapped sandals can be difficult to slip on and off, defeating the purpose of a sandal in the first place. The bottom line here is to consider what activity you’ll be doing in your sandals and what time of year you plan to wear them.

Materials

Another consideration is materials. Classic leather sandals offer the benefit of conforming to your foot over time, whereas a more plushy foam/synthetic material might offer immediate comfort with no break-in period. Leather also tends to be averse to water while synthetics don’t mind it. And then you have waterproof leather that attempts to combine the best of both worlds but at a premium.

A few of our faves, the Olukai Tuahine front and center. Photo: Dylan Heyden//The Inertia

Sizing

Arguably one of the most frustrating aspects of purchasing a new pair of sandals is sizing, especially given most sandals are not made in half sizes. If your street shoe, like the author’s, falls between whole sizes, you understand this well. Through testing we experienced just how difficult it can be to get the right fit, finding inconsistencies in sizing across brands and with the same brand from style to style. Obviously, the silver bullet solution to sizing is driving to a brick and mortar and trying on in-person. But when this is not feasible, a quick perusal of a company’s return policy is absolutely crucial. In addition, we would highly, highly recommend avoiding pulling the trigger online on final sale sandals unless they’re a style you’ve purchased in the past. After testing, we included our best recommendations on sizing to aid you in this effort. Still, operating under the assumption it may take a return or two to get it right is a good rule of thumb.

Cost

As a general rule, the more a pair of sandals costs typically translates to better construction and materials. But it’s of equal importance that you don’t get caught shelling out for features that you don’t need. A high quality rubber outsole, the likes of which you might find on the bottom of a hiking boot, is of little importance if your primary use for a pair of sandals is to quickly slide into something after a surf for the drive back home. That said, quality materials and construction often translate to a longer product lifespan, meaning that a higher front-end investment may even itself out after buying the two, three, or four pairs of a cheaper alternative.

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Editor’s Note: For ladies’ options, check out the Best Beach Sandals for Women. While there are plenty of flip flops in the above review, for more options, here’s our guide to The Best Men’s Flip Flops. If you want trail-ready sandals, take a look at The Best Hiking Sandals. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.

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