I Hiked the Alps in Comfy Teva Sandals—and Now I'm Eyeing These 12 Similar Pairs, From $30

Travel + Leisure

6 days ago

Flip-flop culture is part of my DNA. As an Aussie, I was basically born to wear what we call thongs 365 days a year, whether I'm at the beach, park, or pub. As a frequent traveler who now spends all her summers in Europe, I pull out all my flip-flops and sandals and romp around cities like Zurich, Berlin, and Paris in open-toe shoes as soon as the sun peeks out. But I don't limit my sandal-loving lifestyle to just day trips around cities either: I also take hiking sandals on mountain hikes and run around some of Europe's famous national parks.
Packing these adventure-ready, comfortable sandals is an incredibly useful trick when traveling. Lightweight and easily packable, these shoes are durable for mixed weather conditions and super comfortable—sometimes just as comfy as sneakers. On my last trip around the Swiss Alps in Crans-Montana, I packed my Teva Women's Aventrail Shoes after reading that a pro-mountaineer tested them out on the Appalachian Trail. I was curious if they would withstand mild hikes in the Swiss Alps—and I wasn't disappointed. $145 at Zappos $145 at Teva.com
Crans-Montana has more than 320 kilometers (or just under 200 miles) of well-marked trails; I comfortably conquered many of them, including those with steep inclines, blister-free in these Teva sandals. Similar to a trail running shoe in terms of support and responsiveness, the sandal is very secure on your foot because of the special W strapping system, which offers multiple adjustable straps for ultimate customization to get the best fit. A durable spider rubber outsole provides superior grip for traction even on wet, slippery, or uneven terrain. $145 at Zappos $145 at Teva.com
Clearly, these Teva hiking sandals took my love for this type of adventure footwear to another level. Now, read on for 11 more pairs of comfortable hiking sandals to pack for city escapes, outdoor adventures, and beyond from Hoka, Merrell, Keen, and more, starting at $30.
If you're working with a budget, these lightweight sandals are a good pick and have a soft, contoured footbed ideal for stability and comfort (especially if you have flat feet), even if you walk in them all day. There is also a grippy sole that helps with traction on wet or rugged terrain without fear of slipping.
Basically, if you love Hoka running shoes, you are going to love these comfortable, highly supportive sandals. They're made with the same famous Hoka cushioning, so you know you will be comfortable in them, but there are additional add-ons like a deep heel cup for foot-cradling comfort, a quick-release strap, and a speed buckle to help you slip them on and off efficiently.
This Keen sandal has an eye-catching design that is more than just nice to look at. These shoes are highly durable and have a breathable mesh lining designed to limit the amount of odor-causing bacterial growth—so you can wear them over and over again on your next trip. $77 at Zappos $80 at Merrell.com
These cushy Merrell sandals have everything you want in a hiking shoe: the foam midsoles are lightweight and provide long-lasting comfort, while the outer soles have added durability thanks to the recycled rubber. Wear them on wet or dry surfaces without worrying about slipping. The simple design also makes them a versatile shoe for taking on walking tours, sightseeing, and even going out to eat.
Adjustable straps make these Chaco sandals easy to take on and off, but reviewers also rave about the comfort level of these hiking sandals, thanks to contoured footbeds. Shoppers say they're comfortable while walking for miles in them, and some mention wearing them for trail running and stepping over large boulders when outdoors. They'll also dry quickly, making them ideal for wet terrain too. $90 at Zappos $90 at Teva.com
Another favorite of mine from Teva are these sandal-like shoes that allow your feet to breathe during summer activities. They can also be used for water adventures like kite-surfing, wake-boarding, and even fishing (as I did with these sandal-shoes in Indonesia). I found them to be very comfortable and loved the easy-to-use hook-and-loop closure that allowed me to take them off quickly.
When I was in Spain last month, everyone was wearing the local brand Camper—so I decided to do the same. One of the more stylish hiking sandals out there, the Camper Oruga Up Sandal is made of recycled material and is easy to take off because of the hook-and-loop system. The slightly elevated-looking style of the high platform makes it a versatile shoe to have for the trails and exploring cities.
A hiking sandal that mimics a flip-flop but with much more comfort, the Bedrock Sandal is relatively flat for a minimalist footbed, but it still gives a lot of support for longer walks. Wear them hiking on gravel or grass, or put them on for kayaking or other water sports as they're designed to get wet and dry fast. $80 at Amazon $80 at REI $80 at Teva.com
This is one of the classic models Teva is known for, but with extra perks like quick-dry webbing and an EVA-foam midsole for added cushioning. Your foot will also feel stable hiking or walking over slippery rocks because of its special Durabrasion rubber outsole, which offers grippy traction. $110 at REI $110 at Merrell.com
Another great sandal-looking sneaker is this Merrell Maipo Explorer shoe, with breathable mesh linings and an elastic heel pull tab to allow for easy on-and-off action, perfect for kayaking, walking, or hiking outdoors. The dual-directional grooves in the midsoles improve the ground connection, so you feel more stable when walking, too.
Probably the most stylish sandal-shoe you can purchase that will also look good when walking around a city is the Keen Uneek Sneaker Sandal. It's comfortable because of its slightly snug fit, which means the sandal locks your foot in place nicely. The bungee cord and lace-lock toggle allow for instant security when you put your foot in, and the soft microfiber linings provide additional comfort for all-day wear.
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