The Best Men's Sandals for Walking, Beaching, & Brunching

Condé Nast Traveler

11-06-2025

When it comes to summer travel (or, really, any travel where there's warm weather), a sturdy, comfortable pair of men's walking sandals are a must. Whether your trip involves non-stop sightseeing in big-time cities like Madrid or Bangkok, or a steamy week of active adventure in Costa Rica or Maui, a breezy pair of sandals that you can trust is going to be among the most important items you'll pack.
A good pair of men's walking sandals doesn't just offer support, they also allow your feet to breathe—and both are needed for maximum comfort. But not all sandals are created equal: Some are made for a day by the water, while others are better suited for a few hours visiting Paris's best boutiques. Here are 20 of the best men's sandals on the market, no matter where your next vacation takes you.
Top picks:
Sandals under $100
Teva
Original Universal sandal
$60
Teva $55
$51
Amazon
A classic! From its universal strapping system that comes with three points for adjustment and the molded mid-sole for arch support to the rubber outsole for traction and a peppermint-based anti-odor treatment​, there are countless reasons why one of Teva's very first sandals is also among its most beloved.
Birkenstock
Arizona Essentials sandals
$50
Birkenstock
$50
DSW
We can't talk about comfortable sandals without mentioning at least one pair of Birks. And the classic Arizona, which comes in countless models, is one of the brand's most popular. It's incredibly lightweight, and the contoured footbed feels great on the feet. The fact that they're water-friendly makes them a great all-purpose sandal at an unbeatable price. All the cool kids are wearing this everywhere they go—the beach, an outdoor bar for Sunday brunch, or just strolling around the city in their favorite off-duty look.
Sperry
Porto flip-flop
$35
Sperry
$30
Macy's
A durable pair of flip-flops is always in our suitcase for a warm-weather trip. The breathable, cushioned cork footbed here offers the ultimate in comfort with every step, but so do the padded straps. How genius is that?
Hari Mari
Dunes sandal
$60
Huckberry
Firm arch support, a squeezable footbed, and straps lined with memory foam take the standard to the next level when it comes to comfort. The athletic but minimal look of these flip-flops make them a great choice for any casual outing, regardless of how close you get to the water.
Sandals for all-day comfort
Lems Shoes
Switchback nylon sandal
$120
Huckberry
$120
Lems Shoes
An immensely thorough four-year testing process ensures that these rugged flip-flops can tackle the demands of any high-octane adventure, from hiking to biking to river-rafting. The footbed was contoured to mimic the natural curves of a human foot while the wider toebox allows for maximum mobility. While this is definitely designed to be worn with your favorite activewear, it wouldn't look out of place with a linen button-down and a pair of shorts for a seaside lunch.
Veja
Etna suede slide sandal
$125
Nordstrom
$125
Bloomingdale's
Lining the molded footbed with suede lends these slides a more luxe feel. (It's sanded down to give a soft, smooth texture, but there's a coating of PFC-free, water-repellent oils to protect it from the elements.) But the adjustable straps and grippy rubber outsole provide stability. Wear with your most casual fits or on the plane—just don't forget to wear socks.
Ted Baker
Brixham fisherman mule
$120
Ted Baker $120
$84
Macy's
A slightly dressier option for a busy itinerary of exploring a new city, these trendy fisherman-style mules come in supple pebbled leather with must-have comfort features, like the adjustable velcro straps and the molded footbed. These will look good with a pair of shorts or jeans as well as with a cool linen suit.
Ugg
Seaside II slide
$90
Ugg
If you thought Uggs were onyl good for cold weather, here's a wonderful surprise: a sleek slide for all your warm-weather hangs, whether local or global. The full-grain leather strap is incredibly soft, and the cushioned, contoured footbed is wonderfully comfy for those 15K-step days. The bare styling on these slides are so refreshing—an easy pick to pair with every imaginable summer outfit.
Dressy sandals
Dr. Martens
Archive Fisherman leather sandals
$140
Dr. Martens
A much more fashion-forward choice, this strappy, mix-media pair from Doc Martens will elevate any outfit. And if these are made like the brand's classic Chelsea boots, once they're broken in, you can wear them around all day. The croc-embossed leather and the brushed silver hardware add some edge, but the cushioned outsole helps tone the whole thing down. This means these sandals are going to look just as fantastic with a more directional outfit as it would with a T-shirt and a pair of trunks for an afternoon of sipping spritzes by the pool.
Ralph Lauren
Zane leather sandal
$158
Ralph Lauren
Polo's Zane sandal isn't much different than your wear-all-day pair, which speaks to how easily this can go with any outfit, from dressier looks to more casual day-to-day attire. Straps for securing the best fit and an ergonomic molded footbed with built-in arch support are fantastic comfort details that will make these the type of sandals you can potentially wear all day, from a day of sightseeing all the way to a Michelin-star dinner and maybe even a nightcap.
Banana Republic
Leather slide sandals
$120
Banana Republic
The minimalist allure of these slides make them the ideal wardrobe workhorse. Wide crisscross straps in supple leather over a molded leather footbed make for a fuss-free shoe that you can easily slip on and off. Try it with an all-linen outfit for an effortlessly chic outing.
A. Veer
Santorini fisherman sandal
$139
Nordstrom $139
$97
Macy's
The smooth calfskin upper gives these sandals a vibe refined enough for your dressier outfits, but it's still made with the features that afford comfort, like the foam-cushioned leather footbed and an outsole with a tire pattern to help with stability. (Bonus: The unusual weaving technique here elevates the fisherman silhouette, too.)
Splurge-worthy sandals
Jacques Solovière
Franck fisherman sandal
$320
Huckberry
Smooth calf leather and rustic-chic raffia meet to create the sandals of your dreams. Parisian footwear brand Jacques Solovière is known for crafting the fashion-forward sandals that are simultaneously fuss-free, and that's exactly what you'll get with the Franck Fisherman sandal. Imagine this with a khaki suit for a vineyard wedding or with a pair of linen shorts and light sweater for dinner on a cool summer evening next to the water.
Todd Snyder
Tuscan leather woven sandal
$268
Todd Snyder
A decidedly more dressed-up slide, these woven leather sandals are the quintessential footwear for a seaside vacation. Maybe it's the Amalfi Coast, maybe Comporta, maybe it's Byron Bay. The eye-catching woven detail will definitely make your look, but the overall vibe of the sandals are casual enough that they can really go with any outfit for any occasion, except ones that involve getting wet. Of note, these sandals are sadly not water-friendly.
Octobre Editions
Lonny mule
$245
Octobre Editions
$245
Sezane
A classic suede style with the double buckled straps, these slip-on sandals feature a soft leather insole over a slender-yet-grippy rubber outsole. These are perfect wear-everywhere summer sandals. Rock them with pants, with shorts, for a day museum visits, or while lounging by the pool.
Bobbies
Barry sandal
$255
Bobbies
Squint and these might remind you of Hermes' Chypre sandals, but at a quarter of the price. The soft suede upper with the velcro strap gives these slides a sleek silhouette but the light rubber outsole gives them a versatile, wear-with-everything quality. Pair it with an easy-breezy, all-linen look for summer vacation on the Med.
Water-friendly sandals
Bombas
Friday sandal
$50
Bombas
From the sock experts at Bombas, these EVA double-strap slides were designed for optimal comfort. The cupped footbed should help prevent them from sliding off; while the hexagonal pattern on the outsole should aid with traction. Easy to clean and perfect for trips to the beach or the pool, these brightly colored sandals will complement city-slicker adventures, too.
Native Shoes
Paolo wanderfoam sandal
$40
Native Shoes
The velvety, cushioned foam footbed of this Native Shoes sandal delivers instant comfort, but the firmer, denser outsole offers ample support. Plus, it's odor-free and water-resistant, making it a great pool day flip-flop.