Although you can wear any kind of shoe to theBeach Sandals, the ideal choice is a pair of sandals made to withstand saltwater and sand, unless you want to put your wet bare feet into sandy sneakers. Travel + Leisure editors selected their top beach sandals for any excursion to the sea, whether it’s for a picnic on the beach, a leisurely stroll along the shore, or just to get you over scorching hot sand.
To go to the beach in comfort and style, we love a variety of beachy footwear styles, such as sporty sandals, leather flip-flops, and waterproof slides. Although Chaco, Reef, and Birkenstock were highly recommended, we also examined footwear options from other well-known companies that you might consider for your upcoming Beach Sandals excursion.
Reef Water Vista Slide
To go to the Beach Sandals in comfort and style, we love a variety of beachy footwear styles, such as sporty sandals, leather flip-flops, and waterproof slides. Although Chaco, Reef, and Birkenstock were highly recommended, we also examined footwear options from other well-known companies that you might consider for your upcoming beach excursion.
Taylor Fox, the outdoor gear editor of T+L, likewise had nothing but praise for the sandals. When she goes to the Beach Sandals, she says, “I love wearing waterproof shoes because I can rinse my feet in them and reduce the amount of sand I carry with me.” The best part is that even after being wet, the shoes don’t creak, and the chic faux-woven style makes it easy to transition from the beach to a restaurant without looking overly casual.
OluKai La‘i T–bar
I often bring dressy shoes for my beach vacations, like these chic OluKai sandals, that I can wear to several events. Thanks to the sophisticated elements like the wide T-shaped straps and tortoiseshell buckles, the sandals can be dressed up or down for anything from brunch to the Beach Sandals. The nicest feature of the open-toed shoes is their generous cushioning and support, which includes a soft PU footbed and a dip in the toe-box and heel that cradles the foot for added stability. Also adding stability over slick surfaces like pool decks is the outsole’s wave-patterned texture.
Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA
For beachside escapades, we adore this vibrant and water-resistant version of Birkenstock’s classic Arizona slide. These sandals are constructed of a soft, lightweight foam instead of the more common cork or leather, which makes them easy to put on for a road trip to the beach or pack in a suitcase. Jackie Cucco, the testing editor, received two pairs of these sandals in different colors because she loves them so much. When it comes to the Beach Sandals, Cucco stated, “the waterproof material is ideal because you can easily rinse them off if they get sandy or dirty.” “Unlike some other slides, even though they’re made of this plastic material, the straps are adjustable with plastic buckles.” Although the upper straps can be adjusted to ensure a snug fit, Cucco points out that these slides aren’t the most supportive for particularly lengthy hikes or beach walks.
Ecco Cozmo Two Band Buckle Sandal
Given their versatility in complementing almost every ensemble, these Ecco slides are the chameleon of shoes for travel in warm weather. Although slides are usually associated with casual footwear, these models include elegant leather top straps that give them a dressier look without compromising on comfort or convenience. Simply put on these PU and leather slides, and you’ll be heading to the Beach Sandals or supper in no time. Fox remarked, “These are the most versatile sandals I have.” “I have worn them on the beach in Egypt and Costa Rica, and they are incredibly comfortable and fashionable.” Fox observed that the PU sole was wearing out more quickly than the harder rubber sole after five months of use.
Beek Sunbeam Leather Flip Flop Sandal
Although leather flip-flops aren’t typically thought of as beach footwear, T+L assistant director Morgan Ashley Parker claims that these Beek models are very comfy and long-lasting. “The uncomfortable straps that rub against the top of my foot and in between my toes is my biggest complaint with flip flops,” the woman stated. “This pair’s foam straps are wrapped in leather, making them feel incredibly soft and not at all irritating to my feet.” The sandals were sprayed with leather protector, and even after being wet and sandy, Parker’s leather footbed and straps still look fantastic. Additionally, the footbed of the flip-flops has a layer of foam padding for added comfort when strolling to and from the Beach Sandals.
Teva 90s Hurricane XLT2 Revive
These Teva sandals are suitable for strenuous beach excursions, whether you’re riding, strolling, or climbing to the Beach Sandals. The broad rubber outsole of the shoe is gripping and designed to tackle slick and uneven surfaces. The hook-and-loop fasteners on the upper straps ensure that your foot stays securely fastened. The recycled polyester straps from Repreve are made to dry rapidly without stretching out when your feet do get wet.
Alexandra Domrongchai, a commerce writer, claims that these Teva sandals are a summer wardrobe essential. “I’ve really put these sandals to the test by wearing them to the beach, camping, and around town,” the woman remarked. “They’ve remained remarkably sturdy despite being covered in sand, grime, and water. They also wash incredibly smoothly. In addition to their endurance, I think they’re adorable.
Ecco Sport Sandal
If you want a pair of sandals that are incredibly comfortable, Ecco’s Sport Yucatan Sandals are a great choice because they provide your feet with padding similar to that of a pillow. The sandals have a PU footbed with twice as much density as before, providing more comfort and durability to withstand normal wear and tear. Senior business writer Merrell Readman exclaimed, “I wore these sandals during an active vacation to Portugal last year, and they were truly perfect for everything from a day at the beach to a hike along a seaside trail.” “They’re well-padded for remarkable comfort all day, and the adjustable straps are great for keeping your shoes in place during your walk to the beach, which is half the battle.”
Chaco Women’s Z/2 Adjustable Strap Classic Sandal
Even though I enjoy walking barefoot, I nearly always wear Chaco’s iconic Z/2 sandal when I need additional arch support and stability because walking on both hard and soft sand can cause foot pain. For optimal traction on slick surfaces, the outsole is constructed of a thick rubber substance with a variety of grooves and indents. Tidepooling is one of my favorite Beach Sandals pastimes, and even though it occasionally requires walking on jagged, slick rocks, I’ve never fallen while wearing these sandals. This Chaco model, which lacks the toe loop that usually rubs me, hasn’t caused any chafing or rubbing for me. The polyester straps dry rapidly after being wet.
Bombas The Friday Slide
Bombas unveiled a waterproof EVA slide that surprisingly weighs less while still providing all the features we want in a beach sandal. In order to prevent the foot from sliding around while wet, the footbed has grooves made of soft, cloud-like foam. For added traction and stability on slick Beach Sandals boardwalks or pool decks, the bottoms of the shoes have several dots indents.
Readman expressed her admiration for the material’s ability to conform to her feet, providing a really supportive fit. The neutral shape of the shoe allows her to wear it wherever from the beach to the airport during the spring and summer. You might wish to use these shoes only for short walks as they don’t provide much arch support because the entire shoe is constructed of soft foam.
Hoka Hopara All-terrain Shoe
For more strenuous excursions, you’ll need a shoe that can withstand various kinds of terrain, like these Hokas, as not all beaches have paved roads and smooth sand. With thick outsoles to help with traction on slick surfaces like riverbeds or sharp rocks, these shoes are a hybrid of sneakers and sandals. The toe box features a rubber cap to avert potential injuries such as stubbed toes, further enhancing foot protection. These hybrid sandals are great for hiking and other adventurous activities because they are quite bouncy and cushioned to walk in.
Keen Women’s Ellecity Backstrap Sandal
We know you wouldn’t often think to wear wedges to the beach, but these sturdy and incredibly comfy Keen platform sandals can help you navigate uneven sand. The sandals’ substantial platform and adjustable ankle strap ensure that your foot is firmly planted on the ground with every step, and the modest heel isn’t nearly big enough to cause instability. Plus, the materials—leather, EVA, and rubber—are remarkably light without compromising on quality. These sandals are comfy right out of the box and don’t need to be broken in before hitting theBeach Sandals, according to our own testing.
Clarks Breeze Sea Flip Flop
These sandals demonstrate that flip-flops may be made to be genuinely comfortable by including adjustable elements, cushioning, and arch support. These flip-flops cradle and support the foot without causing any pain or discomfort thanks to its fully adjustable soft synthetic straps and cushioned EVA foam midsole. In comparison to other flip-flops we evaluated, we also discovered that the rubber outsole provides better stability and traction. The increased weight of these sandals compared to standard foam flip-flops is due to the thicker outsole, but we believe the investment is worthwhile for long-lasting comfort.
Tips for Buying Beach Sandals
Look for waterproof materials
Wearing sandals made of waterproof materials is a good idea even if you don’t swim at the Beach Sandals because you’ll probably need to wash the sand off of your feet with water. Rubber, EVA foam, and plastic materials such as TPU are used to make sandals that dry fast and repel water. Even sandals with materials like neoprene and polyester can be quick-drying and comfy when wet.
Consider whether you want to wear them while swimming
You could lose your shoes in the surges if you plan to take a dip in the ocean, so be sure they are safely secured to your feet. For further security, you should avoid racing into the waves in flip-flops or slides since they will immediately slip off. Instead, you should choose sandals with ankle and foot straps.
