The 7 Best Hiking Sandals Of 2023 + How To Choose, With Recommendations From Podiatrists

When you have plantar fasciitis, it’s essential to seek out an ultra-supportive pair of sandals. Enter: This pick designed with unmatched heel support and a responsive heel-cushioning technology that protects your feet from impact with each step.

A curved, heel-cupping design keeps your feet comfortable throughout every adventure. The sandal also has loads of traction, thanks to multi-directional lugs. Rugged, waterproof leather and durable rubber come together to form a sandal that fights foot pain one mile at a time.

Customers say this sandal is lightweight, supportive, and incredibly comfortable. Reviewers with wide feet in particular love the fit.

Every expert we spoke to recommended closed-toe shoes for most hiking situations. “I like closed-toe [hiking sandals] the most because we have to protect our feet from dangerous terrain,” Lobkova explains.

Lobkova and Kornfeld both recommended several Merrell options, noting that they’re among the best when it comes to cushioning and support. This versatile, breathable hiking sandal features the brand’s signature grippy rubber soles that offer traction and stability, while the insoles cradle the feet for all-day comfort while on the trail.

Despite having a closed toe, these sandals have openings along the sides to ensure breathability and comfort. Plenty of happy customers agree, too, with one explaining that these shoes kept her feet cool during hot summer hikes.

The sportier version of the brand's classic design, this pick features a soft and comfortable footbed that contours around the shape of the feet, as well as rugged slip-resistant rubber soles. Classic velcro straps keep the foot in place, making these sandals just as comfortable in water as on land.

It’s worth noting that the shoe is made with a lightweight, breathable polyester mesh that keeps feet cool, even during long hikes with heavy backpacks. Also nice: These hiking sandals are treated with Life Naturals, a natural peppermint-based antimicrobial that fights the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

The sandal has garnered hundreds of positive reviews, including from shoppers with high arches—one of which says she's "sold for life."Another with chronic back issues explains that thanks to the excellent footbed, she feels supported on concrete, gravel, or dirt roads.

An ideal pick for arch support, these sandals were featured as best for outdoor activities in our roundup of best arch support sandals. They combine the best part of Hoka sneakers: unparalleled traction, loads of support, and funky modern design.

The style, which comes highly recommended by Loboka, offers everything you’d ever need from a hiking sandal: a water-friendly construction ideal for water-crossing and unexpected puddles, a tread for extra grip, and a load of responsive cushioning.

A toe cap protects feet from the elements you’re bound to face out in the wild, while the quick-lace design makes it easy to slip shoes on and off for campground hangs and quick dips. Best of all, the low-profile cushion bed offers support while still keeping your feet close to the ground for stability.

This list wouldn’t be complete without a pick from Chaco. Selected as the best sandal in our best hiking shoes roundup, the Z/1 Classic model is durable (thanks to the brand’s signature ChacoGrip™ rubber) and great for when you need a high-performing grip on a wet surface.

Plus, the footbed is podiatrist-accepted, so you can expect all-day comfort and support during your adventures. Reviewers say these sandals are super easy to adjust, offering the perfect fit whether their feet are swollen from the heat or cold and wet after hiking through water. Others note the high quality material and how comfortable they are to walk in.

A true classic when it comes to open-toed, active sandals, the Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals are a great choice for light hikes, cooling off in rivers and lakes, and any other post-hike adventures you might find yourself in. Four adjustable straps ensure a perfect fit, while the soft EVA midsole brings gentle support.

These sandals don’t have a toe post, but feet stay in place thanks to grooves in the sole of the shoe. When wet, the shoes dry quickly, effectively preventing chafing-induced blisters and sores. You can expect great traction, too, which is especially helpful if you’ll need some grip support after submerging your feet.

Plenty of happy shoppers give rave reviews of this model, including a customer who comfortably wore their last pair for 25 years before giving in and purchasing a replacement.

During my (the writer's) recent trip to Acadia National Park, I needed a pair of hiking sandals that could handle the rocky beaches, hours of being lapped with rogue waves, and the occasional docking and exploring random little islands along the Mount Desert Narrows.

Thankfully, I packed a pair of these hiking sandals and never once felt unsteady or unsupported. In fact, I reveled at how quickly they dried after being fully submerged in water and how lightweight they felt when climbing up boulders or trudging through the sand.

For such a weightless shoe, I was impressed by how strong the outsole’s grip was and the fact that the non-marking rubber was footprint-free, effectively leaving each place I visited just as beautiful as it was before I got there.