There’s no such thing as the perfect hiking sandal. Everyone's foot shape is too unique and special for any single option to be "the best" for all. Still, there are a few features I think most people should expect in a performance sandal they plan to wear while trekking through forests and up mountains. To put together this list, I looked at, then tested with my partner, as many as I possibly could.
Whether you have flat-feet or ballerina arches, whether you’re hitting the trail for a day hike or a backpacking trip or spending a day in the water, I have found you the best hiking sandals to let you rock the deep strappy tan lines that indicates a summer well-lived.
In this guide, I’ll dive into the nitty gritty up front then get to our top picks, selected from experience and many miles hiked in lightweight open toe sandals. I also photographed each sandal in the wilds of Wyoming. Read on and dig in. (We also tested the best women's hiking sandals btw.)
Field Mag's Top Picks:
- Best All-Around Hiking Sandals: Bedrock Cairn Evo Pro
- Best Budget Hiking Sandals: Teva Hurricane XLT 2
- Best Sandals with Arch Support: Chaco Z/1
- Best Closed-Toe Sandals: KEEN Newport H2
- Best Water Sandals: Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pro
- Best Shoe-Sandals Hybrid: Hoka Hopara 2
- Best Backpacking Sandals: Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV
- Best Leather Sandal: Danner Joseph
- Best Hiking Sandal for City Folk: KEEN Uneek
- Best Old-School Sandal: ECCO Offload
Our Rating Criteria
For each sandal, I provide a rating of the design's toe protection, breathability, arch support, and traction, from 0-5, then explain in detail what makes them special. Each sandal was tested on multiple 7-10 mile hikes and over many days on the river by my partner, Gabriel Adams, a rafting guide on the Snake River in Wyoming. My extensive testing of the best women's hiking sandals contributed as well, as many products are effectively the same, besides colorway differences.