The 11 Best Hiking Sandals for Women, Tested by Women | 2026 Update

What Makes a Good Hiking Sandal?

The primary advantage of sandals lies in their breathability. Traditional hiking footwear, like women's waterproof hiking boots, can feel burdensome and make your feet sweaty, especially when the temperature soars. With their webbing straps, sandals allow air to circulate freely and effectively wick away moisture, ensuring your feet remain fresh. There's more to it than that, though.

Breathability

Unlike hiking shoes, sandals provide maximum ventilation, ensuring your toes remain dry. This is particularly beneficial in hot, muggy climates and during hikes in swampy terrain or on trails featuring river crossings. Damp feet can lead to discomfort, quickly resulting in blisters, and over time, excess moisture can lead to more severe issues, such as immersion foot. The freedom to wade in and out of water is liberating, and you won't miss the need to gingerly step from slippery rocks to precarious logs just to keep your shoes dry.

Traction

While standard flip flops and slip-on slide sandals may offer some airflow, a true outdoor sandal that can stand up to trekking and other outdoor adventures is evaluated based on its traction and stability. The stickiness of the rubber and the effectiveness of the lug patterns are crucial. Several companies continue to rely on trusted Vibram rubber soles, which provide the same gripping power as your favorite hiking boots. However, most brands have developed their proprietary traction technologies that also perform well.

Stability

Stability is a matter of personal preference. For instance, dedicated minimalist hikers likely have a much stronger arch than those who rely on orthotic insoles and don’t need the arch support provided by some sandals. In general, a thicker sole tends to equate to better stability and often includes improved arch support for those who require it.

Fit

While the possibility of hot spots remains, many sandals offer fine-tuning options to customize the fit. Given the evident straps on sandals, it's relatively easy to anticipate potential hot spots. This allows you to break them in beforehand or carry athletic tape to preempt blisters. You're also less likely to endure the discomfort of debris rubbing against your feet since it's a simple task to remove twigs and pebbles from your sandals without the need to stop your hike.

Without further delay, the following are our top picks for the best women's hiking sandals, tested, photographed, and approved in the wilds of the American West.

The 11 Best Hiking Sandals for Women

I trekked 800 miles across southern Utah in a pair of Bedrocks, and walked through cacti patches, sand, silty rivers, quicksand, and more. Most people won’t put their sandals to this extreme of a test, but knowing that they can hold up to that much abuse says a lot about the quality.

Most of my hiking has been done on the classic Cairn models, which Bedrock updated in 2024 with the Cairn Evo sandals. The changes are fairly minor, but the most notable difference to the Pro models is the new shape and sizing that could make choosing a size more intuitive. Bedrock’s non-Pro models also received an updated Vibram leather that’s even more grippy and durable. They also introduced the new Bedrock Cairn Evo C sandal, which may actually beat out the other Cairns for hikers who want a comfort boost. I’m sticking to my tried and true Cairn Evo 3D Pros but it was not an easy decision.

I prefer the classic Cairn Evos for everyday use but if you’re tackling trails with major vert or water, the shape and texture of the Cairn Evo 3D Pro midsole provides helpful traction. My favorite feature is the G-hook-and-heel loop, because nothing ends a sandal’s lifespan quicker than sandy, waterlogged velcro, and it was designed with desert-dwellers and river guides in mind. The Vibram Megagrip Andesite Sole is the grippiest on this list - it’s made from fishing boot material for unparalleled traction - and the Cairn Evo 3D Pro sandals can really hold their own against some of the more water-focused sandals in this group.

I originally had a “most sustainable” option on this list and scratched it because there were too many good options, one of which is Bedrock’s ReSoul program. These are the most expensive sandals on this list but they are also the most durable and can be resoled and restrapped for life, which makes them well worth the investment.

Teva has always excelled at blending form and function, making the newly updated Hurricane XLT3 sandals one of the most stylish on this list and great for navigating indoor/outdoor life. It’s hard to beat the Teva Universal Original Sandals for price, but an extra $35 gets you a significantly upgraded sandal that can tackle more varied terrain.

The Hurricanes are a classic design with three adjustable straps made of 100% REPREVE recycled plastic. The straps are velcro, which isn’t great for watery and sandy hikes, but you only need to unstrap one strap to release your foot after the initial adjustment. The EVA footbed lacks the stiff, durable feel of some other sandals on this list, but I know folks who have hiked 700+ miles in them without complaint. Plus the the XLT3 has 5 mm more EVA than the XLT2. They’re also treated with Life Naturals, an antimicrobial agent, so hikers with sweaty feet will appreciate their odor-resistance.

Chacos are one of the biggest names in the sandal business for good reason. I hiked most of the Appalachian Trail in a pair of Z/1s, which is a big testament to their durability and comfort. Though I do miss the days of Vibram® soled Chacos, the proprietary ChacoGrip outsole works well in most conditions and 3.5mm lugs are burly enough to dig into softer terrain. The Z-strap design holds your feet in place, which is a big plus for river walkers or those who want that shoe-like security. The extra thick sole is heavy but cushions and protects your foot from rockier terrain.

I’ve known plenty of folks who tried out minimalist sandals and returned to Chacos for their impressive arch support. Their Luvseat midsole is certified by podiatrists and provides the support you need for all-day activities. (For even softer sandals, look at the Chaco Z/Cloud collection.) They aren’t the cheapest model on this list but Chaco’s commitment to longevity and sustainability in their ReChaco program ensures that you’ll get your money’s worth, if you can go without them for four weeks. Or, if you’re lucky to live near one of their ReChaco Roving Repairs bus stops, you can get them repaired with an even faster turnaround.

Ecco Yucatan fans can breathe a sigh of relief - the Ecco Offroad Sandals are just the newly rebranded versions of the Ecco Yucatan Sandals. At the same time, Ecco released the Offroad Roam, a slimmer, more city-friendly offering to counter the hefty Offroads.

The new Ecco Offroad Roam Sandals have many of the same features—a microfiber footbed, three-point adjustability, and leather straps—in a much sleeker package. The straps and cushioned soles are both slimmer, creating a lighter weight sandal that breathes better and looks a little less like a chunky dad shoe.

Ecco doesn’t provide exact stats on the stack of the shoes and thickness of the soles, but the Offroad Roam felt a little bit lower to the ground than the Offroads. To someone who primarily wears minimalist shoes, the original Offroads felt a bit unwieldy and took a minute to get used to so I preferred the slimmer Roam soles. Given the sleeker, more urban design, they’re not quite as suited to burly hikes as the regular Offroad Sandals but for most hikers, the trade off seems worth it for improved aesthetics and similar comfort.

I’m a big fan of lightweight footwear. It’s the entire reason I hike in either sandals or trail runners most of the time. But the new KEEN Hyperport H2 and revamped Newport H2 caught my eye so I decided to see how those stacked up against the previously ranked Clearwater CNX Sandals. I still appreciate the slim design of the Clearwaters for water situations that require swimming but in terms of comfort and aesthetics but it’s a very close call between the Hyperport H2 and Newport H2.

The Hyperport is slightly lighter than the Newport (9.17oz and 10.93oz, respectively). The Newport seems to run a little narrow and the Hyperport provided more cushion in the injected foam midsole. I’m usually pretty skeptical about the longevity of footwear with ample amounts of foam but the Hyperport foam was much tougher than the kind I’ve found on my shredded trail runners. The Hyperport also uses an Aquagrip rubber outsole that is not as grippy in water as Vibram Megagrip but had more traction than the Newport. From an aesthetic standpoint, I’m obsessed with the monochrome blue Newport sandal but the Hyperport H2 slightly edges them out in terms of comfort and performance. And of course, all KEEN shoes are PFAS-free, a nice bonus for you and the environment.

While the Keen Hyperport H2 or Newport H2 sandals above will provide plenty of toe protection, the Hoka Hopara 2 deserve their own shoutout for doing things a little differently. The first generation looked like a typical strapped, closed-toed sandal but the new Hopara uses a porous Cordura® mesh and recycled knit upper to help feet breathe. With its combination of breathability and typical Hoka foam midsole, the Hopara 2 is easily one of the most comfortable sandals on this list.

The Hopara 2 does run a little wide for my feet so it wouldn’t be my first choice for trails that involve anything technical, but I would wear these for long distance hikes in a heartbeat. It has an adjustable heel strap and shock cord to tighten the fit and the rubber outsole was surprisingly sticky on slick ground. The only con I found is that the mesh upper traps sand like a trail runner, so they don’t have the same benefit as fully open sandals. I don’t consider these true sandals but if you usually hike in trail runners and are sandal-curious, the Hopara is the perfect middle ground.

I’ve tried a number of minimalist sandals, from the Bedrock Classics to the Deliberate Life Designs huaraches (see below), and the Xero Z-Trail EV are doing something a little different. The Xeros have a very dedicated following, and after trying the Z-Trail EVs it’s easy to see why. The ZV-Trails immediately stand out for their BareFoam™ midsole, which is dramatically softer than any other sandal we’ve tried. This does affect durability, as the edges near the toes showed wear pretty quickly, but wearing them in the river and on pavement is asking for premature damage. They have no arch support, but the TrailFoam layer provides a good amount of cushion even on harder ground.

At 5.6oz, they’re the lightest sandal in this group, which makes them perfect for travel. They’ll easily stash in a backpack as camp shoes or in a carry-on while traveling.

I’m showing my age here, but once upon a time Chacos were all made with Vibram soles. I even hiked 1800 miles of the Appalachian Trail in a pair and didn’t have to resole them until I finished the long hike. So on a moral level I don’t love seeing Vibram soles return at a much higher price point, but sometimes you just have to suck it up for a product that is just genuinely better—and the Vibram Megagrip Rapid Pro is just that.

There’s honestly not much more to say about these sandals—they’re the Z/1 you know and love with a burlier Vibram Megagrip sole that adds a marginal amount of weight (15g) per shoe. The new slip resistant sole has even more tread than my old Vibram soles, which is a nice bonus. Vibram Megagrip is hands down the best for wet river rocks, slippery raft frames, and paddle boards. In my opinion, no proprietary rubber will ever compete. The Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D Pro also uses Vibram Megagrip and is still my preferred sandal in water, but I think most people will like the way the Chaco straps hold your foot in place and how the thick midsole softens the blow of rocky surfaces, making for a more comfortable sandal.

One word of caution: grippier rubber is softer rubber, so if you won’t be spending a lot of time in the water, you may be better off with the regular Z/1 sandals with Chacogrip soles for longevity.

I’ve been curious about the difference between Bedrocks and Lunas for a while; they look very similar but have completely different marketing. While we still love Bedrocks, we were stoked on the Lunas after taking them on the Teton Crest Trail.

The Vibram midsole isn’t nearly as textured as the Cairn 3D Pro II sandals, and during testing I found my feet slid around a bit inside the sandal on descents and when wet. But in everyday life the midsole was even more comfortable than the regular Bedrock Cairns, and there was something about wearing the Lunas that just felt so good. I particularly liked the cushioned panel on the back strap that prevented hot spots.

The sole of the Middle Bears is a work of art—aggressive, 3.5mm lugs in Vibram Megagrip for traction, plus lace protection so the straps don’t wear out. The lugs are also optimally spaced to reduce mud and debris build up. These sandals are designed for trail running, though I prefer regular sneakers for that sport. But for slower trail endeavors, I can confidently say that the Lunas are a solid competitor for the Bedrocks, though they thrive in slightly different environments.

The Keen Uneeks were the dark horse of my sandal testing. They’re kind of old news so I really ought to have tested them by now, but something about seeing them paired with an outfit elevated them from “weird internet shoe” to something I would actually wear.

Don’t let the “sneaker” term mislead you - the unusual string design of the Uneek breathes better than any of the other closed-toed sandals I tested, including the other Keens. Though the sole was thin and doesn’t have significant tread, it was extremely comfortable stomping around pavement and trail. They’re not nearly as sturdy or slip-resistant on wet surfaces as the Keen Newport H2 or Hyperport H2 sandals and I wouldn’t take them on any serious hikes, but they did get me around Manali, India, a city that involves a ton of high-vert walking through broken, wet paths. Overall, it’s a striking sandal that doesn’t offer much support but functions well on light duty paths and makes waves on the pavement.

The Hoka Infini Hike TC sandals are by far the best suited for wide feet. I have a forefoot that is slightly wider than average and in the Infini Hike TC, I could not get the straps tight enough to feel secure on any sort of technical terrain. There is only a small patch of velcro on the front strap that becomes misaligned when you tighten them more than intended so these sandals are not suitable for people with average to narrow feet.

The Infini Hike TC is also easily the most cushioned on this list, so much so that I almost felt like my feet were sinking into the extremely lightweight foam. I noticed this particularly in the heel cup, which is deep and may help some hikers feel more secure and supported. They also use partially bio-based materials like the 30% sugarcane CMEVA midsole and topsole and a Vibram Megagrip outsole with burly 3mm lugs. Given the outsole, they seem to be designed with serious hikes in mind but the straps just won’t work for most feet. I’d love to see a redesign of the width and velcro but as they are now, the Infini Hike TC are a big, plush sandal that’s surprisingly ready for harder trails, but only if you have very wide feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good brand for hiking sandals?

Chaco and Teva are the OGs in the world of hiking sandals, but as the category has become more popular among hikers, kayakers, adventurers, and folks who just want to kick around town, more companies have popped up to meet their varying needs. Bedrock Sandals is one company that's gone from niche to mainstream very quickly, and others like KEEN, Merell, ECCO, and the rest in this guide all make high-quality footwear and comfy walking shoes.

What should you look for in hiking sandals?

A combination of traction, stability, and fit and comfort are the key attributes of a hiking sandal. How you plan to use them and how each sandal fits your foot will determine what balance of these features is best for you.

Why should I wear hiking sandals instead of hiking boots?

Deciding whether or not to opt for sandals over boots is totally up to you and your preferences. Generally, hiking sandals tend to be lighter and more breathable than hiking boots, though they sacrifice protection and support. Many people have worn sandals to hike some of the longest trails around the world, so they're definitely up to the challenge.