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When summer’s rising temps have you pushing your sneakers and boots to the back of your closet, you might find yourself reaching for sandals more often than not. If your current options leave your feet aching or blistered, sorry to break it to you, but you’ve got the wrong pairs in your arsenal. So take it from us, and the two podiatrists we consulted, that the following six shoes are the absolute best walking sandals for women.
It’s not as simple as crowning one sandal the best in its class because everyone’s feet are different—from arch to width to specific needs. But that’s where our experts come in. They’ve named the best walking sandals for women across several categories, which include hiking, plantar fasciitis, and wide feet, among others. While we couldn’t possibly cover every single foot shape or concern, these six options should be enough to help you land on a pair that fits and feels best for you.
If you’re at a loss for where to begin with this shopping decision, keep reading to find out what to look for and what to avoid in a walking sandal. Dr. Alissa Kuizinas, DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine), and Dr. Stephen Bui, board-certified in Sports Medicine and Podiatric Surgery, answer these important questions and also share their top product picks for the best walking sandals for women.
The Best Walking Sandals For Women At a Glance
What should you look for in walking sandals?
The sole of the sandals should be flexible so that it can move with your foot
A comfortable, contoured footbed that matches the natural shape of your feet
Adjustable design elements to keep your sandals in place (i.e. adjustable straps over the toes, behind the heel, or around the ankle)
Additionally, Dr. Bui recommends paying close attention to your foot type when buying a new pair of walking sandals. If you have narrow feet, look for a narrower design in the forefoot and heel. If you have wide feet, keep an eye out for a wider toe box and a wider overall forefoot and heel. Folks with extra wide feet might want to consider men’s sizing.
What should you avoid in walking sandals?
Flip-flops because they can cause your toes to grip the sandals so they don’t slide off
Heeled sandals, especially for all-day wear, because they put too much pressure on the ball of your foot and keep your ankle in a plantarflexed position
Straps that squeeze your toes together
Tight-fitting sandals since your feet swell throughout the day
To ensure your shoes don’t fit too tight, Dr. Bui suggests checking that the tip of your longest toe has a thumb’s width of space. Your toes should never sit on the edge of your sandal. You can avoid this by watching your foot push off the ground as you walk. Do your toes peek out of your sandals? If they do, you might want to size up. Also, make sure the back of your foot doesn’t have more than a thumb’s width of space, especially if your shoes don’t have an adjustable heel strap. You don’t want your foot to slip out of your sandals while you’re walking.
Not to mention, your feet swell throughout the day, so it can’t hurt to size up a half or whole size to accommodate that natural change in size. Dr. Bui also notes that folks with diabetes tend to have more sensitive skin and feet, so always remember to check your shoes for exposed threads or seams. You don’t want anything cutting into your skin and irritating it.
The Best Walking Sandals For Women, According to Podiatrists
Chaco Z/1 Classic SandalsOn Sale 34% off
Best Walking Sandals For Women Overall: Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandals ($74.99, originally $100)
Sizes: 5-12
Colors: 7
Materials: Upper: polyester jacquard webbing; Topsole: Luvseat dual-density polyurethane; Midsole: Luvseat dual-density-polyurethane; Outsole: ChacoGrip rubber
Dr. Bui highlights this sandal’s high-quality materials, adjustable straps around the ankle and heel, and arch support. These shoes have certainly stood the test of time, since they launched in 1989 yet still remain a mainstay within Chaco’s lineup. The Z/1 Classic Sandals are made up of only eight parts, making them streamlined, simple, and timeless.
ARCHIES Footwear.
Sizes: 5-16
Colors: 4
Materials: Sole material: foam; Outer material: closed cell foam
“I like this sandal because it features a sturdy 22cm of arch support in the middle and a footbed that contours to the foot over time,” says Dr. Bui. The brand notes that you should give the ARCHIES slides
one to two days of wear to start matching the natural shape of your foot. Additionally, these shoes feature an elevated heel to reduce pressure on the achilles tendon. This design element ensures you can wear these kicks all day long without feeling any discomfort.
Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV SandalsOn Sale 5% off
Sizes: 5-11
Colors: 3
Materials: Ethylene vinyl acetate, rubber
If you’re on the hunt for a super thin, lightweight option, meet Xero Shoes’ Z-Trail EV Sandals
. They’re 10mm thick and flexible enough to roll up and pack in your bag (or even your pocket!). For those who prefer a zero-drop, non-elevated heel, this one checks off those two boxes. What else makes these sandals noteworthy? Oh, just that they’re water-resistant, fast-drying, and have excellent grip and traction. “These sandals are foot shaped, have good flexibility in the sole while still providing great traction, and secure to your foot. They are great for walking and hiking,” Dr. Kuizinas notes.
Oesh.
Best Walking Sandals For Women For Plantar Fasciitis: Oesh Athena ($129)
Have you ever wondered what it might feel like to walk on clouds? The Athena has a sole that gently sinks and rises with every movement. Plus, it features the architecture of honeycombed springs (made from the brand’s award-winning 3-D printing technology) so that you really get that bounce. Top it off with adjustable straps and you’ve got a shoe that’s ready to accompany you on all of your upcoming adventures. “These sandals are great for anyone who wants a thicker sole sandal with a bit more cushioning. The straps are soft and adjustable, and the sole is flat and flexible while still providing enough cushioning for those that need it,” Dr. Kuizinas explains.
Xero Shoes.Xero Shoes Z-Trek SandalsOn Sale 7% off
Best Walking Sandals For Women For Wide Feet: Xero Shoes Z-Trek Sandals
($59.95)
Sizes: 5-11
Colors: 3
Materials: Upper: nylon; Topsole: FeelTrue rubber; Outsole: FeelTrue rubber
The Z-Trek Sandals from Xero Shoes
are ultra-thin, boasting a 6mm outsole. But what makes them stand out among the crowd is that they can float and resist water—perfect for water sports. And just like the other pair of Xero Shoes on this list, this one is so flexible that you can roll them up and transport them easily. What does our expert have to say about this sandal? “It’s a natural shape for people who have wide feet, and adjustable straps around the ankle provide heel stabilization. There is also a cupped protective section of rubber on the bunion, which is helpful for people who have bunions so they don’t hit their bunion on anything,” says Dr. Bui. “Another benefit is that Xero Shoes has a 5,000 mile sole warranty, so you can get a lot of wear testing out of them.”
OOFOS.OOFOS OOahh Sport Flex Slide Sandals
Sizes: 6-15
Colors: 3
Materials: OOfoam
What exactly makes this sandal ideal for sports recovery? It’s made from OOfoam, which absorbs 37 percent more shock than traditional footwear, per the brand. The shoe additionally decreases the stress put on your feet, knees, and lower back when you walk. “This sandal has comfortable support and good cushion, which is great if your feet are tired. This is a time when I would recommend extra cushioning, for athletes recovering after training,” Dr. Bui notes. I can’t forget to mention that these kicks are moisture-resistant, machine-washable, and adjustable. Plus, they’re so lightweight that they can float in water.
Our Experts
Dr. Alissa Kuizinas received her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. She also completed a Forefoot & Rearfoot Reconstructive Surgery Residency at Hoboken University Medical Center. Additionally, Dr. Kuizinas is board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
Dr. Stephen Bui is board-certified in Sports Medicine and Podiatric Surgery. He has over 22 years of health care experience, having performed thousands of foot and ankle surgeries during this time. Dr. Bui is passionate about injury prevention, pain relief, and findings ways to balance fitness within busy schedules.
