The 23 Most Comfortable Sandals—Tested and Approved

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The best comfortable sandals offer proper arch support, cushioning, stability, and a secure fit.

Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.

In This Article

Health / Sarah Felbin

Sandals are considered an essential part of many people's summer wardrobe. However, no one wants to risk blisters, injuries, or tired feet after walking in uncomfortable shoes. Luckily, many sandals offer both comfort and style.The most comfortable sandals have straps that won’t dig in, a supportive footbed with heel and arch support, and a slight one- to two-inch heel to relieve pressure from your Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, says Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

Whether you need exceptional arch support, a wide fit, or a classic look, we've tested over 80 top-selling sandals to find the ones that truly deliver on comfort. Each pair was evaluated for fit, stability, cushioning, comfort, quality, and responsiveness to help you choose the best comfortable sandals for every foot type, activity, style, and support needs. We also had a physical therapist on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy.

As an Editor at Health, I understand the importance of comfort and fit in footwear. Finding sandals that look good and feel good is key to preventing foot pain and enjoying daily activities. I have flat feet, so support is essential for me. I've tried different brands, but the Teva Zymic Sandals are my top choice. They provide the perfect balance of cushioning and arch support, which is exactly what I need for all-day wear.

-Lauren Paige Richeson, Commerce Editor

Merrell’s Bravada Backstrap Sandals have an athletic style that offers maximum, all-day comfort. We would know—we wore this pair every single day for one week straight while on vacation, doing activities like sightseeing and going to the beach.

Despite the brand not offering half sizes, we were able to find a solid fit because of the padded and adjustable heel, ankle, and toe Velcro straps. Thanks to the slightly raised edge and lifted arch of the sandal, our feet, ankles, and knees felt supported and stable. We also appreciated the smooth, springy transitions that propelled us to the next step.

Teva’s Women’s Zymic Sandals impressed us across the board—they’re supportive, stylish, and oh-so-comfortable. Thanks to the adjustable heel and toe straps, we found the fit to be true to size and accommodating to all foot shapes (narrow, average, and wide). We also appreciated the supportive arch, which is great for high—and low-arched wearers.

Besides being versatile enough for just about anyone, this shoe offers solid stability and springy responsiveness. During test walks, we noticed a quick and effortless transition between strides. The sandals also have a padded, cushioned sole that offers comfort and support and the soft material on the Velcro straps also helps to prevent chafing. They were so lightweight that we felt like we were walking on air. After the lengthy testing period, we were also pleasantly surprised by how well the sandals held up.

Not only do these shoes look unique, but they feel special, too. Skechers’ Go Walk Massage Fit Sandals feature a wave-shaped, cushioned midsole that aims to massage your feet with every step. During testing, we found these to be one of the most highly cushioned pairs of sandals on our list—making them a great choice if you prefer a bouncy, cushy feel.

The cushioned wave soles did take some getting used to mobility-wise, but after a month of testing, we were accustomed to the comfy cushion and were pleasantly surprised by the shoe’s durability. These fit true to size and feature an adjustable Velcro heel strap. Overall, we found these Skechers sandals quite springy and responsive, with a quick and effortless transition into our next stride.

Health / Tammy Gardini

Sorel's ONA Streetworks Go-To Women's Flat Sandal is proof that a stylish sandal doesn't have to sacrifice comfort in any way. While not providing us with a tremendously pronounced arch, we still found them to offer support and to prevent foot fatigue after hours of standing. And, the combo of wider top straps and ankle straps kept us feeling stable and supported on uneven surfaces. Importantly, those wider straps didn't overheat our feet.

Even though the cushioning in these wasn't as pronounced as other sandals, the EVA foam definitely provided some cushioning and springiness. In terms of quality, the leather upper and rubber sole are made with excellent craftsmanship, leaving us believing that these will also last for some time. For the price, we loved that they worked well with a variety of wardrobes.

The Teva Original Universal Women’s Sandal offers a roomy fit and long-lasting durability at a budget-friendly price. Thanks to the soft foam midsole that sits low to the ground, we felt comfortable during short test walks on smooth surfaces. We love how lightweight the shoes feel, making them convenient for travel or on-the-go wear.

After the one-month testing period, we were surprised to see how well the sandals held up—especially because of their rather thin, everyday design. And if they got dirty, we found them very easy to clean.

Chaco’s Women’s Townes Sandals combine comfort and style with a classic silhouette and contoured footbed. We love this pair for because they’re lightweight but also stylish and supportive. We also love that the leather strap is soft and doesn’t dig into the skin—which is important to avoid blisters and chafing.

The sandals fit true to size, have an adjustable ankle strap, and feature a wide enough toe box for most foot shapes. During test walks, both long and short, we were impressed with the sandal’s stability, shock absorption, and solid arch support. Also, the durable sole is supportive and springy, keeping your feet extra comfortable between strides.

We found the ECCO’s Women’s Flowt Sandals to be both functional and fashionable, with padded soles adding comfort that makes them an excellent pick for days in the office. Thanks to two Velcro straps at the toe and heel and a flexible and stretchy strap at the mid-foot, these shoes are a solid true-to-size fit for most foot shapes. Besides easy adjustability, during testing, we had no issues with stability and felt supported throughout the feet and entire legs.

We appreciated the solid shock absorption on all surfaces—pavement, grass, carpeting, and hardwood floors. The padded soles are thinnest at the toe, raise at the mid-foot, and plateau to a slight platform at the heel—offering solid arch support. The durable leather straps and overall sturdy construction add to the sandals’ great value. After one month of wear testing, we were happy to report that the sandals look as good as new.

The Sorel Women’s Kinetic Impact Slingback Heel Sandals are a classic platform sandal that combines fashion and functionality. They kept our feet supported, comfortable, and looking good throughout the one-month testing period.

For how stylish they look, we were very impressed with how stable and supportive the sandals felt. During test walks, we appreciated the cushioned footbed and slightly raised arches that provided a smooth, rolling transition between strides. The sandals also fit true to size and have an adjustable heel strap that allows us to customize the fit. We were also impressed by how well the sandals held up—they looked as good as new after dozens of wears. In our experience, the well-made construction and durable design make this pair worth the high price.

Sorel's Joanie IV Slingback Wedge meets at the intersection of style and functionality. They were tested by someone with bunions who noted that they were wide enough to accommodate the condition, and to prevent any rubbing or pain. These are also supportive, well cushioned, and as platforms, we found them to be stable on a variety of terrains. And, the Velcro straps makes them adjustable enough for a comfortable yet snug fit.

From a stylistic point of view, these are a great option to wear for a date night or other dressy events, but without sacrificing comfort in the process. We developed no blisters in these, and they also did a good job of offering support for our feet and joints to prevent knee pain after long days of standing.

These Keen UNEEK sandals are a highly versatile pick that we recommend for a few reasons. For starters, as a "convertible" the strap in the heel can be pulled up so these can instead be worn as a slide, depending on your preference. They are comfortable and secure, and the soft arch support rivaled some popular sneakers that we own.

These sandals were surprisingly cushioned, and they didn't need time to break-in to be comfortable; we found them to feel great on the first go. They also proved to be breathable and to prevent our feet from becoming too sweaty.

The adjustable straps on While leather sandals may conjure images of a stiff and uncomfortable shoe, Birkenstock's Women's Theda Leather Sandals demonstrates quite the opposite. In testing, we found the adjustable, cushioned, and edgeless straps to work to create a snug but still comfortable fit that didn't dig into our skin. And unlike other sandals that caused arch pain for our tester, these were an all day wear with no arch problems.

A strap near the ankle helps to add stability around the heel and mid-foot. At the same time, the strap near the toes helped to keep them from sliding off. And like other Birkenstock models, these are durably made and stood up very well to the testing that we put them through.

Vionic's Jamie Sandal features a dual-density midsole, an EVA Footbed, a rubber outsole that provides ample arch support, and a sandal that molded perfectly to our feet. We didn't experience any sliding or tightness in them, finding them to run true to size and to be comfortable from the first wear. While these have a platform, which offered us heel shock support, we still found them exceptionally stable, even on less forgiving surfaces like park grass and city sidewalks.

These are also a great pick for their cushioning. We put them to the test on a full day out, and while they don't have any extra padding, we still found them not to cause any blisters or cuts, and we didn't notice any odor with these shoes. They also have a stylish and durable look, with solid soles that don't bend in the middle and flexibility in the toe for a more comfortable gait. Plus, the leather upper definitely feels built to last.

Vionic

Another pick from Teva, the Tirra Sandals, provided us with the support necessary to ensure that we never experienced a plantar fasciitis flare-up, even on days when we were walking quite a bit. They came with a great fit on the first wear, and the combo of cushioning and arch support was top-tier. Plus, they feature straps around the ankles and two straps across the foot that are adjustable with Velcro to help accommodate different foot sizes, with cushioning on the straps to prevent irritation.

These sandals kept us from sliding when walking and caused no instability. At the same time, a shock-absorbent, thick sole kept us safe on every terrain we tested them on. As a bonus, these durable sandals didn't need to be broken in at all.

Health / Katie Tuttle

These Teve Terra Fi Sandals were tested by someone with wide feet, who found them exceptionally comfortable. Padding along the straps and buckles gave them a plush feel that caused no irritation. Plus, the adjustability of the straps meant we could get the proper fit for our wider feet. They also molded perfectly to our feet, following our unique arch and toe structures.

These are also highly stable while still being lightweight and offering flexibility, which helped us when walking across less forgiving terrains like gravel. They work like a great street sneaker, with a low profile that still provided us with excellent shock support. They had no break-in period for us, and the straps were very adjustable, ensuring a proper fit right from the start. The materials are durable and outdoorsy, and the stiff rubber sole prevents odor accumulation.

We found Munro’s Corine Sandals to be really comfortable. They’re super stable and offer great arch support, and we appreciated the bounce back and energy return that propelled our strides. Available in width sizes SS-WW, the sandals are made to fit all foot shapes and sizes. But after trying on our regular sizes, we recommend you go up in size and width because these sandals run small and narrow. Thankfully, the brand has a helpful size chart online.

These sandals from MBT are equipped with more than may meet the eye initially. They are designed with intention, with a built-in level of extra rocking for added cushioning and to promote maximum muscle activation, making them our pick for the best orthopedic sandals. That rocker bottom works with the foot's natural movement pattern, and we found them to work for stability, making us feel more connected to the ground. They also do a great job of preventing side-to-side rolling to keep the ankles safe. Despite these benefits, we appreciate that they don't look like orthopedic shoes.

In our experience, these offer a great fit. They kept us stable and solid, preventing our feet from sliding around. There was no break-in period, and the leather didn't cause blisters or chafing.

MBT USA

Offering support, comfort, and durability, Keen’s Women’s Elle Mixed Strap Sandal is a great everyday option. During testing, we appreciated the cushy comfort, stable support, and great shock absorption that the stylish shoe provided. Our knees, ankles, and feet felt equally stable and supported even when we wore these on hiking trails. We also noticed a soft and springy responsiveness that provided smooth transitions between strides, helping us walk comfortably for miles.

These fit true to size and have easy strap adjustability for all foot shapes and sizes. As an added bonus, the straps are padded around the heel, which helps to prevent blisters and adds comfort.

The Birkenstock Milano Big Buckle Sandals not only look sleek and stylish, but they’re also functional and comfortable. These sandals come in nine sizes and two widths, and they have three adjustable straps at the toe, mid-foot, and heel for a fully customizable fit. After the break-in period, we found that the shoes began to contour to the shape of our foot, providing the proper arch support and foot alignment. While these do offer cushioning, they are definitely more rigid than other picks. They offer support, but not quite the spring that you may be seeking for longer walks.

These Keen Elle City Sandals felt like an extension of our feet, making them a great pick for longer walks. They provided a comfortable, cushy and shock absorbing feel for both our feet and our knees. They also offer arch support. With three straps, we found this pick to fit great, and the buckle closure allowed us to tighten and loosen it however we needed, hugging our feet to prevent us from sliding around.

An added bonus is that these were good to go for the first wear, having no break-in period. We put them to the test on some longer days and they didn't rub anywhere that caused blisters, and the material against the back of the ankle didn't cause irritation. And, we didn't experience odor issues either, making them a perfect pick for longer walks.

This option from Keen is a versatile pick that can stand up to a lot. The footbed offers just enough space around our feet and toes for peak comfort, while Velcro straps on the top and around the ankle enabled a level of fit customizability that increased the overall comfort. But what made them ideal for more rugged terrains was the thicker sole that not only protected the foot on harder surfaces like concrete, but also increased stability in the foot and ankle when walking over uneven surfaces like pebbles. Described by the manufacturer as having "sneaker soles" these definitely lived up to the description.

This pick also promoted support in the arch and heels, and there was enough cushioning to prevent us from accumulating too much fatigue when being on our feet for longer periods of time. We also appreciate that there was no break-in period, and the straps were also breathable.

If you're looking for sandals that can withstand the beach or rainfall, we recommend Reef's Women's Water Vista Higher. Made with water-friendly materials, they dried quickly when wet and experienced no damage to their quality. They are also breathable, and we were able to wear them in 90-degree heat with no sweat issues.

The back strap on these sandals is lengthy, adjustable Velcro with plenty of wiggle room to get the ideal fit. In terms of comfort, these have molded footbeds, which proved to be soft and bouncy and left us feeling stable and supported on most surfaces. If you're unsure what to wear them with, we found them to be a good pick for both casual and more dressy affairs.

Ecco Men's Cozmo Padded Sandals surprised us with their comfort and support. The two adjustable Velcro straps helped us get a secure fit, and despite being a slide, we never felt like they would fall off. They offer more support than alternatives and help mitigate pain and fatigue after longer periods of wearing them. The sole is molded to the foot's natural curvature, making it highly comfortable to walk in.

The suede texture of these further helps them stay in place and also made us forget that we are even wearing them. The straps (which are separated from the feet by padding) cover a large area and spread the pressure out, which helps to prevent any uncomfortable rubbing.

Birkenstock's Men's Mogami Terra Sandals are great because of their classic look. In testing, they proved to be comfortable for us, and with front and back Velcro supports, they can be adjusted to a perfect comfortable standard. As a pro tip, we suggest using the "find your perfect fit" tool on Birkenstock's website because it helped us get the right fit.

These sandals offered tremendous arch support, which helped prevent fatigue when wearing them for longer walks and prevented us from experiencing instability on uneven surfaces. They also have great cushioning that kept our feet in place and prevented us from feeling the need to take them off during testing. Plus, we didn't sweat in these lightweight sandals, even in the hotter days of wearing them. Finally, they held up really well, looking brand new at the end of the testing period.

To identify the most comfortable sandals, we have performed three months of real-world testing on 80 pairs of platforms, slingbacks, fishermen, and more. After an initial 30-minute walk test, we wore each pair of sandals for at least three hours, three to four days per week, during regular and more rigorous activities and while standing and on different terrains. We used the following criteria to evaluate the sandals in our tests:

Through our research and testing, we consulted with these three podiatrists for their expert advice on foot health, what makes a comfortable sandal, and product recommendations.

This article was updated by Jack Byram, a freelance writer who has covered topics including footwear, sleep, and exercise-related products for Health since 2023. He enjoys researching and speaking with experts to find different methods of keeping himself healthy and feeling good.

Michelle Parente, CYT, is a New York City-based yoga sculpt instructor and lifestyle journalist specializing in health, wellness, and fitness content. As a commerce writer, Michelle aims to provide researched and reliable product recommendations.

Sherri Gordon, CLC, covers health and social issues and is passionate about connecting people with the right products to address their health goals. As an avid walker, Sherri knows how important it is to have a comfortable pair of sandals when you are out and about. Her favorite sandals offer cushy support while being stylish.

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