Shop the 13 Best Women's Walking Sandals for Summer (2023)

FAQs

Are sandals good for long walks? ›

You can walk in sandals for long distances as long as they have the right features. Kuizinas says walking sandals should have straps to hold your feet in place and should be flat, but also flexible enough to bend with your foot.

You should have a thumb's width between your toes and the end of the sandal. To ensure a fit that protects the toes and the heel, most sandals have a raised area at the front and back ends. This should be accounted for when you choose a size of walking sandal.

Yes, you can most definitely walk all day in Tevas, as long as they're comfortable for you! I've walked miles on end in my hiking sandals and find them very comfortable. But for walking on uneven or rocky ground can get tough real fast.

Walking without shoes can improve balance, help with pain relief and lead to improved mechanics of hips, knees and core.

According to Chen and colleagues from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, flip flops are most likely no better than barefoot when it comes to lower-limb co-contraction and joint contact force in the ankle.

Generally speaking, shoe size and sandal size tend to be the same, but since sandals fit differently, you may find that sizing up from your standard shoe size is the route to go. Otherwise, ensure that the base of the sandal fits your foot shape (no spillage or shrinkage).

Half sizes and whole sizes only differ by roughly one-fifth of an inch in length in a regular shoe [5]. Going up a size (or half a size) with sandals will provide you with adequate wiggle room for the perfect shoe fit.

We advise against ordering sandals that are too small, as they can cause a lot of discomfort and posture issues. The most important thing is that sandals fit you correctly and that they are comfortable. If you're still not sure what size to go for, the best thing to do is order multiple sizes and try them on.

#1 How do Teva sandals fit? Due to their velcro fastening, Teva works for foot types, whether you need a wide or narrow fit. They can come up a bit long, so if you're in between sizes, round down and opt for the smaller size.

Cons. Teva is well-loved for a good reason, and their classic strap sandal is one of their best to this day. They're super comfortable, versatile, and don't look half bad for a pair of hiking sandals. A simple strap setup and smaller footbed make them minimal in all the right ways.

Why are Teva sandals so popular? ›

Their comfort, durability and versatility all part of the draw. More recently, Teva sandals have also become a bit of a fashion statement. Donned with a pair of socks – yes, socks and sandals are now cool, they're sported by fashionistas the world over.

Well, black is probably the most versatile colour when it comes to sandals. A black pair of sandals will go with nearly any outfit, so it's no surprise that black is the most popular color for sandals.

Bringing a renewed sense of calm and relaxation, shades of lavender and lilac are again in full bloom for Spring/Summer 2023.

But if you love barefoot life, there is good news: it does have some health perks. "Without support from footwear, your feet work harder to maintain balance and stability, which essentially gives them a greater workout," says Bruce Pinker, D.P.M., a New York–based board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon.

Persons with insensate feet should avoid walking barefoot on hard surfaces to avoid excessive plantar pressures. Wearing shoes and covering hard floors with nonslip, padded rugs may decrease plantar pressures and the risk of ulceration.

Walking barefoot at home for an extended amount of time can result in the development of foot deformities, this is from the imbalances in pressure that happen when you walk barefoot. Wearing socks at home alleviates this as it provides a cushion effect to improve your balance, when walking.

Going barefoot increases risk of falls, expert says

But Gustavo Duque, Professor and Chair of Medicine – Western Health at the University of Melbourne, told HelloCare that going barefoot doesn't prevent falls and that older people should wear shoes to lower the risk of falls.

The sand - or the stones of a beach close to the water, the grass covered with dew, the hard surface of a rock, even soil or mud are ideal to walk barefoot. Asphalt, wood, plastic (as the rubber or plastic soles of your shoes) are not suitable since they will not allow the electrons to pass through.

Apart from causing an achy body, walking barefoot also exposes our feet to bacterial and fungal organisms that can infect the skin and nails. These organisms can lead to infections that change the appearance, odor, and comfort of the foot, such as athlete's foot or fungus.

How do I know my sandal size? ›

Avoid flats or boots with peep toes if you want your feet to look smaller. Wear sandals with wider straps. When you decide to wear sandals, look for options that have wider straps.

To make shoes smaller for my summer sandals, flats or pumps, ball of foot cushions are the most practical insole type. They will not only prop your foot a little higher so that the shoe's toe straps keep your foot in place, but they add extra padding & grip under the ball of the feet.

Good news: when you contrast flip flop sizing with shoe sizing, the results should be comparable. In theory, you should be able to wear the same size in both flip flops and shoes. However, there are still a handful of things to keep in mind when comparing the two.

Generally speaking, there should be about one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Another way to check this is to slip a finger between the heel of your foot and the heel of your shoe.

Sandals and flip flops commonly offer little to no ankle and arch support. This lack of support can lead to the development of pain and can even make you more susceptible to suffering injuries such as ankle sprains.

Walking sandals tend to be better cushioned to absorb impact and cradle your foot with more built-in arch support to take pressure off your heels and prevent pain. Many are also washable, water-resistant and have straps to hold your foot securely in place. Some are even stylish enough to wear to dinner.

Sandals are much more comfortable than thick boots if you're going on a more or less even path. This means that rocky, slippery, and/or uneven trails shouldn't be hiked in sandals because they have less grip on the surface. However, if it's not a difficult path you can easily go with sandals.

Many sandals do not have the same traction as hiking boots, making them less optimal for activities like rock climbing, hiking on loose ground, or covering slippery surfaces like wet rock. Some sandals may have additional sole traction, especially those designed for use as water shoes.

Is it better for sandals to be tight or loose? ›

Sandal straps shouldn't dig into your toes, feet or ankles. They should be snug enough not to cause chaffing or blisters, but should still be comfortable to wear for a long period of time.

Plantar Fasciitis

Your toes tend to over-grip when you wear flip flops, because the thin straps don't securely hold your shoes in place. This over-gripping, along with a lack of arch support, can lead to inflammation in the plantar fascia ligament along the bottom side of your foot.

If you begin to feel pain on top of your foot after wearing flip-flops, it can mean the straps are rubbing against your skin. If you're wearing the wrong size shoe thong, it can even go as far as bruising the top of your feet.

You're much more likely to sprain an ankle in a sandal than a tennis shoe, and forget moving heavy objects.

“Going to the beach or a short, casual walk is OK to do in flip-flops.” For walks longer than 10–15 minutes (or farther than half a mile), you should consider a proper walking shoe, recommends Snowden.

Crocs can be great for wearing around camp or going for a quick walk. They can also be good worn in a boat or playing on the beach. But for hiking and more strenuous outdoor activities, they aren't the best option.

You need to wear sturdy shoes, and they should provide your foot with support and protection from rocks, as well as give you traction on dry and wet surfaces. Available options are backpacking boots, hiking shoes, trail running shoes, and sandals. If you're going for multi-day hiking, hiking boots are the way to go.

Of course, you don't need to wear a bra at all while you hike unless you want to. Many female thru-hikers I've met choose to avoid “brablems” entirely by letting the girls hang free! But personally, I like the support and anti-chafing benefits of a comfortable bra.

If you don't have any special hiking footwear, go with your most comfortable sneakers. Some people swear by hiking sandlals in hot weather. I used to use Chacos and they're great, but switching to a breathable trail runner eliminated the need for sandals. If you get a leather hiking boot, you will need to break it in.

An average pair of Teva sandals should last around five years which means they're incredibly sustainable. They're not the cheapest sandals but they're also not the most expensive and the fact that they will last for years means that ultimately they're very good value for money.

Do you wear socks with walking sandals? ›

Many walkers who wear sandals for walking 10 kilometers or more wear socks with them. Socks put a barrier between the straps and the foot, reducing the risk of hot spots and blisters. Many walkers say they wear their walking sandals year-round, which they can only do by adding socks.