Podiatrists Wish You'd Ditch the Flip-Flops: Here are 7 Sandals to Buy Instead (2024)

Let's be real—we never only wear our sandals to stroll around the pool deck or across a sandy beach. We're tourists in sandals, we run errands in sandals and we walk dogs and chase kids in them. So what kind of sandals should we be wearing to keep our feet healthy and happy?

First things first: With any walking shoes, support is crucial. "As the weather heats up, people tend to ditch their tennis shoes for sandals. One of the biggest problems of this transition is that many sandals don't offer the same level of support that tennis shoes do, and people are left with foot pain," says Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist based in Texas and expert for Pedestrian Project. "It's typical to see patients after the summer with foot pain and problems caused by overuse of flip-flops and unstructured, unsupportive walking sandals," says Douglas Tumen, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist based in New York and author of Ask the Foot Doctor.

To prevent foot injuries, both Sharkey and Tumen recommend sneakers or running shoes—even in the summer—when exercising or walking long distances. However, for general walking, outdoor activities and more, a walking sandal is a great bet. We spoke to podiatrists and even strapped some of these on ourselves to find out which ones kept us supported and comfortable (spoiler: none are flip-flops).

Our Walking Sandal Recommendations

• Best Overall: Merrell Women's Speed Fusion Strap
• Also Great: Birkenstock Arizona
• Best Budget: Teva Original Universal
• Best for Nights Out: Vionic Jamie Flatform Lug Sandal
• Best for Travel: Keen Elle Strappy
• Best for Arch Support: Ecco Yucatan Sandal
• Best for Plantar Fasciitis: OOFOS Ooahh Slide Sandal

The Bottom Line: The Best Walking Sandal

If you're looking for an all-around great walking sandal, look no further than the Merrell Women's Speed Fusion Strap (view at DSW)—our "Best Overall" walking sandal for its lightweight yet supportive construction. We also highly recommend the Birkenstock Arizona (view at Amazon), our runner-up for walking and another excellent choice for its versatility and go-anywhere style.

Choosing a Walking Sandal

When choosing a walking sandal, you want to look out for a couple of things, including comfort, support, and material and fit (or how the walking sandal is made), according to podiatrists. You'll also want to take note of their adjustability (and design features that make it adjustable, as this influences fit) and traction, to keep from slipping.

You Shouldn't Have to "Break In" Your Sandals

When choosing a walking sandal, comfort is of extreme importance. "Sandals should not have to be 'broken in'," warns Sharkey. "There shouldn't have to be a period of beating your feet up with sores and blisters in order to have the shoes become more comfortable. If they are not comfortable when you put them on, don't buy them!"

Protect Your Arches

Don't underestimate the importance of arch support in your footwear. The arches of your feet act as shock absorbers, supporting your body's weight and distributing pressure evenly, so poor arch support can create problems that go beyond painful conditions like plantar fasciitis. A lack of support can result in pain in your knees, hips and even in your back.

So, what should you be looking for in a walking sandal? In general, you want to look for molded footbeds with visible arch support to support your foot. Don't always shy away from a stiff sole: "A sandal with a stiff sole is more durable and provides shock absorption," says Tumen.

When shopping, you can also try the "twist test" to help you determine how much arch support your sandal has. It's easy to do: Hold the sandal in both hands and twist your hands in opposite directions. The harder the sandal is to twist, the more supportive it is.

Your Feet Should Feel Secure

If you struggle with foot pain, a sandal with straps—including back straps—over slides is a good idea. "Sandals that have straps are going to provide more support," says Sharkey. The small intrinsic muscles in the foot will have to work harder to hold shoes [without straps] onto your feet while walking." Adjustable straps help tailor the shoe to the foot, which also helps keep foot pain away.

Other design elements to look for include a good outsole with plenty of cushioning and traction, and cork or other insole materials that provide support and molding are great.

Our Walking Sandal Tests

In searching for the best walking sandals, we interviewed multiple podiatrists for their recommendations on specific sandal brands and styles, as well as their expertise on how to shop for a walking sandal. We also researched a number of sandals on the market within multiple categories. We then put the walking sandals to the test. We asked all testers to consider each sandal's fit, comfort, cushioning, responsiveness, stability, quality of materials and overall value before determining which sandals would make the cut.

We Also Considered

Chaco Townes Sandal ($110 at Zappos): While these sandals felt well-made and comfortable, these did make our feet sweat a bit, and felt they might not be able to take the summer heat as well as some of our other picks.

Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit Affinity ($70 at Zappos): We liked the comfortable, supportive feel of these sandals. but ultimately felt they looked a little too orthopedic for our taste.

FitFlop Gracie Leather Fisherman Sandals ($130 at Zappos): We appreciated FitFlop's take on the fisherman sandal trend, but ultimately found these lacked the support necessary to make our best-of list.

Common Questions

Can you wear sandals for long-distance walking or hiking?

While walking sandals offer breathability and comfort, they may not provide sufficient protection and stability for more challenging hiking trails or longer walks. Hiking, in particular, usually involves uneven terrain and rocky paths, which can increase your risk of injury. Additionally, walking sandals probably won't offer the same level of traction as hiking boots or shoes, leading to a greater risk of slips and falls, especially in wet or slick conditions. Walking sandals may work if you're planning a shorter hike on a well-maintained trail or a long stroll on city streets. Still, for longer or more rugged excursions, you should opt for sturdy hiking footwear designed to withstand the terrain and provide optimal support and protection for your feet.

How often should you replace your sandals?

Walking has proven health benefits, from helping you with your weight loss goals to helping you lower your blood sugar. But, as with any exercise, you'll want to ensure your equipment in this case, your sandals) remains in optimal shape. How often you replace your sandals depends on the wear (which can vary from walker to walker) and the brand. If you're feeling any foot pain, replace your sandals immediately. If you can no longer feel the support benefits—the arch has worn down, the soles are significantly worn, etc.—it's probably time to replace your walking sandals.

What sandals should people avoid for foot health?

"The correct sandal can be very healthy for your feet and can allow you to walk or even run comfortably without compromising your foot health. However, wearing the wrong sandals can lead to a variety of issues such as foot pain, plantar fasciitis, blisters, and even bunions and hammertoes," says Alissa Kuizinas, D.P.M., founder of doctorark.com.

Flip-flops are not walking sandals, and they should be avoided for day-to-day wear, especially if you suffer from foot pain. "They cause the feet to grip onto the sandal to hold it in place, which can lead to issues such as muscle imbalances, plantar fasciitis, and hammertoes," says Kuizinas. "Also, avoid sandals that are very stiff and hard or those with high heels." Looking for sandals with comfort, support, and the right design elements, as noted, will help you avoid problems and keep your feet healthy.

Can walking sandals be used in the gym?

As comfortable as they may be, wearing walking sandals to the gym might not be the best choice. Gym workouts often involve lateral movements, jumping and heavy lifting, which can strain your feet and ankles. Proper gym shoes should provide adequate cushioning, arch support and stability to help reduce the risk of injuries like sprains and plantar fasciitis. Investing in footwear specifically designed for its intended use (such as a dedicated pair of running shoes for those treadmill intervals) will provide better protection and support for your feet during workouts.

Our Trusted Expertise

Samantha Leal talked with multiple podiatrists, who, with their experience and expertise, determined the best walking sandals. She also incorporated feedback from our extensive testing to inform our recommendations. The article was reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, a senior commerce editor with 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content.