The Best Hiking Sandals of 2023

Jan 23, 2024

Retezat National Park, Romania. A good pair of hiking sandals can take you all over the world. Photo: Toa Heftiba//Unsplash.

Summer is the perfect time to get out, explore, and get your feet tan. The sun is shining, the air is warm, and the days are long. While boots will get the job done, hiking sandals are often the way to go during the summer months. They’re lightweight, breathable, and ideal for water crossings, making them my go-to for warm weather adventures. And furthermore, they are incredible for surfing adventures. Surfers love their flip-flops, but for longer hikes to remote surf spots, knobby rock-hopping, and plenty of other situations, they just don't work. But with so much water and sand, a pair of boots won't either. Enter hiking sandals.

Best Overall: Chaco Z-1 Sandals ($100)Runner Up: TEVA Hurricane XLT2 ($75)Most Comfortable: HOKA Hopara Sandals ($135)Most Stylish: Teva Original Universal Sandals ($55)Most Versatile: KEEN Whisper Sandals ($120)Most Affordable: Northside Santa Rosa Sport Sandal ($18)

Available In: Men's, Women's.

Pros: Adjustable, durable.Cons: Straps are a little long for narrow feet. Takes time to break in.Comfort: 9Durability: 10Support: 10Total: 9.7/10

Founded in 1989, Chaco has been in the hiking-sandals business for a long time so its designs are consistently one of the best in the game. Combining contemporary aesthetics with tried and true technology, Chacos’ Z1 Sandals feature pull-through adjustable straps and trademarked LUVSEAT footbeds. The polyester jacquard webbing upper wraps around the foot and through the midsole for a customized fit and the toe loop on many styles provides added security. The outsole is made from non-marking EcoTread, a 25-percent recycled rubber compound and offers three millimeter lug depth. The topographic textured grooves on the footbed provide plenty of traction for sunny and rainy adventures alike.

The Chaco design is getting rapidly more stylish, the base is durable and sturdy, and the adjustable straps allow you to customize the sandals for the best fit. As someone with a narrow foot, my only issue after tightening the strap was that it was on the long side and dragged a bit when walking—something I plan on rectifying with a sewing kit.

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Available In: Men's, Women's.

Pros: Made from eco-friendly materials. Great blend of support and comfort.Cons: Slightly less support than Chaco.Comfort: 10Durability: 10Support: 8Total: 9.3

I’ve been a die-hard TEVA fan since day one and the Hurricane XLT2 validates my dedication. An upgraded model of the beloved Hurricane XLT, the XLT2 features soft heel-strap padding and a durable, rubber outsole for toughness and traction. Made with the environment in mind, these sandals are created using synthetic and plant-based materials, feature quick-dry webbing made from recycled plastic, and are fully recyclable.

Available in a wide range of colors and styles, the XLT2 have a robust EVA footbed and a nylon shank that stabilizes and supports your foot on uneven terrain. The Velcro straps are quick and easy to adjust and the thick footbed offers the support you need for long days on the trails. TEVA offers slightly less support than Chaco, which is why they finished runner-up, but it all comes down to personal preference.

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Available In: Men's, Women's.Pros: Super breathable and comfortable. Quick-lace system.Cons: Run a little big.Comfort: 10Durability: 8Support: 7Total: 8.3/10

Designed for wet and dry adventures alike, the Hopara sandals are a hybrid between a shoe and a sandal, providing maximum comfort and support. Available in three different color ways, the sandals feature synthetic and neoprene uppers for the utmost flexibility, comfort, and breathability. Other noteworthy features include a quick-lace system for ease of use, rubberized EVA midsole for added comfort, four-mm multidirectional lugs for grip on uneven surface, and an outsole with stick rubber for grip in wet and dry conditions.

The sandals are incredibly comfortable and the lack of straps makes them easy to use and eliminates the possibility of chaffing or digging in. One thing to note: the sandals run a little big, so you may consider sizing down for a more secure fit.

Available In: Men's, Women's.Pros: Classic Tevas are making a comeback in the style department. Retro is back, baby.Cons: Not a ton of support for longer adventures, basic strap system. Comfort: 8Durability: 8Support: 6Total: 7.3/10

The classic Tevas have been around for a minute, 1984 to be exact when a guide in the Grand Canyon added extra straps to a pair of flip flops so they wouldn't float away. They’ve always been popular with the hiking and camping crowd for their unpretentious ease of use, light weight, and lasting durability, but it wasn't until recently that they gained wider appeal with the fashion crowd, and Teva has risen to the occasion with styles like their Midform Sandals for women. That said, the classic Original Universal Tevas pack functionality as well as style, making a great lightweight option for less-demanding hikes, while still having enough cachet to grab drinks or dinner on the way home.

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Available In: Men's, Women's.Pros: Cushioned padding between straps. Sticky rubber outsoles provide durable traction.Cons: Not as durable as other options.Comfort: 8Durability: 8Support: 7Total: 7.7/10

The Merrell Alpine Strap Sneakers sport a retro style and are available in bright colors and muted earth tones that are sure to please. The sandals feature a textile and Lycra neoprene upper coupled with a 100-percent, recycled-webbing upper. Additionally, the shoes include dual top and back strap hook and loop closure system that allows for quick and easy adjustments on the trail.

A standout feature is the cushioned padding beneath the straps, preventing rubbing and adding comfort. The sticky rubber outsoles provide durable traction, allowing you to rock scramble with ease or trek through a flowing creek. I was a big fan of the aesthetic of these sandals and felt they’d pair well with cutoffs for errands around town.

Available In: Women's, Men's (Newport H2).Pros: Elastic one-pull lacing provides easy on/off. Rubber toe guards prevent stubbed toes.Cons: A little dorky.Comfort: 7Durability: 8Support: 8Total: 7.7/10

KEEN's Whisper Sandals are a lightweight, performance sandal that are perfect for wet and dry adventures alike. The sandals sport polyester webbing uppers that provide a secure fit and nylon mesh linings that enhance the comfort. The EVA midsoles provide much needed cushion and support and the carbon rubbers outsoles provide reliable traction, even when trails are slippery. The elastic one-pull lacing allow for easy on and off and the rubber toe guards help prevent stubbed toes.

As the sandals are designed for water and hiking, they feature a Cleansport NXT treatment, which helps prevent odor-causing bacteria from growing. I live in Hawaii, where trails are often wet, muddy, and include stream crossings, so I appreciated how seamlessly these transitioned between wet and dry surfaces. Although Keen doesn't make the Whisper for men, the Newport H2 Sandals are similar and equally as worthy.

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Available In: Women's, Men's (Burke II).Pros: Quick-dry lining great for in/out of water. Elastic drawstring lacing system for easy on/off.Cons: Not great for long hikes.Comfort: 6Durability: 8Support: 8Total: 7.3

Northside's Santa Rosa Sandal is a lightweight performance, closed-toe sandal that feels like a cross between a water shoe and a hiking sandal. The athletic trail sandal was constructed from water-resistant materials and includes a quick-dry lining, allowing them to easily transition from water to trail. Thoughtful features include a lightweight cushioned EVA insole, an elastic drawstring lacing system, synthetic rubber toe caps, and durable multi-directional synthetic rubber outsole thread.

The Santa Rosa sandals offer a snug fit and are ideal for treks in and out of the water. I’d probably save them for shorter hikes, as they don't offer as much support as other options. The Santa Rosa only comes in women's but the Burke II is a comparable option for men.

If you’ve ever hiked in flip-flops or sandals that weren't designed for the trails, you’re likely not a believer in the hiking sandal. But if you try trekking in a pair of sandals specifically designed for hiking, you’ll soon be a convert. When I’m in the market for a new pair of hiking sandals, I look for durability, support, and comfort.

ComfortComfort is at the top of my list for footwear and clothing. If it's something I’m going to be wearing every day, I need it to be comfy. With hiking sandals, that means that all the straps fit securely and they don't rub when covering long distances.

Chaco offers our top pick for hiking sandals with the Z-1 Sandals. Photo: Rebecca Parsons

DurabilityIf you’re an avid hiker, you’re probably going to put sandals through the wringer, meaning they need to be well made in order to keep up with you and your adventures. I want a pair I can rely on for years to come for traveling, trekking, and everything in between.

SupportWhile support is a plus in any footwear, it's essential in hiking sandals as you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking. If they don't offer solid support or you can feel sharp rocks, twigs, and other rough patches in the trail poking through the bottom, they won't work.

Chaco's Z-1 Sandals are the ultimate hiking sandals. Durable and sturdy, they have adjustable straps that allow you to customize the fit.

Price: $100

Women's Men's

StyleI’ll be the first one to admit it: hiking sandals aren't the most stylish footwear. But since purchasing my first pair in 2009, they have definitely grown on me and I find myself eyeing some of the newer models. Whether you’re into colorful prints, simple solids, or muted earth tones, there's something for every taste.

Waterproof/Water Resistant

If you’re anything like me, a lot of your hikes involve water. As such, I want a hiking sandal that transitions well between wet and dry. I consider whether they allow water to easily filter through, if they dry quickly, and if they offer good traction on slippery surfaces.

Editor's Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.