Summer Sandals: How to Choose the Best Pair for Every Occasion

The hardest part of summer-sandal shopping isn’t finding a cute pair. It’s finding the right cute pair for what you’re actually going to do in them — because the sandal that’s perfect for a rooftop dinner will leave you limping after a day of walking, and the pair that carries you through a theme park looks out of place at a wedding. Match the shape to the day and you’ll wear them all season.

Here’s how the main styles break down, which ones are actually comfortable, and how to land on a pair you’ll reach for on repeat.

The summer sandal styles worth knowing

Most sandals are variations on a handful of silhouettes. Once you can name them, shopping gets a lot faster.

Flip-flops and thong sandals are the workhorses — quick on, quick off, ideal for the pool and the beach. The catch is that a cheap rubber pair offers almost no support, so for anything beyond a short stroll, look at a contoured version like a leather Tkees or a cushioned Reef. This year the thong has gotten dressier too, showing up with a slim heel, a metallic finish, or a wedge, which makes it surprisingly versatile for evenings.

Slides — a single band across the foot, no back strap — are the easy in-between. They look more finished than a flip-flop but go on just as fast. A padded footbed slide is the pair you’ll grab for errands and patio dinners alike.

Gladiator and toe-ring sandals bring the drama. The gladiator’s network of straps climbs the ankle (or higher), and the modern toe-ring version has picked up studs and hardware for an edgier look. They flatter under flowy dresses and cropped jeans; just know that the higher the straps climb, the more they shorten the leg line, so ankle-height is the safest bet for most people.

Fisherman sandals — closed-toe, woven or caged leather with a structured look — are everywhere right now, and for good reason. They cover more of the foot, which reads as polished, and they pair as easily with linen trousers as with a sundress. If you want one trend-forward pair this summer, this is the shape stylists keep pointing to.

Wedges and espadrilles give you height without the wobble of a stiletto, because the heel and sole are one continuous piece. Slim ’90s-style wedges are back, but the most wearable option remains the cork or jute espadrille wedge — stable, summery, and forgiving for hours on your feet. Wooden wedges look great with jeans and white linen.

Dressy heeled sandals — strappy, often with a block or kitten heel — are the wedding-and-dinner category. A block heel is far easier to walk in than a thin one and stays put on grass and brick, which matters at outdoor events.

If comfort is the priority

For travel days, theme parks, or anyone whose feet complain, support beats trend every time — and the good news is the orthotic-friendly options stopped looking orthopedic years ago.

The Birkenstock Arizona is the reference point: its contoured cork footbed molds to your foot over a couple of weeks of wear, and the Soft Footbed version adds a foam layer so it’s comfortable out of the box. Vionic builds podiatrist-designed arch support, deep heel cups, and its Vio-Motion footbed into genuinely pretty styles like the Rejuvenate — a frequent pick on “best for plantar fasciitis” lists. For walking and water, Teva‘s adjustable straps and the Vibram Megagrip outsole on models like the Grandview Max make them hard to beat on traction, and OluKai‘s Ohana has topped more than one tester’s chart for arch support you can stand on all day. Naot and Vionic are the names to remember if you wear custom orthotics or want a removable footbed.

Getting the fit right

A sandal lives or dies on fit, and the rules are simple. Your foot should sit fully on the footbed with no toe or heel hanging over the edge, and you want roughly a half-inch of room between your longest toe and the front. Straps should hold your foot in place without digging in — if you have to grip with your toes to keep a flip-flop on, it’s too loose, and that’s how you end up with sore arches.

Shop in the late afternoon when your feet have swelled to their largest, and if a pair has adjustable buckles or hook-and-loop straps, use them; that adjustability is what lets one sandal fit comfortably from a cool morning to a hot, puffy-footed afternoon. Leather softens and stretches with wear, so a snug-but-not-pinching leather pair will usually break in. Synthetic and jelly styles won’t give, so buy those at true comfort from day one.

Matching sandals to the occasion

Think in three tiers. For the beach, pool, and quick errands, a flip-flop, jelly, or sporty slide is all you need — something you won’t mind getting wet or sandy. For everyday summer — brunch, shopping, sightseeing — a cushioned slide, a fisherman sandal, or an espadrille wedge hits the sweet spot of comfortable and put-together. And for weddings, dinners, and dressier nights, reach for a strappy heeled sandal or an elevated metallic thong, ideally with a block heel if you’ll be on your feet.

Color is the easy lever. A neutral tan, nude, or black pair goes with nearly everything and elongates the leg, while a metallic acts as a near-neutral that still feels dressy. Save the bold brights and animal prints for when the rest of the outfit is simple — a printed sandal is the accessory, not the backup singer.

Making them last

Summer is hard on shoes. Wipe leather pairs down with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, let them air-dry away from direct heat, and condition leather a couple of times a season so it doesn’t crack. Rinse sand and salt water off rubber and EVA soles to keep them from breaking down, and store everything somewhere cool and dry rather than baking in a hot trunk or closet. A quick protective spray on suede or fabric straps before the first wear saves a lot of grief later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most comfortable summer sandals?

For all-day comfort and arch support, the most consistently recommended brands are Birkenstock (the Arizona), Vionic (the Rejuvenate, with its podiatrist-designed footbed), OluKai (the Ohana), and Teva for walking and water. Look for a contoured footbed, a deep heel cup, and adjustable straps — those three features matter more than the brand name.

What sandal styles are in for this summer?

Fisherman sandals are the standout trend, along with slim ’90s-style wedges, cork-platform espadrilles, and elevated thong sandals with a heel or metallic finish. Gladiator and studded toe-ring styles remain popular for a more dramatic, dressed-up look.

How should summer sandals fit?

Your whole foot should rest on the footbed with no overhang, with about a half-inch between your longest toe and the front edge. Straps should hold your foot securely without pinching. Shop in the late afternoon when feet are at their largest, and favor adjustable straps so the fit holds as your feet swell in the heat.

Can you wear sandals to a wedding?

Yes — a strappy heeled sandal or an elevated metallic thong is perfectly appropriate for most summer weddings. Choose a block heel over a stiletto for outdoor venues so you’re not sinking into grass, and stick to a neutral or metallic finish that works with your outfit.

How do I keep flip-flops from hurting my feet?

Skip the flat rubber drugstore pair for anything beyond the pool. A contoured footbed with even slight arch support — the kind you’ll find in a leather Tkees, a Reef, or a Vionic thong — keeps you from clenching your toes to hold the shoe on, which is the usual cause of arch and heel pain after a long day.

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