Teva Hurricane XLT2 - Best Overall
The Hurricane XLT2 is the sandal I recommend to everybody. Quick-dry webbing, decent arch support, grippy outsole, and an honest price. Mine have done river crossings, dirt trails, and city walking with no complaints.
Check price on Amazon →I walked 200 miles in five different sandals this summer to find the ones worth your money for hiking, beaches, and around-town wear.
I do not own a pair of dress shoes anymore but I own seven pairs of sandals. Working from home in Arizona will do that to you. Over the past three summers I have logged hundreds of miles in sandals across trails, town walks, and a weeklong river trip, and these five are the ones I keep coming back to.
The right sandal depends entirely on what you do in it. A flat slide is perfect for the pool and miserable on a hike. A burly hiking sandal looks ridiculous with shorts at a restaurant. I have broken the picks down by use case so you can match the sandal to your actual life.
Our methodology
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Side by side
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teva Hurricane XLT2 - Best Overall | Check price | ||
| Chaco Z/Cloud 2 - Best Support | Check price | ||
| Bedrock Cairn 3D Pro - Best for Hiking | Check price | ||
| Birkenstock Arizona EVA - Budget Pick | Check price | ||
| Keen Newport H2 - Closed-Toe Pick | Check price |
The full reviews
Teva Hurricane XLT2 - Best Overall
The Hurricane XLT2 is the sandal I recommend to everybody. Quick-dry webbing, decent arch support, grippy outsole, and an honest price. Mine have done river crossings, dirt trails, and city walking with no complaints.
Chaco Z/Cloud 2 - Best Support
If you have flat feet or do long walks, the Chaco Z/Cloud has the best stock arch support I have worn. The single-strap design takes a few days to dial in, but once you do it is the most supportive sandal at any price.
Bedrock Cairn 3D Pro - Best for Hiking
The Cairn 3D Pro is a real hiking shoe disguised as a sandal. Aggressive Vibram lug pattern, minimal stack height so you feel the ground, and an adjustable system that locks the foot in. I did a 12 mile day in these and finished with no hotspots.
Birkenstock Arizona EVA - Budget Pick
The EVA Arizonas are the lightest, cheapest, most foolproof sandals here. Waterproof, washable, and surprisingly comfortable once the footbed shapes to your arch. Not for hiking but perfect for the pool, the garden, or the trip to the coffee shop.
Keen Newport H2 - Closed-Toe Pick
If you have ever stubbed a toe in open sandals, the Newport H2 is the answer. The protective toe bumper is genuinely useful on rocky beaches and rough trails. They look like Keens, which is to say not everyone's style, but they last forever.
Frequently asked
Sport sandals if you do anything beyond walking to the mailbox. Slides are great for the pool and locker rooms but offer zero support for a hike or a long urban walk.
If you hike or backpack, yes. The Vibram sole and minimal cushion teach better foot mechanics. For casual wear they are overkill and Teva does the job for half the price.
