Apart from travel, if there’s one other thing I know really well – it’s shoes!
The big challenge, though, is finding a pair that’s both fashionable and comfy.
We prefer traveling to places where it’s warm – like Europe (when it’s short-sleeves weather) and sun-and-sand destinations (hello Cabo San Lucas!).
And I’m always on the hunt for the best travel sandals for women and men – because your partner should look good too, right?
I’m talking stylish.
But also comfortable sandals for travel you can actually walk in without getting blisters (because sore feet aside, hobbling doesn’t look good).
And in case you can’t tell, it’s me, Janice, writing this post :-).
Best travel sandals for women and men
I shop a lot on Amazon (especially the last couple of years). It’s a Pandora’s Box for shoeaholics.
I love that you get fast delivery if you’re a Prime member (along with good TV shows!) plus free easy returns – it’s a hassle-free way to shop.
I’ve checked out literally hundreds of sandals.
You’re sure to love the following 25 stand-out styles of travel sandals. (I regularly update this post with new finds, so you can be confident that the latest styles are covered here.)
You’ll first find our reviews of best travel sandals for women. Then I cover our picks for the best travel sandals for men.
Here’s to happy traveling – and stylish happy feet!
Pssst! Prices shown are in US dollars. And as an Amazon associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).
Hey, looking for cute summer sandals and beach footwear?
Check out the best beach sandals and flip-flops for women!
For footwear you can get wet, here’s our post specifically on the best water sandals for women.
And for guys – see our reviews of the best flip-flops for men.
Best women’s travel sandals
1) ECCO Flowt Strap Sandal
Great for: Walking
A Danish shoe manufacturer, ECCO makes some of the best walking sandals for women.
It’s my go-to brand, and I’m a great ECCO fan. I have narrow feet, and ECCO is the one brand that usually always fits well. Without fail, I find their shoes and sandals to be comfortable and long-lasting.
These ECCO Flowt Strap sandals come with soft leather uppers and a lightly cushioned footbed. The sole is light and flexible, but thick and durable.
You can easily get in a couple of miles of walking (or more) in these city sandals!
The neutral colors (light brown, warm grey, black, etc.) are versatile and go with most everything.
Sold on Amazon for under $130
2) Plaka Seashell Flat Sandals
Great for: Casual wear and the beach
Aren’t these darling? I just love Plaka sandals!
Handwoven, with stretchy braided straps to fit your feet, they scream “summer.”
Go for a walk. Step out for an evening under the stars on a sidewalk café or resto. Hang out by the pool. These Plaka Flat Summer Seashell sandals can take you there.
They’re some of the best sandals for travel to Greece or other warm weather destinations, where you want lightweight pretty sandals for kicking about.
The price is right too.
So go ahead, treat yourself and pick two pairs. Perhaps one in red, turquoise and gold for a bit of sass and the other in solid brown or black?
Pssst! They’re perfect for narrow to medium-size feet. But give these a miss if you have wide feet.
Sold on Amazon for under $35
3) Sofft Mirabelle Sandals
Great for: City strolling and dressy occasions
I love the look of these leather Sofft Women's Mirabellesandals.
They’re quite elegant! You could wear them in Paris, Berlin or New York City and not feel out of place.
Color options for these stylish sandals? Gold, black, denim, “luggage” (featured here) and other neutrals.
Sold on Amazon for under $90
4) Blowfish Granola Fisherman Sandals
Great for: Casual wear
Here’s a youthful-looking sandal that doesn’t break the bank.
These Blowfish Granola sandals have a criss-cross strap design with faux leather uppers and a lightly-cushioned, faux cork sole.
I probably wouldn’t wear them for long walks, however. (They don’t look like they’re designed for that.)
Sold on Amazon for under $40
5) NAOT Sabrina Flat Sandals
Great for: City walking
Hello cobblestone streets! In these NAOT Sabrina Flat sandals, you can walk anywhere without worrying about sore feet.
The NAOT brand actually started in an Israeli kibbutz back in 1942.
And like ECCO (see #1), NAOT is known for making shoes that cradle your feet.
These sandals are hand-crafted, and the anatomic cork footbed with a suede lining is designed like a footprint – so they mold to the shape of your foot.
This Sabrina style is very feminine-looking too.
The two-tone color combinations are really cute – from olive-and-latte to black-and-brown. There’s also a silver-and-white metallic pair if you want something a little dressier.
They’d be great walking sandals for Europe, don’t you think?
Sold on Amazon for under $140
6) Teva Tirra Sandals
Great for: Adventure
If you need a pair of waterproof sandals for your trip – for watersports or a “wet” hike – look no further than Teva. They’ve captured the market in sandals for outdoor adventure.
The Teva Tirra sandals have grippy rubber soles (to help prevent slipping when fording streams, for example). The straps around the ankle and across the toes are adjustable and close with Velcro.
You can get them in grey-and-white, royal blue, “plum truffle” and many other colors.
Said to be some of the best walking sandals for travel (especially adventure travel), women just plain love them for getting out and about in the great outdoors. (These Tevas have received umpteen rave reviews!)
Sold on Amazon for under $80
7) ECCO Flash Strappy Sandals
Great for: Getting around town
High quality 100% leather uppers and lining. Timeless style for exploring city streets.A soft supportive footbed. What’s not to love about these ECCO Flash Strappy sandals?
They’re made so you can pass through some security checkpoints at airports, without having to remove your shoes.
The price is very reasonable for ECCO sandals too.
These are some of the best sandals for women – not just for travel, but also for walking and getting out and about at home in summer.
Sold on Amazon for under $80
8) Taos Trulie Sandals
Great for: Casual wear
Taos is another brand known for making super comfortable women’s sandals.
Made in Spain, these Taos Trulieleather sandals have a lightweight polyurethane-cork sole with enhanced arch support. The footbed is lined in suede.
Easy to put on, they feature woven hook straps that close with Velcro.
They come in several colors. But because I’m a neutral kind of gal, I’d probably go for the grey or stone color.
Size up if you’re in between sizes, as they run on the shorter not longer side for most women.
Sold on Amazon for under $160
9) Vionic Lupe Flat Sandals
Great for: Casual wear and city walking
They may have a minimal look. But these Vionic Lupe sandals pack in maximum comfort.
The Vionic Brand uses a podiatrist-designed footbed that hugs your arches, so they’re a good choice if you suffer from plantar fasciitis. The EVA midsole also absorbs impact to help reduce stress on your feet and ankles.
With a microfiber suede-like covering on the inside of the footbed, they feel nice and soft on your feet too.
Get these in a pale blush, tan, black or other color.
For women who want a comfortable but minimalist style, these are the perfect travel sandal.
Sold on Amazon for about $90 (depending on the color selected)
10) Birkenstock Gizeh Sandals
Great for: Casual wear
Can you believe it?
I have four pairs of Birkenstock Gizeh sandals in different colors – silver, grey, bronze and brown. Plus I have another pair of Birkenstocks in a pale greenish suede leather. Enough, right?
I get the most use out of the metallic silver ones though, which look great with both casual daytime clothes and dressier capris and skirts.
A German brand, Birkenstock has been making shoes for more than a century. They’re probably the best sandals brand to conform to the shape of your feet.
You see them everywhere. By the pool. In Starbucks’ coffee shops. On the cobblestone streets of Europe.
You simply can’t beat their supremely comfortable cork footbed (with lots of arch support).
One of my pairs is marked “N” for narrow. It fits my narrow feet better than the usual medium (which is most common).
But the narrows are hard to find. Grab a pair if you come across them!
Sold on Amazon for under $125
11) Skechers Reggae Slim Sandals
Great for: Adventure and the beach
Skechers is a shoe brand known for making good quality but affordably priced products. And since launching in 1992, their shoes have only gotten better in design, construction and fit.
These Skechers Reggae Slim sandals are lightweight and comfortable for casual walking.
They come in several colors, including taupe-and-aqua, blue, black and a chocolate color with purple-and-peach accents.
They have memory foam so the sole molds to your feet over time. However, these sandals don’t have adjustable straps. So if you have narrow (or very wide) feet, they may not fit you.
Sold on Amazon for under $50
12) NAOT Kayla Wedge Sandals
Great for: Walking
The NAOT Kayla Wedgesandal has three straps across the front of the foot and a wedge heel, about 1½ inches high off the ground.
It offers excellent arch support, and the more you wear them, the more the cork footbed conforms to your feet. They come in regular and wide widths.
You can find these comfortable sandals in a host of solid pretty colors, from rose gold to steel grey to a patent black leather.
(Hmmm… Now that I see the black patent leather ones, I’m seriously considering ordering a pair of these!)
Sold on Amazon for under $140
13) Flexx Band Together Sandals
Great for: Dressy casual occasions
Dance, kick up your heels, stand up all night – these Flexx Band Togethersandals from Italy are oh-so-comfy!
Flashing a gladiator look, they come in different colors (red, black, blue, etc.).
I have them in a silvery palatino color. They perk up an outfit when I’m dressing up a bit for evening.
I should mention they come on the narrow side, so they probably wouldn’t suit a wide foot.
Sold on Amazon for under $125
14) Clarks Saylie Moon Sandals
Great for: The city and dressing up
Clarks are another dependable brand of comfort footwear.
The leather uppers of these Clarks Saylie Moon sandals are buttery-soft, and the cushioned sole offers good support. And they manage to look pretty and feminine at the same time!
Personally, I love the metallic pewter color. But the blush leather is also really sweet.
And black? Well, you can never go wrong with black.
Sold on Amazon for under $40
15) KEEN Whisper Sandals
Great for: Adventure
I’ve never been all that keen (oh, bad joke!) on the looks of the KEEN sandals. I feel like a booby bird with big feet in them.
But I know many people swear by their KEENs. And I have to confess they are indeed extremely comfortable travel sandals for adventurous activities. (Chasing waterfalls in Maui, anyone?)
These KEEN Whisper adventure sandals are water-friendly and machine washable.
You’ll note the covered toe is great for protecting your tootsies. They’re perfect for hiking and kayaking – I’ve never gotten a blister from wearing my KEENs.
I just wish, sigh, they’d look prettier on my feet (they look better on other women whose feet aren’t as narrow as mine).
Sold on Amazon for under $70
16) OluKai Upena Gladiator Sandals
Great for: Casual wear
OluKai is a Hawaiian brand focusing on durability and comfort. With Hawaiian origins, the sandals are surfer-chic in style.
The straps in these OluKai Upena Gladiator sandalsare adjustable via an antiqued metal buckle. Uppers are leather, the footbed is contoured and the outsole is rubber, with a traction grip (to prevent slipping).
They come in a few different colors – from sand, mustard-and-metallic-gold, black and coffee to my favorite, charcoal-and-pewter.
Sold on Amazon for under $90
17) ECCO Yucatan Sandals
Great for: Walking and hiking
Say goodbye to tired feet after long days of sightseeing!
If you want to be able to walk and walk and walk for miles, check out the ECCO Women’s Yucatan sandals. They’re simply some of the most comfortable walking sandals for travel. Period.
They have a contoured footbed designed to fit your whole sole, ensuring your feet stay secure. The EVA sole is cushioned and shock absorbent. And the durable rubber outsole provides great traction – no worries about slipping on wet streets!
I have these women’s sandals, and I never regret taking them with me when I know I’ll be on my feet a lot.
Sold on Amazon for under $110
18) NAOT Verbena Sandals
Great for: Casual wear and city exploration
Rather than looking like a sport sandal, the NAOT Verbena Sandals are more stylish sandals for travel – which is sometimes hard to find when you’re also looking for comfy sandals.
If you’re struggling with plantar fasciitis, give these a try. They offer great arch support and, over time, the cork and latex footbed will mold to the shape of your foot.
There are several color options, including maple brown, a nude pinkish hue, soft black and beige lizard.
Yes, the price point is high. But most women who buy these don’t regret spending the money on them.
Sold on Amazon for under $170
19) Viakix Siena Sport Sandals
Great for: Light hiking and adventure
My latest travel sandals purchase is a pair of Viakix Siena Sport sandals.
These versatile sandals have soft stretchy elastic straps so they offer a secure fit. I like the adjustable ankle strap, which I can tighten for a snug fit.
Crafted by hand, they’re extremely comfortable. And the sole is thick and solid enough to offer excellent traction on rocky terrain. Viakix says they’re designed for hiking, water sports and outdoor adventure. But for me, I don’t think they’re sturdy enough for any really rigorous activity.
Besides, I think they’re too cute to get all beaten-up.
Sold on Amazon for under $55
20) ECCO Flash T-Strap Gladiator Sandals
Great for: Walking and dressing up
Made of soft leather, the ECCO Flash T-Strap has a lightly cushioned sole. The dove grey is a great neutral summery color, but you can also order them in black, metallic grey or a powder-and-grey combination.
I have a similar model, and I can wear them all day (and night).
These are sandals you can truly walk in – definitely tops on my list of best sandals for traveling!
Sold on Amazon for under $100
More travel sandals for women
Find many more comfortable women’s travel sandals here on Amazon.
Best sandals for men for travel
Okay, now that we’ve got the ladies covered, let’s move on to the best men’s travel sandals.
And, sorry guys, there aren’t really quite as many options for you!
But we know that you, being manly and all, are really after function over form – and you just want something tried and true.
These five solid styles fit the bill.
1) ECCO Yucatan Sandals
Great for: Walking, the city and adventure
These men’s sandals will take you everywhere – from city sidewalks to mountain trails.
The ECCO Off-Road or Yucatanis a classic, with over 10 million pairs sold. Indeed, if you’re looking for the best men’s sandals for walking, you’d be hard-pressed to find something better.
They offer excellent arch support and cushioning, and the sole is designed for firm traction on all sorts of terrain. The nubuck leather uppers are also lined with neoprene for extra comfort.
They come with an anti-odour system too.
Sold on Amazon for under $130
2) KEEN Newport H2 Sandals
Great for: Adventure
Ahhh! The classic adventure water shoe!
It's airy like a sandal, but with the toe protection of a shoe. Hike, walk, kayak, climb over slippery rocks, kick around on a beach.
Whatever you get up to, the KEEN Men's Newport H2 sandal will do the job. The toe box gives your tootsies lots of room; the soles are made to grip.
And when they need to be cleaned, just give them a good wash and they’ll look (almost) like new.
My husband George loves his KEENs. He has a nice pair of black ones he wears for dinner and another pair he uses for scuffing about.
Tip:KEEN suggests you buy a half-size up.
Sold on Amazon from between $50 to $100 (depending on color)
3) Birkenstock Milano Sandals
Great for: The city
Guys, if you plan to spend a lot of time on your feet, look at the Birkenstock Milano (Unisex) sandals.
The shape of the contoured cork footbed (with a deep heel cup and bump under the forefoot) is made to distribute your body weight evenly over the whole foot, giving optimal support.
It’s also designed to adjust and mold to the shape of your foot. The upper leather straps can be adjusted individually too.
These are well-crafted, hard-working sandals that look great!
Tip:When buying, “M” refers to Men (not Medium).
Sold on Amazon for about $130
4) Dr. Scholl’s Gaston Sandals
Great for: Everyday wear
Made by the famous footwear Dr. Scholl’s company, these are a favorite pick for travel sandals for men. You’re not likely to develop foot pain wearing these!
The upper part is 100% leather with a memory foam insole, while the traction outsole is rubber.
These very comfortable shoes sport a casual fisherman’s sandal style with a closed toe design. No stubbing your tootsies! And because they’re more shoe-like in appearance, they can take you from day to dinner out on the town, no problem.
Sold on Amazon for about $70
5) Dockers Fisherman Sandals
Great for: The beach and city
More than 8,000 Amazon shoppers have given these Dockers Fisherman sandals a 5-star rating. So they kind of sell themselves!
The plush memory foam insole adjusts to your foot shape. And for the perfect fit, they come in both regular and wide sizes.
Guys say they’re “like walking on air” and they don’t need a break-in period.
If you’re looking for a good pair of travel sandals for a beach vacation, these Dockers would make a great choice. (But maybe bring flip-flops too for the actual beach and pool.)
Sold on Amazon for about $40
More comfortable men’s sandals
Also see more options for men’s travel sandals here on Amazon.
That’s our hand-picked list of the top travel sandals!
If you buy any of these travel sandals, let us know how they work for you. And if you have suggestions for this list, please pass them along!
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About the authors:
Janice and George Mucalov
Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents.
Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews and information, insanely useful travel tips and more!
FAQs
What sandals do podiatrists recommend? ›
Best Overall: Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandal
Birkenstock was the only brand recommended by both of the podiatrists we consulted, with Dr.
...
Jump to category:
- Birkenstock.
- Teva.
- Reformation.
- TKEES.
- Cult Gaia.
- Emme Parsons.
- Loeffler Randall.
- Ancient Greek Sandals.
Are Birkenstocks good for walking? Yes, Birkenstocks are good for walking because the cork footbed cushions your feet with firm arch support and molds to your feet with use. The best Birkenstocks for walking are Birkenstock Yara, and Kairo for those that like the feel of sandals.
Can you wear sandals for walking? ›Often they have toe guards to prevent stubbing your toes or picking up too much gravel and dirt. The sole is often more rugged and durable, but you must be cautious to ensure it is still flexible enough for comfortable walking.
Which sandals are long lasting? ›A. Leather sandals are extremely durable and can withstand daily use. You can extend their life by cleaning them using a soft and dry cloth, and keeping them away from water.
What are comfortable sandals? ›Best Sandals For Overall Comfort: Sorel Kinetic Sandal. Best Sandals For Walking: Mephisto Helen Sandal. Best Sandals With Arch Support: Skechers Arch Fit. Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis: Fitflop Lulu Toe-Post Sandal. Best Sandals Designed By A Podiatrist: Vionic Brandie Flatform Sandal.
Do podiatrists recommend Birkenstocks? ›Birkenstock Arizona sandals
Because of the "nice deep heel cup," Swartz said these shoes are podiatrist-approved, especially because the cork sole makes them comfortable.
“When a patient comes in wearing a Teva, I give them a big thumbs up," says podiatrist Doug Tumen, DPM, FACFAS. "Whether on the beach or hiking or just everyday wear, they offer great comfort, quality support and cushioning, excellent traction, and even provide an anti-microbial foot bed.
Are Skechers good for your feet? ›Skechers may be good for your feet because they are designed to absorb the shock of running and walking while also reducing pain and fatigue. Skechers have a flexible sole that moves and bends with your feet while you are walking and offers gentle support while standing still.
What is the best brand of women's sandals? ›- Best Overall: Sandalup Elastic Flat Sandals. ...
- Best for Wide Feet: Munro Pisces Sandal. ...
- Best Sporty: Teva Tirra Sandal. ...
- Best Heel: Steve Madden Irenee Ankle Strap Heel Sandal. ...
- Best Flip-flop: Vionic Dillon Toe Post Sandal. ...
- Best Slides: Adidas Adilette Sandal. ...
- Best for High Arches: Vionic Tide II Sandal.
Which brand is best for leather sandals? ›
- Amazon's Choice. +20. ...
- BATA. Men's Featherlite Leather Hawaii Thong Sandals. ...
- Hush Puppies. Men's Sedan Thong Leather Flip Flops Thong Sandals. ...
- +2 colors/patterns. Woodland. ...
- +2 colors/patterns. Hush Puppies. ...
- BATA. Men BIO TOERING Leather Hawaii Thong Sandals. ...
- Hush Puppies. ...
- Hush Puppies.
Nike is currently the world's largest footwear company, generated a total $38.7 billion sales in 2019 It is also the world's second largest apparel company manufacturing and selling some of the world's best sports clothing and footwears.
Can you wear Birkenstocks on a plane? ›While my Birkenstocks are undeniably comfy, it turns out they aren't exactly TSA-approved and my metal buckles had set off security. Now, I had to trod back, toss my shoes on the conveyor belt and barefooted (yep) go back through the checkpoint.
Should I size up or down for Birkenstocks? ›Length. Determining the length is rather easy. First, you need to figure out your length in our classic footbed (like the Arizona style). Then when trying on some of the other styles with slightly different cork footbeds or polyurethane footbeds, we would recommend going up one size from your classic footbed size.
Should I get narrow or regular Birkenstocks? ›The regular fit is perfect for those with normal to wider width feet and can be identified by the empty foot symbol located on the footbed. The narrow fit is suitable for those with slim/narrow width feet. This can be identified by the coloured in foot symbol on the footbed.
Are Birkenstocks really that comfortable? ›Overall, they are comfortable choices for walking, exploring, and even dressing up as the range of Birkenstocks have changed from comfort wear to some dressier options that still feel good for the feet!
Why are Oofos good for your feet? ›Many shoes are made of harder materials that hold the foot in a more rigid position. This can make deep (intrinsic) muscles of the feet get lazy and weak. OOFOS wakes them up and helps support all the structures of the feet.
Are Birkenstock good for your feet? ›"Even though your jaw may drop when you see a friend walk into a party with Birkenstocks on, they're actually good for your feet. They provide good shock absorption and arch support.
Why are Birkenstocks so popular? ›And according to Birkenstock USA CEO David Kahan, it's all because, appearances notwithstanding, Birkenstock makes a very comfortable shoe. “The heart and soul of everything we do is anatomically correct, orthopedic footwear that makes people feel good,” he said. “That's the bottom line.”
Should I get narrow or regular Birkenstocks? ›The regular fit is perfect for those with normal to wider width feet and can be identified by the empty foot symbol located on the footbed. The narrow fit is suitable for those with slim/narrow width feet. This can be identified by the coloured in foot symbol on the footbed.
Are Birkenstocks trendy 2022? ›
Carrie Bradshaw just made Birkenstocks a must-buy for summer 2022. While the thought of socks and sandals might provoke nightmarish flashbacks of your dad on holiday in the late 90s, it seems the divisive trend is well and truly making a comeback, thanks to the likes of Carrie Bradshaw.
Are Crocs good for your feet? ›Crocs make for excellent footwear because they are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to slip into and out of. They are also breathable, promote circulation, and have enough room to avoid compression of the toes.