Get summer-ready with these comfortable beach sandals.

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Travel + Leisure

When I moved to Southern California from New York City four years ago, I was all too eager to trade in my winter boots for year-round sandals. These days, I rarely wear closed toe shoes. Instead, I opt for flip-flops, slides, and other types of sandals that can take me anywhere from city sidewalks to strutting through sand.

When I’m headed to the beach—either in SoCal or on annual trips to Hawaii or Mexico—I choose my footwear as strategically as my beach gear list. Not all sandals are a match for the sticky sand, crashing waves, and uneven terrain. In those instances, I look for something that is easy to take on and off, wipes away sand easily, and is versatile enough to go from a sunny beach chaise to a glossy hotel restaurant. Ideally, they’re waterproof, too.

We took a deep dive into footwear of all sorts, testing casual slides, beachy wedges, and strappy flats to determine the best beach sandals for any trip that involves sand and water. We tested each pair on the beach, and in and around water to find the best beach sandals for your next vacation. 

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Bared Footwear Sanderlings at Baredfootwear.com Jump to Review Best Jelly Sandals: Melissa Possession Jelly Fisherman Sandal at Amazon $58 Jump to Review Best Slides: Beek Warbler Leather Platform Platform Leather Slides at Beekshop.com Jump to Review Best Flip-flops: Clarks Breeze Sea Flip Flop at Amazon Jump to Review Most Comfortable: Reef Cushion Vera Cruz Slide at Amazon $70 Jump to Review Best Budget: Wild Fable Women’s Maysen Footbed Sandals at Target Jump to Review Best Arch Support: Frankie4 Isla at Frankie4.com Jump to Review Most Adjustable: Teva Original Universal Slim Sandal at REI Jump to Review Most Stylish: Freedom Moses Freedom Slides at Freedomoses.com Jump to Review Best Platforms: Franco Sarto Taziana Espadrille Slide Sandals at Amazon $115 Jump to Review

Best Overall

Bared Footwear Sanderlings

Credit: Bared Footwear View on Baredfootwear.com Why We Love It

• These sandals don’t pinch or chafe, have good arch support, and are supportive without being rigid.

What to Consider

• The footbed isn’t padded.

Sleek, chic, and versatile enough for both the beach and brunch, we’re big fans of these sandals that go with anything and feel incredibly comfortable while doing so. The footbed is contoured to be stabilizing, supportive, and to reduce pressure on the ball of the foot. It’s also designed to cushion the heel to prevent discomfort and absorb shock.

In our testing, we found these sandals fit true-to-size and were comfy from the first wear with no break-in period. They also struck us as high quality with secure, but had flexible straps, upscale metal buckles, and we liked that they come in an array of eye-catching color choices. They arrive in a zippered travel pouch, which is a nice touch, not just for unboxing, but also as handy storage to prevent dust or damage.

Additionally, they're waterproof, which makes them an especially good match for the beach, and the non-slip rubber soles, which are sourced from Hevea trees, won’t go flying on wet pool decks, slippery bathrooms, or other slick surfaces. 

The Details: Size 5-12 | Vegan rubber | Waterproof

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Best Jelly Sandals

Melissa Possession Jelly Fisherman Sandal

Credit: Nordstrom $58 at Amazon $69 at Nordstrom $49 at Bloomingdales Why We Love It

• Waterproof, soft, and supportive, these jellies won’t cause blisters and hold up well to water and sand.

What to Consider

• The bubblegum scent is strong and the buckles are made from plastic, which feel flimsier than metal buckles.

Trendy, yet also seemingly timeless, the jelly sandal is a style that has stuck around for decades. But unlike the ones we wore in the ‘90s that painfully rubbed and caused blisters, these were a dream to wear during testing. Instantly comfortable, the plastic is soft and flexible with no hard edges, and the footbed is squishy and padded, making them lovely to walk around in. They’re made from PVC plastic, but feel sturdy with lug soles for good traction, and the buckles are adjustable.

The fisherman style is iconic, and in addition to classic clear, they come in nine colors including black, pink, pearly blue, matte beige, and even a few glitter options, all of which are bubblegum scented for added nostalgia. There are no half sizes so if you're between two, we recommend sizing up. 

The Details: Size 5-13 | Plastic | Waterproof

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Best Slides

Beek Warbler Leather Platform Platform Leather Slides

Credit: Beek View on Beekshop.com Why We Love It

• The leather is luxe and indulgent.

What to Consider

• The leather isn’t ideal for walking directly into water.

Effortlessly stylish, these sandals offer an elevated take on the signature slide with super-soft leather, a memory foam molded footbed, and adjustable buckle straps for a customizable fit. During our tests, we found them to be nice and sturdy and thought the leather looked very high-end, even after multiple wears. We wore these during a beach walk in the Dominican Republic and appreciated that the leather dried well after getting wet, without any color or texture changes. With several notches on the two foot straps, we were able to adjust them for a secure fit and liked how the edging around the footbed prevents sliding around. Likewise, the rubber outsole offers good traction and grip when walking.

The platform style adds a modest 1.25 inches of height, and while this is admittedly not the shoe we’d suggest for trudging through water, they would look great poolside or out to dinner at a pretty beach resort.

The Details: Size 5-11 | Leather and rubber

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The 15 Most Comfortable Women’s Sandals, Tested and Reviewed

Best Flip-flops

Clarks Breeze Sea Flip Flop

Credit: Amazon View on Amazon $55 $31 at Zappos $55 $30 at Kohls.com Why We Love It

• It's rare to find an adjustable pair of flip-flops, and these are extremely comfortable.

What to Consider

• They are more of an athletic shoe and may be too casual to wear for dinners.

Unlike other designs, our favorite flip-flops are adjustable, offer plenty of arch support, and superior cushioning. While they may not be nice enough to wear out to dinner, you won’t have any problems wearing these for long walks on the beach. Right out of the box, the fit was perfect and we never suffered from blisters or red spots.

They are a bit heavy due to the thick EVA sole, but that gives the shoes traction on slippery surfaces like docks and pebbled beaches. There's also a light cushion layer of "Cushionsoft," which provides extra comfort on top of the thick and firm soles. After wearing these for weeks, they show no signs of wear, and we even decided to order another pair in one of the other 22 colorways offered.

The Details: Size 5-12 | Synthetic and EVA

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Most Comfortable

Reef Cushion Vera Cruz Slide

Credit: Reef $70 at Amazon $70 at Nordstrom $70 at Backcountry Why We Love It

• Well-made and supportive, these really are the most comfortable sandals we tried, even after hours of wear.

What to Consider

• They only come in three colors.

I’ve been wearing Reef sandals for as long as I can remember, and it’s largely because every single pair I’ve worn (and there have been quite a few) has been instantly comfortable from the very first go. I’ve never needed any break-in period when wearing Reef, and for our team of testers, this style was no exception. During our tests, they were worn for hours at a time and the thick, cushioned footbeds felt good whether walking or standing for long periods thanks to generous arch and heel support. We never experienced any rubbing or chafing.

Made with soft vegan leather and featuring two straps with faux raffia molded buckles, this sandal boasts a unique design while still being lightweight. The rubber cupsole is slip resistant, making this style boat and beach friendly. We also tested them on cement, tile, and hardwood floors and were impressed by their tractional ability.

The Details: Size 5-11 | Vegan leather

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Best Budget

Wild Fable Women’s Maysen Footbed Sandals

Credit: Target View on Target Why We Love It

• We walked for miles in these waterproof sandals without any blisters.

What to Consider

• Friction may cause irritation to the top of the foot, however wearing sunscreen for moisture (and protection!) helped eliminate this problem.

Extremely durable with a thick and bouncy sole, these sandals are constructed with 100 percent EVA rubber. They required no break-in period in our testing and were comfy and supportive right away due to all the ample cushioning. We tested them while walking around all day in St. Barths and never experienced aching feet. The shoe’s traction held up well across a wet, slippery boardwalk and they’re easy to wear in sand, too.

There are dual straps; one is buckled and adjustable for a customized fit while the other has a statement cutout style. The combo makes these slip-on sandals extra versatile as they can be dressed up or down, much more so than a traditional flip-flop.

The Details: Size 5-12 | Vegan leather | Waterproof

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The 10 Most Comfortable Men’s Slides for Travel, Tested and Reviewed

Best Arch Support

Frankie4 Isla

Credit: Frankie4 View on Frankie4.com Why We Love It

• With an elegant and functional waterproof design, these can easily be the only pair of sandals you pack for a beach trip.

What to Consider

• The half sizes are limited, so you may need to opt up if you are between sizes.

Designed by a podiatrist, these lightweight sandals are perhaps the most supportive pair of shoes we tested. The footbed lifts and cradles heels to prevent pain while the arch encourages proper alignment, and the section under the ball of the foot relieves pressure points. We found it to feel soft without being squishy, and the gripping rubber sole felt preventative against slips or twists. The design also features thoughtful touches we haven’t seen elsewhere, such as a hidden piece of elastic on the top strap for a flexible, secure fit without digging into the skin.

While the functionality alone is impressive, these leather sandals are also flat-out beautiful. The leather is shiny and textured, which makes them feel dressier than the average beach sandal, but they could also be worn casually with shorts or a bathing suit. And unlike most leather sandals, they’re waterproof, finished with oils for added water- and sand-resistance.

The Details: Size 6-13 | Leather | Waterproof

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Most Adjustable

Teva Original Universal Slim Sandal

Credit: Teva View on REI View on Teva.com View on Shoecarnival.com Why We Love It

• These sandals do it all and are great for the beach, long walks, music festivals, outdoor activities, and more.

What to Consider

• They’re very casual and can’t really be dressed up.

When it comes to a good fit, shoe sizing is only part of the equation. A sole can match your foot perfectly but loose straps, too wide or narrow widths, and other design features can quickly render an otherwise attractive shoe unwearable. That’s why we’re big fans of these Teva sandals. If they look slightly familiar, they’re a minimalist take on Teva’s original unisex Velcro sandals, just with thinner straps. However, they’re still supportive and also adjustable for a truly customized fit. Simple hook-and-loop closures at both the ankle and on top of the foot come on and off to ensure a snug feel that’s just right, which is helpful in the event of foot swelling or if your vibe aligns with the socks and sandal trend.

The straps are made from quick-dry webbing while the sandal itself has an EVA midsole and a rubber outsole for lightweight comfort, high durability, and good traction. We found the webbed material to be high quality and did not show any signs of fraying after repeated use. These shoes are a cinch to adjust, comfortable to walk in without pain, and stand up well to water, dirt, and other outdoor elements.

The Details: Unisex size 5-12 | Repreve polyester, EVA, and rubber | Waterproof

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Most Stylish

Freedom Moses Freedom Slides

Credit: Freedom Moses View on Freedomoses.com Why We Love It

• Available in 68 colors with sizing for women, men, and kids, there is a sandal for everyone.

What to Consider

• The shoes run in dual sizes, which isn’t as exact as other options, and some colors are scented.

Perusing the collection of Freedom Slides from Freedom Moses is like admiring a rainbow. There are a whopping 68 color choices available for this unisex style, including a selection of unique prints such as paisley, glitter, camo, and ombre-style shading. You’d be hard pressed not to find a color to match the one you have in mind. The shoe itself is made from sustainable injected PCU rubber with fixed buckles that are not adjustable. However, we thought this made the buckles feel smoother. During our tests, they chafed less than other adjustable options we tried as well.

These slides go with everything from jeans to swimsuits and have held up to years of daily wear. The rubber footbed is slightly textured, which adds support and prevents feet from sliding around. They’re also waterproof, which makes them excellent for the beach, but we thought they also performed well in other settings such as running errands, walking the dog, and on cobblestone streets, wet sidewalks, and grass.

The Details: Size 4-12 women’s and 8-13 men’s | PCU rubber | Waterproof

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The 9 Best Waterproof Sandals, Tested and Reviewed

Best Platforms

Franco Sarto Taziana Espadrille Slide Sandals

Credit: Franco Sarto $115 at Amazon $115 at Nordstrom View on Zappos Why We Love It

• Despite the height and wedge style, these are comfortable right away with no break-in period.

What to Consider

• Like many espadrilles, the sides are jute-wrapped and sand can become embedded in the fibers.

When a little height is in order, these on-trend platforms make a strong style statement. A leather footbed and upper section are paired with an oversized adjustable metallic buckle atop a 2.5-inch espadrille wedge platform. They’re dressy enough to complement a breezy beach dress, but still casual enough to wear with shorts or a coverup.

We found them to be comfortable right out of the box and thought they fit true to size. We also appreciated how the slight incline of the wedge helped our arches to feel supported during long walks. Available in nine colors, they’ve held up well to repeat wears, and they still look good even after getting sandy at the beach.

The Details: Size 5-11 | Leather and jute

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Most Versatile

Bear Paw High Seas Iced Coffee Sandals

Credit: Bear Paw View on Bearpaw.com $56 at Belk.com $55 at Kohls.com Why We Love It

• You can wear these sandals on the beach, out to dinner, and around town during the day and always look appropriate.

What to Consider

• The faux leather material is not waterproof.

In the past, we’ve shied away from some super strappy sandals, fearful that all those details would leave us vulnerable to pinching, chafing, or blisters. Thankfully, that’s not the case here as these shoes were comfortable from the first wear with soft faux leather materials and a supportive cushioned footbed. We even wore them walking around for over three miles and were shocked at the cushioning that propelled us forward and kept us feeling supported.

The layered rubber outsole adds 1.6 inches of height and we’re fans of how the grooved sole made it easy to walk through rocks, pebbles, or sand without losing footing. An ankle strap is adjustable, so our feet did not slide around while wearing these shoes, and they come in five color choices. But one of our favorite features is their all-day appeal. These sandals would transition well from the sand to a scenic dinner somewhere upscale and anywhere in between.

The Details: Size 5-12 | Faux leather

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Best Water Shoes

Keen Women’s Sandal

Credit: REI $120 $90 at Amazon $120 at REI $120 at Nordstrom Why We Love It

• These shoes are durable, high-quality, and perform well not only on water but also on sand, rocks, and solid surfaces—they’d be great for hiking.

What to Consider

• The style looks a bit clunky.

Available in women’s and men’s sizing, these shoes are so soft and comfortable, you’ll likely want to wear them on dry land, too. We were blown away by the supportive and cushioned footbed with a shock-absorbing foam insole, as well as the stretchy and flexible upper material. In testing, we experienced zero discomfort, blisters, pinching, redness, or chafing.

We tested them on a boat for several hours, in a lake, on a beach, and in muddy water near the shoreline. In all instances, the traction from the aquagrip rubber sole was incredible, even on a sandy incline and slippery rocks. Considering how sturdy and thick the rubber materials are, and how much protection they provide, the shoes feel surprisingly lightweight and weigh only 9.52 ounces. They also have an easy-on bungee cinch closure, are treated naturally to resist odors, and the design provides ample space for toes to splay wide. And a solid rubber bumper keeps the toes protected too if they are worn near rocks or on a hike.

The Details: Size 6-13 women’s and 7-15 men’s | Polyester and rubber | Waterproof

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The Most Comfortable Hiking Boots, Tested and Reviewed

Other Beach Sandals We Liked

The following sandals didn't make our list of favorites, but have some special features that may meet the needs of some travelers.

Reef Cushion Vista: These are sturdy slides with nice arch support and a sophisticated look, however, they were not nearly as comfortable as other sandals we tried, especially another Reef style we loved, the Cushion Vera Cruz.

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Crocs Miami Toe Loop Sandal: We love a simple slip-on sandal that you can easily kick off when you hit the sand and this pair of Crocs features plenty of straps to keep them secure, but they are just a bit too flat to wear when walking long distances.

Marion Parke Patty Slingback Sandals: With a stylish raffia exterior and brushed gold accents, vacation vibes abound from the moment you slip these sophisticated sandals upon your feet. However, the closed-toe design captures sand and these may be just a bit too formal for beachwear.

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Our Testing Process

T+L editors love a good sandal, but not all are meant to be worn to the beach. Some are uncomfortable, others aren’t sturdy enough to walk on sand or rocks, and many won’t hold up to elements like water or mud. To find the beach sandals, we tested flip-flops, water shoes, slides, and more for long walks on sand and even into the water.

We wore each pair of shoes consistently for two weeks, though many pairs were worn for far longer than that, and all will continue to be tested over the coming months to further evaluate them. We analyzed comfort, fit, quality, support, and value, and also considered versatility and durability to ensure each pair of sandals will hold up to many beach vacations to come.

Tips for Buying Beach Sandals

Look for waterproof or water-resistant options 

Even if you don’t plan to wade into the water, if you’re going to the beach, you’ll likely end up with remnants of sand on your feet and also inside your shoes. The quickest and easiest way to clean them is with a quick rinse, so it’s best to choose sandals made with waterproof materials. Materials like TPU, EVA foam, plastic, and rubber won’t absorb water, repelling it instead and will also dry quickly. Some fabrics such as polyester or neoprene can also be quick-drying and handle water well.

Think about sand 

Sand and the beach go hand in hand, and some materials cling to the tiny grains all too easily. A material like jute, for example, which is commonly found in espadrilles or woven raffia, can appear beachy but in actuality are more delicate than other fabrics and sand can become embedded within their fibers. If that’s a concern, look for sand-resistant materials such as foam, plastic, rubber, or polyester, which will be easier to rinse off or wipe clean. Additionally, if the idea of trudging through sand sounds like a burden, choose a sandal that slides on and off easily without having to fumble with straps.This is also important if you’re also toting a lot of beach gear. That way, as soon as you arrive at the beach you can easily kick your sandals off and sink your toes straight into the sand.

Consider water shoes

The ultimate beach sandal is one designed to withstand all the elements of a beach from sand to boardwalk to the surf. Water shoes are specifically designed to get wet and dirty. They clean easily, are odor-resistant, and offer excellent support and traction when navigating slippery surfaces like mud, sand, or rocks. They can also stay on your feet when you go swimming, which is really helpful on rocky beaches, and they do double duty for hikes, which is handy on treks leading to remote beaches or waterfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Emily Hochberg is an experienced travel and lifestyle writer and editor. She is based near many beaches in Southern California that she visits multiple times per year, and lives in a desert area where she wears sandals every day. She also grew up in a beach town in Connecticut and regularly visits beaches in places like Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. She owns countless sandals from flip flops to slides and is very experienced in trying a wide assortment of beach shoes, and has extensive experience testing and reviewing travel products of all types.

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