Best Hiking Sandals – Expert Review (2020)
This review discusses the best hiking sandals currently on the market. Hiking can sometimes entail water crossings and extreme heat making those boots and socks an uncomfortable option for your hike!
Let those feet breathe a little and get yourself a comfortable and reliable pair of hiking sandals to keep you cool on the trail.
We've put together a review that highlights our top picks for the best overall, great budget-friendly options and the most comfortable hiking sandals.
Best Hiking Sandals (Top Picks)
Best Overall
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Best Value
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Best Comfort
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Top Sandals For Hiking (Detailed Reviews)
We reviewed over 10 hiking sandals for this article. Below are the best hiking sandals that made our short list.
- Ecco Yucatan - Best Overall
- KEEN Whisper Sandal
- Crocs™ Swiftwater
- KEEN Newport - Best Comfort
- Chaco Z1 Classic Athletic - Best Value
Read our complete buyers guide for hiking sandals.
1. Best Overall Sandals
Ecco Yucatan
If you’re looking for something versatile, the ECCO Yucatan comes highly rated. This sandal will take you on and off the trail in cushy comfort.
With a traditional open toe sandal design, your feet will remain cool, while not compromising on support.
The Yucatan has a microfiber-covered EVA footbed that cushions and acts as a shock absorber. The entire foot is supported with a full-length EVA shank and traction is provided by strong rubber outsoles.
An added benefit is that the footbed is AgION™ treated. This is an industry leading odor control product that combats odor-causing bacteria, so your feet and your sandals stay fresher for longer.
The Yucatan also carries the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
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Main Features
What we like
What we dislike
Key Takeway
The Yucatan is super comfortable with exceptional traction thanks to Ecco’s revolutionary sole design.
However, without the ability to adjust the front strap, fit may be an issue in terms of stability and support.
It could be a good idea to try them out in store for a fit before ordering.
2. Best for Women
KEEN Whisper Sandal
5/5 Overall Rating
This lightweight Whisper Sandal from KEEN is our favorite of the women’s hiking sandals. With a closed toe design and 100% polyester webbing, this sandal is fully machine washable.
The sole is made of non-marking rubber and it features a multi directional lug pattern, ensuring you feel sure-footed no matter the terrain.
The Whisper uses all natural probiotic technology to control odors. The thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shank and its metatomical footbed design provide exceptional arch support.
With the anatomically engineered design that emulates the natural curves of the foot, your feet will love you. Weighing in at only 8.7oz (246.6g) these sandals are also incredible light, you’ll feel like you’re walking on air.
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Main Features
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Key Takeaway
Strong and rugged but still aesthetically pleasing, the Whisper is an exceptionally capable hiking sandal. The midsole is comfortable and offers incredible support. With the fully adjustable bungee cord system, the Whisper sandal can be adjusted to fit to your individual requirements and they stay firmly on your foot.
3. Most Versatile Sandal
Crocs™ Swiftwater
While the Crocs Swiftwater is called Fisherman, this robust outdoor sandal is most definitely not just limited to fishing activities.
With its rugged good looks, this sandal can take you from normal daywear, to the trails and anything in between.
The Fisherman is water friendly, with siped outsoles that act as channels funneling water out. The large ports also ensures that no water collects inside the sandal, thus preventing an uncomfortable squishy environment.
The bolstered toe cap provides extra protection for the toes, while the fully adjustable straps ensure a customized and secure fit. Lightweight and flexible, the Swiftwater is a rugged and durable sandal to have in your arsenal.
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Main Features
What we like
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Key Takeaway
If you’re out on a long day, the Swiftwater will give you all you need in terms of comfort and durability. Make sure to size the shoe correctly, and then let the Crocs comfort technology get to work, while you get on with your adventure.
4. Best Comfort
KEEN Newport
This closed toe sandal from Keen is a great hybrid, offering a mash up between sandals and closed hiking shoe. With its good looks and the massive color range on offer, you’re bound to find a pair that works for you.
The KEEN Newport is branded as a water shoe, and it features a razor-siped outsole, which gives superior traction and support on both dry and wet surfaces.
The antibacterial food bed is biologically treated to control odor and moisture, keeping your feet drier and fresher, for longer.
KEEN embraces a PFC free philosophy, so they use alternative technologies to provide the same water repellent properties without using environmentally damaging carcinogens.
Weighing only 14.2 oz. / 402.6 g, we like the Newport as the most comfortable hiking sandals available.
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Main Features
What we like
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Key Takeaway
The Newport is the kind of footwear that can take you anywhere. You won’t feel out of place popping in to the store or trekking through some desolate mountain passes. With the closed toe construction, your toes are protected, yet the open sides allow breathability, and water drainage.
5. Best Value Sandals
Chaco Z1 Classic Athletic
3.5/5 Overall Rating
This versatile sandal will take the avid adventurer from water to trail with ease. With the ChacoGrip™ rubber outsole that is optimized for wet conditions, you can be sure you’ll stay upright on any terrain.
With a simple minimalist yet timeless design, the Z1 Classic Athletic Sandal is durable, and rugged, offering good arch support.
With a foot bed called the LUVSEAT ™ PU, you know it’s going to be comfy.
We loved the webbing straps that are woven directly through the sole of the shoe increasing their durability. These are fully adjustable, ensuring a custom snug and comfortable fit.
The soles have 3.5mm lugs for added traction, making the Z1 a solid and affordable package.
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Main Features
What we like
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Key Takeaway
The best way to describe the Chacco Z1 is to call it a workhorse. Rugged, solid and dependable, your feet will quickly love it, and with Chacco’s tendencies to change up their color choices, you can grab yourself a pair in each option.
Sandals - Buyer's Guide (Key Features)
With so many options in the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There are a number of key features that we recommend you consider when out shopping.
Fit
After a long hard day, your feet may swell. Having adjustable straps or buckles allows you to adjust the fit accordingly. Bear in mind you may want to put on a pair of socks when the temperatures drop.
Arch Support & Cushioning
Support and cushioning will ensure you can go about your day in comfort.
Shock Resistance
If you’re planning to tackle more technical terrain, this is especially important. A good midsole to absorb the bumps on the trail, ensuring minimal injury is key.
Traction
Traction will make sure you stay upright when you need to be. Look at the pattern of the sole as well as the shape of the sole. For snow and muddy conditions, look for a lugged sole. A tacky rubber sole will serve you better on smooth rocks and wet surfaces.
Coverage
While a sandal is traditionally open by design, some closed toe options, and the popular fisherman style sandal is available, providing good coverage for the top of the foot. We find this is useful if you’re trekking through dense foliage or loose terrain.
Waterproofness
You want a pair of sandals that will not only hold up in general bad weather, but also wet terrain like stream crossings. Due to the open design of a sandal, your feet will still get wet, but you want a sandal that will shrug off the water and not be bogged down and squishy. Look for synthetic uppers and a good rubber sole.
Read More Footwear Articles: Hiking Boots | Mountaineering Boots | Approach Shoes | Crampons | Snowshoes | All Footwear
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